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. 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. Eisenmenger
My name is Summer Eisenmenger and I teach 1st grade at Prairie Elementary. I received my Master’s in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities in 2015. Since then, I have taught 1st and 2nd grade. My husband and I live on an acreage just outside of Windom, MN, where I also farm corn and soybeans with my dad. I have 3 dogs and several farm cats. In my spare time, I love being active. I play in leagues for volleyball, wallyball, softball, and golf. I also love hiking, biking, wake-surfing, and fishing.
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.
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!
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.