River Falls School District is pleased to welcome the following new staff members for the 2026-27 school year.
Keaton Anderson
Position: Seventh Grade Science, Meyer Middle School
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River Falls School District is pleased to welcome the following new staff members for the 2026-27 school year.
Position: Seventh Grade Science, Meyer Middle School
Hometown: Clintonville
Education: UW River-Falls undergrad, American College of Education master’s program
Family: I live with my wife Rachel, daughter Amelia, and son Carter out in the country on our homestead. We love gardening, raising our chickens, fishing, and being outside as much as we can. Our kids keep us on our toes and active! I am so happy to be working and making a difference in the community where I live and my own kids will go to school.
Interests/hobbies: I absolutely love fishing in any form and ran the Fishing Team at Somerset High for nine years as well as the Bass Lake Ice Fishing Tournament. Making a difference with those kids, families, and community will always be close to my heart. I also co-founded the Livestream program at Somerset and absolutely love getting on the mic to play-by-play football and basketball games. Gardening at home with veggies, trees, shrubs, and anything that can give me food is a passion that never ends.
Why did you choose teaching? Teaching is my way of sharing what I love, exploring and getting to know the universe, as well as making a difference in the lives of the next generation. Our hard work now makes the world great later.
Position: Instructional Coach, Greenwood Elementary
Hometown: Roberts
Education: UW-River Falls
Family: I grew up in Roberts on a hobby farm with my parents, brother and sister. We raised a number of different types of animals including cows, rabbits and chickens. I still live in Roberts with my husband, Justin, and our three children, Turner, Zander, and Temperance. Right now our only animal is our dog, Luna.
Interests/hobbies: I enjoy reading, swimming, golfing, crocheting and spending time with my family.
Why did you choose teaching? I was fortunate to have many amazing teachers throughout my own education and it truly formed me into a lifetime learner. I want to share that love of learning with my own students and perhaps help them discover their own love for learning along the way. My favorite thing about teaching is seeing them build relationships, make connections, and apply skills they have learned. Now, as an instructional coach, I look forward to working with other educators to help students be successful.
Position: Special Education, River Falls High School
Hometown: West Lafayette, Ohio
Education: Muskingum University, UWRF
Family: My wife and I recently moved to the River Falls area. We are excited to become part of the community. We have a young daughter who will be attending Greenwood Elementary this fall. Family time is spent exploring the outdoors, taking care of our horses and puppies.
Interests/hobbies: Outside of school, I enjoy staying active through running, hiking, and F3 workouts. I also officiate high school and collegiate soccer, which allows me to stay connected to the game. I enjoy spending quality time outdoors and making memories with my wife and daughter.
Why did you choose teaching? I was first inspired to pursue a career in education by my mom, who taught in Ohio for 35 years. Watching her passion for teaching and the positive impact she had on her students made me want to be part of that same calling. Over the years, I have discovered that same passion in my own career, and I truly love being in the classroom and helping students grow both academically and personally.
Position: PE/Health, River Falls High School
Hometown: Rice Lake
Education: Valparaiso University
Family: I am originally from Rice Lake. My husband and I have recently welcomed our daughter, who has just turned 1. We are excited about moving closer to our family and moving to the area!
Interests/hobbies: I love spending time with my family! We enjoy being active, playing sports, camping and so much more. Besides being active I also love reading, knitting and baking/cooking in my free time.
Why did you choose teaching? I have grown up around the profession and early on I found a passion for helping students learn and grow!
Position: School Counselor, Renaissance Charter Academy
Hometown: Spring Valley
Education: UW-Stout for both Masters & Undergraduate
Family: I grew up helping my dad on the family farm where we milked 250 cows and milking chores were all handled by my five siblings, dad, uncle and his three children. This taught me some core values and the importance of hard work and family! Throughout my school career, I played volleyball, basketball and softball. I absolutely loved playing for the UW Stout Club Volleyball Team and was a part of the Psychology Department Club and School Counselors Club. I am proud to say that I still live in Spring Valley with my husband Gable. We have two Silver Labs, Misty and Maisie and a Siamese cat named Maple.
Interests/hobbies: I absolutely love to play volleyball and any other physical activity. I coached high school volleyball, spring league and winter volleyball for high schoolers. Some hobbies that I like to do are camping, UTVing, fishing, finding new coffee shops and boutiques and reading books!
Why did you choose teaching? I chose to become a school counselor because I believe in the profound impact a trusted adult can have on a young person's life. School counselors have the opportunity to support students through challenges, provide guidance, celebrate their successes, and advocate for them when they struggle to find their own voice. I strive to be someone who helps students recognize their strengths, see the incredible potential within themselves, and develop the confidence and passion to pursue their goals. By building meaningful relationships and creating a safe, supportive environment, I hope to empower young people to overcome obstacles and believe in the possibilities that lie ahead.
Anything else: I am very excited for my time here at River Falls and I intend on making it a priority to be professional, successful and supportive to the district and its students. Very proud to be able to say I work for the school district!
Position: School counselor, RF Public Montessori Elementary
Hometown: Hudson
Education: UWRF
Family: I live in downtown Hudson with my husband and our four kiddos – two girls and two boys. My oldest, Nora, is off to her first year of college in Phoenix, Ariz. Which is exciting for her and sad for the rest of us! Our second daughter, Lilia, loves all things dance and will be getting her driver’s license this winter. My husband manages the bike shop downtown Hudson and has won my two boys, Ogden and Henrik, over with their love of mountain biking as well!
Interests/hobbies: When I’m not at school, you’ll find me teaching and attending yoga classes, searching out new coffee shops, gardening or hiking.
Why did you choose teaching? I have worked with children in various forms all of my life. I also am very passionate about the public school system. Being a school counselor allows me a unique opportunity to support all students’ individual needs in my school building. It is a privilege to walk with students through their highs and lows as I help them build essential skills to ultimately become kind successful humans that will help make our world a better place.
Position: Special Education, Rocky Branch Elementary
Hometown: Superior
Education: UW-Eau Claire
Family: I am the oldest of three. One of my sisters is a senior at UW-Oshkosh where she is getting her social work degree and my other sister is a freshman at Fond du Lac Tribal College for nursing. My mom was a paraprofessional for 10 years, where she worked at the elementary school I grew up attending.
Interests/hobbies: I enjoy reading and baking along with cooking. In addition to spending time with family and friends. I am interested in learning new things to do or places to try.
Why did you choose teaching? My mom and sister inspired me to become a teacher. My mom was the voice for my sister who struggled due to dyslexia, OCD and ADHD. I got to see how my mom was her advocate to get support in school to help my sister be successful.
Position: Fifth Grade, Westside Elementary
Hometown: Stillwater
Education: University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Family: My husband, Ryan, and I have been married for two years, and we have two Shih Tzu/Bichons named Oliver and Sammy, who keep us busy! We love spending time with our family and friends, especially out on the lake in the summer. Family means a lot to me, and I feel lucky to have such a great support system.
Interests/bobbies: I would describe myself as someone who is friendly, outgoing, and loves spending time with the people I care about. In my free time, I enjoy being at the lake with family and friends, traveling, cooking and baking, and taking on DIY projects around the house. I also love trying new restaurants, spending time outdoors, and making memories with my husband, Ryan, and our two dogs.
Why did you choose teaching? I chose teaching because I’ve always wanted to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Through my experiences working in schools, I realized how much I love building relationships with students and watching them grow, not only academically, but as individuals. Knowing that I have the opportunity to encourage, support, and inspire my students each day is what makes teaching so meaningful to me.
Position: Physical Therapist, Westside/Rocky Branch/High School
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
Education: University of Texas at Austin and Texas Woman’s University
Family: My husband, Troy, and I are raising two wonderful boys, ages 12 and 10, who attend school in the district. Our home is also shared with two cats and a bearded dragon, so there's never a dull moment!
We moved back to Wisconsin after Troy transitioned from active-duty military service to the reserves. Returning to his home state has given our family the chance to put down roots in a community we're proud to call home.
I've been a physical therapist for 16 years and truly love working in the school setting. For the past six years, I've had the opportunity to work in surrounding school districts, and I'm especially excited to be joining the River Falls School District this year.
Watching our boys grow up here has been such a gift, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve the students, families, and community that have given so much to our own family.
Interests/hobbies: I love reading a good book, spending time outside (as long as it’s not freezing!), and spending time with friends and family. We spend a lot of our time cheering on our boys at their sporting events, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m also passionate about making sure all kids have the opportunity to play and spend time supporting adaptive sports in the area.
Why did you choose teaching? I get to play for a living! I love using play to make changes in a child’s life. Some are small and some significant, but they all make their lives better. It is truly the best profession.
Position: Special Education, Greenwood Elementary
Hometown: Ellsworth
Education: UW-Eau Claire
Family: I have three sisters and both of my parents are educators in other nearby districts. Additionally, my partner and I have three cats and just recently moved to River Falls together.
Interests/hobbies: I love reading, podcasts and going for walks. I’ve also recently started playing golf and pickleball for fun.
Why did you choose teaching? I love working with kids - they bring humor and fun to every situation. Seeing them grow and learn is the most rewarding feeling ever.
Position: Spanish, River Falls High School
Hometown: North Branch, Minn.
Education: UW-River Falls
Family: I have two younger siblings! My sister lives in North Carolina and my brother is a junior in high school. My mom works in the Forest Lake school district and my Dad works in an accounts receivable management company. My family loves playing board games together and traveling together. We also all love sports, watching and competing.
My boyfriend proposed over the summer! Together we love hiking, pole vaulting, lake days, and car shows.
Interests/hobbies: I love sports! I grew up doing gymnastics, volleyball, swim & dive and track. I was a pole vaulter at UW River Falls. I love athletics, whether I am competing, coaching, or cheering! I also enjoy being outside. I love going camping and hiking with my fiancé and exploring national parks. I also like being on the lake whether fishing, swimming, or cruising around on a boat. My fiancé and I got a Sundancer sailboat this summer that we have been working on getting better at sailing. Recently I have been getting back into sewing with small projects and fixing thrifted clothes. This is something I am looking forward to spending more time doing in the future.
Why did you choose teaching? I chose teaching as a profession because I think that students and education are extremely important. I want to make a positive influence in students’ lives by providing them with an incredible education. I specifically chose Spanish because I love how a language can connect people. I started learning Spanish in first grade and absolutely love the opportunities it has given me. I want to pass this skill on to students along with a love for learning!
Position: Speech-Language Pathologist, 4K/Montessori/High School
Hometown: Hudson
Education: UWRF
Family: I've been married for 11 years to my husband, Matt, and we have a spunky 4-year-old daughter named Gigi who is starting 4K this fall. We all love our dog, Elmer.
Interests/hobbies: I enjoy reading, exercising, cooking, and am starting to get more into gardening. I played women's tackle football for the MN Vixen before having Gigi, and I had a blast watching them win a National Championship this summer!
Why did you choose teaching? I have enjoyed working with kids since I graduated high school and got a job as a caregiver through the School Age Care program in Hudson and knew I wanted to continue. When I had the opportunity to shadow the SLP at the elementary school where I worked, my mind was made up.
Position: Special Education, Rocky Branch/Montessori
Hometown: Buffalo, Minn.
Education: UW-La Crosse
Family: My fiancé and I just moved here from La Crosse with our Australian shepherd Togo, and our cat June.
Interests/hobbies: I enjoy going for walks, crafting, traveling and reading.
Why did you choose teaching? I have worked with kids for so long I cannot imagine doing anything else! I love how every day is different and they are always making me laugh.
Position: Children's House, River Falls Public Montessori Elementary
Hometown: Oklee, Minn.
Education: University of North Dakota
Family: I grew up in rural, northwestern Minnesota on a small livestock farm near the town of Oklee with my dad, who taught fifth grade for over 30 years before retiring and my mom, who is currently a music teacher and band/choir director. My wife, Nicole, and I met while attending the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. We have two children (Archer and Juniper). I taught middle and high school science for three years in Grygla, Minn. before stepping away to support Nicole's travel nursing career and give our growing family an opportunity to spend our first few years together exploring different areas of the country. We had always wanted to return and settle down here in the River Falls area once our children became school aged and moved here last September.
Interests/hobbies: In my personal time, I love to play basketball, go running with Nicole, fish, hike, sing karaoke, play video games and sports with Archer, dance with Juniper, find new sourdough starter recipes to try, listen to a variety of podcasts, and drink coffee in fun, new places.
Why did you choose teaching? I tried to avoid becoming a teacher at first, because I thought any interest in the profession was influenced by my parents both being teachers. However, after changing majors in college and pursuing a short career in sales, something just clicked from my very first day as a substitute teacher. I was not only enjoying it, but also everything just felt so natural, like I was meant to be there. I love working with kids of all ages and helping them grow in their knowledge of the world around them and how they interact with it.
Position: Special Ed, Meyer Middle School
Hometown: Home state is Minnesota; moved every 1-3 years from birth due to parent career.
Education: Concordia University, St. Paul and UofM Twin Cities
Family: Husband Jason is a realtor for Minnesota and Wisconsin, but we moved here in 2004 after returning from our honeymoon when Jason worked in Residence Life at UWRF. Our oldest, Heathley, is going to be a sophomore at Stout, majoring in Illustration. Our youngest, Ainsley, is a sophomore at RFHS, is active in GSA, theater, choir, and now National Honor Society. We love spending time in California at Disneyland, the beach, and at Disney World. We also have two dogs and a turtle.
Interests/hobbies: I have a secondary Social Studies teaching license with focus in the areas of Middle School and Special Education from undergrad. My special education license and Masters focused on EBD and LD. Behavior challenges and advocacy with all disability categories have always been my jam. I love all things hippos but only recently started enjoying pygmy hippos with social media stars like Moo Deng and Mars. The common hippo has always been my favorite and my sleeve has a portrait of my favorite hippo.
Why did you choose teaching? There were multiple teachers in my dad's family and I looked up to them. From a young age, I was able to help out at the Special Olympics and had friends who had a variety of special needs. Then when my brother was born premature when I was 7 1/2, my life was flipped upside down. He had a difficult time coping with all of our moves growing up and difficulty coping with anything so I would work with him and his behavioral challenges from a young age. I found I was able to cope/manage so he could do better in school and at home.
Anything else: I feel very blessed to get to work at Meyer and in the RFSD.
Position: Intern, Fourth Grade Greske, Greenwood Elementary
Hometown: New Richmond
Education: UW- Whitewater
Family: My family is originally from River Falls, moving away to New Richmond when I was very young. My family is very active and loves being outdoors, leading me to find many of the things I love to do today. Whether it was hunting, fishing, hiking, archery, or simply sitting outside together at the end of a long day, we are always outside. These experiences I have had since childhood have greatly helped me develop skills and habits that I would not otherwise have, as well as shaping many of my hobbies that I still love in adulthood.
Interests/hobbies: I have been going hunting and fishing with my dad since I was four years old and I began archery with him when I was six years old, these endeavors are still a large part of who I am today along with hiking, kayaking, and almost anything that can be done outside.
I have also been a competitive lifter for seven years. Additionally, I love to read and will almost always have a book with me wherever I go.
Why did you choose teaching? I chose teaching as my profession because I have always wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of children. Once I knew I wanted to become an educator, I began working in childcare to gain experience. What started as a way to prepare for my future career quickly became a passion. I have learned that meaningful learning begins with strong relationships. Children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and valued. This understanding has reinforced my desire to become a teacher who creates a welcoming classroom where every student feels cared for and encouraged to grow. I am passionate about adapting to each child's individual needs and helping them build the confidence, skills, and curiosity that will support them throughout their education and beyond.
Position: Instructional Coach, Meyer Middle School
Hometown: Spooner
Education: St. Scholastica for my undergrad and St. Mary’s for my masters
Family: I am married and have three children. My youngest just graduated from high school this past year and will be attending UND this fall. My sons are both married and just had their first child, daughters. I am now blessed with two grandbabies.
Interests/hobbies: I spend a lot of time with my family, traveling and reading. My friends are also very important to me and we spend as much time as we can getting together enjoying each other's company; our children consider each other cousins and have a very special bond which we treasure.
Why did you choose teaching? I believe in the educational system and in our youth. Every child should be guaranteed an education that encourages and supports them to achieve their aspirations (and maybe ones they didn’t even know they had).
Anything else: I am incredibly excited to be joining the River Falls School District!
Position: Second Grade, Rocky Branch Elementary
Hometown: Hudson
Education: Winona State University
Family: I was born and raised in Hudson with my brothers and sister. I graduated from Winona State with my Elementary Education degree and am currently getting my reading teachers master’s degree from UW-La Crosse. After living and teaching in northern Wisconsin for the past five years, I am excited to be back closer to friends and family.
Interests/hobbies: Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I also enjoy watching sports. During the summer, I like spending time out at the lake and relaxing with a book!
Why did you choose teaching? I wanted to become a teacher because of the teachers I had growing up. I also love working with kids and seeing them grow.
Position: Special Education, Greenwood Elementary
Hometown: Hastings, Minn.
Education: Graduate: UWRF; Undergrad: U of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Family: My husband and I have three children and a dog named Maggie. We lived in Fargo, ND for several years before moving to River Falls to be closer to family and the Twin Cities.
Interests/hobbies: I enjoy reading, knitting, yoga, hiking, and traveling. I love being outside, especially in warm weather, and spending time with my family watching movies or playing games.
Why did you choose teaching? After spending several years working as a special education paraprofessional, I realized that working in education was where I wanted to be long-term. That inspired me to pursue my master’s in special education and a career as a special education teacher.
I am passionate about helping students reach their full potential, overcome challenges, and celebrate their successes. I love building meaningful relationships with students and helping them become the best versions of themselves.
Position: Special Education, Westside Elementary
Hometown: Madison
University: UW-Eau Claire, Master’s at St. Mary's University
Family: My family consists of my husband Jeff and our three children - Sydney, Elliot and Carter.
Interests/hobbies: When I'm not teaching, I absolutely love spending time with my family, gardening, and drinking as much coffee as possible.
Why did you choose teaching? I believe teaching children is one of the most rewarding experiences. From those "lightbulb moments" when a struggling student finally understands a concept, to building genuine relationships with students and watching them grow over time; teaching truly does have a lasting impact on students even after they leave your classroom.
Anything else: I'm excited to be a part of the River Falls School District!
Position: Business & Technology Teacher, River Falls High School
Hometown: Sun Prairie
Education: Winona State, bachelor’s degree; UW-Stout, Masters
Family: I have four beautiful children who are 8, 6, 4 and 2 years old. They keep us plenty busy! My wife also works for the school district as a Physical Therapist. As a family we enjoy being outside and active.
Interests/hobbies: I consider myself a jack of all trades, master of none. I enjoy running, biking and attempting to play tennis and basketball. I also enjoy cooking, baking, playing board games and reading. We live on a little hobby farm so there are always outside projects to work on, as well as animals to take care of (chickens, ducks, goats and a bunny). My kids are a huge part of my interests and are getting to the ages where they are getting more involved in sports and activities. Getting the chance to see them play a sport or try something new is something I love!
Why did you choose teaching? Some would say that it was in my blood, as both of my parents were teachers, but I did not go to school to become a teacher. I went into the business world, and that is where my career started working at a large tech company in training and implementation. This was a great experience, but I always wanted to make an impact in the work that I did. This brought me back into the education profession, where I truly feel you can make one of the greatest impacts on helping young individuals grow, develop and possibly find a passion. I enjoy the day-to-day challenges of figuring out how to create those light bulb moments for students.
Submitted by River Falls School District
