RIVER FALLS – As the new school year approaches, new River Falls School District stau members are preparing for their new roles.

Meet them here:

Audrey Cleven

Hometown: Marathon Position: RFHS English teacher

Education: UW-Stevens Point

Family: I grew up with my three sisters in a small town outside of Wausau. During my childhood I spent most of my time with my nose deep in a book (not much has changed). I went to college at UWSP and found my love for teaching there. I graduated from UWSP this year and my partner, cat, and I moved to River Falls in June. I have spent the sum –

mer reading, teaching sum –

mer school, and hiking.

Interests: I spend most of my free time reading, hik – ing, and playing board games with my friends during our weekly board game nights. I am also a proud owner of a sourdough starter.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I chose English Edu- cation because I believe that each student has a powerful voice and story to tell and together we can amplify that voice. Although content is important, I teach more than English. English teachers show students how to see life from new perspectives, share their ideas, and grow into human beings that strive to learn about the world around them. Being able to become an educator is an honor, and I am excited to give stu dents a safe place to share their voice. Also, on top of all those cool things, I get to read for my job and that's my dream come true.

McKenna Cook

Hometown: Pardeeville Position: English language teacher, Greenwood and Westside elementaries

Education: UW-River Falls

Family: I grew up in the classic Midwestern small town. My town has barely over 2,000 people, a Piggly Wiggly, a Kwik Trip, a tiny strip of Main Street, and a Curling Club. Pardeeville is surrounded by farms, woods, Amish communities, and lakes. My parents, grandpar ents, and great-grandparents were all born and raised in Pardeeville or a few towns over. I have an older brother that attended and graduat- ed from UWRF three years ahead of me, which was a big influence on my decision to attend UWRF.

Interests: In my personal time I enjoy reading, find – ing a good spot to hang my hammock, spending time with my friends, watching movies, and taking care of my large plant collection. I love to travel and have been to seven countries in Europe and South America. In the summer, I take weekend trips to the cabin with my family where we enjoy fishing, lawn game tournaments, endless card games, and campfires every night.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I chose to become a teacher, specifically EL, be cause I have always loved languages and learning about cultural diuerences. When I was a high school exchange student in Italy, I was the only native English speak – er out of 24 students. That experience sparked my pas sion for sharing and learning about diuerent languages, cultures, and traditions with people of diuerent back – grounds. I wanted to be able to support students on their language learning journeys and create a healthy environ- ment for them to learn and develop their language skills. I became an EL teacher to support and advocate for multilingual students and be a person that will encourage them to share and celebrate their cultures.

Kirsten Crowe

Hometown: La Crosse Position: Cross-Categorical Special Education teach- er, Rocky Branch

Education: Viterbo Uni versity Family: I grew up in La Crosse. I have one older brother. I have two nieces and a nephew and am newly married as of this summer to my husband Hunter.

Interests: Reading, hik –

ing, kayaking, playing uku – lele, spending time outdoors and with family, and travel ing.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I enjoy seeing students grow in their learning and passion for learning and to be a part of that each day.

Emma Cruciani

Hometown: Eau Claire Position: Elementary Music, Rocky Branch

Education: UW-Eau Claire

Family: I am from Eau Claire and stayed to complete my degree in music educa – tion. This will be my fourth year of teaching. I taught for three years in Osceola.

Interests: I am an avid reader, TV enthusiast, and couee drinker. I love to play board games, and spend time with my friends and family. I play the piano in my free time, and enjoy going to any and all musical events.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

My grandmother was an elementary music teacher, and she was my best friend growing up. She passed when I was just starting col lege, and I felt drawn to the education field, and to follow in her footsteps. I love mak –

ing music and I love spend –

ing time with kids.

Beth Dodge

Hometown: Chilton Position: RFHS school psychologist

Education: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and UW-Stout

Family: I have been a school psychologist for 13 years now. I have worked pri – marily with elementary aged children, but I have had some experience working with the middle and high school lev – els as well. I am married with two beautiful children, who attend the River Falls School District; Kaylee is a sopho- more this year and Brayden will be in eighth grade. We also have two dogs, an En- glish Bulldog named Mellow and a Weimaraner named Thor.

Interests: I enjoy run –

ning, being active, and read – ing in my spare time. I also love watching my children compete in their interests as well. My daughter, Kaylee,

participates in the marching band and my son, Brayden, is in cross country and plays hockey.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I absolutely love working with both students and teachers to ensure that everyone has a successful academic career! I am pas – sionate about children and ensuring that they have what they need to be successful in all that they want to be. I love spending time with kids.

Zannah Esteb

Hometown: Woodbury,

Minn.

Position: Sixth grade LD, Meyer Middle School

Education: UW-Eau Claire

Family: I grew up in Woodbury, Minn. and am currently living at home with my family. I am the oldest of three. My sister will be a se –

nior in college and my broth –

er will be a freshman in col – lege. My parents are excited that I accepted a job so close to home. Interestingly, my dad attended the UW-River Falls and loves that I will be working there! Interests: I am an avid reader! Two months ago I started a book club that has grown to 20 members. My goal for 2022 is to read 100 books. I love inspiring others to read and helping students find books that interest them. Besides reading, I enjoy be – ing outside. My family and I love taking road trips to na – tional parks. I would love to travel to at least 20 national parks in my lifetime. We also enjoy cheering the Vikings on (and are always disap –

pointed)!

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I chose teaching as my profession because it is incredibly rewarding and impactful. Teachers have the power to change the fu- ture by shaping the youth. I want to inspire students to be well-rounded individuals who are motivated to reach their full potential. This pro – fession is a big responsibility that requires hard work, but I have always enjoyed a chal –

lenge!

Please tell us anything else you would care to share : I am excited to be a part of the RFSD!

Kaydan Geiger

Hometown: Saint Mi- chael-Albertville, Minn.

Position: RFHS mathe –

matics

Education: UW-River Falls

Family: Both of my par – ents are from Bismarck, N.D., but my two siblings and I were raised in Min- nesota! My older brother, Jeu, and his wife, Jacki, are in graduate school studying physical therapy at UMary, and my younger sister, Kyra, is studying communica tion and hospitality at Saint Cloud State University. We all enjoy visiting my parents in Annandale, Minn., to get some lake time in the sum –

mer!

Interests: I love to run! I ran cross country and track in high school and the Far- go marathon my senior year. I'm very excited to assist in coaching cross country here at RFHS this fall!

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I come from a fami – ly with many teachers and

administrators and have al ways felt a calling towards education. I love helping others and problem-solv – ing, but it wasn't until my junior year of high school when my pre-calc teacher answered the classic, “When are we ever going to use this?" question that I knew with certainty that I want- ed to be a math teacher. His reply was, "You're learning how to learn." This inspired and motivated me to want to help others see the value in having problem-solving and learning skills as well.

Max Haskins

Hometown: River Falls Position: RFHS science teacher

Education: UW-Madison Family: Both parents (Paul Haskins, Sally (Schul – tz) Haskins – 1982) and two brothers (Paul – 2012), Jack – 2018) who also graduated from River Falls.

Interests: Coaching various sports, any outdoor ac- tivity (running, biking, hik – ing), reading, and spending time with my family/friends.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I have had many tre – mendous teachers in my life and want the opportunity to be that for someone else. The relationships and impact you can have while teaching is second to none.

Jaimi Hoernke

Hometown: River Falls Position: EBD special ed ucation teacher, MMS

Education: UW-La Crosse

Family: My husband and I moved to River Falls in 2003. We have two boys; Brexton (seventh grade) and Beckum (pre-K) who both attend River Falls. We live on a small farm near Belden – ville. My husband and I are both from central Wisconsin originally. We love the beau – tiful community of River Falls and the amazing Kinn –

ickinnic River.

Interests: I enjoy spend – ing time with my family, hunting, fishing, and horse – back riding. We are involved in 4H where I am on the Horse Committee and I am the current Youth Director for the River Falls Wres- tling Booster Club. We spend substantial amounts of time watching our boys partici – pate in wrestling, football, baseball, and 4H activities. We are also big Fighting Fish fans and love attending games at the Bank.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I have always wanted to be a teacher; it is a fami – ly profession for me. I come from a long line of educa – tors. I was truly inspired by two teachers in high school who influenced me so that I wanted to do the same for my students. I also have a strong passion for teaching special education, specifically the most challenging students to work with. I take great care and pride in providing the support and educational ser- vices to allow my students to have opportunities to be successful in life and good citizens.

Billie Johnson

Hometown: Prescott Position: Seventh grade literature, Gold House, MMS

Education: UW-River Falls

Family: I've been teach –

ing for ten years; I have a husband, daughter, and a bonus daughter. I have an amazing bulldog named Lil – lie. I've lived the majority of my adult life in River Falls and am excited to give back to the community.

Interests: I own a small business called Happiness in a Cup WI. I make custom –

ized tumblers and water bot – tles. I enjoy glamping, bon fires, and reading.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I love kids and preteens and am a lifelong learn –

er myself.

Lindsay McLain

Hometown: Hammond

Position: Eighth grade math, MMS

Education: UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls

Family: My family con –

sists of my husband, Mi chael, and our two children, Brady and Logan.

Interests: I enjoy spend – ing time with my family whether we are swimming, playing a sport, going for a walk around the neighbor – hood or hanging out at home. I also like to travel and read.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I wanted to be a teach – er from a very young age but my love of math during high school led me to pur –

sue a degree in math educa – tion. Teaching at the middle school level brings some – thing new to the classroom each day. I appreciate the opportunity to help students build relationships with peers and stau, grow as indi – viduals, and learn some math along the way.

Jessica McQuade

Hometown: Lake City,

Minn.

Position: Fifth grade teacher, Westside

Education: UWRF – Bachelor's, St. Mary's Uni –

versity, Master's Degree

Family: I live in River Falls with my husband, Bri – an, and my boys, Chase and Landon. I love teaching and have been a teacher for 21 years. As a family we love playing and watching all kinds of sports.

Interests: My favorite thing to do is watch my boys play baseball. We spend our summers at many ballfields. We are big Minnesota Twins fans. I love being active. My family and I enjoy traveling together. Our favorite desti- nations include a beach.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I chose teaching as a profession because I love helping children learn new things and find a love for learning.

Amy Mitchell

Hometown: River Falls Position: Children's House 4K/5K, Montessori

Education: UW-Stevens Point, UW-River Falls

Family: I live in River Falls with my husband, Ray – mond. We have three sons: Connor (12), Gavin (10), and Jonah (1), a Bernese Moun tain dog and two rescue cats.

Interests: I love spend- ing time with my family, es – pecially outdoors! We love traveling, visiting national parks, hiking, biking, fish –

ing, kayaking, and snow – shoeing. I also enjoy reading, getting up early, drinking couee on the porch, visiting with friends and trying new things!

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

When I decided to be – come a teacher, I loved the idea of being able to make an impact and serve a com – munity. I also loved working with children and the joy and variety they brought to each day. Almost 20 years later those reasons still ring true, but I also cherish the light – bulb moments as children learn, the lessons they teach ME, and the formation of a special community with each new group of students.

Maddie Morgan

Hometown: River Falls Position: Fifth grade teacher, Rocky Branch

Education: UW-Madison, UW-Stout

Family: I live in Riv- er Falls with my husband, Chris, who is also an alum of RFHS, and our two pets, Luna and Milo.

Interests: In my free time, I enjoy golfing, read – ing, cooking, and spending time outside with family and friends.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I knew I wanted to be a teacher starting in second grade in Steph Linehan's class at Greenwood Ele- mentary! Since then, I have been able to work with kids in a variety of school and camp settings. Ultimate – ly, I chose teaching as my profession because I love working with kids and giv – ing them the tools to learn, grow, and experience "light –

bulb moments." I'm so ex – cited to be back in RFSD!

Geri Muller

Hometown: La Farge Position: School counselor, RFHS and Ren

Education : Northland College and UW-River Falls

Family: I love my family and am lucky to be within a close distance of them in the Upper Midwest! I grew up in southern Wisconsin, moved to northern Wisconsin for college and taught middle school there for six years after earning my degree. I moved to Saint Paul last year to finish graduate school and love balancing city life with nearby quiet nature spots. My partner, Ben, and my cat, Squirrel, just moved in with me this summer; it's been great starting this new ad- venture together!

Interests: Being outside brings me balance in life – from adventures canoeing in the Boundary Waters, small day hikes in a near – by state park, or just sitting in my hammock reading in my backyard. I also love playing cribbage and other card games, drinking craft beer, and spending time with friends.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

Every student deserves to be supported and seen in a safe, non-judgmental space. I aim to provide this space for students as a counselor, and support successes big and

Audrey Cleven McKenna Cook

Lindsay McLain

Beth Dodge Emma Cruciani

Suzannah Esteb Kaydan Geiger

Max Haskins Jaimi Hoernke

Billie Johnson Jessica McQuade

Madison Morgan

Amy Mitchell Continued on page B-11