NRHEG starts the year with several new faces

Staff

Published Friday, August 31, 2001

New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Schools will begin the 2001-2002 year with many new faces in key positions.

Friday, August 31, 2001

New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Schools will begin the 2001-2002 year with many new faces in key positions. Among the new hires are two administrators, two special ed teachers, an industrial technology instructor and a kindergarten teacher.

"We filled the spots we needed to fill, so we're ready to start a new school year," said Superintendent Richard Lorenz. "Now we're just busy getting our staff ready for the students to return."

At NRHEG High, first-time administrator Stephen Fredrickson is set to replace Lee Obermiller as principal. Fredrickson, who taught in the Wabasha-Kellogg district for 24 years, said NRHEG's excellent academic reputation attracted him to the job.

"I knew NRHEG had to have an outstanding staff, with the kind of performance the district has demonstrated over the years. It seemed like the perfect place for me," he said.

After nearly three decades as a social studies teacher and coach, Fredrickson said he wanted to make the move to administration to test the skills he developed in the classroom. Over the years, he learned how to mentor young teachers - an emphasis he hopes to bring to NRHEG.

"I like working with staff and developing ways to bring the most out of young teachers by teaming up with veterans," Fredrickson said. "But I also plan on meeting and getting to know as many students as I can."

Fredrickson said he has learned that education is an ongoing process. It takes everyone in a school setting, including good administrators, to make it work.

"I've been really impressed with the professionalism and attitude of caring for kids that the staff here has," he said.

Fredrickson is originally from Hayfield, Minn., and plans to live there with his parents for the year until his wife, Laura, can move to the area. The 40-minute commute will not be a hindrance to his job, he said.

"I imagine I'll be spending a lot of long days at the school and at events," he said. "I'll be there as long as it takes."

Other new staff members in the district include:

- Dan Stork - elementary coordinator in Ellendale.

- Sarah Hennekens - special education teacher in Ellendale.

- Marcie Lieske - special education teacher for middle school in Ellendale.

- Matt Eastvold - industrial technology teacher for middle school in Ellendale.

- Shelly Mangskau - kindergarten teacher in New Richland.

Visit www.nrheg.k12.mn.us for more information about the upcoming school year.

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