small in their academic and social-emotional learning.

Brenna O’Connor

Hometown: Ellsworth Position: Seventh grade language arts, MMS

Education: UW-River Falls

Family: For the last four years I have been teaching language arts and reading at St. Bridget Parish Middle School in River Falls. Prior to that, I was a full-time faculty member at Broadview University and the Minnesota School of Business, where I taught writing, speaking, and career readiness courses to a very diverse group of students. I am so excited to use my experiences and passion for teaching with the students at Meyer Middle School.

Interests: My husband Nathan and I live on a farm in Ellsworth with our son Andrew and daughter Kendra. I enjoy training and competing on reining horses, especially those we raise on our farm.

I also really enjoy supporting my kids’ adventures raising sheep, hunting, fishing, 4-H, and trap shooting in any way I can, and in any spare time I like to bake and grow things (perennials, vegetables, apple trees, raspberries…)

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

Having the opportunity to guide student learning is extremely rewarding. I have been blessed with multiple opportunities to work with youth throughout my life and have enjoyed supporting them through challenges, problem solving, and discovery that happens when they are engaged, which is why I have chosen teaching as my profession.

Scott Pape

Hometown: Woodbury, Minn.

Position: Eighth grade social studies, MMS

Education: Iowa State University

Family: My wife Brittany and I got married this summer and we live in Woodbury, Minn. We have a 6-year-old dog named Ruby who we love spending our time with.

Interests: When I am not teaching or coaching, I enjoy being outside fishing or golf ing. I am a huge sports fan and really enjoy spending time at my family cabin.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I chose teaching because I love interacting with students and building relationships with them. I also thoroughly enjoy being a positive influence and role model in their lives.

Courtney Peter

Hometown: Apple Valley, Calif.

Position: Family and consumer science teacher, RFHS

Education: UW-Stout, Bachelors (FACS); UWStout, Masters (School Counseling) Family: I was a FACS teacher the past eight years in Red Wing, Minn. We moved to River Falls five years ago, and our oldest will be in Kindergarten at Greenwood Elementary this fall. I am so excited to teach in the community that we live in.

Interests: I enjoy spending as much time as possible outside and hanging out with my family.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I became a teacher for a stereotypical reason. I moved 2,500 miles my junior year and had an amazing teacher that reminded me that every day is a new day. She impacted my life, and I am incredibly grateful for her.

Bailey Roche

Hometown: Milwaukee Position: Seventh grade social studies teacher, MMS

Education: UW-Eau Claire

Family: I am in the exciting phase where I am creating my own family. I live in Apple Valley, Minn. with my fiancé, Ryan who is an accountant. We both enjoy new adventures, trying new foods, and playing with our new miniature Australian Sheppard, Scarlett.

Interests: I love being outside hiking, swimming, riding my bike, and taking long walks. A new hobby of mine is taking care of my new miniature Australia Sheppard, Scarlett, and teaching her new tricks with my fiancé. Aside from be ing outdoors, I love reading, cooking, baking, or learning a new hobby.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I have known that I have wanted to be a teacher since the sixth grade. Social studies was the first subject that I truly fell in love with.

I have always enjoyed the natural inquiry that comes with the social sciences and showing students that history is not boring.

Spencer Rohlinger

Hometown: Fitchburg Position: RFHS science teacher

Education: UW-Eau Claire, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Family: I grew up in Fitchburg and have one brother (Sterling). I currently live in Hudson with my husband (Nick). This summer we were able to travel to the Madison and Green Bay areas to visit our friends and family, including our niece and nephew. I am excited to be entering my ninth year of teaching!

Interests: In my free time I enjoy spending time with family/friends, reading, hiking, going to movies, and traveling.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I chose to become a teacher because I find it re warding to support students while they work to achieve their goals.

Amber Schurman

Hometown: River Falls Position: Occupational therapist, Rocky Branch, 4K sites, Greenwood Education: UW-Eau Claire and Concordia Wisconsin Family: I am married to Nate and we have three children, Maddie 22, Jeurey and Michael 18. Nate and I grew up in Eau Claire but have lived in RF now for the past 15 years. Maddie is starting law school this fall in Oregon, Jeurey will be attending DCTC to become an electrician and Michael is attending BSU and playing football. We also have two dogs that keep us busy.

Interests: I love spending time with family, taking the dogs for a walk, being outdoors, traveling and take every chance I get to be by the water.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I chose to be an OT because I love being able to help people reach their personal individual goals. I’ve worked in many settings including orthopedic, acute care, neuro/trauma and longterm care, but pediatrics has always been my passion.

The educational setting has allowed me to work with children and help them be as independent as possible.

Caitlyn Severson

Hometown: Hayfield,

Minn.

Position: First grade teacher, Rocky Branch

Education: UW-River Falls

Family: My parents along with my older sister and brother-in-law live in Hayfield. My older brother lives in Austin, Minn. I have a nephew, Braxton, who I absolutely adore and spend a lot of my free time with.

Interests: I love to run and go on walks around town. I have completed a half marathon and indoor triathlon. I also have done a lot of hiking in my free time along with hanging out my friends and family.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

Ever since I was a little girl, I played school. When I got to high school, I had some of the best teachers and it pushed me to become a teacher.

Alyssa Schluessler

Hometown: Farmington, Minn.

Position: First grade teacher, Westside

Education: UW-River Falls

Family: I grew up in Farmington, Minn. where I met my now husband in high school. We have been married for two years and have a daughter who turns one in August!

Interests: I enjoy going to sporting events, golfing, and traveling!

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I chose teaching because I have always loved to work with kids. Seeing the growth in my students and getting to know so many different families is one of the most rewarding things. I feel very lucky to be able to make the connections I get to make daily with my students, families, and coworkers.

Riley Sutton

Hometown: Merrill Position: Seventh grade math teacher (Gold), MMS

Education: UW-Stout Family: Married to Whitney Sutton, River Falls High School school counselor. We recently welcomed our son Theodore on May 17, 2022.

Interests: I am interested in most things active and

Stephanie Thompson

Brenna O’Connor Scott Pape

outdoors, I enjoy playing sports – basketball, disc golf, soccer, volleyball. I am also a huge Batman nerd.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I chose to teach because I have always liked to learn and share knowledge. I am drawn towards serving people, whether through volunteering, tutoring, or coaching. I felt teaching would allow me to use my ability to connect with and serve peo- ple most euectively.

Please tell us anything else you would care to share: I am excited to be a Wildcat and get started at Meyer Middle School Stephanie Thompson

Hometown: Hammond Position: Children’s House (4K/5K)- Montessori

Education: UW-River Falls

Family: I first became in terested in becoming a teacher as a middle school student. While in high school, I used study hall time to volunteer in the classroom for students with cognitive disabilities. I worked in child care throughout my college years, then Head Start. I became a mom in 2015 and stayed home with both of my children prior to returning to teaching in 2021 at Heartland Montessori. I am currently in the Montessori Studies graduate program at UW-River Falls and am passionate about helping young children love to discover and learn.

Interests: I just love spending time with my family and having outdoor adventures together.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I chose teaching as my profession because I love children. I believe that children are the greatest gift and hope for this universe, and I see nothing more valuable than investing in them.

Please tell us anything else you would care to share: I am SO grateful for the opportunity to be part of the River Falls School District!

Hannah Wachtler

Position: RFHS science teacher

Natalie Wayne

Hometown: Puyallup, Wash.

Position: Fifth grade teacher, Rocky Branch

Education: University of Washington

Family: I grew up in Puyallup, Wash. which is a suburb of Seattle. I have been married to my husband, Cory Wayne, for seven years.

We have a beautiful 2-yearold daughter named Charlotte, an adorable 1-year-old named Nolan, and a patient fur-baby named Winston.

Interests: I graduated from the University of Washington, Seattle. I love attending football, baseball, and soccer games. I also enjoy going to live outdoor concerts. I like to go on adventures with my family whether it’s to a local park or trail to play or hike, going camping, or traveling to new cities.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I chose teaching as my profession because I love learning and love sharing what I’ve learned even more! I am passionate about making a positive diuerence. I truly enjoy facilitating the learning of students and watching them grow academically, emotionally, and socially.

Spencer Rohlinger

Alyssa Schluessler Caitlyn Severson

Amber Schurman Bailey Roche

Courtney Peter