CACS

Clarkfield Area Charter School

Courtney Rode will be working with our youngest students; she is our Kindergarten Teacher. In college practicum experiences, Ms. Rode worked in Head Start as well as grades 2, 4, 5, and 6 she also student taught in kindergarten. Ms. Rode was born and raised in Benson, MN. She attended college at the University of Minnesota, Morris where she majored in elementary education. She also spent the summer working at the Montevideo Migrant Head Start Program. Her hobbies include camping, playing tennis, and reading as well as scrap booking. Ms. Rode says she is excited to teach because she enjoys watching children grow, learn, and develop. She also says that teaching is a very rewarding career.

“I am very excited to begin my teaching career in Clarkfield!”

-Courtney Rode

Mrs. Sachariason is our first grade teacher. Her work experience includes: Reading Intervention Specialist, ELL teacher’s assistant, Migrant Head-Start teacher, summer school teacher, and substitute teacher. Mrs. Sachariason grew up in Dawson, MN. After graduating from Concordia College in Moorhead, she moved back home to Dawson. In her spare time, Mrs. Sachariason loves to sing. She also enjoys spending time with her family and her puppy, Charlie and going to the lake.

When asked what excites her most about teaching, Mrs. Sachariason said she loves spending time with kids. She enjoys the creativity teaching allows and kids’ energy and optimism. She said she loves to incorporate lots of activities and hands-on learning experiences in her teaching. Welcome to CACS, Heidi!

“I am so excited to teach 1st grade! I can’t wait to meet my students and their families!”

- Heidi Sachariason

Alicia Tongen is our 2nd grade teacher, and our only teacher who is a Clarkfield native. She is a 2005 grad from Southwest Minnesota State University where she majored in elementary education with a Pre-Primary focus. Ms. Tongen also has a reading license. She has worked as a long term substitute at Marshall Area East Child Care Center and at E.C.H.O. Charter School.

“The inspiration of watching students grow and succeed inspires me to dedicate myself to teaching and learning.”

-Alicia Tongen

Mrs. Dikken is our 3rd grade teacher. Her work experience includes 8 years as a Special Education paraprofessional at RCW as well as working in the Renville Migrant Program and most recently as a 4th grade teacher at MACCRAY. Mrs. Dikken earned her degree from SMSU in Marshall. She currently resides in Renville with her husband, Greg, daughter, Megan, who is 17 and a senior at RCW, and her son Erik, who is 20 and a junior at South Dakota State University. She also has a cat named Taffy.

When she’s not busy in the classroom, Mrs. Dikken enjoys golfing, reading, walking, scrap booking, and spending time with her extended family at the lake. The thing she enjoys most about teaching is seeing a child’s face light up with understanding and knowing that she is helping them to become lifelong learners.

“I am very excited to be a part of the CACS. I can’t wait to start!”

- Julie Dikken

Hayley Strand is coming to CACS as our 4th grade teacher from Montevideo, where she substitute taught for the 2006-2007 school year. Ms. Strand’s hobbies include tennis, basketball, ping pong, walking her dog, rollerblading, and reading. She is excited to meet the students and help them grow and develop into intelligent well-rounded students. She says she is really excited to be a part of the Clarkfield Area Charter School.

“With such a dedicated board, director, community, and staff, there’s bound to be great things happening here!”

-Hayley Strand

Mr. Schwarz is our sixth grade teacher. He attended Mankato State University where he earned his bachelor of Science in Parks and Recreation. Mr. Schwarz also attended Gustavus Adolphus College where he earned his elementary teaching certificate. He is currently taking classes through Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in pursuit of his Master of Arts in Education. Mr. Schwarz has taught 2 nd grade, 5 th grade and Title I and has worked in Shakopee, Waubun, and Perham, MN. Mr. Schwarz has a wife, Beth, and four children, Benjamin, Jake, Elijah and Anika as well as a dog and a cat.

When Mr. Schwarz is not busy in the classroom, he enjoys fishing, hunting, and watching his children play sports. When asked what excites him about teaching, he responded, “Seeing students’ progress throughout the year and being a part of it is the most exciting.” He also mentioned that he hopes the summer goes by quickly because he can’t wait to start the school year!

I’m pleased to announce that Mrs. Koetter has agreed to be our Special Education teacher at CACS! She has worked for six years as a Paraprofessional, Title I Teacher, K-6 Substitute, in ESL, and in Special Education. Mrs. Koetter is married to Steve, a teacher in the YME school district. They have two children; Lexi is 14 years old and Zach is 12 years old.

Mrs. Koetter says she likes to work out, walk, run, and lift weights. She also loves to play the piano and read as well as spend time with her family.

At CACS all students will have a physical education class each day; Mrs. Koetter is looking forward to sharing her love for physical wellness with all our students as well.

“Being a vital part of a child’s education, helping them to learn and watching them grow academically and emotionally” was her answer when asked what excites Mrs. Koetter about teaching.

  “I am very excited about being a part of a new school from the very beginning!”

-Kathy Koetter

Are you hungry? Our students won’t be at CACS! We are very excited to have Mrs. Toft on staff as our Head Cook. Sue is coming to CACS with 32 years of experience in the food service industry. She says her passion is cooking, and she enjoys challenging herself. She looks forward to offering a variety of home cooked foods and fresh fruits and veggies. Mrs. Toft’s hobbies include cooking, making jellies and jams to give as gifts, as well as making cards, crafts, and gardening. She is excited to work with our students to help them try new things and make nutritionally sound choices. She recently said that her goal is to offer a meal she can be proud of that is nutritionally based, attractive and exciting to our students. Kids, look for Mrs. Toft at the open house and ask her about choosing your favorite meal to be served one day once school opens!

“Students are the best part of my day!”

-Susan Toft