Every year, as teachers retire and others move, the Albert Lea School District hires a series of new teachers at its seven schools. This year was no different.

Across the district, there were more than 30 new educators hired. The following is a brief look into the backgrounds and interests of those teachers:

 

Halverson Elementary School

Michelle Niska

Age: 38

Residence: Albert Lea

Family: son, 8; daughter, 4

Education: Bachelor of Science degree from MSU-Mankato, a few grad classes from various universities

What she teaches: Halverson Elementary

Where she came from: I lived in New Mexico for a year. Prior to that, we lived in the Twin Cities.

Favorite book: Too many to choose!

Favorite sandwich: Any sandwich that the Lakeside makes!

 

Sallie Kyle

Age: 23

Residence: no response

Family: mom, dad, brother and fiancé

Education: University of Minnesota, working on a master’s degree in elementary education

What she teaches: first grade

Where she came from: St. Paul

Favorite book: “The Forgotten Garden” by Kate Morton

Favorite sandwich: turkey and cheese

 

Amber Schewe

Age: 28

Residence: Freeborn

Family: husband, Derek; children Easton, 3, and Ellery, 1

Education: University of Wisconsin-River Falls/Winona State University

What she teaches: Title I (K-3 reading and math)

Where she came from: I taught second grade at St. Theodore’s Elementary for four years.

Favorite book: “The Kissing Hand”

Favorite sandwich: turkey on wheat

 

Maria Schneider

Age: 24

Residence: 1849 Greenwood Drive, Albert Lea

Family: Lee, Jane, Teresa, Joe and George Schneider

Education: bachelor’s degree from and graduate school at the University of Minnesota

What she teaches: fourth grade at Halverson

Where she came from: student taught in Hopkins

Favorite book: “The Giver”

Favorite sandwich: club sandwich

 

Lakeview Elementary School

Laura Hillman

Age: 24

Residence: Albert Lea

Family: Gary and Jackie Hillman; brothers Peter (Nichole) Hillman, David Hillman

Education: Gustavus Adolphus College 2010, elementary education

What she teaches: first grade at Lakeview Elementary

Where she came from: third grade, part-time, at Halverson from 2010-11

Favorite book: “Heaven is For Real”

Favorite sandwich: grilled cheese

 

Kristin Kyllo

Age: 30

Residence: Albert Lea

Family: no response

Education: undergraduate degree from Gustavus Adolphus College; graduate degree from Hamline University

What she teaches: fourth grade

Where she came from: teaching in Owatonna

Favorite book: “Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day”

Favorite sandwich: Anything with avocado!

 

Meghan Lichter

Age: 23

Residence: no response

Family: Parents, Patrick and Ann Lichter, younger sister, Katie

Education: elementary education major at the College of Saint Benedict with a concentration in science education

What she teaches: kindergarten

Where she came from: graduated in May from the College of Saint Benedict

Favorite book: “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss

Favorite sandwich: Chicken Shwarma from a small deli in St. Joseph called Bo Diddley’s

 

Kelsey Noack

Age: 24

Residence: Albert Lea

Education: went to Minnesota State University, Mankato, for 4 1/2 years. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education with a pre-primary focus.

What she teaches: I teach Title I at Lakeview Elementary.

Where she came from: I was living in Mendota Heights working as a substitute in the nearby elementary schools as well as working at a day care.

Favorite book: Any Nicholas Sparks book.

Favorite sandwich: Jimmy John’s Turkey Tom

 

Anna Nordlocken

Age: 23

Residence: Albert Lea

Family: mom, Julie; dad, James; and two younger sisters, Molly, 20, and Maggie, 17

Education: I graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2011 with my elementary education degree, (K-8 communication arts and literature) and minor in special education and human relations.

What she teaches: fifth grade at Lakeview Elementary

Where she came from: New Hope

Favorite book: “The Hunger Games” series and “The City of Ember” series

Favorite sandwich: Peanut butter and cheese

 

Melinda Talamantes

Age: 34

Residence: Albert Lea

Family: husband and three kids at home

Education: Bemidji State University

What she teaches: fourth grade

Where she came from: no response

Favorite book: “Time Traveler’s Wife”

Favorite sandwich: I make a mean grilled cheese.

 

Valerie Ashland

Age: no response

Residence: Kenyon

Family: husband, Brent, and two daughters, Kayla and Emily

Education: Bachelor of Arts from Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter; master’s in education from Viterbo University, La Crosse, Wis.

What she teaches: I teach third grade at Lakeview Elementary.

Where she came from: Before this I have taught third and fourth grade in Bowler, Wis., for seven years, and sixth grade in Menomonie, Wis., for 17 years.

Favorite book: no response

Favorite sandwich: turkey with lettuce, cheese and mayo

 

Sibley Elementary School

Trevor Abel

Age: 24

Residence: Albert Lea

Family: mom, Julie; dad, Ian, and sister, Jemma

Education: graduated cum laude from Gustavus Adolphus College in the spring of 2011

What he teaches: second grade at Sibley Elementary

Where he came from: Originally from the Twin Cities

Favorite book: So many choices, but if I had to choose one “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime” by Mark Haddon.

Favorite sandwich: bacon, lettuce and tomato

 

Shanna Dawson

Age: 38

Residence: Manchester area

Family: husband, Jared; children, Drake, 11, Grace, 7, Evie, 4, and Alec, 10 months

Education: Bachelor of Science in elementary education, K-6 licensure

What she teaches: kindergarten

Where she came from: Taught at Sibley in 1997 and Glenville-Emmons until 2004 — was a homemaker since then.

Favorite book: The Bible

Favorite sandwich: buffalo/ranch chicken

 

Ashley Gonwa

Age: 23

Residence: Albert Lea

Family: mom, Lynn; dad, Denis; older brother, Derek

Education: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Bachelor of Science in elementary education, minor in Spanish studies

What she teaches: first grade

Where she came from: I went to college in Minneapolis and St. Paul. I’m originally from De Pere, Wis., which is right outside Green Bay, and yes I’m a Packers fan.

Favorite book: My favorite adult book is “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins; my favorite children’s book is “Ish” by Peter Reynolds.

Favorite sandwich: ham and cheese

 

Kristi Tapper

Age: 35

Residence: St. Clair

Family: husband, Scott, and two children, Jacob, 12, and Hunter, 10

Education: graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education

What she teaches: kindergarten

Where she came from: St. Peter

Favorite book: “Twilight” saga

Favorite sandwich: peanut butter and jelly

 

Hawthorne Elementary School

Jessica Kieffer

Age: 27

Residence: Mankato

Family: husband, Brandon Kieffer

Education: I have a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Minnesota State University-Mankato; working toward my reading teacher licensure from MSU-Mankato, which I will finish in May.

What she teaches: first grade

Where she came from: Le Sueur-Henderson School District

Favorite book: “Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs”

Favorite sandwich: peanut butter

 

Jenika Boersma

Age: 23

Residence: Albert Lea

Family: mom, Betty; dad, Jerry; sister, Janae

Education: graduated from University of Wisconsin-River Falls

What she teaches: fourth grade

Where she came from: Eagan

Favorite book: Too many to choose from!

Favorite sandwich: grilled cheese

 

Dana Sonnicksen

Age: 23

Residence: Albert Lea

Family: All of my family is in the Twin Cities area.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and English as a second language from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa

What she teaches: K-5 English as a second language

Where she came from: Just graduated from Luther College in May 2011 and moved down from the Twin Cities before school started this fall.

Favorite book: “The Hunger Games” and “The Other Boleyn Girl”

Favorite sandwich: ‘Unwich’ (lettuce wrap) Italian Vito from Jimmy John’s

 

Margaret Huber

Age: 51

Residence: 8989 Dalton Ave., Northfield

Family: husband, Kris, 51; sons Derek, 24, and Schuyler, 22, daughters Kelsey, 19, and Abby, 17

Education: Bachelor of Science in exceptional education, Bachelor of Arts in elementary education

What she teaches: Title I grades K-3

Where she came from: Northfield School District (long- and short-term substitute assignments)

Favorite book: “The Late Homecomer”

Favorite sandwich: turkey with guacamole and lots of vegetables

 

Kelsey Boyd

Age: 27

Residence: New Richland

Family: Mom and dad live in Albert Lea. Two older brothers in Eagan and Washington, D.C.

Education: Albert Lea High School; Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from the University of Minnesota; Master of Arts in teaching from the University of St. Thomas

What she teaches: fifth grade at Hawthorne

Where she came from: Senior product coordinator at Target Headquarters in Minneapolis (2007-09) and ELL/reading intervention teacher in Owatonna (2010-11)

Favorite book: “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch

Favorite sandwich: buffalo chicken sandwich

 

Albert Lea High School

Nikki Feist

Age: 25

Residence: Wells

Family: husband, Jon

Education: South Dakota State University

What she teaches: family and consumer sciences

Where she came from: Worked last year in Janesville as a para-educator

Favorite book: anything by Harlan Coben

Favorite sandwich: peanut butter and pickle

 

Jeanne Garbers

Age: 26

Residence: Owatonna

Family: My husband teaches at Waseca School District. We also have a dog named Ida.

Education: I studied at Minnesota State University, Mankato for my undergraduate degree, and I received my master’s from St. Mary’s University.

What she teaches: I currently teach 9-12 family and consumer sciences courses. Next semester, I will also teach eighth grade family and consumer sciences.

Where she came from: I taught three years in Forest Lake.

Favorite book: “Tuesdays With Morrie” by Mitch Albom

Favorite sandwich: anything from Panera Bread

 

Erin Gustafson

Age: 26

Residence: Albert Lea

Family: husband, Andrew; daughter, Audrey

Education: Bachelor of Science from North Dakota State University, currently working on master’s degree at Western Governors University

What she teaches: Special education

Where she came from: Worked as a paraeducator in the district last year. Before that I taught in Nome, Alaska, for two years.

Favorite book: “Little Women”

Favorite sandwich: grilled cheese

 

Jasmine Henrich

Age: 23

Address: no response

Family: I come from a long line of teachers in the family. I have one younger brother.

Education: I received my teaching degree from Minnesota State University, Moorhead in May of 2011.

What she teaches: I teach eighth grade algebra. I also coached the ninth-grade volleyball team in the fall and now have the ninth-grade basketball team.

Where she came from: I grew up in Morris and went to college in Moorhead.

Favorite book: Right now my favorite book to read is the Algebra I book that we are using in class.

Favorite sandwich: bacon, lettuce and tomato.

 

Jolene Krieger

Age: no response

Residence: Blue Earth

Family: husband, Don, five sons, one daughter

Education: Minnesota State University, Mankato, licensed in elementary education, mild to moderate impaired, specific learning disability, emotional behavior disorder, and certified in autism

What she teaches: I teach transition, personal communications and life skills for students under the autism spectrum.

Where she came from: Granada-Huntley-East Chain High School in Granada

Favorite book: All books by Jody Picoult and favorite books, “Tuesdays with Morrie,” and “The Five People You Meet in Heaven”

Favorite sandwich: cheeseburger just off the grill

 

Emily Nelson

Age: 26

Residence: Austin

Family: Parents, Paul and Coni Nelson

Education: bachelor’s in social work from Luther College, master’s in social work from University of Northern Iowa

What she teaches: school social work

Where she came from: Waverly, Iowa

Favorite book: The Janet Evonovich series

Favorite sandwich: Grilled cheese

 

Kaitlin Weis

Age: no response

Residence: no response

Family: All from the central Minnesota area

Education: Concordia College in Moorhead (Graduated with a degree in Spanish education and psychology)

What she teaches: Celebrating Spanish (eighth grade course) and Spanish II at ALHS

Where she came from: Sauk Rapids

Favorite book: This is a tough question! I really enjoy reading and I do not have an absolute favorite. However, I find biographies to be particularly interesting.

Favorite sandwich: Anything from Jimmy John’s or Erbert’s and Gerbert’s.

 

Bill Wietman

Age: 31

Residence: 2000 Tiger Lane, Albert Lea, MN 56007 Room E218

Family: A beautiful wife, Kammi, and two amazing children, Sophie, 3, and Logan, 2

Education: Bachelor of Science in mathematics education from the University of Wisconsin-Superior, master’s degree in teaching and learning from St. Mary’s University-Winona

What he teaches: 8-12 mathematics. This year I am teaching Algebra I, Algebra II and Trigonometry/Statistics

Where he came from: I am originally from the Duluth area. Last year we lived in Esko, and I taught at Duluth Central-Denfeld. Previously I taught in Carlton and am originally from Hermantown.

Favorite book: Any John Grisham book.

Favorite sandwich: Double cheese cheesesteak from Quiznos.

 

Brittany Yokiel

Age: 24

Residence: Albert Lea

Family: husband, Chad Yokiel

Education: bachelor’s in special education from Minnesota State University, Mankato

What she teaches: grades 8-12, special education

Where she came from: I taught in Puyallup, Wash., for a year before this because my husband is in the Army.

Favorite book: “The Lucky One” Nicholas Sparks

Favorite sandwich: French dip with au jus

 

Nicki Luehrs

Age: 24

Address: Albert Lea

Family: no response

Education: Bachelor of Arts in English literature and writing (Bethel University, 2009)

What she teaches: eighth- and ninth-grade English

Where she came from: Minneapolis

Favorite book: “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” by Jonathan Safran Foer

Favorite sandwich: turkey bacon ranch

 

Brookside Education Center

Mary Green

Age: no response

Residence: Albert lea

Family: five children

Education: Master of Science in communication disorders from Minnesota State University, Mankato

What she teaches: speech, language therapy

Where she came from: Fairmont

Favorite book: “Mitford” series

Favorite sandwich: Chicken salad

 

Kara Paulson

Age: 37

Residence: rural Clarks Grove

Family: children Dylan, 16, Dakota, 8, and Mya, 4

Education: master’s degree in early childhood special education

What she teaches: Early childhood special education birth to 3

Where she came from: I taught part time last year at Alden-Conger Schools.

Favorite book: I just completed my master’s degree so haven’t had opportunity to read for leisure.

Favorite sandwich: Lakeside club