SUBMITTED PHOTO
The Watertown-Mayer School District welcomes new teachers and staff for 2023. Pictured are: front row: from left to right – Abigail Vazquez-Cruz- Elementary School Social Worker; Paige Owczarek – Middle School Science; Emma Springer – Middle School Social Worker; Kimberly Archibald – Special Education Evaluator; Taylor Soine – High School Special Education; Kory Bender – Middle School Special Education; second row: from left to right – Emily Narlock – 1st grade; Lauren Hagen – Kindergarten; Hannah Rosholt – Elementary School Music; Emma Ragner – Middle School Math; Aimee Sinkler – Community Learning Center Parent Educator.
The Watertown-Mayer School District added new teachers and staff for the upcoming school year.
Emma Ragner
Where did you graduate college, and with what degree?
Concordia University St. Paul – elementary education
What are you looking forward to as you start your career with the school district?
I am looking forward to meeting new people and building strong relationships with students.
What do you want families to know about what to expect from your class or from you in your new position?
I hold students to a high standard because I believe that they can achieve it with hard work. I am very upfront about what is expected from students, and I think communication from all parties involved will be key to helping students succeed.
What would you like families to know about your outside school interests?
In addition to teaching at Watertown, I am also one of the high school girls’ soccer coaches. I coach the C squad team. In my free time, I enjoy being outside, going on walks, and traveling.
Lauren Hagen
Where did you graduate college, and with what degree?
I went to Minnesota State University Mankato and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
What are you looking forward to as you start your career with the school district?
I am looking forward to growing my knowledge and teaching skills and learning many new things!
What do you want families to know about what to expect from your class or from you in your new position?
This is my first year teaching, so I will be learning right alongside my students!
What would you like families to know about your outside school interests?
Outside of teaching, I like to spend time with friends and family, be up at my cabin in northern Minnesota, and enjoy fishing!
Kory Bender
Where did you graduate college, and with what degree?
University of North Dakota – history
What are you looking forward to as you start your career with the school district?
I look forward to being a part of the community in Watertown-Mayer and the great staff that is already here and helping keep going with a great culture in the school.
What do you want families to know about what to expect from your class or from you in your new position?
I ask the kids to be willing to listen to each other and respect all of those around us, and if we can do that and learn while finding a little fun, we will have a great school year!
What would you like families to know about your outside school interests?
I have been coaching the Watertown Legion baseball program since 2015. I also help with my brother’s farm when not in school.
Abigail Vazquez-Cruz
Where did you graduate college, and with what degree?
I graduated from Minnesota State University with a master’s degree in professional school counseling.
What are you looking forward to as you start your career with the school district?
I look forward to making connections as I collaborate with the community, parents, and district staff to help each and every student succeed.
What do you want families to know about what to expect from your class or from you in your new position?
I will work hard to make sure that each of the students has the support they need, whether that is emotionally, socially, physically, or academically.
What would you like families to know about your outside school interests?
I love music and playing sports.
Emma Springer
Where did you graduate college, and with what degree?
I graduated from the University of Iowa with my bachelor’s in political science and bachelor’s in social work and then from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with my master’s in social work.
What are you looking forward to as you start your career with the school district?
Becoming involved with the community and getting to know all of the district’s awesome families!
What do you want families to know about what to expect from your class or from you in your new position?
I want families to know that I am always looking at things from every angle to find the solution that will work best for each individual student.
What would you like families to know about your outside school interests?
Outside of school, I try to spend as much time outside as I can, whether it’s hiking and camping, walking my dog, volunteering at a barn, gardening, or spending time at the lake!
Kimberly Archibald
Where did you graduate college, and with what degree?
St. Cloud State
What are you looking forward to as you start your career with the school district?
I’ve heard great things about WM, and I’m excited to be a part of it.
What do you want families to know about what to expect from your class or from you in your new position?
I love education, and I hope to bring my expertise to my position.
What would you like families to know about your outside school interests?
I have three children, three rabbits, one dog, and a fabulous husband.
Taylor Soine
Where did you graduate college, and with what degree?
I graduated from Concordia University St. Paul with a K through sixth elementary education degree.
What are you looking forward to as you start your career with the school district?
I am looking forward to being a part of the community. I’m excited to be at the high school and work with the other special education teachers. They are a very welcoming staff, and I am very grateful to be a part of this school district.
What do you want families to know about what to expect from your class or from you in your new position?
I am very excited to be here! I have high expectations for my classroom and my students that I know they can accomplish. I will give 110% every day, and I expect my students to give the same. My classroom is a safe space for everybody; when they walk into my classroom, they are welcomed and appreciated.
What would you like families to know about your outside school interests?
I am the Waconia Head Varsity Volleyball Coach. I still play volleyball two to three times a week in the summer, which is so much fun. My fiance, Zach Iten, plays for the Watertown Town Ball team, “The Watertown Red Devils,” where we spend most of our summer nights. We are getting married on June 22, which is stressful but so much fun! I’ll soon be an Iten!
Paige Owczarek
Where did you graduate college, and with what degree?
Minnesota State University, Mankato – bachelor’s in science education grades fifth through 12
Walden University – master’s in curriculum, assessment, and instruction.
What are you looking forward to as you start your career with the school district?
All of it is on the same schedule as my kids, getting to know more families in the community and getting to know current families better, working with a very energetic and welcoming staff, and being on the educator’s side of the school system rather than the student side (former graduate).
What do you want families to know about what to expect from your class or from you in your new position?
I want to make learning science fun, exciting, hands-on, and applicable to the students’ lives. With that being said, I also want to challenge students and encourage them to set and reach high standards/goals.
What would you like families to know about your outside school interests?
I love spending time with my family, whether camping, baking/cooking, walking, jogging, swimming, or just enjoying a movie at home.
Aimee Sinkler
Where did you graduate college, and with what degree?
Undergrad-University of Missouri, general studies and graduate-University of Minnesota, family education
What are you looking forward to as you start your career with the school district?
I love working with families. So, I am looking forward to getting to know families and the Watertown-Mayer Community!
What do you want families to know about what to expect from your class or from you in your new position?
Parent Education is for everyone. It’s a place to make connections, learn, and grow together. Everyone’s goals and experiences will be valued in the parent education classroom.
What would you like families to know about your outside school interests?
I have two young children, ages 3.5 and 5; I love to spend time outdoors with them!
Hannah Rosholt
Where did you graduate college, and with what degree?
University of St. Thomas, vocal music education (bachelor); Concordia St. Paul University, educational leadership (masters)
What are you looking forward to as you start your career with the school district?
Getting to know the students!
What do you want families to know about what to expect from your class or from you in your new position?
I love to fuse movement, mindfulness, and music! We’ll move, sing, and play a lot!
What would you like families to know about your outside school interests?
I love playing with my kids, doing yoga, traveling, and trying new recipes.
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