District welcomes new teachers

As Red Wing students head back to class next month, there’s no doubt there will be new backpacks, new notebooks and new pencils going along with them.

But there will also be plenty of new faces, as Red Wing School District welcomes 16 new teachers to its staff this fall. The new teachers are scattered across the district, with nearly every building getting a few new district employees.

The R-E asked each of the teachers to fill out a questionnaire providing insight into their backgrounds. Here are their responses.

Alison Feders

Education: B.S. in elementary education from Valley City State University; B.S. in child development and family science from North Dakota State University

New position: First-grade teacher at Sunnyside

Previous teaching experience: One-year as a long-term substitute in South Washington County School District

When you were in school, who was your favorite teacher? My favorite teacher was my first-grade teacher Mrs. Henaman, who I was lucky enough to work with as a team member during my long term substitute position.

Why did you decide to become a teacher? During high school I always went into my aunt's classroom to help her to complete volunteer hours for a class. I loved working with the kids and seeing them improve. Even after I completed my high school class I continued to volunteer in her classroom. During my freshman year of college, it finally clicked that I wanted to be a teacher. Every time I walk in the classroom I am greeted by a fun and enthusiastic environment! I am always happy when I get to school in the morning and when I leave because I know I have helped each student to start to reach their hopes and dreams.

Michael Kincaid

Education: B.A.A. in special education from Perdue University; M.Ed. in educational leadership and administration from De Paul University

New position: Eighth- and ninth-grade special education at RWHS

Previous teaching experience: Five years as a special education teacher at Thornwood High School in Chicago

When you were in school, who was your favorite teacher? Mr. Frailenger was my psychology teacher in high school and taught me the importance of never judging others before getting to know them. Dr. William Hoecker at De Paul University taught me what it means to be an effective leader inside and outside the classroom.

Why did you decide to become a teacher? I knew that I wanted to do something that would allow me to have an impact on the lives of young people.

Elizabeth (Betsy) Kralich

Education: B.A. in biology and religion, with a minor in education, from Hamline University

New position: Biology and environmental science teacher at RWHS

Previous teaching experience: One year as a substitute for St. Paul Public Schools; one summer teaching biology at Washington Technology Magnet

When you were in school, who was your favorite teacher? Mr. Marcella had high expectations and knew how to help students reach them. He also had the craziest analogies for all things biology.

Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher to answer the “When are we ever gonna use this?” question for all students, even the ones who think they hate science.

Michael Lupella

Education: B.S. in elementary education and M.S. in special education from Bemidji State University; EBD and SLD licensures

New position: Special education teacher at Burnside

Previous teaching experience: Seven years with Goodhue County Education District; four years teaching and substitute in Brainerd, Minn.

When you were in school, who was your favorite teacher? Mr. Brueland, my junior high science teacher from Pine River-Backus (Minn.) Schools, had a unique style and presented information in fun and interesting ways.

Why did you become a teacher? In spite of both my parents being teachers, I did not want to be a teacher until I coached tee ball late in my high school years. Not only was it fun, but I got to see my players develop skills that helped make them more successful in later years. I still enjoy both the challenging and rewarding aspects of teaching today.

Kristi Person

Education: B.A. in communications from Bethel University; M.Ed. in business and marketing education from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

New position: Computer teacher at TBMS

Previous teaching experience: Two years as a computer specialist at Legacy Christian Academy in Andover, Minn.

When you were in school, who was your favorite teacher? My favorite teacher was Herr Kauls, my high school German teacher at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis. He was the best language teacher you could have; within a week of starting German 1 freshman year you could only speak German in class; no English accepted! Needless to say, in the three years I took German from him, I learned quite a bit.

Why did you become a teacher? I really wanted to help students develop their potential. In teaching computer and business concepts, I am able to expose students to things that they may not otherwise have learned along the way. That is exciting to me.

Ann Petersen

Education: B.A. in psychology from University of California-Berkeley; teaching credentials for K-8 language arts from Hamline University

New position: Sixth-grade language arts at TBMS

Previous teaching experience:Four years substitute teaching in Red Wing, Lake City and Goodhue

When you were in school, who was your favorite teacher? My eighth-grade teacher, Mr. Pike taught the class, "Organization is the key to success." I'm still working on it.

Why did you become a teacher? I have always been interested in the learning process: the way we obtain, store, and access information. Guiding children to develop an understanding and love of learning is why I became a teacher.

William Redman

Education: B.A.A. in secondary social studies education from University of Minnesota-Duluth; special education licenses from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore., and St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis

New position: Special education teacher at RWHS

Previous teaching experience: Four years as special education teacher for Goodhue County Education District; two years as special education teacher for Redmond Public Schools in Redmond, Ore.

When you were in school, who was your favorite teacher? My favorite teacher was Jim Dorn, my social studies teacher at Elk River (Minn.) Area High School.

Why did you become a teacher? I love the idea of helping the next generation grow to their full potential.

Amy Rak

Education: Winona State University and St. Catherine’s University

New position: Kindergarten teacher at Sunnyside

Previous teaching experience: Two years as kindergarten teacher at Rossman Elementary in Detroit Lakes, Minn.

When you were in school, who was your favorite teacher? My favorite teacher was my middle school gym teacher/coach, Mr. Bloomberg. He was always there to encourage his students and had a "can do" personality. He had a contagious positive attitude every day and was always there if any student needed advice.

Why did you become a teacher? I grew up helping my mom in her classroom every day after school. She taught me to always follow my heart, and that lead to my passion for children and teaching. I love the moment when a struggling student finally understands a concept and that "light bulb" goes on. Being able to provide a safe and fun environment for children to grow in their lifelong learning is so rewarding. I wouldn't trade a day for anything different.

Abby Schroeder

Education: Minnesota State University-Mankato

New position: Family and consumer science teacher at RWHS

Previous teaching experience: Four years at Southwest Junior High School in Forest Lake, Minn.

When you were in school, what was your favorite lesson? In high school, to demonstrate portion distortions, I did a presentation on portion sizes and made a very large chocolate chip cookie that fed the entire class.

Why did you become a teacher? Teaching students the skills that they will use their entire lives is important to me. I want my students to be able to survive and be able to provide for themselves when they move out of home and are on their own.

Sara Shannon

Education: B.A. in history and French literature from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; M.A. in history from Columbia University, New York City

New position: Long-term substitute for sixth-grade social studies at TBMS

Previous teaching experience: History teacher at Ellsworth High School; U.S. history and Asian studies at St. Paul Como Park High School; English and French teacher at Kaemyung University in South Korea

When you were in school, who was your favorite teacher? My favorite teacher was my sixth-grade teacher Miss Persch who told countless stories about traveling to other countries. Her stories inspired me to travel and learn about different cultures.

Why did you become a teacher? I’ve wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember.

Rebecca Susag

Education: B.S. in biology from College of St. Benedict; M.A.T. in communications disorders from University of Wisconsin-River Falls

New position: Speech language pathologist at RWHS

Previous experience: Speech language pathologist working with adults and children in various sites around Dakota and Goodhue counties

When you were in school, who was your favorite teacher? I have had many teachers who took a personal interest in me, saw things in my I did not know were there and pushed me to do my best. I hope to also do that with my students.

Why did you become a teacher? I became a speech pathologist because I have a daughter who has autism, and we had a speech pathologist who worked with me and helped my family when we most needed it.

Lindsay Woychek

Education: B.S. in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

New position: Fourth-grade teacher at Burnside

Previous teaching experience: Many long term substitute positions in the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District and Hudson School District

When you were in school, who was your favorite teacher? One of my most memorable teachers was my sixth-grade math teacher Mr. Rice. He made learning enjoyable and showed his students enthusiasm in each lesson.

Why did you become a teacher? I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in elementary school. I was a student leader from elementary through high school, and have always enjoyed helping others learn.

Rebecca Zylstra

Education: B.S. in elementary education; M.S. in special education

New position: Eight- and ninth-grade special education teacher at RWHS

Previous teaching experience: Three years with Kerkhoven Murdock Sunburg (Minn.) School District; 14 years with the Farmington (Minn.) School Dsitrict

When you were in school, who was your favorite teacher? There are so many! Miss Johnson (first-grade), Ms. Chisholm, (sixth-grade) and Mr. Heitman (high school chemistry) would be on the top of my list.

Why did you become a teacher? I believe that every child deserves to achieve success.