Nativity of Mary Church
Father Abraham Kochupurackal CMI
Administration
Bar
Principal Barb Castagna I received my bachelor of science degree from the University of North Dakota in elementary education and special education. I started my career in education in the St. Paul Public School District, where I taught first grade, third grade and special education for 10 years. While teaching, I continued my education, receiving a master of science degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and my administrative license from the University of St. Mary's. After receiving my administrative license, I served as an assistant principal at Parkway Elementary School for three years before becoming the principal at Nativity of Mary in 2000. I enjoy being a part of this community both as the principal and a parent.
I received my BS in Elementary Education from St. Kate's and my MA in early childhood education from Concordia University. I have been teaching in elementary and preschool classrooms in both suburban and city schools since 2002, including 5 years with ages 3-5. I also have a special interest in early childhood ESL. I live in St. Paul with my husband and our dog and cat.
I have been a Kindergarten teacher at Nativity for 9 years. I received my BS+ from Minnesota State University. I live in Bloomington with my husband and 3 children. My oldest two are at Jefferson High School. My youngest is a seventh grader.
I have been blessed to send all my children to Nativity School. Through Nativity they have grown to be great students and caring young adults.
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
First Grade
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.
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.
Second Grade
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. Class Page
I am a graduate of Nativity of Mary, and am currently teaching in the room in which I had third grade. I went on to graduate from the Academy of Holy Angels in 2005, and from there went to Augsburg College where I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 2009. I was able have many opportunities to be a substitute teacher at Nativity during the winter and spring of 2010. I have also worked at Creative Clubhouse since 2007, getting to know and appreciate the students at Nativity. I love playing and following sports, especially soccer, which I both play and coach. Nativity holds a special place in my heart, and I am very happy to be a part of the family.
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 since 1999.
I am a graduate of St Cloud State University, where I received my degree in elementary education, with emphasis in special education. I taught in Golden Valley and Crystal until my son was born. When my second child entered first grade, I became a substitute teacher at Nativity. After many short and long-term teaching assignments, I am happy to be back teaching full time. Nativity holds a special place in the hearts of my family. My husband and our children attended Nativity of Mary School.
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.
Holly Long - Room 110 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.
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 and daughter in Shakopee. Class Page
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.
Class Page
After graduating from Bemidji High School in 2002, I attended the University of North Dakota, where I earned my bachelor's degree in social studies education in 2007. In 2009 I completed my master's degree in education from the University of Minnesota Duluth. For 15 months I worked as a counselor of at-risk youth at Northwood Children's Services in Duluth. I then substitute taught for 2 years, first in the Duluth area, and then in numerous Twin Cities area school districts.I have been happily married since 2007 and enjoy spending time with family, exercising, playing the guitar and watching my favorite Minnesota sports teams.
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!
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. Class Page
I graduated in 1995 from Moorhead State University
with a bachelor of science degree in elementary
education. I live in Shakopee with my wife and two
daughters. I have been teaching technology at Nativity since 2001.
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. Class Page
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.
I am currently teaching my 6th year of Physical Education
here at Nativity and am also the Athletic Director,
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 and Joseph.
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.
I attended the University of Connecticut and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor of science in biology and a minor in chemistry. After working in diabetes and immunology research for a number of years, I switched to product development for a chemical company. I started at Nativity of Mary in 1996 after staying home for ten years raising my children. I have taken numerous advanced classes in working with students with learning disabilities and am certified in Orton Gillingham 1 and 2 for teaching reading. I live in Bloomington with my husband, two cats, and three children who are in and out while in college and grad school. All my children graduated from Nativity of Mary which prepared them well for their future education.
Staff
Health Service Associate Monday-Thursday 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.
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