Meet Our Staff
Nalani McCutcheon (Executive Director). I am so honored to work with the amazing staff of the Cannon River STEM School! Together, we embrace the belief that education is best when it integrates subjects in a meaningful way and encourages students to ask questions and discover the answers. My career path has always involved environmental education: starting as a Naturalist taking children into the natural world, becoming a Program Coordinator that helped teachers implement environmental education, finally serving as the Executive Director of two non-profits committed to working with teachers and students. Joining the Cannon River STEM School merges my interest in long-term connections with students and my belief that education should be place-based, allowing students to learn from nature. I believe a successful school establishes relationships with students, parents, the community…and fosters a love of learning, no matter what age you are. It also operates on the premise that we all have things to learn AND we all have things to teach. I encourage you to join us, taking advantage of the many opportunities to learn and to teach!
Background: From 2001 to 2009, I served as the Executive Director of River Bend Nature Center in Faribault. Before my tenure at River Bend, I had a long association with the School Nature Area Project at St. Olaf College, starting as a regional coordinator in 1992 and taking over as Executive Director in 2000. I believe in being involved in my community serving on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Cannon River Watershed Partnership, the Rice County Historical Society, the Minnesota Environmental Education Advisory Task Force, and the Minnesota Association for Environmental Education. From 1997 to 2006, I also served as a regional editor for Green Teacher Magazine. I have a BA in Biology from St. Olaf College and a MS from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Natural Resource Management Specializing in Environmental Education. E-mail Nalani
Deb Scheil (Lead Teacher/Teacher on Special Assignment – Developmental Reading). It is an honor for me to be able to add the Cannon River STEM School to my teaching profile. As a “career” teacher, that means I’ve been doing this for a very long time, it is exciting to help build the academic and social curriculum at CRSS. I especially appreciate that we are able to use the outdoors and projects to learn while using methods that are considered best practice. Teaching and learning should be an adventure that always pushes you a little further than you knew you could go.
I hold degrees from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota; the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Mankato, Minnesota. My teaching career has been spent in the intermediate grades – 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th – beginning in Morris, Minnesota and since then in Faribault. I have had many opportunities to continue my own learning through study groups that have presented at local and national conferences; grant writing and implementation; trainings with Responsive Classroom and 6 Traits Writing; working with the Faribault Public Schools and River Bend Nature Center on a science curriculum project for K-5; and this past year with the Science Fair at CRSS. Reading, gardening, participating in several community groups, and spending time with my family fill in the time not spent at school. E-mail Deb.
Clara Johnson (Kindergarten Teacher). Greetings! This is my first year teaching at the Cannon River STEM School and I am overjoyed to join such a wonderful staff and community. I am a recent graduate from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN where I earned my degree in elementary education with a pre-primary emphasis and a STEM certificate. I believe that Kindergarten is one of the most important school years of a student’s life, not only because it is their “first” official school year, but also because it is where the initial foundation of their academic and social skills are built. Having earned my STEM certificate I am excited that I get to integrate these important subjects throughout the Kindergarten curriculum. Throughout all the subjects I plan to engage my students with hands on activities and experiences, in and outside of the classroom, as well as teach them lifelong problem solving skills. My goal as a teacher is to provide an environment rich with academics as well as create a sense of community within the classroom, which will hopefully result in a successful and memorable Kindergarten experience.
I am originally from and grew up in Missoula, Montana where I developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors. I currently live in Northfield, MN with my husband Ryan and our golden retriever Summit. In my free time I love running, biking and going for long walks with the dog. During any breaks I like to take advantage of my home in Montana where I love hiking, skiing and exploring the mountains and what nature has to offer. E-mail Clara.
Lauren Westphal (Kindergarten Teacher). I am a recent graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato. I have a degree in Elementary Education with a Middle School Specialty in Science. This will be my first year teaching and I am excited to engage my students in learning and exploring. This year I hope to engage students in exploring science through all of the senses, math through real world experiences, reading through great stories, and working together as a team. I am eager to work and learn right along with my class.
I am from Savage. I am an avid runner and biker and am training for an Olympic triathlon. I enjoy everything that has to do with nature and the outdoors. I canoe, fish, swim, and hike in Northern Minnesota where I have spent many summers. I am excited to bring my love of nature and the outdoors to my classroom and excite my students with everything that can be learned right in the backyard of CRSS. E-mail Lauren.
Sarah Olson (1st Grade Teacher). Hi! I am delighted to be a part of the CRSS team as we embark on our second year in operation. In first grade, students will study animal characteristics, habitats, and life cycles. Students will work together to research and adopt class pets, study rocks and minerals, and write creative stories. Students will visit the Buckham Memorial Library, Minnesota Zoo, and get a special visit from local firefighters. My favorite method is to teach students through literature. It is exciting to see first graders making literature connections to the world, other stories, and their own lives. My passion is to teach students to think about their thinking while they read. Introducing engineering is exciting. As they learn from one another their natural curiosity blooms. Whether they are taking apart electronics or building Goldilocks a sturdy chair, it is a learning experience. I believe every child has unique qualities and it is my job to make them feel comfortable and safe so they shine brightly.
After graduating from Winona State University in 2003, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education and a 5-8 specialty in Communication Arts and Literature, I moved to Florida to begin my teaching career. I taught first and second grade at Cape Elementary School in Cape Coral, Florida for 6 years and cherished every minute of it. Some highlights from my experience include looping with one of my first grade classes, serving as grade level leader and working closely with a collaborative team.
In June 2009, I moved back to Minnesota because there’s no place like home. I am happy to be surrounded by family, friends, and teaching at CRSS. I enjoy cooking, reading, and being outdoors. E-mail Sarah O.
Daniel Church (2nd Grade Teacher). I am in the process of receiving a Masters in Teaching from Hamline University, after receiving a K-8 teaching license with a Social Studies specialty last December. I graduated from Carleton College with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Prior to returning for my teaching degree I served as an Americorps VISTA member as the Children’s Tutoring Network Coordinator at the Minnesota Literacy Council, worked for Eden Prairie Public Schools as a paraprofessional, and worked for two years as a preschool and early Kindergarten instructor at Hugs and Hearts Preschool and Daycare as well as in the St. Paul Public Schools. I am an Eagle Scout and have taken courses in coaching/individual athletics. I also played the French Horn in the Carleton Wind Ensemble.
I am excited to start my second year teaching at CRSS! In second grade we will have several different focus areas over the course of the year. We will begin with an in-depth look at our weather, learning to make observations, and record and evaluate data. We will go around the world with Cinderella stories, reading and comparing several versions of this well-known fairy tale. Over the winter we will begin simple engineering projects culminating with the Float Your Boat Challenge where students will design and build a boat to hold as much cargo as possible. In the spring, we will focus our energy on plant life-cycles, and the importance of plant life for humans. We will also make a field guide for the ephemeral wildflowers that cover our woodland hillsides each spring. It’s going to be a busy year; I can’t wait to get started! E-mail Dan.
Ms. Deni
Deni Buendorf (2nd Grade Teacher). Hi everyone! This is my very first year of teaching, not just at CRSS, but ever! I graduated from Saint Catherine University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in December 2010. I hold a preK-6 teaching license. Just like you, I’m also still in school. I am now working on a master’s degree in library and information science at St. Kate’s, specializing in school library media services. In case you haven’t guessed, I love to read! I hope you do too. I can’t wait to help you find books that you love.
I was born and raised and still live in Faribault. Before I started my teaching career, I worked at Rust Consulting, Inc. as a project manager for nearly thirteen years. I completed my student teaching in 3rd grade at Jefferson Elementary in Faribault and in kindergarten at Greenvale Park Elementary in Northfield. After that, I spent a few months as a substitute teacher. In my free time, I enjoy yoga, cooking, baking, poetry, and spending time with my family. I also teach Sunday school and volunteer with the Humane Society.
I am so excited to be teaching 2nd grade at CRSS! I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or even if you just want to talk about books! E-mail Deni.
Ryan Johnson (3rd Grade Teacher). Hello everyone! My name is Ryan Johnson and I am the 3rd grade teacher. This is my 3rd year teaching 3rd grade at Cannon River STEM and this is my 6th year teaching. I previously taught Title 1 and 2nd grade in the Bloomington school district, but I am incredibly happy to be here! 3rd grade is a awesome year to learn all about birds, trees, multiplication, division, fractions, algebra, reading and writing skills, and how to write in cursive.
I grew up in St. Cloud, MN and graduated from Concordia in 2006 with an Elementary Education degree and an emphasis in social studies. I live in Northfield with my wife Clara and we love being a part of this wonderful southern Minnesota community. I love to bird, play with my dog Summit and bike as much as I can. E-mail Ryan.
Sarah Mueller (Fourth Grade Teacher).
I absolutely love teaching fourth grade.
Fourth grade gets the fabulous opportunity to focus more heavily on engineering. It is a component of our STEM focus that I enjoy learning more about! I strive to maintain a classroom that fosters and supports relationships to build academic achievement. I see these beautiful social and academic relationships building every day at CRSS.
I graduated from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a Communication Arts Middle School concentration and a minor in Spanish. I was privileged to teach fourth grade in Winona, MN for my student teaching and am honored to be teaching our eldest elementary students at CRSS.
I enjoy being outdoors, especially when I am rollerblading and playing volleyball. I also love to act and have performed in several plays in the Twin Cities. With great enthusiasm, I try to embody the idea of whatever you do… do it with great passion! E-mail Sarah M.
Ben Wallerus (Fifth Grade Teacher). I am very eager to be returning to CRSS for my 3rd year of teaching as the fifth grade teacher. This year will be very exciting for our new fifth graders as they move into the middle school and begin to take further responsibility for their learning. We will explore more of our natural world this year like the processes of weathering and erosion. There will also be many connections made between subject areas and our natural or engineered world.
I currently hold an Elementary Education degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a middle school emphasis in both Math and Science. In the summer time, I work as a camp counselor for the Bloomington Parks and Rec at Camp Kota. This is where I learned many of my energizing songs and games, which we will be trying out in our Circle of Power and Respect. This past summer, in addition to camp, I took a once in a lifetime trip and back-packed through Europe. I visited 6 countries and 9 cities over the 3 week span. It was an amazing experience and I was able to learn about some of our world’s history in the locations where they occurred. E-mail Ben.
Erica Friedman (7/8 STEM Teacher). I am really excited to be joining the CRSS staff for my fifth year of teaching. Having previously taught middle school math in Wayzata, Oakdale, and Richfield, I am eager to for the opportunity to work at a school that emphasizes such a strong commitment to inquiry learning and our connection with the environment. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota, majoring in elementary education (K-6) with a certification in math (5-8). I recently completed my Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota in elementary education. I will soon be starting a licensure program at the University of Minnesota for middle school science. I am also very excited to be coaching soccer for the new CRSS/Shattuck-St. Mary’s intramural program for the middle school.
In my spare time, I enjoy playing and coaching soccer. I have two cats – Kitty, who loves to sleep, and Joey, who loves getting into trouble. I like biking, traveling, going to the movies, and trying new restaurants. E-mail Erica.
Jen Walls (7/8 Humanities Teacher). I am looking forward to my second year of teaching here at CRSS. I am excited for the new changes in our middle school as well as some of the traditions that will continue from last year. After graduating from St. Olaf with a B.A. in English and Religion, I spent three years as a Naturalist teaching environmental education at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Warner Nature Center, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and, most recently, at Richardson Nature Center. I am also currently working on a Masters of Teaching from Bethel University. I am looking forward to continue working with students on a long-term basis exploring our natural and social communities inside and outside the classroom.
At home, I enjoy spending time with my husband Ken our two rambunctious kitties and mischievous dog. This year, I am hoping for a few canoe trips on the Cannon River and a long, snowy winter fit for many, many hours of cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and interpreting the mysterious stories behind the animal signs found in the snow. E-mail Jen.
Jane Jirik (Special Education Teacher). I am thrilled to be teaching at Cannon River STEM School. I often tell others that this is my “dream job” because I am able to use my past teaching experiences and combine my philosophy of education with the school philosophy of CRSS. I work mainly with student that have identified special needs. I work closely with the classroom teachers and support staff to address the student’s individual needs so that they can be successful in the classroom and school environment. We, as the team, strive to integrate the individual’s goals to create a successful environment, mainly in their general education classroom. This involves team work with an incredible staff and coordination with other related services. In my 17+ years of experience, I am able to put into practice my educational background in psychology and school counseling (K-12) with special education (K-12 Specific Learning Disabilities) and Elementary Education (1-6). I am in the process of completing my specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders. This professional and supportive environment has nurtured my ambition to create learning environments for all types of students.
After 13 years of teaching in Hawaii, I returned to my “hometown” community. I am so pleased to know that there are opportunities in the area for school choices, and a school such as CRSS that incorporates integrating the subjects, and supports the learning/discovery process by encouraging students to ask questions and discover the answers. I also believe that a school that involves project based learning and community building is an essential way for those with special needs to learn and nurture each student’s unique abilities. I grew up in this area and love to take advantage of the seasons by being involved in many outdoor activities. In my time outside of school, I enjoy spending my time with my family and friends. I also enjoy biking, jogging/hiking with my dogs, swimming, gardening, reading, quilting, and cross country skiing. I look forward to another exciting year at CRSS and feel it is a privilege to be teaching great students at this wonderful school. E-mail Jane.
Kyle Schafer (Music Teacher). I grew up in Medford, WI which is in North-Central Wisconsin. There I attended public school from Kindergarten through 12th grade. I began studying trumpet in sixth grade and am still performing regularly. I have performed in marching band, pep band, jazz band, wind ensemble, pit orchestra, hand drumming, state solo/ensemble, the Wisconsin All-State Band, and Very Special Arts. I earned a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay and have both a K-12 Wisconsin teaching license and K-12 Minnesota teaching license in Instrumental and General Music.
I am happily married to my wife Colleen, and currently teach private music lessons at the Allegro School of Dance and Music in Rochester, MN. Prior to joining the Cannon River STEM School staff, I had a variety of educational experiences in music education, special education, and as a tutor of a variety of subjects in the Green Bay Public Schools and Rochester Public Schools. I continue to volunteer in the Rochester Concert Band, and am a supporter of any live musical/theatre groups. I am also an avid Wisconsin sports fan, and enjoy golf, curling, and reading in my spare time when I am not teaching or performing. I will be glad to answer any questions you have about myself or our music program, etc at the Cannon River STEM School. Feel free to contact me at my e-mail or 507-226-5007. Thank you.
Nicole Broden (Office Manager). E-mail Nicole B. I am a Faribault native who graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stout with a degree in Business Administration. I have worked in the Human Resources field in both the private and public sectors and have been involved with managing the ever-changing day-to-day HR functions such as database management, bill reconciliation, employee relations, training, and insurance coordination. Along with my HR background, I have also coordinated volunteer activities and company events. I am truly excited about being a part of this school and enjoy working with the highly qualified staff and parents who are always willing to volunteer their help.
1800 14th Street NE, Faribault MN 55021 |