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Faculty and Staff |
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Our staff members are listed first alphabetically, followed by our faculty members. Please take a moment to read their biographies and learn why St. Bridget School is dedicated to helping each and every student grow in faith and academics.
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Flanscha, Mike
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| Maintenance |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 |
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Kozak, Carla
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| Administrative Assistant |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 |
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Westerhaus, Betsy
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| Resource Teacher |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 |
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Bents, Lisa
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| PreKindergarten |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 ext.221 |
Years of teaching: 18
Years of teaching at St. Bridget’s: 3
Education: Viterbo University
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Science in Education/ Pre-Kindergarten- 6th grade licensure
Teaching Philosophy: My philosophy is to greet children every day with a smile and kindness, and they will bloom under your care…
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: St. Bridget’s school allows children/parents and staff, the opportunity to learn more about our faith and the ability to share it with others on a daily basis! |
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Engel, Christine
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| PreK-5 Spanish |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 |
Years of teaching: 6
Years of teaching at St. Bridget’s: 3
Education: UW-Whitewater and UW- Milwaukee
Degrees/Credentials: BA in Political Science with minor in Spanish; Teacher Certification-Secondary Spanish and PreK-12 English as a Second Language
Teaching Philosophy: My educational philosophy is simple. Determine the needs of the students and help them achieve their goals. I have high expectations and believe everyone should be given a chance to succeed. Making a connection with students gives me personal satisfaction. Fostering opportunities for children to grow and learn should be my priority. Learning should also be fun and interactive.
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: Provides me the opportunity to bring the love of the Spanish language to younger students when they are literally sponges. This prospect will give students an upper hand in other areas of learning as well. |
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Gribble, Mary
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| K/1 |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 ext. 222 |
Years of teaching: 20
Years of teaching at St. Bridget’s: 4
Education: University of Wisconsin- River Falls
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Science- Elementary Education- Graduate work in Early Childhood
Teaching Philosophy: I believe that each child is unique and my job is to provide a secure, caring and stimulating atmosphere where each child can grow emotionally, intellectually, physically and socially. It is my desire as an educator to help students meet their full potential through engaging classroom experiences.
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: I am so excited and proud to be teaching K-1 with such great students and an outstanding staff. In my classroom we learn, explore, create and laugh! |
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Heike, Brittany
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| Kindergarten |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 ext. 206 |
Years of teaching: 2
Years of teaching at St. Bridget’s: 2
Education: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Science-Elementary Education; Graduate work in Elementary Education
Teaching Philosophy: I believe that all children should be given the chance to feel and be successful each day in my classroom. I strive to create exciting lessons, engaging activities, and meaningful experiences for my students on a daily basis! Learning is FUN and I want all of my students to be life-long learners who are motivated to do their best in life. As a teacher, I am dedicated and committed to bringing out the best in my students on a spiritual, social, emotional, and academic level.
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: St. Bridget’s is a place where parents and teachers work together to provide an education that every child deserves. It is where teachers collaborate on ideas and interests in order to make every school day powerful and meaningful. Most importantly it is a place where children are happy to be and are able to become all around good people in our community. |
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Holter, Gina
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| 4th Grade |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 ext. 205 |
Years of teaching: 3
Years of teaching at St. Bridget’s: 3
Education: University of Wisconsin River Falls
Degrees/Credentials: Masters- Elementary Education-Initial Certification & B.S. Business & Psychology
Teaching Philosophy: I believe each student is a unique and capable individual. Students need to be able to learn in a hands-on environment that allows for their social, emotional and spiritual growth. Each child deserves to feel respected by peers and all adults and should be able to express their own thoughts and creativity in order to truly learn and advance at their own ability.
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: St. Bridget Parish School means a wonderful, caring environment for students to grow and learn. Each student is given the attention they need and deserve both academically and emotionally. It is a place where I can see that each teacher is truly dedicated to providing all children with the attention and time they deserve. |
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Leary, Mike
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| Middle School (Social Studies/Religion) |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 ext. 211 |
Years of teaching: 10
Years of teaching at St. Bridget’s: 9
Education: BS - University of Wisconsin - River Falls
Degrees/Credentials: BS Secondary Education / Broad Area Social Studies
Teaching Philosophy: Students have to find relevance and interest in and be challenged by what they are studying
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: A community of people interested in the whole education of children to be informed, skilled and moral leaders. |
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McDonnell, Chanda
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| 2/3 |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 ext. 207 |
Years of teaching: 5
Years of teaching at St. Bridget’s: 4
Education: UW-River Falls
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in early childhood education along with a certification in early childhood special education.
Teaching Philosophy: All children can learn. Students learn in different ways therefore I must present material in a variety of ways so all students have the opportunity to learn. Students should also have the opportunity to show what they can do in a variety of different ways as well. Learning is a process. Students should be an active participant in that process. Finally, learning should be enjoyable. I try to have fun learning activities to keep the students engaged in the learning process.
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: St. Bridget Parish School is a warm and friendly place that welcomes everyone. St. Bridget’s is very family oriented and has strong Catholic values that are modeled throughout the day by staff and students. I feel that I am lucky to be able to be a part of this school. |
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Meier, Sarah
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| PreK-8 Physical Education |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 ext. 215 |
Years of teaching: 7
Years of teaching at St. Bridget’s: 5
Education: BS PreK-12 Comprehensive Physical Education and Health
Degrees: Graduate Degree, Community Education Certificate
Teaching Philosophy:
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: St. Bridget Parish School stands out through the creativity of our wonderful teachers, small class sizes, student involvement in the community, and most importantly, the dedication to our children. As a teacher and a parent of three children who attend St. B's, we wouldn't be any other place! |
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Meyer, Brian
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| 3rd Grade |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 ext. 208 |
Years of teaching: 1
Years of teaching at St. Bridget’s: 1
Education: U.W. River Falls
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Science- Broadcast Journalism, History Minor; Masters of Science in Elementary Education
Teaching Philosophy: I believe that students learn best when they can apply their knowledge to real world experiences or events. I feel that students learn effectively when they are able to share knowledge and ideas with each other, and I incorporate as much cooperative learning as possible in the classroom.
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: St. Bridget Parish School is a place where I have seen dedicated teachers and the staff go above and beyond for their students, and I’m extremely happy to be a part of that environment. It is a place where students are allowed to learn effectively, but just as importantly they are learning to become good solid citizens in their community. |
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Nordstrom, Dannell
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| PreKindergarten |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 ext. 204 |
Years of teaching: 9
Years of teaching at St. Bridget’s: 9
Education: UW-River Falls
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education
Teaching Philosophy: I believe that teaching should be structured yet spontaneous and learning should be a lifelong process that fills you with joy. I believe children learn by active exploration, manipulation, and concrete experience through hands-on activities. These aspects form the foundation for more abstract learning that allow the children to question, reason, create, and engage in meaningful interactions with others. Each day I strive to nurture each child's' individual gifts and meet their individual needs. I create lessons and activities to encourage students to grow to their fullest intellectually, socially, spiritually and physically.
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: A few of the many reasons I love teaching at a St. Bridget Parish School include…The opportunity to work with other teachers, students, and families who share similar beliefs and morals as my family; being able to foster in the children the many gifts God has given each one of them; teaching children the importance of treating others the way Jesus would treat them; sharing in the joys of the holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, with the children.
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Parsons, Mary
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| Middle School (Science/Math) |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 ext. 210 |
Years of teaching: 10
Years of teaching at St. Bridget’s: 10
Education: UW-River Falls
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Science degree in Geology; minor in Environmental Science
Teaching certifications include 6-12 earth science, 6-9 general science, 1-8 elementary-adolescence any subject.
Teaching Philosophy: "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: Teaching at St. Bridget’s allows me to be the kind of teacher that allows students to have solid hands-on experiences that provide for a deeper level of learning. I love having students for three years in a row as it allows me to build up their organizational and academic skills over time. I see them grow every year into confident students that leave with a good character, a solid work ethic, and the academic base they need to make them successful in high school. I can address the whole child, which is such a gift. |
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Rubenzer, Jodie
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| PreK-8 Music |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 ext. 214 |
Years Teaching: 3
Years at St. Bridget’s: 3
Education: I have a Certificate in Youth Ministry and coursework in Liturgy and Music.
Educational Philosophy: It is my goal to help young people enjoy music in all forms. Everyone can sing!! The challenge is convincing students to believe that and to share their voice with the greater community. As important as it is for me to teach general music, I also want to instill in the students a love for liturgy.
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: St Bridget is part of my family. I have three daughters who are alumni of St. B’s and have gone on to attend Viterbo University. My oldest works in a Catholic School in Wisconsin and my middle daughter is a Youth Minister at a parish in Minnesota. My youngest is still in school. St. Bridget offers to children the opportunity to grow in faith and to become confident in their gifts. I truly believe that St. Bridget helped to foster in my family and my kids, a desire to serve the greater community. It is hard to articulate the value of an education that incorporates faith and general learning on a day to day basis. We do not always see the fruits of our labors immediately, but what a joy it is years down the road to know that the seeds of knowledge and faith we’ve planted and nurtured, are being used in work places, parishes and communities all over the world. |
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Steckbauer, Sue
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| Principal |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 ext. 201 |
Years Teaching: 10
Years in Administration: 8
Years at St. Bridget’s: 5
Education: UW-Eau Claire; UW-Stout
Degrees/Credentials: BS-Elementary Education with language arts minor; Masters-CTE
Educational Philosophy: I believe that every child is a unique gift from God; that all children have amazing potential; that every child deserves a welcoming, caring, and challenging atmosphere in which to learn; that children need to be loved; that having high standards will lead to remarkable results; and that dedicated teachers and staff who are actively involved and share the same beliefs really do make a school GREAT!
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: St. B’s is an amazing combination of enthusiastic learners, devoted teachers, and dedicated parents that work together in a loving, faith-filled environment to ensure that all students praise God, serve others, love life, and reach their fullest potential! St. Bridget Parish School is where I have been called to be! |
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Strub, Lisa
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| PreKindergarten |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 ext. 221 |
Years of teaching: 4
Years of teaching at St. Bridget’s: 4
Education: University Wisconsin River Falls
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Science Elementary Education Minor Early Childhood Education
Teaching Philosophy: "The best gift we can give to any child is to make that child feel wanted, love, and cared for because that child is the greatest gift of God. " Mother Theresa
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: St. Bridget's allows me the opportunity to share my passion for teaching as well as my love for Jesus each and every day in the classroom! |
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Tody, Valerie
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| Middle School (Language Arts/Reading) |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 ext. 212 |
Years of teaching: 9
Years of teaching at St. Bridget’s: 5
Education: Undergraduate studies at Eastern Illinois University, and I am currently working on my masters in reading at University of River Falls.
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Science in Education
Teaching Philosophy: My teaching philosophy is to academically enrich the lives of students through an interactive learning environment and to celebrate the talents of each child making learning enjoyable to ultimately promote a strong love of learning.
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: To me, St. Bridget Parish School is a warm and nurturing learning environment where the students, teachers, and families work closely together to promote the best, academically, socially, and emotionally, in each student. As a teacher, I love being part of such a great team. |
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Wilbur, Loretta
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| 4/5 |
| Email |
| 715.425.1872 ext. 209 |
Years of teaching: 6
Years of teaching at St. Bridget’s: 5
Education: U.W. River Falls
Degrees/Credentials: Bachelor of Science- Biology, Horticulture Minor; Master of Science in Education-Elementary Education
Teaching Philosophy: My goal as an educator is to assist students to be self-disciplined and independent problem-solvers so that they may become responsible world citizens with a respect for all creation.
What St. Bridget Parish School means to me: I am proud to teach at a school that integrates faith and values with academic excellence. |
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