Nativity of Mary Church
Father Steve Ulrick

School Administrative Assistant
Wanda Hagerty

Lynn Robertson - Room 120
I received my bachelor of science degree from the University of Minnesota in elementary education and art education. My experience includes time in British schools working with "rising fives"(kindergarten), focusing on emergent reading skills. I've been teaching for more than 20 years in both public and private schools – mostly in kindergarten, both half- and full-day. Graduate studies include work in early reading skills, including Orton Gillingham methods. I live in Bloomington with my husband and two sons, who also attend Nativity of Mary School. I enjoy spending my free time with my family, gardening and traveling.

Classroom Newsletter

Room 103
Rebecca Hartmann
After receiving my undergraduate degree from St. Cloud State University, I spent three years as a First Grade teacher at St. Stephen's in Anoka. I live in Shakopee with my husband, Jesse, and our two wonderful children, Kiley and Tate. I enjoy running, cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors.

 

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Ann Marie Bartz - Room 101
I have taught kindergarten for 12 years and second grade for two. I received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Minnesota State University Mankato.

Rita Duerr - Room 104
I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota-Mankato in elementary education and special education. In 2000, I completed a master of arts degree in education at the University of St. Mary's. I have been a Catholic school educator for many years. I have been at Nativity of Mary since 1994.


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Diane Talley - Room 102
I have worked with children since 1987 in schools and daycare settings. I have an associate degree in human services-child development from Inver Hills Community College and received a bachelor’s degree in education from the College of St. Catherine. My first experience at Nativity of Mary was when I volunteered to teach art to
second-, third- and fourth-grade students. I have been teaching second grade since 1996.

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Rebecca Woychick - Room 105
I received my bachelor's degree in English literature from the
University of Minnesota and my master's of education degree from the
University of St. Thomas. While completing my master's degree, I taught
in a Montessori kindergarten. I live in southwest Minneapolis with my
husband, two sons and two dogs. I have been teaching at Nativity since 2007. I love Nativity and am excited to be teaching 3rd grade!

 

 

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Patty Meyer - Room 106
I graduated from the College of St. Benedict in 1981 with a major in elementary education K-6, with a kindergarten certificate. I taught second/third combination for three years in Sauk Centre, Minn. I spent 14 years raising my four boys while providing daycare in my home. I have been teaching at Nativity for six years.


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Fourth Grade

Carla Zenk - Room 107

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Glen Hoffman - Room 108
After graduating from Burnsville High School in 1988, I attended Saint John's University and graduated with my degree in elementary education. I student-taught at Nativity of Mary and began teaching fourth-grade in 1994.


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Kathleen Endert - Room 109
After graduating from the College of St. Benedict with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, I worked with the Buffalo Public Schools for four years. While pursuing a special education (learning disabilities) certification from the University of St. Thomas, I taught at Our Lady of Peace and later at Annunciation School in Minneapolis. During the summer of 1990 I worked as a student naturalist at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center. Since 1992 I have been teaching fifth graders at Nativity of Mary.

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Holly Long - Room 111
I returned to school after many years to pursue my teaching license and received my certification in education from Hamline University. I taught for three years at Our Lady of Grace in Edina and left there to teach at Nativity of Mary in 2003. I have been a parent with children attending this school for over 10 years.


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Laura Millenacker - English, Room 115
In 2001, I graduated from Bethel College with a degree in elementary education and a minor in Spanish. In addition, I received an endorsement in working with middle school students. I came to Nativity of Mary in 2002 where I currently teach Spanish and English grammar. I reside with my husband in Shakopee.

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Theresa Prusha - Language Arts, Room 116
I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls with a degree in education and an emphasis in language arts. I began teaching at Nativity of Mary in 2000. My husband, two children, and I live in Lakeville where I enjoy spending time working in the yard and reading in my spare time.

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Autobiography Worksheets

Other Necessary Items

Chapter 1: Before I Was Born

Chapter 2: I Make An Entrance

Chapter 3 - My Family(2mb)

Chapter 4 - Everyday Life at My Age(1mb)

Chapter 5 - Thoughts on Friendship(330k)

Family Crest template

Jane Wagemaker - Religion, Room 113
I have been a teacher in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for more than 30 years. I received my bachelor's degree at the College of St. Catherine, majoring in language arts and secondary education with a minor in theology. I have taught at Visitation School in Minneapolis and St. Joseph’s in Hopkins. While teaching at Nativity, I received my master's degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of St. Thomas. I have taught religion and language arts at Nativity since 1983. During the summer months, I am employed by Good Ground Press, writing and editing the Visions magazine that we use in our upper-level religion classes. I love to read for fun, and sharing my faith with others is a top priority. Nativity rocks!

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Pat Bohman - Math, Room 114
I have been working as an educator in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis since 1975. My teaching experience ranges from third through eighth grade, with the majority of my years spent at the middle school level. I received a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Minnesota and a master of arts degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. Prior to my coming to Nativity in 2000, I served nine years as the principal of three Catholic schools, but the energy, challenge and satisfaction of working directly with kids drew me back into the classroom.

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Jerry Dargis - Science, Room 112

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Laura Millenacker
In 2001, I graduated from Bethel College with a degree in elementary education and a minor in Spanish. In addition, I received an endorsement in working with middle school students. I came to Nativity of Mary in 2002 where I currently teach Spanish and English grammar. I was recently married in July 2005 and reside with my husband in Shakopee.

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Music

Judy DeBruyne-Hodgson - Room 210
I am a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a bachelor of music degree, and I hold a master of music degree from the University of Notre Dame. I have also completed all three levels of Orff Schulwerk training at the University of St. Thomas. I have taught at Nativity of Mary since 1999, and prior to that I served as the parish liturgical music director. I have been involved in many parishes as an organist/pianist, and I currently serve as the parish organist at St. Edward’s in Bloomington. I love to walk, garden, read and spend time with my husband and two sons.

Band
Marie Rule

Ms. Rule has been teaching private woodwind lessons since 1999 in Minnesota and Illinois and has directed middle school and high school jazz band ensembles.  She holds a bachelor of arts degree in Honors Music from Gustavus Adolphus College and two master of music degrees in clarinet performance and musicology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she is also a Ph.D. candidate. 

Tim Thoreson

I am currently teaching my 3rd year of Physical Education here at Nativity and have also taken on the duties of Athletic Director, with this being my first year. When I am not at school I enjoy spending time with my family. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife, Jen, and two wonderful children, Emily (3) and Joseph (1). I am an avid baseball fan and also enjoy spending time with friends, running, golfing, playing games, traveling, and home improvement projects. In the summer I keep busy by providing baseball clinics to young ball players through my own business, 5 Star Baseball Clinic. I received my teaching degree from St. Olaf College in May 2000.

Health Service Associate
Becky Rodier

I graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1990 with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I spent the next 12 years working at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina. I live in Bloomington with my husband and son, who is currently attending Nativity of Mary School. In my free time I love spending time with my family and friends, and participating in my book club.

Food Service Associate
Justine Hiben
I was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minn. I have been married to my husband David for 17 years. We have two boys, Joshua, 15, and Jordan, 10, and a four-year-old cat named "Boo." I have worked in Bloomington food service for three years. I enjoy spending time with my family and going to all the boys’ many events. Right now it’s football season, which means cold evenings watching games. I also enjoy bowling and am on a Monday evening league.

Library
Tina Meyer