Park Elementary Welcomes New Staff
2020-2021
A Warm Welcome!
Meet Jenny Anderson: Title 1 Paraprofessional
Favorite School Memory: There are so many memories because I have always loved school. I especially enjoy the beginning of the school year when everything is new.
Meet Nicole Arneson: Special Education Paraprofessional
I don't really have a favorite memory, besides my favorite teacher ever was Ralph Johnson.
Meet April Barfknecht: Special Education Paraprofessional
20/21 will be my 5th school year as a para. In 19/20, I began working at West in preschool and moved to Park just before spring break and finished the year working in our child care program. I grew up in Rosemount, MN. My family is very involved in stock car racing; my dad raced and built race cars, my brother raced, and now his son is racing and building cars. I LOVE racing and spend most summer weekends at a race track (in a "normal" summer). I LOVE cats and have a gorgeous grey kitty named Grace and a recently adopted cat I named Hope (because who doesn't need a little hope in 2020).
My favorite school memory was the many field trips we took, but especially the museums we visited. I loved history and to see items I had read about was so exciting for me.
Meet Susan Boor: Occupational Therapist
My favorite part of school was science class and being able to dissect a frog that the football player could not touch.
Meet Tayla Card: 2nd Grade Teacher
It's hard to pick one favorite memory from school, especially when you grow up a tiger! Some of my favorite memories of school are playing capture the flag, homecoming celebrations, and my involvement in organizations/teams throughout my school years.
Meet Lilly Douglas: Special Education Paraprofessional
My favorite memory of school would be how much I learned that I still remember. Who knew you would actually use most of the things you learn. Education is so valuable.
Meet Patti Lenz: Title 1 Paraprofessional
My favorite school memories were made at Park Elementary in the 1960's walking to school and to the skating rink after school. I loved my teachers Mrs. Washingchek and Mr Thompson.
Meet Kristine Maiers: 5th Grade Teacher
I really don't have a specific favorite memory of school because I loved it all!
Meet Tiffanni Markgraf: District Nurse
My favorite memory of school was visiting with friends every day.
Meet Molly Peller: 2nd Grade Teacher
My favorite memories of school: Playing capture-the-flag and Winter Wonderland in gym class at Park Elementary!
Meet Kristie Redmann: School Psychologist
My favorite memory of school is the 1st day of every school year. I loved picking out my outfit, organizing my school supplies and meeting my elementary school teachers.
Meet Hannah Starke: 2nd Grade Teacher
My favorite memory of school was naming, raising, and taking care of the ducks in Mrs. Sarah Smith's 2nd grade classroom. The "Zesta" saltine crackers were a big hit amongst my class at lunch time, so I remember we named one of the ducks after the crackers we loved! It was such a fun project that got us super excited about learning every day!
Meet Tim Steece: Physical Therapist
My favorite school memories were the friendships. I am still close with several of my elementary school classmates.
Meet Meredith Tavary: Special Education Teacher
When I was in 3rd grade I was sitting in the front row and the teacher put her book on my desk. I switched books with her so that when she looked down she had my book. She laughed and thought I was funny. It made me feel like she liked me. It is this memory that reminds me how little it takes to make a child feel important and valued.
Meet Beth Wilson: Health Office Nurse
My favorite memory of school was recess. My favorite part of the day!
Meet Andrea Wollan: Special Education Teacher - Long Term Sub
My favorite memory from school was my senior year band trip to Washington D.C. Band nerds are the best!
Meet Lindsay Zipf: Special Education Paraprofessional
My favorite school memory: (Second grade) We were taking turns reading paragraphs aloud as a class (the class was really losing interest in this book) we were reading this really long book about preserving and saving the Rainforest and protecting the wildlife habitat. We had been reading about it for at least a week, if not longer. Our teacher could tell that we had started losing interest, So our teacher let us take a break from reading for that day. The next day we went into the classroom and the teacher had transformed our classroom into a Rain forest! I just remember these huge trees with tucans and parrots and all of the things we were learning about from in the text. I remember how cool that was because it made us feel like we there, and it truly made the story come to life. From that we learned all of the ways to reduce our carbon footprint, and we went a step further and put on a play to educate other students and started a fundraiser to preserve acreage.