About Our EL Teachers
Mr. Brown
My name is Paul Brown and I’m a Kindergarten EL teacher here at Prairie! I joined the team during the 2019 – 2020 school year.
I have a bachelor’s degree in intercultural studies from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul and am currently getting my Master of Arts in Teaching at Bethel University.
I speak conversational Chinese and can read and write some in Chinese. I love my potential future hobby of traveling. I like learning about other cultures and languages. I enjoy being with family and friends. I also enjoy hanging about with my dog, Edmund.
Mrs. Dominguez
Hello! My name is Kesia Dominguez an EL teacher at Prairie Elementary. I am originally from Laredo, Texas and obtained my bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M International University. I have taught 1st grade for four years and was a Title I teacher for one year. I relocated to Worthington in the summer of 2018, one of my favorite things to do is play in the snow with my family.
Mrs. Eichenberger
Hello! My name is Jasmine Eichenberger and I am a Kindergarten EL teacher at Prairie Elementary. I am from Worthington and graduated from WHS in 2015, attended MN West and graduated with my associate degree in 2018. I worked for the Nobles County Integration Collaborative (NCIC) from 2016-2018 as a Bilingual program aid. After that, I started working as a Special Education Paraprofessional for Prairie Elementary. I graduated from SMSU with my bachelor’s degree in May 2023. I am excited to continue to be a part of District 518!
Mrs. Frigen
My name is Nikki Frigen. I am a 2nd grade English language teacher. I graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND with my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education in 2003. In addition, I received my master’s degree in 2010 in English Language Learning PK-12 from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, UT.
Before coming to Prairie Elementary in 2011, I taught in Incheon, South Korea for three years. I taught English to kindergarten and elementary aged students. I enjoy teaching very much because every day is an adventure and I enjoy seeing my students learn.
Mrs. Nordseth
My name is Mrs. Nordseth. I am a 2nd Grade EL Teacher. I received my B.S. from Moorhead State University, MN and my Master Degree from Mankato State University, MN.
I started working for the district in 1994. As I work, I enjoy watching children’s faces light up when they learn something for the first time and watching them grow socially and academically.
I enjoy spending time with my family, outdoor activities and traveling to new places.
Mrs. Phillips
My name is Mrs. Phillips. I teach 1st grade ESL (English as a Second Language) to our language learners. I have taught in Worthington since 1993. I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with an Elementary Teaching Degree and an endorsement in reading. I received a Masters in Education through St. Mary’s University Winona in 1996. I then earned my license in ESL in 1998. I also was a trained Reading Recovery teacher for 10 of those years. I enjoy most seeing the growth children make in their learning. It is a great feeling to know I had something to do with that. I really enjoy working for this school district. We have such a great dedicated staff.
Mr. Suggitt
I began my professional career in the Worthington School District in 2023 and I could not be any more excited. I have been in the educational field in many capacities over the last few years in Arizona and I am blessed to now be a 2nd Grade EL teacher at Prairie Elementary. I have been privileged to learn from many different cultures and I am excited to gain more of those experiences with this wonderful community.
Mrs. Varley
Hello! My name is Mrs. Varley and I teach kindergarten language learners. I graduated from Iowa State University and Southwest Minnesota State University with an elementary education degree, ESL endorsement, and Masters in educational leadership. This is my 18th year as a teacher. Each year brings new adventures and every day is fun! I have two sons in high school and I enjoy attending their activities. I’ve lived in Minnesota for 18 years but I’ve lived in Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, and South Dakota too!
Mrs. Woitalewicz
My name is Samantha Woitalewicz and I am a 1st Grade EL teacher at Prairie Elementary. I graduated from MNSU Mankato in 2012 with an Early Childhood Degree and began teaching in Worthington in 2013 as a Kindergarten teacher. I taught kindergarten for 5 years, was home raising my kids when they were young for 4 years, and began teaching 1st grade EL in 2022. Making connections with each of my students and ensuring that they know how much I care about them is most important to me in my classroom.