About Our 1st Grade Teachers
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. 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. 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.