About Our 1st Grade Teachers
Ms. Arens
Hello! My name is Morgan Arens. I grew up in Redfield, SD. In 2014, I graduated from Dakota State University in Madison, SD with a degree in Elementary Education. I began teaching first grade at Prairie Elementary in 2014. For me, teaching is such a rewarding career, especially when I see my students excited about their learning and achievements. In my free time, I like to cook, shop, spend time with friends, and travel back to South Dakota to see my family.
Mrs. Bahl
Hello! My name is Mrs. Bahl. I began teaching at Prairie in 2016. I graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in May 2015. After graduating I spent a year as a substitute teacher in the Mankato Area Public Schools. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, doing crafts, traveling, and cheering on the Minnesota Vikings. I am so excited to be working in first grade this year!! I love teaching and watching students grow with their learning throughout the school year and all of the accomplishments they can make!
Ms. Coyle
My name is Ella Coyle, and I am a first-grade teacher. Last spring, I received my B.A. in Elementary Education from Augustana University. This will be my first year in the classroom; however, I have worked with children for most of my life. When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family in southeastern Minnesota. I also love being in nature and creating art. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach here in Worthington.
Ms. Dykstra
Hello! My name is Maitland Dykstra. I grew up in George, IA, and graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in 2020 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. After graduation, I substituted in various school districts. I enjoy working with kids and watching them learn and grow. In my spare time, I like to spend time with my family and dogs, ride snowmobile in the winter, and travel. In the summertime, I manage the George Pool and have taught swimming lessons for the past 8 years. I am excited to teach 1st grade this year!
Mrs. Ebbers
My name is Mrs. Ebbers. I grew up in Wilmont, Minnesota and graduated from Worthington Schools. I received my Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree from Southwest Minnesota State University. In 1993 I began my teaching in Brewster and taught there for ten years. I began teaching in Worthington in 2003. I have taught first grade my entire career. I love to work with children who are learning to read. It is so fun to share this adventure with my students.
Mrs. Glade
Hello! My name is Mrs. Glade. I grew up in Sibley, Iowa. I graduated from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 2009 with a degree in Elementary Education and a Middle School Language Arts endorsement. After graduation, I spent three years substitute teaching in various school districts. In 2012, I began teaching first grade on the Omaha Reservation in Macy, Nebraska and taught there for three years. I began teaching at Prairie in 2015, where I still teach first grade. I received my Masters of Education Degree from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa in the spring of 2020. I enjoy golfing, going on walks, traveling, and spending time with my family and friends. My husband and I have two boys and a dog named Chance.
Mrs. Hamilton
I’m a Minnesota lady at heart, born and raised. I grew up not too far from here in Welcome, MN. After graduating from Martin County West, I went on to obtain my bachelors degree from Southwest Minnesota State University. The past ten years I have actually been in the district teaching preschool for District 518 Even Start program and School Readiness. This year I have the privilege to move up to 1st grade and see some familiar faces as well as many new ones.
Ms. Hibbing
Hello! My name is Heather Hibbing. I grew up in St. Clair, MN. I graduated from South Dakota State University with my degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. I received by Elementary Education certification from Dakota State University. I taught fourth grade and kindergarten in the Mankato Area Public School District for three years before joining the Prairie Elementary team to teach first grade in 2016. I am passionate about helping each child reach their highest potential so they can be productive, lifelong learners.
Mrs. Jans
My name is Mrs. Jans and I am a first grade teacher at Prairie Elementary. I graduated from Northwestern College in Roseville, with a degree in Elementary Education and a Kindergarten licensure. I taught for three years in other districts before I began teaching in Worthington. I began teaching Kindergarten in Worthington in 1991 and first grade in 2013. I taught at Central Elementary until it closed and then moved out to our new building, Prairie Elementary. What I enjoy most about teaching is helping the children learn, figuring out their learning style and helping them to grasp the information in a way that makes sense to them. I also love that moment when they “get it” and their face lights up. When I am not teaching, I love being with my family. We live on a farm and our boys attend cattle shows. We spend a lot of time working with the show cattle and getting them ready for shows.
Mrs. Nelson
I am a first grade teacher at Prairie Elementary. I graduated from SMSU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2015. Previous to taking the position as a first grade teacher, I was a para with the district for 4 years in 3rd and 4th grade. I have two boys. One thing that I love to do is read.
Mrs. Ossefoort
Hello! My name is Mrs. Ossefoort and I am a first grade teacher at Prairie Elementary. I graduated with bachelors degrees in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from SMSU in 2015. I have taught preschool, Kindergarten, and 5th grade with other districts before coming to Prairie. When not teaching you can find me with my husband and four kids on our acreage near Slayton. I am excited for a great year with all my students !
Mrs. Rogers
Hi! My name is Mrs. Rogers and I will be starting my first year of teaching at Prairie Elementary as a 1st grade teacher! I graduated from SMSU with my Early Childhood Education degree in the fall of 2019. I got married on July 2nd this summer to my husband Nolan. We have a yellow lab named Beau that I love spending my free time with! I also enjoy crafting and spending time at the lake with my family! I am so excited to join the Prairie team and look forward to meeting all of you!
Miss Rowe
Hi! I’m Nichole Rowe! I’m one of the first grade teachers. I went to high school at Harris-Lake Park. I went to college at Minnesota West and Southwest Minnesota State University. I was previously a first grade teacher at St. Mary’s here in Worthington. A couple interesting facts about me are: I’ve broken my nose and I’ll play volleyball wherever whenever—in the gym, in mud, in sand, and even in the dark (glow volleyball)!
Mrs. Teerink
Hello! My name is Mrs. Teerink. I began teaching at Prairie Elementary School in 2011. I received my Elementary Education degree from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN in 2001. I enjoyed being a substitute teacher in the Marshall area, but wanted to have my career begin where I grew up, Worthington, MN. I worked as a paraprofessional at Prairie Elementary School prior to beginning my teaching career. I love working with kids and watching them grow as learners. It is so fun to see their eyes light up when learning something new. I hope to instill a love of learning in my students while I share my own love of learning with them. I was born and raised in Worthington and am happy to raise my family in my hometown.