Nancy Dennis
2/3 Teacher
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I had considered teaching for many years, but finally, on the
eve of turning 40, returned to school to make that dream a reality.
I began teaching preschool - kindergarten in a Montessori School and
received my teaching certification and Master's degree from UW-River Falls.
My Montessori experience coupled with a very traditional student teaching
experience piqued me to learn more about the progressive philosophy which
led me to Prairie Creek.
My work here is extremely fulfilling. The children and my practice
are often on my mind, and I appreciate that I have been able to grow, as
a person and as an educator in this setting.
I and married and have two daughters, one in college and one in middle s.
I enjoy the outdoors, camping, hiking and canoeing in the BWCAW. I
enjoy traveling and am struggling to learn Spanish right now. In our
cold winters, I enjoy reading and playing games. I try to be crafty,
but am usually not too successful; fortunately, little kids don't notice
this!
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Molly McGovern Wills
2/3 Teacher
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When I decided to become a teacher seven years ago, Prairie Creek
was the school where I wanted to teach. I went to Gustavus Adolphus
College and earned my B.A. in elementary ed then continued my studies at
Wolf Ridge ELC. Finally, I was ready and I became a teacher at Prairie
Creek. I value teaching at this school because here, what is best for the
children is always our first priority. We value and respect children and
their choices, emotions, and developmental needs.
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Michelle Martin
4/5 Teacher
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I've taught at Prairie Creek since 2002 when my husband and I
moved to Northfield. I graduated from Harvard with a BA in English
and went into new product development and marketing for a few years.
When I realized that the most satisfying part of my week was leading a Girl
Scout troop, I went back to school and got a masters in elementary ed from
Teachers College, Columbia University. I taught for 5 years in New
York City and Connecticut. I worked with some amazing educators and
honed my own philosophy of education.
I was thrilled to find Prairie Creek in my "new" backyard. Its progressive
philosophy matches my own. My colleagues are committed, interesting
professionals who have become a second family. I feel so fortunate
to work in a school so dedicated to creating meaningful, authentic learning
for its students. Everyday is a wonderful adventure - I couldn't ask
for more.
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Laura Medwetz
Special Education
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I received a M.S. in Education at Purdue University and a B.S.
in Special Education at Ball State University. My passion in education has
been in working in the development of inclusive school communities. I've
worked at PCCS since 2000. A progressive school philosophy is a perfect match
for developing specialized programs for students with more individualized
needs. PCCS provides a collaborative environment were families, students,
and staff work together to facilitate effective individualized programming
within the context of a small caring school .
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Rachel Geffers
Music
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I am privileged to be the music teacher at Prairie Creek Community
School. I studied to be a music teacher at St. Olaf College, where
I focused on elementary music and earned a B.A. in Music. At Prairie
Creek I use the Orff Schulwerk approach. Through singing, saying, dancing
and playing, students combine song, speech and drama, creative movement and
dance, and instrument playing for an infinite variety of musical experiences!
The music program at PCCS is very well supported by the staff and music is
often integrated into every classroom.
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Cathy Tower Oehmke
4/5 Teacher
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My favorite things to do
are spend time with children, read and be outside. I get to do all of those
things every day at Prairie Creek! I graduated from Wellesley College in
Massachusetts, where I got my first teaching license. After teaching in Maine
for five years and earning my masters degree in education from the University
of Maine, I decided to go to graduate school and see what research was all
about. I got my Ph.D in educational psychology (with a focus in literacy)
from Michigan State University. I decided that academia wasn't for me, since
it kept me too far away from day-to-day interactions with kids. I was thrilled
to find Prairie Creek, where my colleagues are so smart and committed and
willing to question their practice. I get to continue to pursue my interests
in research and writing while also teaching in a progressive setting. I also
teaching a reading course for licensure candidates in the spring at Carleton
College. I've been teaching at Prairie Creek since 2005.
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Elizabeth Treat
Teaching Assistant
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I graduated from Carleton College in 2003 and received my M.A.
in history from Brown University in 2004. I have spent the last several
years doing graduate work at Brown, but I began volunteering at Prairie Creek
in 2008 to explore elementary education. I loved working at the school
so much that I've stayed on as an employee and I am now working towards my
teaching license in elementary education.
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Jeanne Marie Burgoyne
K/1 Teacher
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I am a recent Summa Cum Laude graduate of Concordia University,
Saint Paul. My work with children focuses on using all five senses
to integrate information and to show learning. My students use their hands
and their minds to learn. The beautiful Prairie Creek campus provides
for me a natural outdoor environment to teach children in a way that aligns
with my teaching style.
I live on a farm in Dennison with my four children who also have a passion
for the great outdoors. |
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