As the bell rings for the first time on the 2019-20 school year students, faculty and administration at Adrian Schools are excited to welcome new faces to the staff and faces that are familiar in the Adrian halls as former students or parents.
Christine Thorson will be teaching K-12 vocal music. She earned her Bachelor of Music from Western CT State University and followed that up with her Master of Music from Minnesota State University-Mankato. Christine has taught at Little Lambs Pre-School, Riverland Community College and Minnesota West Community College. When asked how she became interested in teaching music her response was, “I have always loved music and singing and I love teaching others about both.”
Originally from New York Christine now lives in Luverne with her husband Kip and children Briana, Hope and Ian. In her free time she enjoys gardening, travelling, singing and she teaches private music lessons. About her new position at Adrian Schools she comments, “I am very excited to teach music and vocal music in such a wonderful and supportive district and community.”
Kristi Groth will be coming to Adrian as the K-12 ELL (English Language Learners) teacher. She earned her degrees from Luther College and SDSU. She brings almost 20 years of teaching experience to Adrian. Kristi was previously a Title I and Guidance Counselor in Ellsworth and a Middle School Counselor in Worthington as well as many years as a Substitute Teacher. She has always enjoyed helping students and building relationships with them.
Kristi grew up in Spring Grove, Minnesota and now lives outside Luverne with her husband Kevin and her children Julia and Kyle. She enjoys walking, reading and attending her kids school activities in her free time. Commenting on her new job here in Adrian she says, “I am looking forward to meeting the students and helping them learn and grow this school year.”
A very familiar face is back in the Dragon hallways. Welcome back to Sam Voss. Sam is an Adrian graduate and went on to earn her Bachelors Degree in Math Education at SMSU and a Masters Degree in Math Education also from SMSU. Sam has taught in Fulda for the last four years. She will be teaching math to the Adrian MS/HS students.
Sam lives in Adrian with her husband Adam and daughter Addison. About coming back to her Alma Mater she states, “I am excited for a new teaching adventure in Adrian and giving back to the school and community where I grew up.”
Sara Henning is another familiar face in the school hallways. She lives on a farm near Adrian with her husband Andy and children Austin, Jacob and Whitney who are all students in Adrian and keep Sara busy with 4-H in her spare time.
Sara is a licensed Social Worker and holds a degree in Criminal Justice. She will be the Special Education teacher at Adrian MS/HS. She has been a Substitute Teacher within the Adrian School District, Special Services Coordinator at Southwestern Youth Services and Independent Living Services Associate at Southwestern Center for Independent Living. Speaking of her new job at Adrian Schools she states, “I am excited to join a school district that is dedicated to helping kids succeed. I enjoy trying to bring out the best in kids.”
Matt Gaudian will be teaching 6-12 grade art at Adrian MS/HS. Matt earned his degree at the University of Northern Iowa and comes to Adrian after eight years of teaching within the Edgerton Public School System. His interest in teaching came from a couple of really great art teachers who got him interested in teaching.
Matt is originally from Waterloo, Iowa but now lives in Worthington with his wife Maggie and daughters Audrey and Lily. He enjoys running and fishing in his free time. He is looking forward to the beginning of the school year and states, “I’m excited to get to know the community of Adrian. It will be fun to see the creativity and art that comes from the students.”
Newlywed Lexi Lynn will be the new pre-school teacher at AES. Lexi grew up on a farm near Magnolia and was married to her husband Tony this summer. She is a Luverne HS graduate and earned her degree in education from SDSU. She says her interest in teaching came from some of her elementary teachers and her sister who also teaches at AES.
Lexi says, “I am looking forward to teaching in the district. I am excited to start my first year of teaching and meeting my students.”
Devyn Meyer will be stepping in as the sixth grade Language Arts and 3-5 Title I teacher. Devyn earned her degree at Southwest Minnesota State University. She explains that her interest in teaching came about because,”I want to help every student feel successful at school.” She previously taught at St. Mary’s School and at Bird Island, Minnesota.
Originally from Redwood Falls, Devyn now lives in Wilmont and is engaged to Duane Christians of Wilmont. In her free tie she enjoys spending time with her fiance’ and family and going to the lake. Looking forward to her new job at Adrian Schools she states, “I am so excited for this new opportunity and to meet all the new students.”
Stacie Dohlman just celebrated two of her children graduating from AHS last spring so she is quite familiar with Adrian Schools. She will be the Paraprofessional in the First grade rooms this year. Stacie has been working as a CNA for the past 20 years and is looking forward to starting her new job. She states, “I love the school system and the people and all the children.”
Stacie lives in Magnolia with her husband Scott and children Alanna, Lucas, Levi, Zachery, Hailee, Cheyanne, Sophia and Shania. In her free time she enjoys reading, camping and church activities.
Rachel Snyder brings a B.S. in Elementary Education to her new position as a paraprofessional. She previously worked as a CNA/TMA at Crossroads Care Center.
Rachel lives in Rushmore with her three daughters and enjoys reading, gardening and baking in her free time.
Jean Robson will be a new paraprofessional at Adrian Elementary. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Jean has been the Administrative Assistant at her church before coming to AES. She lives in St. Kilian with her daughter Megan and enjoys reading and working on her family history and doing crafts in her free time.
Welcome to Adrian Schools, we look forward to getting to know you better over the years. And to the students and faculty, we look forward to following your accomplishments throughout the year.
Remember the Adrian School District is hosting open houses at the Elementary and MS/HS on August 28th. Kindergarten through 5th grade have scheduled conference times that were included in the school packets. Individual photos will also be taken so have your student “picture ready”. High School Open house will run from 4-7:30 p.m. all students and parents are welcome to attend, find lockers, have yearbook photos taken and meet teachers. There will be orientation for 6th grade students at 5:30 and new students at 6:30 in the middle school gym. There will also be an informational community meeting on the referendum at 7:30 p.m. in the Elementary Commons.
