Cannon River STEM School

Nalani McCutcheon (Executive Director). Nalani comes to CRSS with a rich and diverse background in science and environmental education. From 2001 to 2009, Nalani served as the executive director of River Bend Nature Center in Faribault. Before her tenure at River Bend, she 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. She also has a long and distinguished record of service to the community, having served on the board 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, she also served as a regional editor for Green Teacher Magazine. Nalani is a graduate of St. Olaf College. Contact: mccutcheon@cannonriverstemschool.org

Ginger Kranz

Ginger Kranz (Curriculum Specialist). B.A. in biology, St. Olaf College; M.Ed. in teaching and learning, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Ginger comes to CRSS from a position as a member of the education faculty at St. Mary’s University and the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She has been a middle school math and science teacher, as well as the science specialist at the Children’s Museum of Chicago. Contact: gkranz@cannonriverstemschool.org

Tammy Pulver (Special Education Director). Contact: tpulver@designlearn.net

Deb Scheil (Lead Teacher & 5th Grade Teacher). Deb Scheil comes to CRSS with thirty years of teaching experiences in the intermediate grades, most recently 5^th grade in the Faribault Public Schools. Her undergraduate work at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota means the Cobbers are well represented at CRSS. Deb holds an additional degree from the University of Minnesota and has secondary reading licensure from Mankato State University. She has presented at national conferences on the topics of critical literacy and action research, and has held leadership positions both in her building and at the district. Most notably Deb led the K-5 science curriculum revision for the Faribault Public Schools, revision of River Bend Nature Center field components, and in forming Jefferson Elementary’s after school Science Club. Deb has been a recipient of an extremely competitive Toyota Tapestry national grant and has been honored by the Cannon River Girl Scout Council as a Woman of Distinction in Math and Science. This summer she will become a grandmother for the first time as well as an empty nester; so in her words “this wonderful opportunity to work with the students and parents at CRSS couldn’t have come at a better time.” Her favorite hobby is reading and putting sticky notes in the reading so she can share with others. dscheil@cannonriverstemschool.org

JoBeth Thompson (Kindergarten Teacher). JoBeth received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Winona State University and has a middle level math emphasis. Currently living in Cannon Falls, JoBeth also has four years of experience as a classroom supervisor for a kindergarten and first grade classroom at Cannon Kids School Age Care in Cannon Falls. jthompson@cannonriverstemschool.org

Sarah Olson (1st Grade Teacher). Sarah has six years of teaching experience, two years at 1st grade, and four years at 2nd grade at Cape Elementary School in Cape Coral Florida. She is a graduate of Winona State University, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education and a 5-8 specialty in Communication Arts and Literature. She has served grade level leadership in her school and is referred to as a master teacher by her administration and peers. She also has experience with special education and English language learners, and is currently finishing work on her English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement. solson@cannonriverstemschool.org

Daniel Church (2nd Grade Teacher). Dan is in the process of receiving his Masters in Teaching from Hamline University, after receiving his K-8 teaching license with Social Studies specialty last December. He graduated from Carleton College with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Prior to returning for his teaching degree he served Americorp VISTA as a Children’s Tutoring Network Coordinator, 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 the St. Paul Public Schools. Dan is an Eagle Scout, proficient in German, and has coursework in coaching/individual athletics. He also played in the Carleton Wind Ensemble. dchurch@cannonriverstemschool.org

Ryan Johnson (3rd Grade Teacher). Ryan has three years of teaching experience, one year of Title 1 and two years as a 2nd grade teacher at Washburn Elementary in Bloomington. He comes to us with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Concordia College in Moorhead and 5-8 specialty in Social Studies. He has led after-school programming for at-risk learners, been an outdoor supervisor for the Boys and Girls Club in St. Cloud, is an Eagle Scout and was football team captain for an MIAC All-Conference Team. rjohnson@cannonriverstemschool.org

Sarah Mueller (Fourth Grade Teacher). Sarah has an Elementary Education major and middles school concentration in Communication/Language Arts as well as a minor in Spanish. Sarah has experience working as an after school Spanish teacher for K,1,4,5, and 6th grade students and has served as a childcare provider and nanny. In addition to her interest in teaching, Sarah has officiated/refereed elementary girls softball and elementary boys/girls basketball. She also has volunteered on Habitat for Humanity building and mission trips, and received significant academic honors at St. Mary’s. smueller@cannonriverstemschool.org

Ben Wallerus (Sixth Grade Teacher). Ben comes to us with an Elementary Education degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a middle school specialty in Math and Science. He worked for four years as an Inclusion Facilitator for Bloomington Parks and Recreation, modifying youth recreation activities for children with special needs. He also has worked as a tutor for Hispanic and Sudanese students, and been involved in judging for Science Olympiad competitions. Ben has been an active member in the National Education Association Student program, and was one of six students selected to attend the NEA national convention as a voting delegate to represent Minnesota teachers. He also spent a year on the MSUM Wind Ensemble/Concert Band. bwallerus@cannonriverstemschool.org

Jane Jirik (Special Education Teacher). Jane comes to us with 16 years of special education teaching experience, special education licensure in the State of Minnesota, and a masters degree in psychology and counseling. She is currently completing her certification for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Jane has a wealth of experience including serving the State of Hawaii Education Department as a special education specialist. Jane is a Faribault girl, and her parents Bob and Nancy Jirik own an orchard and small farm. You might see Jane selling corn and beans at the Farmers market in Faribault, as she returned to Minnesota several years ago to provide support and assistance to her parents. jjirik@cannonriverstemschool.org

Nicole Herzog (Art Teacher/After School Program Supervisor).  Nicole is a local artist and a parent of two of our students.  Nicole has a BFA in Visual arts and drawing from Colorado State University and a Masters in visual arts, drawing and painting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  She spent four years working as an Art Lab instructor for the Walker Art Center, and has been an independent contract teacher for the Paradise Center for the Arts in Faribault.  Nicole will be teaching Art at CRSS in the afternoons Monday-Thursday. nherzog@cannonriverstemschool.org

Kyle Schafer (Music Teacher).  Kyle has a K-12 MN Instrumental and Classroom Music license as well as a WI Instrumental and General Music license preK-12.  He graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay with his Instrumental and General Music Bachelors of Music in December 2008 and completed his student teaching in K-6 vocal music this spring.  He works for Allegro School of Dance and Music teaching brass, woodwind, piano and guitar.  Kyle also has worked as a paraprofessional for a variety of special needs students.  Kyle will be teaching Music at CRSS on Fridays. kschafer@cannonriverstemschool.org

Nicole Broden (Office Manager). nbroden@cannonriverstemschool.org