Mrs. Cassady

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Degrees and Certifications:

BS, Winona State University MA, Minnesota State University - Marshall

Mrs. Cassady

 
My husband Tim and I have lived in Elk River for over 30 years.  We have 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. I have taught 3rd, 4th and 5th grade in the Elk River Area School District. I went to college at Winona State University and earned my masters degree with my daughter through Minnesota State University at Marshall. Tim and I have a cabin in Aitkin we go to often.
 
Hobbies: I love reading, going to movies, bon fires, walks in the woods, puzzles, music and spending time with my family.
 
Fun Fact:  I have been writing to a pen pal in Norway for 45 years and we have never met, but we will someday!
Mrs. Lavalier-Kortenkamp

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Degrees and Certifications:

BA, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse MA, Saint Mary's University

Mrs. Lavalier-Kortenkamp

 
Hello, my name is Brenna Lavalier-Kortenkamp, you can call me Mrs. Lava-Kamp. 
 
I am originally from Cohasset, Minnesota and attended Grand Rapids High School.  After high school, I attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2005 with a degree in Elementary and Middle Level Education, Grades 1-8, with a minor in Broadfield Social Studies. I completed my Masters degree in Teaching and Learning from Saint Mary’s University in 2010.  This will be my thirteenth year teaching in the Elk River School District.  During the last thirteen years I have taught both third and fifth grade and also spent a year as an intervention specialist in the Title 1 and ADSIS programs.   I am very eager to be a part of the new Prairie View community this year. I am so excited to be a HAWK!
 
Outside of school, I spend a lot of time with my family.  My husband, Tony, teaches high school sciences in Monticello and spends a lot of time running with the cross country and track teams.  My daughter Emmelia is seven and loves to spend her days creating art, playing outdoors and writing stories. She is very excited to be starting second grade this year in Big Lake.  My four-year-old son, Finnley, spends his days chasing and cuddling our two dogs, playing anything related to super heroes and listening to books.  He is feeling like quite a big kid knowing he gets to start preschool this year.  Some of my own hobbies outside of school include reading and spending time outdoors working in the yard, looking for monarch caterpillars, jogging or just relaxing with family. 
Ms. Philben

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Degrees and Certifications:

BA, Iowa State University MA, St. Mary's University

Ms. Philben


This will be my 5th year teaching third grade. All previous years were at Rogers Elementary. Before teaching in Minnesota, I taught various age groups in Des Moines, Iowa and Houston, Texas. I studied education with an emphasis in reading at Iowa State University and graduated in 2008. I went back to school to get my Master’s in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and graduated in 2015. Outside of school time is spent between my home here in Otsego and in Knoxville, Iowa, which is my hometown. My family and I travel to Knoxville each weekend from April to August, where my family has been racing sprint cars for 12 years. We bring our two year old daughter, Halle, with us as well. Although the trip can be long, we really enjoy having this opportunity to spend time with my family who still lives there.

Fun Facts: My daughter and I were both born on Black Friday, 30 years apart. I hate peanut butter and haven't eaten it since I was a child.