Staff information

Want to help out a classroom?  Recognize a teacher?  We asked our teachers and staff and below are some supply requests and gift ideas!

Pre-K- Sueellen Cooker

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Kindergarten – Jessica Stevens

• Classroom wish list items:  Blue painters tape, fine-tip black expo markers Amazon list
• What can parents do to help the most:  Read our weekly newsletters, communicate, send a snack for their child
• Favorite restaurant:  Sushi/Panera/Buffalo Wild Wings
• Favorite color:  Pink and Yellow
• Favorite snacks:  Popcorn/Strawberries/Bananas
• Favorite candy:  Reese’s PB Cups/Sour Patch kids
• Favorite dessert:  Cheesecake
• Favorite drink:  Bubbly Sparking water/Caribou Campfire Mocha (skim/milk chocolate) iced or hot
• Favorite sports team: MN Vikings
• Favorite flower:  Daisy 
• Favorite scent: Mint or Lilac
• Favorite gum:  Mint
• Favorite hobby: Reading/Baking
• Dislikes:  Mushrooms/Candles (weird thing about scents 🙂

Kindergarten – Katie Langehaug

• Classroom wish list items: Laminating sheets, cardstock paper, headphones, sharpie markers, read alouds, paper lunch bags  Amazon wish list
• What can parents do to help the most: Read the weekly emails/newsletters and read with their child at home! 🙂
• Favorite restaurant:  Chick-fil-A/Chipotle/Cheesecake Factory
• Favorite color:  Pink
• Favorite snacks:  Popcorn/Raspberries
• Favorite candy:  Kit-Kats
• Favorite dessert: Cheesecake
• Favorite drink:  Coffee/Sparkling Water/Starbucks Vanilla Latte
• Favorite sports team:  Green Bay Packers
• Favorite flower:  Rose
• Favorite scent:  Vanilla or Lavender
• Favorite gum:  Mint
• Favorite hobby: Spending time outdoors/baking
• Dislikes:  Tries to avoid Dairy

Grade 1 – Heidi Johnson

• Classroom wish list items:  White Board Markers, Lamination sheets, Card Stock, Creative Toys
• What can parents do to help the most: Keep up to date with what is happening in our classroom
• Favorite restaurant:  Canes/Chick-Fil-A/Olive Garden
• Favorite color:  Teal
• Favorite snacks:  Cheez Its/raspberries
• Favorite candy:  M&Ms
• Favorite dessert:  Peach Pie
• Favorite drink:  Good Earth Tea, Flavored Water/Peppermint Mocha
• Favorite sports team:  MN Twins
• Favorite flower:  Lilies
• Favorite scent:  Baking bread/spring flowers 
• Favorite gum:  Mint
• Favorite hobby:  Crafts, Puzzles, Gardening
• Dislikes:  Can’t have popcorn

Grade 1 – Jessica Rodger

• Classroom wish list items:  
• What can parents do to help the most:  Be supportive of their child & their learning outside of school!
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Grade 2 – Chloe Kennedy

• Classroom wish list items:  Fidgets, Picture Books, Laminator Sheets, Colored Card Stock, White regular String Lights 
• What can parents do to help the most:  Volunteer to read a book to the class
• Favorite restaurant:  Chipotle/Olive Garden
• Favorite color:  Purple
• Favorite snacks:  Cool Ranch Doritos/Raspberries
• Favorite candy:  3 Musketeers or sour candy
• Favorite dessert: Cheesecake
• Favorite drink:  Green Tea / Almond milk caramel coffee
• Favorite sports team:  U of M
• Favorite flower:  Roses
• Favorite scent: Fresh or clean
• Favorite gum:  Sugar free mint
• Favorite hobby:  Reading/Crafting

Grade 2 – Kelli Meredith

• Classroom wish list items:  Books, individual fruit snack packs for kids who don’t bring  a snack
• What can parents do to help the most:  Be patient and please contact me for any reason if you have concerns or ideas!
• Favorite restaurant:  Teresa’s/McDonalds
• Favorite color:  Mint Green
• Favorite snacks:  Popcorn/Berries
• Favorite candy:  Any
• Favorite dessert:  Cake
• Favorite drink:  Coke/Vanilla Cappuccino
• Favorite sports team:  Vikings
• Favorite flower: Gladiolus
• Favorite scent: Fresh Linen
• Favorite gum:  Bubble gum
• Favorite hobby:  Reading

Grade 3 – Emma Ketcham

• Classroom wish list items:  more chapter books, colorful cardstock paper, digital timer, cushions for kids to sit on
• What can parents do to help the most:  Be understanding of me being a first year teacher, donate any books they do not want, respond to my emails as soon as possible.
• Favorite restaurant:  Panera/Olive Garden
• Favorite color:  Lavender
• Favorite snacks:  Kettle Chips/Watermelon
• Favorite candy:  Reese’s PB cups
• Favorite dessert:  Brownies
• Favorite drink:  Diet Coke/Iced caramel coffee
• Favorite sports team:  Twins
• Favorite flower: Peony
• Favorite scent:  Floral
• Favorite gum:  Peppermint
• Favorite hobby:  Caring for my house plants, baking, cooking
• Dislikes: 

Grade 3 – Kay Willenbring

• Classroom wish list items: Laminating Sheets, Colored card stock, Large colored construction paper 11 x 14; Teacher List Wish List; Amazon Wish List;
• What can parents do to help the most:  Volunteer in the classroom
• Favorite restaurant:  Chipotle/Canes/Mexican
• Favorite color:  Purple
• Favorite snacks:  Dill pickle chips/raspberries
• Favorite candy:  Starbursts, Almond joy/Skittles
• Favorite dessert:  Shortbread cookies
• Favorite drink:  Dr. Pepper/Duncan Donuts Toasted Almond Iced Coffee
• Favorite sports team:  University of Wisconsin – River Falls
• Favorite flower:  Star Gazer Lilies
• Favorite scent:  Lavender/Rose
• Favorite gum:  Bubblegum
• Favorite hobby:  Biking/Photography

Grade 4 – Bobbie Duncan

• Classroom wish list items:  Wipes, colored cardstock, laminator sheets, colored chalk, dice, dry erase markers and playing cards
• What can parents do to help the most:  Donate supplies
• Favorite restaurant:  Jersey Mike’s/Jensen’s Supper club
• Favorite color:  Maroon
• Favorite snacks:  Nuts/Watermelon
• Favorite candy:  Laffy Taffy
• Favorite dessert:  Cheesecake
• Favorite drink:  Dr. Pepper/White chocolate mocha
• Favorite sports team:  St. Paul Saints
• Favorite flower:  Tulip
• Favorite scent:  Jasmine
• Favorite gum:  Cinnamon
• Favorite hobby:  Baking and cooking

Grade 4 – Angela Jacobs

• Classroom wish list items:  
• What can parents do to help the most:  Be flexible
• Favorite restaurant:  Dairy Queen
• Favorite color:  Red
• Favorite snacks:  Popcorn/Watermelon
• Favorite candy:  Lindt truffles
• Favorite dessert:  Cake
• Favorite drink:  Lemonade/Hazelnut flavored coffee
• Favorite sports team:  Denver Broncos
• Favorite flower:  Lilies
• Favorite scent:   Pine
• Favorite gum:  Any
• Favorite hobby: Reading

Grade 5 – Amy Sullivan

• Classroom wish list items:  white board markers
• What can parents do to help the most:  Check emails
• Favorite restaurant:  Chipotle/IWA Sushi
• Favorite color:  Green
• Favorite snacks:  Honey twist chips/Asian Pears/Honeycrisp Apples
• Favorite candy:  Twix
• Favorite dessert: Vanilla shake
• Favorite drink:  Unsweetened tea/water/turtle mocha from Caribou
• Favorite sports team:  Mississippi State University
• Favorite flower:  Daisy
• Favorite scent:  Sandalwood
• Favorite gum:  Mint
• Favorite hobby:  Jump rope/hula hooping
• Dislikes:  Soda/Flavored Drinks

Grade 5 – Dori Bokusky

• Classroom wish list items:  cardstock, glitter paper, laminating sheets, arts and craft supplies
• What can parents do to help the most:  Keep up with the newsletter and volunteer for events
• Favorite restaurant:  Canes/Buffalo Wild Wings
• Favorite color:  Green
• Favorite snacks:  Dots Pretzels/Berries
• Favorite candy: Lindt Lindor Truffles/Starbursts
• Favorite dessert:  Cheesecake
• Favorite drink:  Iced Tea/Hot or Iced Mocha
• Favorite sports team:  MN Twins
• Favorite flower:  Sunflower
• Favorite scent:  Lilac or Fireplace
• Favorite gum:  Grape Icebreakers
• Favorite hobby:  Knitting

Middle School – Julie Thilgen

• Classroom wish list items:  6-8 grade level books, laminating sheets, cardstock paper, cleaning supplies
• What can parents do to help the most: Have your students read their independent reading novels, or even read with them. 2) Have the students check through their planners at night- no sense writing in them in the classroom if they don’t use them at home to make sure classwork is done!
• Favorite restaurant:  Chinese food/Olive garden
• Favorite color:  Fuchsia, Red, blue, purple
• Favorite snacks:  Pistachios/Strawberries/raspberries
• Favorite candy:  Hershey’s cookies and creme
• Favorite dessert:  Mint ice cream
• Favorite drink:  Orange pop (fanta/crush), Peppermint Tea, Apple Juice, Hot Chocolate
• Favorite sports team:  Vikings/Twins
• Favorite flower:  Peonies
• Favorite scent:  Lavender
• Favorite gum:  Mint
• Favorite hobby:  Reading/crafts/writing/D&D
• Dislikes:  Coffee

Middle School – Mike Colenso

• What can parents do to help the most:  Stay up-to-date on your student’s grades and behavior
• Favorite restaurant:  New Fresh Wok/Buffalo Wild Wings
• Favorite color:  Green
• Favorite snacks:  Pretzels/Cantaloupe
• Favorite candy:  M&Ms
• Favorite dessert:  Pumpkin Pie
• Favorite drink:  Diet Mountain Dew/Black coffee
• Favorite sports team:  MN Vikings

Middle School – Zack Lee

• Classroom wish list items:  Pencils, Pencil sharpener, Turn in bins
• What can parents do to help the most:  Keep in communication
• Favorite restaurant:  Chipotle/Red Lobster
• Favorite color:  Purple
• Favorite snacks:  Pistachios/Pineapple
• Favorite candy:  Salted nut roll
• Favorite dessert: Apple pie
• Favorite drink:  Arnold Palmer
• Favorite sports team:  MN Twins and Wild
• Favorite flower:  Lavender
• Favorite scent: Cinnamon
• Favorite gum:  Mint
• Favorite hobby: D & D

Middle School – Ian Higgins

• Classroom wish list items: Maps, posters, anything historical that I can put on the walls
• What can parents do to help the most: Keep an open dialogue with teachers and try to understand our perspective of the class
• Favorite restaurant:  Lisu Thai/Sullivans Supper Club
• Favorite color: Blue
• Favorite snacks: Salted Nut Roll/Honeycrisp Apples
  
• Favorite candy: Twix/kit-kats/Snickers
• Favorite dessert: Brownies
• Favorite drink: Coke/Dr Pepper/Hazelnut dark roast or french vanilla no cream
• Favorite flower:  Thistles
• Favorite scent:  Coffee, apple pie, fall leaves
• Favorite gum:  Mint
• Favorite hobby: Hiking/Fishing/Writing

STEM –  Adeline Angst

• Classroom wish list items: Clorox Wipes, Hot glue sticks, Science/Math/STEM books or items, any kinds of reusable/recycle items we can use for building (you can always send an email if unsure!)
• What can parents do to help the most:  Encourage your student to be a creative, independent thinker! Also, donating any recycled building materials (think cardboard, boxes, plastic bottle caps, wire, wood pieces, foam, etc)
• Favorite restaurant:  Jimmy Johns/Firehouse/Chili’s
• Favorite color:  Blue
• Favorite snacks:  Popcorn, Triscuits, strawberries
• Favorite candy: Kit Kat
• Favorite dessert: Brownies
• Favorite drink:  Hot tea, Hot Chocolate, Smoothie, juice, fruit drinks
• Favorite sports team:  MN United
• Favorite flower: Lilies
• Favorite scent: Rose, lavender
• Favorite gum: All
• Favorite hobby: Reading, Hiking, Camping

Gym – Mike LaFave

• Classroom wish list items:  Footballs, mats, balls that are soft
• Favorite restaurant:  Chipotle
• Favorite color:  Orange
• Favorite snacks:  Chips/banana
• Favorite candy:  Skittles
• Favorite dessert:  Brownies
• Favorite drink:  Dr. Pepper
• Favorite sports team:  Dallas Cowboys
• Favorite hobby:  Golf

Art – Cara Himango

• Classroom wish list items:  Watercolor Paper
• Favorite restaurant:  Taco Bell
• Favorite color:  Yellow
• Favorite snacks:  Salt and Vinegar chips/Mango
• Favorite candy:  Milk duds
• Favorite dessert:  Creme Brulee
• Favorite drink:  Green tea
• Favorite flower:  Daisy or Sunflower
• Favorite Scent:  Pine trees
• Favorite Gum:  Spearmint
• Favorite hobby: Painting and Ceramics
• Dislikes:  Can’t have gluten

Special Education – Regina Collinson

• Classroom wish list items:  Drumsticks
• Favorite restaurant:  El Burrito/India House
• Favorite color:  Blue
• Favorite snacks:  Ranch Doritos/Bananas
• Favorite candy:  Dark Chocolate milky way
• Favorite drink:  Starbucks Verona
• Favorite flower:  Iris
• Favorite scent:  Vanilla
• Favorite gum:  Peppermint
• Favorite hobby: Music

Educational Assistant- Celeste Grimm

• Classroom wish list items:  Any craft or art supplies. (Paint, paint brushes, paper, washable markers, stamps, washable ink pads, stickers, playdoh/clay, beads, etc) Any small reward toys/stickers/tools, (cute pencils, bouncy balls, etc).
• Favorite restaurant: Taco Libre/Culvers/Saji-Ya
• Favorite color: Blue and Orange
• Favorite snacks:  Trail mix, cheetos, all fruit
• Favorite candy:  M&Ms
• Favorite dessert:  Brownies and ice cream
• Favorite drink: Sparkling water/Dark roast coffee with cream
• Favorite sports team:  Women’s USA nordic skiing
• Favorite flower: Peonies and black eyes susans
• Favorite scent: Citrus and ginger or cinnamon type scents
• Favorite gum: Big red or peppermint
• Favorite hobby:  Gardening and XC skiing

Custodian/Maint- Dan Witt

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Kitchen Manager- Jodi Jones

• Classroom wish list items: 4 inch hotel pans
• What can parents do to help the most:  Ask me any questions they have or call with any concerns
• Favorite restaurant:  Tom Moi Chinese/Olive Garden
• Favorite color:  Turquoise blue
• Favorite snacks:  kettle chips with top the tater/strawberries
• Favorite candy: Reese’s PB cups
  
• Favorite drink:  Rockstar zero grape/caramel iced coffee
• Favorite sports team:  MN Wild
• Favorite flower:  Carnation
• Favorite scent:  Lilac
• Favorite gum:  Orbit sweet mint
• Favorite hobby: Reading

Discovery Kids Club- Maria Ramos

• Classroom wish list items:  Disinfectant wipes/facial tissues/reams of copy paper
• What can parents do to help the most:  Educate their kids about basic social skills, good manners, respect to others, consideration to their classmates and sensitivity to cultural differences or any other differences.
• Favorite restaurant:  Chick-fil-a/Chili’s
• Favorite color:  Mustard Yellow
• Favorite snacks:  Sweet and salty cashew bars from Aldi/Guava
• Favorite dessert:  Apple pies
• Favorite drink:  Coke/Starbucks latte
• Favorite sports team:  NY Yankees/MN Twins
• Favorite flower:  Tulips
• Favorite scent:  Mint
• Favorite gum:  Mint
• Favorite hobby:  Sculpture ceramic

Director of Operations- Shannon Benalshaikh

• Classroom wish list items:  Fun magnets for filing cabinets
• Favorite restaurant:  Chipotle/Crave
• Favorite color:  Aqua/Teal
• Favorite snacks:  Sesame sticks/trail mix/pineapple
• Favorite candy:  Skittles
• Favorite drink:  Hot tea/black coffee
• Favorite sports team:  DSU
• Favorite flower:  Orchids
• Favorite scent:  Anything not fruity/foodie
• Favorite hobby:  Reading

Executive Director – Heather Lines

• Favorite color:  Blue
• Favorite snacks:  Wasabi Almonds/Any Almonds/apples/strawberries
• Favorite candy:  Mounds Bar
• Favorite drink:  La Croix Water/Dark roast coffee
• Favorite sports team:  U of M
• Favorite flower:  Lilies
• Favorite scent:  Lavender or Rosemary