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Mr. Scott Fodness
After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Scott started teaching at Jefferson High School in Alexandria. He returned to the U to obtain Sp.Ed. certification, later receiving an M.A. in Education from St. Scholastica. He has enjoyed teaching English, directing plays, and coaching debate and speech. His primary interests in education are curriculum design and delivery as well as the philosophical debates/discussions that go back to Plato and Aristotle.
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Ms. Gail Gaetz
Gail has 15 years of elementary education teaching experience, 5 years as an elementary classroom teacher and 10 years as an elementary media generalist. She received a B.A. in elementary education from Central College in Pella, Iowa, and an M.L.S. from the University of Iowa. Gail is currently teaching courses in both the elementary education department and the educational media department. Her educational interests include literature-based reading, educational technology, and the Internet.
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Dr. Thomas Gaetz
Tom graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Sociology. He worked in retail and wholesale sales for three years before returning to the University to earn a degree in Elementary Education. Tom has fifteen years of teaching experience in grades one through six. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in Curriculum and Instruction, with an emphasis in elementary reading. Tom's educational interests include the writing process, teaching poetry, and teacher research.
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Dr. Amy Garrett Dikkers
Amy graduated with a B.A. in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and went on to receive her teaching licensure and M.Ed. from Wake Forest University. After teaching secondary school English in Virginia and Berlin, Germany, she attended the University of Minnesota, receiving a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Administration, Comparative and International Development Education. Her major areas of interest are diversity in the classroom, the education of immigrant and minority students, and technology innovations in schools.
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Mr. Paul Germscheid
To be posted.
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Mr. Gerald (Jerry) Hansen
Jerry earned his B.A. and M.A. from St. Cloud State University and his M.Ed. from the University of Minnesota. During his 25+ years in public education he has served as a Science Teacher, Staff Development Trainer, and Principal at both the Middle and High school levels. When not working on his passion, the education and success of students, you may find him climbing, canoeing, bicycling, or hiking with family and friends.
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Ms. Jana Hilleren-Garcia
Jana graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris, with a degree in English. After serving in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic, and Peace Corps Teaching Fellow in Philadelphia, she returned to Minnesota. She completed the M.Ed. program in Second Languages and Cultures at the University of Minnesota. Jana is a licensed K-12 ELL and Spanish teacher. She currently teaches and coordinates elementary Spanish programs in four west central districts in Minnesota. The programs are part of a larger integration project. She lives in Benson with her five-year-old son, Tommy. They enjoy travel, books, and cooking.
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Mr. Al Hunter
Bio not yet available.
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Ms. Susan Jensen
Susan has 25 years of experience in education and business, with elementary teaching of grades 1 through 4, and K-5 Gifted Education. She earned her B.S. in Elementary Education and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Iowa State University. After working in the corporate world as an HR Manager, Susan returned to education at the University of Minnesota and received her K-12 Administrators License. Susan is an experienced elementary administrator that has provided educational leadership in Minnesota and Iowa. She compassionately promotes the educational development of students and staff. Her professional interests and passions are about creating school cultures for learning through accountability, interactive learning, family involvement, and communication.
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Ms. Heidi Johnson
Heidi is an adjunct instructor in the EDM program. She is also a librarian at The College of St. Scholastica, where she works in reference, bibliographic instruction, and archives. She graduated from Dominican University with a Master's in Library and Information Science. Previously, she taught high school English and German and coached speech for five years at Mora High School in Mora, MN. She received her B.A. from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Heidi likes to learn about anything and everything, especially technology and the myriad of topics that students bring to her for reference assistance.
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Ms. Meridel Kahl
Meridel received her B.A. (English Major) at Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN, and her M.Ed. at Shippensburg State University, Shippensburg, PA. She has taught English and Speech to high school students for 18 years in Bloomington, MN, Newville, PA, and North Branch, MN. Meridel has been with St. Scholastica since 1986, and is currently teaching Secondary Education courses along with Human Relations, Women's Studies, and English courses. Meridel enjoys reading memoirs, walking, cooking vegetarian meals, gardening, weaving, engaging in stimulating conversations with friends, and trying to relate to her cat, Isadora.
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Dr. Marie Kelsey
Marie Kelsey graduated from Bemidji State University with a B.A. in English and American Humanities, a B.S. teaching degree in English and Library Science, and an M.A. in English. She also has a B.A. from The College of St. Scholastica, in Health Information Management, and is a Registered Health Information Administrator. She received her Ph.D. and Master's in library science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Marie was the catalog librarian at St. Scholastica for 20 years. She also worked in the Madison, WI, public schools as a school library-media generalist while pursuing her doctorate. Her educational interests are intellectual freedom and censorship in school media centers, and the role of the school library media specialist in the Minnesota graduation standards environment.
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Dr. Constance LaCombe
Connye has taught every age of student from birth to adult in her 22 years of teaching experience as a day care provider, classroom teacher, and workshop leader. She has a B.S. and an M.A. in Mathematics Education from the University of Minnesota, Mpls., and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Hamline University in St, Paul. Connye's special interest is in the application of cognitive psychology to mathematics education. Her hobbies include gardening, domestic crafts, reading, and writing.
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Ms. Beth LaVigne
Beth received her bachelor's degree in Natural Science from The College of St. Benedict. She completed a teaching certificate at UMD, and an M.Ed. from St. Scholastica. Beth has taught middle and secondary level science classes including life, earth, and physical science for 13 years in the Duluth Schools. Her focus is on increasing teacher's abilities to use hands-on science activities that promote critical thinking.
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Dr. Kathleen Lutz
Kay has 29 years of elementary education experience. For 20 years she taught grades 1-5 in El Cajon, CA, and the next 9 years taught grades 4-6 in Vancouver, WA. In addition, she also taught at the Clark Community College in Vancouver for 4 years. Kay has been a mentor in a state "teacher-helping-teacher" program and a staff developer in the areas of reading, writing, literature, math and integrated curriculum. Kay received her Ph.D. from Capella University, MN, in 2006. She received her B.S. and her M.A. in education at San Diego State University. Kay also has a California Life Teaching Credential and a Washington State Standard Teaching Credential for K-12. Kay teaches courses in the ECI program, the GTL program, and the undergraduate program.
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Mr. Kevin Mackin
Kevin brings 27 years of experience as a teacher, coach, counselor and high school administrator. More recently, he has been an educational writer and consultant before joining the adjunct staff at the College of St. Scholastica. He earned a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, an M.A. from the University of Minnesota, and an Ed.S. from the University of St. Thomas. He is excited about returning to the classroom in support of the next generation of teachers.
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Ms. Manuela Martinez
Manuela was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and has over ten years of experience in teaching language and culture. She has taught at elementary, middle and high school levels in both Buenos Aires, and the Twin Cities. She is a veteran faculty member at Global Language Institute, and directs language and culture programs for the school. She earned her M.A. in Foreign Languages at the University of St. Thomas. In addition to her interest in foreign languages and cultures, she is also a film connoisseur.
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Dr. Betsy McDougall
Betsy received her Ph.D. from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, in Higher Education with a minor in Indian Studies (1998). Prior to receiving her doctorate, in 1995, she received an M.S. in Education with a cognate in Indian Studies from the University of North Dakota. In 1993, she graduated with a B.S. in Education as well as a B.A., also from the University of North Dakota. She has been working as an administrator and instructor since graduating in 1998. Betsy is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. She maintains a commitment to working and learning within the traditional American Indian community. Presently, Betsy is teaching full-time, specializing in first-nations studies, human services and education.
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Mr. Kevin McGrew
Kevin is the Library Director at the College of St. Scholastica. He received his B.A. degree from Bethel College in Arden Hills and his M.A. in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, in 1991. In 1995 he received his M.Ed. Educational Media and Technology from The College of St. Scholastica. Kevin lives in the country near Duluth with his wife, Paula, and two sons, where he enjoys hunting and working around the house. The family has a Spinone (dog breed), named Otis that Kevin takes on hunting trips in Minnesota and North Dakota.
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Ms. Tiffany Moore
Tiffany earned her B.A., M.A. and Ed.D. in education leadership from the University of St. Thomas. She has spent her entire career teaching social studies at South High School in Minneapolis. Her education interests are multicultural education and social justice in schools. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, Jason, and their two young children, Reece and Alicia.
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Ms. Catherine Nachbar
Catherine graduated from Cornell College with a B.A. in Secondary Education, Sociology, and a concentration in American History. She started working with the Duluth Public School district in 1997, teaching a variety of social studies courses at Central High School. While teaching at Central she completed an M.Ed. with a concentration in technology in 2000. Integrating technology into the classroom became an interest of Catherine's while studying at Cornell. She was a collaborative member working with the University of Minnesota-Duluth's Arrowhead Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to use Technology (APT3). The focus of this $1.4 million grant was improving technology integration within public schools. She is also a member of the Minnesota Social Studies Best Practice Network, and is familiar with best practice teaching techniques. One of Catherine's favorite tools to use in the classroom is technology, but she wants to note that technology is merely a tool, not a replacement for the teacher. And, the learning process involved with technology continually humbles her.
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Ms. Terry Norton
Terry holds B.F.A. and a B.A.A. (K-12 education) from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and an M.S.E. from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She is licensed in art and special education (E.B.D.) K-12. Her experience spans over 20 years of teaching and counseling. Currently, she is an art teacher at Duluth's Woodland Middle School. She has received a variety of teaching awards and was named Minnesota's Art Educator of the Year in 1999. At St. Scholastica she teaches in both the undergraduate (art methods) and graduate (special education) programs. She is married to Randy and the mother ofthree children; Reid, Taylor, and Ailee.
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Dr. M. Jo Olsen
Jo is a nationally certified school psychologist, having worked for over 20 years in Wisconsin and Minnesota public schools, and is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Minnesota. She has been an assistant professor in the Department of Education; School Counseling; and School Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, teaching graduate courses, supervising school placements and developing adistance learning supervision model for interns. She has a B.S. in psychology and sociology, an M.S. in school psychology and an Ed.D. in educational leadership. Her professional interests include organizational change, online teaching and learning, behavioral interventions, positive school climate, and play therapy.
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Ms. Rachel Payne
Rachel earned her B.A. in English from the University of Rochester. She pursued a career in the media industry in Chicago until she moved with her family to Duluth in 1993. She earned her Bachelor's degree in education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and her Master's degree in education from St. Mary's University. She has taught in the Duluth public schools for the past six years. Her academic interests are technology integration, elementary math methods, working with at-risk students, and educational reform. She enjoys reading, gardening, traveling, theatre, and spending time with her husband Bill, sons Connor and Nate, and her dog Cosmo.
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Dr. Steve Pfingsten
Steve holds a B.S. in Economics from Carroll College, an M.S.in Secondary Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a Ph.D. in Secondary Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Economics from Marquette University. His teaching experience includes work with 6th graders as well as highschool social studies. Steve has taught a variety of courses, including contemporary education, educational psychology and special education. His interests include special education, character education, effective teaching, tutoring, and volunteer experience in the schools.
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Dr. Betty Preus
Betty has taught students from age 6 to 60, including high school English, K-8 reading and special education, a college level special needs course, and numerous graduate level courses in research methods, organizational theory, teaching methods, and reflective practice. She is currently Chair of the Education department. Previously she was at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, as a researcher, administrator and consultant. Her publications are on disability in higher education, organizational change, teaching action research, and technology in teacher education. Betty has a B.A. in English, M.S. in special education, and an Ed.D. in educational leadership. Her interests include innovation in teacher education, organizational change, qualitative research methods, and professional development of teachers.
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Ms. Margi Preus
Margi is an adjunct instructor in the EDM program. Besides teaching Educational Resources for Children in this program, she teaches fiction writing at UMD and has taught a variety of other English and theater courses. Her experience working in the schools includes years of performing and conducting theater workshops in elementary schools in the Midwest, artist residencies and author visits. Margi writes plays, short fiction and children's books and directs plays. She has a B.A. in Humanities and an M.A. in English and Creative Writing.
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Dr. Sharon Pristash
Sharon is the principal of St. James Catholic School in Duluth, Minnesota. She has 17 years of teaching experience and 5 years of administrative experience. Her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and English was obtained from The College of St. Scholastica, as well as an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. She earned her K-12 administrative licensure and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Sharon recently published her first book, What People Think Principals Do. She lives in Duluth, MN with her husband of eighteen years, Robert. Her hobbies include reading, gardening and traveling.
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Ms. Rebecca Rennicke
Rebecca currently teaches Physical, Biological, and Earth sciences, grades 9-12. During her 25 years of teaching, she has also designed and implemented elementary science programs, taught at the middle level, designed and conducted staff development for science teachers, and worked with research professionals associated with her projects. Her educational expertise is in curriculum design aimed at integration of Inquiry, constructivism and technology in the science classroom. The Black Bear research project involves linking high school students with authentic field research professionals. Students learn scientific research methods first hand as they track collared bears in the field and analyze data back in the classroom.
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Ms. Shelly Roy
Shelley holds an M.A. in Education from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. She is a recognized leader in human resource development, having worked with thousands of adults in a wide range of learning situations since 1985. For over 10 years she provided ongoing facilitation to over seventy improvement teams in the areas of health, human services, education, and business. In her earlier career, Shelly taught in West Berlin, Germany, at a Navajo Reservation in New Mexico, in Junction City, Kansas, and in Leigh, Nebraska. She is on the Board of Directors and is a trainer for the International Association for Applied Control Theory.
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Ms. Diane Scully
Diane received her B.A. and B.S. Art degrees from Bemidji State University. She went on to receive her M.F.A. in Painting and Drawing from the University of Oregon, in Eugene. She has taught visual art for the past 28 years in both rural and urban Minnesota settings. Her teaching experience has spanned K-college level. She currently teaches Visual Art at Columbia Heights High School and enjoys producing her own art, gardening, travel, reading, museums, and her involvement in a variety of art education organizations.
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Ms. Chery Takkunen
Chery received a B.S. in elementary education from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and an M.Ed. in elementary science and math educationfrom The College of St. Scholastica, where she is now a full-time faculty member, and is currently a doctoral student in the "Leadershipin Education" program through St. Mary's University of Minnesota. She has taught second grade at Churchill Elementary School in Cloquet, MN. She was a department chairperson for Graduation Rule Implementation for her district and was part of a multi district Graduation Rule Evaluation team. She has also given a workshop on implementing the Inquiry Standard for the Minnesota Department of Children, Families, and Learning. She is very interested in best practice teaching techniques, technology and curriculum integration, and alternative assessments. She is also the taxi driver (and mother) for her three children: Amber, Justin, and Collin.
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Ms. Valerie Tanner
Valerie began her teaching career at the Bugonaygeshig School on the Leech Lake Reservation. She taught there for three years in a self-contained classroom for children with emotional/behavioral disabilities. Valerie then moved to the Cass Lake-Bena Elementary School in Cass Lake, Minnesota. The Cass Lake-Bena Elementary School is a public school with an American Indian population of 80%. In Cass Lake, Valerie continued to work with children with emotional/behavioral disabilities. After three more years in special education, she moved to regular education and taught in the fifth grade classroom. In 1997, Valerie accepted a job with the Department of Children, Families and Learning-Office of Indian Education. There, she worked with Indian Education programs throughout Minnesota. In the fall of 2003, she began to work as anassistant professor for the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. Valerie received her B.S. from the University of North Dakota, her M.S. from the University of Minnesota - Duluth, and is in the final year of her Doctoral Program, "Educational Leadership", at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Valerie is an enrolled member of the Leech Lake Reservation and the mother of two awe-inspiring children.
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Sr. Clare Marie Trettel, O.S.B.
Sr. Clare Marie is a graduate of The College of St. Scholastica and the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Her concentrations were in administration and psychological foundations. She has had a variety of experiences in education that began with teaching upper elementary students. She served as a principal for fifteen years and then became superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Duluth. Her next experience was as elementary coordinator and teacher at The College of St. Scholastica. After leaving the College to serve as prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Duluth, she has returned as coordinator of the ECI program.
Updated March 15, 2007
