Teachers are listed by grade level.  Select from the list below to jump immediately to a grade level or subject area:

• Kindergarten
• 1st Grade
• 2nd Grade
• 3rd Grade
• 4th Grade
• 5th Grade
• Middle School (Grades 6-8)
• Specialists

AMY DENNING - Kindergarten

Education: B.A. Elementary Education and History, University of St. Thomas

Years of Experience: 1st year (Student taught at St. Thomas More last spring)

Philosophy:  I believe that every child is unique and with those unique abilities and talents they have the ability to succeed and reach their highest potential. I know that each child learns in their own way and as a teacher I will create activities, lessons, and a classroom that meets each student’s needs. As an educator, I strive to create a warm and positive environment where each child can grow and develop their talents, through academic, social, emotional, and spiritual channels. In my classroom I will create an atmosphere of respect and acceptance with the help of God, so the teacher and students can be lifelong learners.

Hobbies/ Interests:  I enjoy playing and coaching volleyball, the Minnesota Twins, spending time with my friends and family

SISTER SARA RUBLE - Kindergarten

Education: B.S. Winona State University

Years of Experience: 36 years (20 years at St. Thomas More)

Philosophy: I believe the goal of teaching is to engage the mind of the learner...to help them discover new and exciting things about themselves and the world around them as well as the basic skills.  I believe that learners are unique, with individual needs, talents, experiences, abilities and interests.  The curriculum needs to be flexible to accommodate the broad range of children's individual differences.  I believe in creating a learning environment where children are happy, accepted and experience God's love.  I believe STM makes this happen.

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy traveling, reading, scrapbooking, knitting, doing crafts and spending time with family and friends

MEGAN ASHTON - First Grade

Education: B.S  Elementary Education, University of Wisconsin - River Falls

Years of Experience: 10 years (6 years at St. Thomas More)

Philosophy: I believe that every child is unique and has his/her own talents.  It is my responsibility to get to know a child as an individual.  I believe that not every child learns in the same way or at the same pace.  It is my responsibility to meet students where they are at, and help them reach their potential using different teaching methods.  I believe that all children want to be part of a community.  It is my responsibility to provide a classroom environment that encourages pride and ownership – a classroom where children feel safe and willing to take risks.

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy traveling, reading, running, home projects, and spending time with family and friends.

BREANNA WALRATH - First Grade

Education: B.A. Elementary Education, University of St. Thomas

Years of Experience: 5 years (3 years at St. Thomas More)

Philosophy: As an educator, I aim to engage the whole child in the community of our classroom.    My goal is to create a safe, caring, and nurturing environment to foster academic, social, spiritual, and emotional growth.  We work in a classroom of respect and understanding while helping each other to become lifelong learners.

Hobbies/Interests: running, reading, Chipotle, and playing board games.

TRACY CARPENTER - Second Grade

Education: B.A. Elementary Education, University of St. Thomas
M.A. Education/Catholic School Leadership, St. Mary’s University

Years of Experience: 14 years at St. Thomas More

Philosophy: I believe that each child is a unique individual who needs a safe, caring, and stimulating atmosphere.  I think it is important to help each child grow not only intellectually, but also emotionally, spiritually, socially, and physically.  My goal is to work as a team with staff, parents, and students to meet the diverse needs of each child.  I try to create a warm and welcoming learning environment in which students can develop a life-long love of learning, treat one another with respect, feel safe to take risks, and appreciate differences.   I feel truly blessed to be a part of the St. Thomas More community!

Hobbies/Interests: Playing games with family, rollerblading, making jewelry, reading

THERESA HULIT - Second Grade

Education: B.A. Elementary Education, Kindergarten certification, and minor in Psychology, The College of St. Scholastica
M.A. K-12 Reading Instruction (in progress), University of St. Thomas

Years of Experience: 14 years teaching 1st and 2nd grade at St. Thomas More

Philosophy: My first goal for all of my students is for them to love school and feel good about themselves as learners.  I take great delight in celebrating and appreciating the unique and special personalities of each child!  I also believe that a child’s education is a cooperative effort between the student, teacher, and parents.  All three components must be actively involved for the child to be most successful.

Hobbies/Interests: Photography, music, reading, and relaxing with my dog

BARBARA KOENIG - Third Grade

Education: B.A. Elementary Education, College of Saint Benedict

Years of Experience: 1st year (Student taught at St. Boniface in Cold Spring, MN)

Philosophy: I believe that every child is a unique individual with his/her own gifts and talents. It is my responsibility to provide ample opportunities for students to share their talents through a variety of teaching methods. I believe it is important to help each child develop as a whole person: intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially. It is my job to meet the individual needs of each student to help him/her succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy spending time with family and friends, baking, card games, tennis, and the Minnesota Twins.

JILL MILLER - Third Grade

Education: B.S. Elementary Education, University of North Dakota
M.A. Curriculum and Instruction, University of St. Thomas

Years of Experience: 26 years at St. Thomas More

Philosophy: I believe that my job is to teach children the skills to become life long learners.  I believe that children need to learn to become responsible for their learning while at the same time discovering the fun and joy in learning new things.

Hobbies/Interests: In my free time I love to travel, read, and knit.

NATALIE MULROONEY - Fourth Grade

Education: B.A. College of St. Benedict

Year of Experience: 10 years (1st at St. Thomas More)

Philosophy: I believe that a well-rounded education is one in which the whole child—mind, body and spirit—is nurtured. I seek to educate the mind and promote student learning by incorporating creative teaching techniques such as learning centers, differentiated learning groups, educational technology, and hands-on activities.  I seek to educate the heart through creative uses of music, games, and theater to engage students and make learning fun.  I seek to educate the spirit by witnessing to my own deeply held beliefs, celebrating our identity, helping students discover their own lives of service and prayer, and encouraging them to view the classroom as an extension of their family—a family that treats one another with respect, love, and an appreciation of diversity.

Hobbies/ Interests:  I enjoy cooking, reading, drawing and hanging out with my dog Rudy!

SUE WYNNE - Fourth Grade

Education: B.A. Elementary Education and Psychology, University of St. Thomas
M.A. Curriculum and Instruction, Murray Program of University of St. Thomas

Years of Experience: 25 years (21 years at St. Thomas More)

Philosophy: I believe in creating a classroom environment that encourages all students to be successful and grow spiritually, academically, and socially.  To me, teaching is empowering students to be all that they can be, and guiding them to achieve their personal best in all they do.  I believe it is my role to assist children in becoming responsible, contributing members of a loving, peaceful world.

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Walking, and Traveling

MAUREEN BURNS - Fifth Grade

Education: B.S. University of Wisconsin, River Falls
M. Ed. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Years of Experience: 34 years at St. Thomas More

Philosophy: I believe our school teaches Christian morals, responsibility and strong academics. I have very high expectations for my students, as well as myself. With hard work from each of us, our goals are met. I believe in my students. To teach is to experience true accomplishment. I love it!

Hobbies/Interests: My favorite place in the world is my home.  My second favorite place is at the lake in Nisswa, Minnesota.   I kind of like it here at school too!

KEVIN LUND - Fifth Grade

Education: B.A. Elementary Education K-6, St. Mary's College -Winona, MN
B.A Early Childhood, St. Mary's College - Winona, MN
M.A. Curriculum and Instruction, University of St. Thomas

Years of Experience: 22 years (6 years at St. Thomas More)

Philosophy: I believe that my classroom is a community of learners. Inside my classroom, the children will have the opportunity to be successful in their learning through a variety of activities, projects, discussions, and direct instruction. They will be able to express themselves in a creative manner, thus being active learners.

CONNIE SCHMIDT - Middle School Mathematics

Education:  BA Mathematics – St. Catherine’s

Currently enrolled in Master’s program – University of St. Thomas-Murray Cohort-Technology Certificate

Hobbies/Interests: I love to read, do puzzles, especially Suduko, play games, work on scrapbooks of my children, knit and crochet.

KATHLEEN NORTHUP - Middle School Spanish

Education: B.A English, University of Notre Dame
Secondary Spanish Education, Virginia Commonwealth University

Years of Experience: 8 years (4 years at St. Thomas More)

Philosophy: I have a passion for Spanish and I love being a Spanish teacher!  I believe that teaching Spanish should be dynamic, interactive, and fun.  My classes include many songs, skits, and stories.  I hope that I can instill an interest in Spanish that students can continue in high school and beyond.

Hobbies/Interest: Running, reading, traveling

TIM DOWNEY - Middle School Social Studies

Education: B.A. History and Political Science, Miami University

M.A. Teaching, Miami University

Years of Experience: 5 years (1st year at St. Thomas More)

Philosophy: My goal is to inspire students to understand the world as a Catholic and as a citizen.  We will study history in the context of how it shaped the world today, and how we can improve our world now.  Students will learn from each other as they share their opinions about a variety of topics.  Because of different opinions, respect for each other is emphasized in my classroom.

Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family and friends, watching sports, camping, and reading

JACKIE SMITH - Middle School Religion

Education: B.A. Literature, St. Mary's University of Minnesota
M.S. Instruction, St. Mary's University of Minnesota

Years of Experience: 5 years at St. Thomas More 

Philosophy: I believe in providing a foundation of basic teachings of the Catholic Church while relating the teachings to one's life.  Every student is on their own faith journey and must be met where they're at. I welcome respectful questions in class for it is in questioning one's faith that helps it develop and become stronger. 

Hobbies/Interests: My biggest hobby is spending time with my family.  In addition, I enjoy perfecting my cooking skills.  I also enjoy reading - whether it is a book, magazine, or newspaper.

BRENDA WAGNER - Seventh & Eighth Grade Language Arts

Education: B.A. English with a minor in Philosophy: Applied Ethics, College of St. Catherine
M.A. Curriculum and Instruction with a certificate in Multicultural Education, University of St. Thomas (in progress)

Years of Experience: 13 years (12 years at St. Thomas More)

Philosophy: I believe that adolescents thrive in an environment in which they feel they are a valued member of a learning community.  Students need to experience challenge, need to know that making mistakes is a necessary step in the learning process, and need support to achieve their next-best level.  The middle school age is a period of incredible transition for students; therefore, I must be flexible, responsive, and creative to effectively foster their academic growth.

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy spending time with my family; traveling when time allows; reading whenever possible; watching movies on Saturday nights; drinking really good coffee; and knitting things that are square (scarves, dishcloths, and blankets) .

DICK ADAMS - Middle School Science

Education: B.S. Phy. Ed, M.S. Education

Years of Experience: 29 years (1st year at St. Thomas More)

Philosophy: When I believe there is a tremendous amount of good in my fellow men, women, wife, children or students, my Catholic Christian Faith is alive and well.  Let us see each other as a "10" as Jesus, Our Savior sees each of us uniquely.

Hobbies/ Interests:  I coach basketball, watch and support my son in high school football, my daughters in pole vaulting, diving, swimming and softball.  If I have time, I work on my mother-in-law's lake home.   

LAURA WILSON - Sixth & Seventh Grade Language Arts

Education: B.A. English and Spanish, University of St. Thomas
M.A. Teaching, University of St. Thomas

Years of Experience: 5 years at St. Thomas More

Philosophy: I believe that every mind is designed to be nourished with knowledge and every soul with understanding.  In Catholic education, we are privileged to teach rigorous academic lessons that are linked to our faith. I challenge students to grow in their writing and see literature as a way to understand the human experience and God's grace in our lives.  Ultimately, I want students to find a voice and use it for what is good and true.

Hobbies/Interests: singing, reading, working out, dabbling in art, movies

GEORGE CHARLTON - Technology

Education: B.A Social Work, Bethel College

Years of Experience: 6 years at St. Thomas More

Philosophy: I teach technology as a tool to enhance students education and future careers. At the same time I teach to instill some wonderment in the incredibly capable Human Computer that each student is.

Hobbies/Interests: photography, coach baseball at Linwood Rec Center, huge Twins fan

BARRY GROSS - K-8 Music Director

Education: B.A. Music Education, South Dakota State University
M.A. Music Education: Kodaly, (in progress) University of St. Thomas

Years of Experience: 8 years (6 years at St. Thomas More)

Philosophy: I believe that creativity is an essential life skill.  Through singing, reading, playing, and dancing students become thoughtful and expressive individuals who will make their own music throughout life.

Hobbies/Interests: Choir, spending time with family, playing recorder, technology, and swimming

HEIDI JOHNSON - K-8 Art

Education: B.A. Visual Arts, University of Minnesota
M.Ed. Art Education, University of Minnesota

Years of Experience: 4 years at St. Thomas More

Philosophy: I believe that the visual arts are needed by our young people because they provide opportunities for self expression, communication, exploration, imagination, and cultural and historical understanding. Through art criticism and hands on art making, young artists learn to be creative thinkers and problem solvers. 

Hobbies/Interests: Painting, textile arts, reading, ballroom dancing, hiking, yoga

MOLLI MAIER KOZACHOK - K-5 Spanish

Education: B.A. American History & Literature, University of Notre Dame
M.A. Education, George Washington University

Years of Experience: 14 years (Grades 1, 2, 4 and 5), 11 years at St. Thomas More (2nd Grade and K-5 Spanish)

Philosophy: Communication with others is at the core of my teaching philosophy.  As students learn to communicate in other languages they open doors to other worlds and people.  I try to communicate my own excitement about other cultures, and I consider my students future leaders of the world.  I hope to give them the spark of language that will take them on adventures for the rest of their lives.

Hobbies/Interests: In my time when I am not teaching I love to read, trnvel and spend time with friends and family.  The St. Thomas More community is a great source of fun and support for me and I am so happy to be a part of it.

GENE L. PARRISH - K-8 Physical Education, Athletic Director

Education: B.S. K-12 Physical Education & Health, Augsburg College
Post Graduate studies Education & Health, Mankato State College & St. Mary, Winona

Years of Experience: 21 years (15 years at St. Thomas More), 40 + years teaching and coaching

Philosophy: My passion is to show young people of all ages the value of a healthy active lifestyle and being physically fit.  The teamwork and cooperation learned in physical education teachers the participants the ability to process and deal with life’s ongoing challenges. I want all of students to be proud of the abilities they each have been given and to continue to enjoy a lifetime of fitness and recreation

Hobbies/Interests: Chasing grandchildren, golf, hunting, and softball

HAGDIS TSCHUNKO - Library Media Specialist

Education: Library Media Certification, Minnesota State University, Mankato
M.S. Botany, University of Minnesota
M.A. Education, Tufts University
B.S. Mathematics and German, Tufts University

Years of Experience: 8 years as library media specialist at St. Thomas More, 4 years experience as public school library media specialist, 14 years experience in teaching, administrative, and writing/editing positions

Philosophy: After studying a variety of subjects and gaining experience in numerous positions in education, I am very happy to have found my niche in life as the librarian at St. Thomas More Catholic School.  I think of the library as the heart of the school and the school community as my family away from home.  I am committed to excellence in education and to helping our students become lifelong learners and readers.

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, basket weaving, needlecrafts, gardening, nutrition, travel

TERESA (TERRY) WINSTON - Extended Day Director

Education: B.A. Early Child Development, Concordia College, St. Paul, MN
M.S. Marriage & Family Therapy and Professional Counseling, Alfred Adler Graduate School of Psychology, Richfield, MN

Years of Experience: 6 years lead preschool teacher, 11 years preschool facility director,7 years of experience at St. Thomas More Catholic School as Extended Day director

Philosophy: I believe in order to become a great teacher of education, one must stoop down to the level of their students and understand their needs.

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, taking on do- it -yourself projects, cooking, and  spending quality time with family & friends.

CONNIE WITTEK - K-8 Educational Resources Teacher

Education: B.A. Elementary Education, College of St. Catherine
M.Ed. Teaching and Learning, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota

Years of Experience 21 years at St. Thomas More (13 years teaching 3rd grade, 8 years in current position)

Philosophy: As an Educational Resources Teacher I am focused on providing a successful learning experience for each child with whom I work.  I not only want to convince the student that they can learn and that learning is fun, but also that they are a good and capable person.  The volunteer tutors, whom I train and oversee, have the same goals.  I also see my role as support for both classroom teachers and parents.

Hobbies/Interests: My outside-of-school interests include my granddaughters, water gardening, perennial gardening, reading, and jewelry-making.