High School staff (l to r): Asst. Principal Lora O’Hern, new activities director Mike Cunningham, new band teacher Ben Firkus, with Principal Brad Windschill . Photo supplied

Ben Firkus taught for the previous three years at Roosevelt H.S. in Sioux Falls, S.D. where he was the assistant band director.  He is a talented trumpet player and has extensive jazz band experience. He has extensive marching band experience. Firkus graduated from the University of Wisconsin: River Falls, he graduated from Irondale H.S.  He comes as a highly regarded, highly respected young professional.

 Mike Cunningham graduated from Kodiak High School in Alaska and received his bachelor’s degree in Omaha, Neb. He taught technology Education for 12 years at Fridley. He has a masters degree from St. Mary’s University and Education Specialist degree from the University of St. Thomas. Prior to coming to NB he was activities director at Zimmerman High School. He has been an assistant coach in several sports.

North Branch Middle School: Principal Todd Tetzlaff (center) with Kari Sawyer and Bob Schmidt. Photo by MaryHelen Swanson

 Kari Sawyer will be the 7th grade geography teacher. She grew up in Clinton, Minn. She earned a BA at Concordia College in Moorhead in Business and Communications and worked in the business world for 5-6  years. Then she went back to school at Hamline University and got her teaching license. She has traveled around the world and loves it and will enjoy teaching geography to the students.

Bob Schmidt earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado - Boulder, and did graduate work at the University of Oregon. Formerly Schmidt was the resident tenor with the Minnesota Opera. The past five years he was the vocal instructor at NBHS and the theater director for the past two years.  He will direct the choir at NBMS this year.

Sunrise River School: Principal Jason Hartmann (second from right) with (l to r) Stephanie Gumiela, Kristen Jacobsen, Kyle Kahl and, Britney Heisick. Not pictured: Shanna Paffrath and Paula Hoffert. Photo by MaryHelen Swanson

Spanish: Kristen Jacobsen and Britney Heisick have been very busy this summer getting ready to implement Spanish to students at Sunrise River.  They bring a passion for teaching a second language and at the same time a strong understanding of how to integrate technology into the classroom.  Jacobsen comes to Sunrise River from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Spanish and Political Science. She also has her Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate.
Heisick graduated from the University of Minnesota – Duluth with a K-12 Spanish License and Educational Computing / Technology Certificate.

School Psychologist: Shanna Paffrath will serve grades 4 and 5 and Paula Hoffert will serve grades 2 and 3. They both bring a strong background of problem solving and data analysis, which will be helpful as we continue individual student support. The two are hired through the St. Croix River Education District (SCRED).
Paffrath graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has direct experience providing Response to Intervention consultation services. 
Hoffert graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire with an educational specialist degree in School Psychology.

4th Grade single gender boys: Kyle Kahl comes to us from St. Croix Falls, Wis.  He graduated this past spring from University of Wisconsin – River Falls.  He brings energy, science experience, and a strong passion for wanting to connect with each student.

School Nurse: Jenna LaFond is a new graduate from Mankato State and comes with great nursing skills and excellent references.

Stephanie Gumiela is a graduate of St. Cloud State University. She has a passion for supporting students will communication disorders.  She has a special interest in mass communication and worked at the local radio station while a student at St. Cloud State University.

Primary School: Principal Jan Ashlin (left) with (l to r) Rachelle Stocker, Jennifer Anthenat and Gina Zarbok. Photo by MaryHelen Swanson

Jennifer Anthenat is our new Spanish teacher for the Primary School.  Receiving her undergraduate degree from Bethel University, Jennifer comes to us with a double major in K - 6 elementary education and K - 12 Spanish.
 
Rachelle Stocker will serve as a speech clinician for the Primary School and Early Childhood.  Rachelle received her Masters Degree from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls in the area of speech-language pathology.
 
Gina Zarbok will be serving as a half-time student support teacher.  Gina as she has taken on many roles in the district over the past few years.  Gina is a graduate of Winona State University.

Alternative program staff: (l to r)  Milan Virant, Jenna LaFond, Beth Maikkula, Trena Noble, Deb Goodman, with Lori Zimmerman. Photo supplied

Milan Virant is a graduate of Mankato State University with a BS in 5-12 Social Studies, and is working toward his licensure in Special Education.  He will actually be the Special Education Teacher in ALC and Distance Learning.

Jenna LaFond is a graduate of Mankato State University with a BS in Nursing and a comes with a variety of clinical nursing experiences.   She will work in multiple programs in the district, primarily at the elementary and middle levels. 

Beth Maikkula is a graduate of St. Cloud State University, with a BS in elementary education with an emphasis in math and science.  She will be working with students and families in the Distance Learning Program.

Trena Noble earned her BS and MA degrees at Eastern Kentucky University.  She has extensive experience supporting students and families and will be working in the Gateway Program at the Brooker Building.

Deb Goodman earned her BA in Social Work from Buena Vista University and MA in Special Education from Augsburg College.    She has a special interest in service learning and will be working with students and families in the Gateway Program at the Brooker Building.
 

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