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Meet

Our Faculty

 St. Michael’s School is staffed by certified, licensed teachers who continue to grow in knowledge through continuing education in their field. Teachers willingly share ideas and support each other to develop the whole child.

 

St. Michael’s School curriculum is aligned to the Minnesota State Standards and includes Reading, English, Spelling, Phonics, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Music, Art, Technology, and Religion.

 

Because of the excellent rapport between students, teachers, and administrators and parents, the atmosphere of the school is warm and friendly. Students can be seen helping each other during academic lessons as well as on the playground.

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Sarah Chalich

Principal

Sarah Chalich began teaching at St. Michael’s School in 1998. She taught our 5th and 6th grade for 16 years. In 2014 she accepted the position of principal.  She received her Associate of Arts Degree from Fergus Falls Community College in 1993; Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 1995 and obtained her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2016.  Sarah is married to Steve and they have 3 adult children.  She enjoys the outdoors, reading, camping, fishing and spending time with her family.

Father Andrew Obel

St. Michael's Pastor

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Fr. Andrew Obel, was born on October 10th, 1973 in Uganda, East Africa. He is the youngest in a family of eight children: four boys and four girls. After attending the seminary in Uganda and Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA, he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Tororo, Uganda in July 2004. He served in several parishes and different capacities in his home diocese before going for further studies to St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada where he graduated with a doctorate in Canon Law. Fr. Andrew has worked in Crookston Diocese for over 10 year and feels blessed to have benefited from Catholic Education, which has made him who he is today and he is happy to serve as the Pastor of St. Michael's and St. Joseph's Parishes and Superintendent of St. Micheal's School. 

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Madison Olson

Pre-KindergartenTeacher

and Kindergarten

 Madison is the new kid on the block!  This will be her third  year teaching at St. Michael’s School.  She graduated from University of Minnesota Crookston with a BA in Elementary Education.  Our Littles are her passion, she has great patience and makes learning fun!

Ashley Nirschl
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Ms. Nirschl graduated from MSU Moorhead with an Elementary Inclusive Education and an Academic and Behavior Strategist degrees.  What does she Love about teaching? "I love teaching using creative ways to learn any skill in school for fun interaction and growth for students." 

Fifth and Sixth Grade Teacher

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Debra McNamee

First and Second Grade Teacher

Debra graduated from St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul, MN with a BA in Elementary Education in 1983.  She is married to Dan McNamee, a local farmer, and together they have been blessed with 4 children and 5 grandchildren.  Her favorite area of study is Science but is now intrigued with teaching Reading to her First Grade class!

Haley Rasmusson

Third  Grade Teacher

Haley graduated from University of Minnesota Crookston in 2014. Haley started at St. Michael's School in 2018 and we have been delighted to have her continue teaching with excellence!   As our 3rd grade teacher, she is full of energy and makes learning fun!  Her favorite subject to teach is Math.

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Jane Kozitka

Fourth Grade Teacher

Jane obtained her BA in Elementary Education at Bemidji State University in 1980.  She is married to Steve Kozitka, and together they have 3 daughters and 3 grandchildren.  Her favorite subjects are Reading, Music and Art!  Jane began her teaching career at St. Michael’s School in 1980 and has never left us! 

Juanita Zimmerman
Foster Grandparent
 

 Juanita came to Mahnomen as a High School Spanish teacher where she taught for 30 plus years.  After retiring from the public school system, she chose to fill a full time substitute position in Kindergarten which turned into 5 years of teaching at St. Michael’s School!  She is now fully retired from full time teaching but chooses to volunteer as a Foster Grandparent!  She will be helping to tutor our Spanish speaking/English learning students and helping teachers in the classrooms where needed.  She is married to David Zimmerman, St. Michael’s School Alumni, and they enjoy riding motorcycle and spending time with their 2 adult children.

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