The School District of River Falls has welcomed 30 new staff members to its ranks for the 2024-25 school year.
Kylee Armbrust
Position: Fifth grade teacher at Greenwood Elementary
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The School District of River Falls has welcomed 30 new staff members to its ranks for the 2024-25 school year.
Position: Fifth grade teacher at Greenwood Elementary
Hometown: Roberts
Education: UW-River Falls
Hobbies/interests: Anytime spent with my family and friends is the best way to spend the day! My time is usually being spent outdoors - kayaking, hiking, hunting, and gardening. I’m interested in health and agriculture. I also love a good book and DIY craft project.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I never thought growing up that I would be a teacher. I learned over the years from my own educational experiences that a good teacher makes the world of difference. I knew I wanted to do something important, something that would have a big impact. The part I love most about teaching is being able to build up students’ confidence by building strong, healthy relationships. Getting to know my kiddos and helping them grow into contributing members of society is so rewarding!
Position: Seventh grade science teacher at Meyer Middle School
Hometown: Waterford
Education: UW-Milwaukee
Hobbies/interests: People would say I am a coffee addict because I love finding new coffee shops! As a former athlete, being at the gym and working out with others is my outlet. I enjoy the creative process of writing as I love to journal. I am a huge Marvel fan! Fall is my favorite season as I get to cheer on the Packers!
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I chose teaching as my profession because I enjoy impacting the character development of kids! I am passionate about learning and the process of a learner.
Position: Speech language pathologist at Rocky Branch
Hometown: River Falls
Education: UW-River Falls
Hobbies/interests: I have two children who went through the RFSD; graduated in 2010 and 2012. I have two beautiful granddaughters who attend Westside, and they love school! I enjoy being with my family, taking the girls to play at parks; go swimming; go to the movies; and finding new places to eat (although our favorite is Chinese). When I have time to myself I enjoy travelling, cooking, reading, movies, working on puzzles and word games, and I am starting to learn how to crochet.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I have always wanted to have a career that involved helping people. During my first quarter at UW-RF, while working in the Dean's Office, one of the assistant deans was a Communication Disorders professor. She encouraged me to register for one of the classes, and I knew right away that this was the career for me.
Position: Greenwood Elementary school counselor
Hometown: Northfield, Minn.
Education: UW-River Falls
Hobbies/interests: When I'm not busy cheering my kids on at their sports and activities, I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes, reading books and magazines with a good cup of coffee, and venturing out to fun and exciting places with my kiddos! My family also fosters both dogs and cats which we love as a way to give back and make a difference in the lives of animals.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I chose school counseling as my profession because I'm passionate about advocating for all students and making sure school is a safe, comfortable and happy place for all!
Position: RFHS math teacher
Hometown: Red Wing Minn.
Education: UW-River Falls
Hobbies/interests: I have coached softball and hockey for many years and I have just started reffing hockey in the last year. I love to be active and outdoors. Camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, four wheeling, playing pickleball, kayaking, watching my kids play sports and cheering on the Gophers and Falcons are my favorite things to do.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I loved playing sports and being on a team while growing up. I knew I wanted to coach and continue being a part of a team. I thought of teaching as an extension of coaching which led me to my profession. Each class is one of my teams and I love coaching my students to build their skills, set and reach their goals, and to find success.
Position: Kindergarten teacher, Rocky Branch
Hometown: Durand
Education: UW-River Falls
Hobbies/interests: My family and I love to go camping, fishing and riding UTVs. We have a permanent campsite. I like to go for walks with our two dogs. I enjoy reading and spending time with family and friends.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I chose teaching as my profession to make positive impacts in the lives of young children and to help them learn and have fun in the classroom!
Position; Math Enrichment, MMS
Hometown: Wilmington, Ill.
Education: Governors State University (BA), Mississippi State University (MS), University of Illinois (MA)
Hobbies/interests: Hiking, photography with my phone, travel, and being with my friends and family
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I truly enjoying helping people learn new things and watching them use that knowledge.
Position: Upper Elementary teacher, at RF Public Montessori
Hometown: Stacy, Minn.
Education: UW-River Falls
Hobbies/interests: I enjoy lots of artistic and outdoor hobbies! I make earrings and love to draw. My dog and I like to hike, walk, and run all over the place. Our favorite places to explore are the Wisconsin State Parks. I also play the ukulele and enjoy reading all kinds of books.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? As a child, school was my favorite place to be. I was lucky to have the most incredibly caring teachers who always kept my spark for learning lit, so of course I was inspired to do the same! I've always enjoyed caring for children and I love to inspire their sense of wonder.
Position: Seventh grade math, MMS
Hometown: Prescott
Education: UW-River Falls
Hobbies/interests: I love time with my wife, family and friends and taking my dogs for walks. I enjoy being active, gardening and golfing in the spring/summer and working with baseball athletes during the fall/winter months.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? Being able to serve others to help them achieve their goals is special. The joy it brings is worth every bit of energy and time put in.
Position: English teacher, Renaissance Charter Academy
Hometown: River Falls
Education: UW-Eau Claire
Hobbies/interests: I like reading, listening to new genres and artists, rock climbing, and hiking.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I loved my past English teachers and the brain work that goes into English as a subject area and I had teaching described to me as kind of like acting and that is when I decided it’s what I wanted to do.
Position: K-5 special education teacher, Rocky Branch
Hometown: River Falls
Education: UW-Stout
Hobbies/interests: I love being a mom, taking my kids to new places, spending time with friends, reading, and watching TV.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? When I was in ninth grade my track coach and health teacher at the time told my parents she would intentionally seat students that received special ed services next to me because of my natural ability to be inclusive. Ever since my parents passed that along to me I decided I wanted to do special ed.
Position: Physical education teacher, Rocky Branch
Hometown: Brown Deer
Education: UW-Eau Claire
Hobbies/interests: Running has always been a big part of my life. While in college, I ran cross country and track and field. I love to travel and have been to nine countries. When I'm not running or traveling, I enjoy socializing with friends and family, playing card/board games, swimming, shopping, and outdoor activities.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I have always enjoyed working with children and have a passion for helping others. I love that teaching is a profession where I can be myself while learning and teaching students in a fun and creative environment.
Position: English teacher, RFHS
Hometown: River Falls
Education: UW-River Falls
Hobbies/interests: I came to River Falls nearly 20 years ago when I attended UWRF for my bachelor's in English literature and minor in professional and creative writing. After graduation I worked as a mother, volunteer, small business owner, and manager at Whole Earth Co-op. I returned to UWRF in 2022 to acquire my teaching license and am thrilled to now teach English in this community that I care so much about. In addition to my professional pursuits, I also have a variety of personal hobbies that include knitting, gardening, yoga, reading, and spending time in nature.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I chose to become a teacher because I love working with young people and hope to make a positive difference in their lives and in our community. I am passionate about empowering all students to be critical thinkers and more confident readers and writers; I know these skills will serve them well beyond the walls of my classroom.
Position: English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, RFHS
Hometown: Tomahawk
Education: Bethel University
Hobbies/interests: I enjoy cooking, baking, kayaking, hunting, and spending time at my cabin.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I chose teaching ESL as my profession because I believe being multilingual is a skillset to foster rather than a disability to fix!
Position: Fourth grade teacher, Rocky Branch
Hometown: Prescott
Education: UW-River Falls
Hobbies/interests: Along with spending time with my family and friends, my hobbies consist of baking, running, crossfit, hunting, and fishing. I love to spend time outdoors! I grew up hunting and fishing with my dad and grandpa and continued these passions throughout high school and college by participating in the Ice Fishing Club, running track and field, and cross country.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? My first grade teacher was the person who inspired me to become a teacher and I can truly say I have wanted to be a teacher since first grade. I aim to build relationships and make personal connections with each of my students. I have a strong desire to provide an engaging education that helps to build and create high-order thinking within my classroom. I have always had a passion to work with children and to make a positive difference in each of my students' lives.
Position: RFHS assistant principal
Hometown: Hudson
Education: UW-La Crosse (undergraduate), Hamline (Masters), Moorhead State University (Principal Licensure), UW-River Falls (Curriculum & Instruction Director Licensure)
Hobbies/interests: Watching my kids sports, hiking, listening to music, cooking, spending time with friends and family around a bonfire, hockey, and the Green Bay Packers.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I became a teacher to positively impact the world. Teaching allows for me to share my passion for learning and provides an opportunity to support students by helping them discover their path and become their personal best.
Position: Principal, Westside Elementary
Hometown: Lakeville, Minnesota
Education: UW-River Falls, Concordia University- St. Paul,
Hobbies/interests: I love to listen to audiobooks and podcasts, read, spend time with family and friends and be outdoors.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I chose teaching because I truly believe kids will change the world. I love getting to learn alongside our students, support the amazing work that kids do in our schools, and collaborate with educators who have incredible talent.
Position: Special education teacher, RF Public Montessori
Hometown: Red Wing, Minn.
Education: Winona State University
Hobbies/interests: I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I like to enjoy a large family reunion but also a small get together with just a few neighbors. I like to shop at thrift stores and am always looking for a good sale. I still haven't acquired a taste for coffee but I do like my caffeinated soda! I love to organize and color code things so back to school is one of my favorite times of the year. I strive to help children be kind, show grace and feel love.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? My grandmother and both my parents were teachers. In fact we all went to Winona State! My mom was a special education teacher before she retired. I really never saw myself doing anything different. I remember "playing teacher" when I was little and filling out grade books and teaching my teddy bears. As soon as I was able, I became the neighborhood babysitter and realized I had a natural ability to understand and work with children. I really can't imagine spending the past 24 years doing anything else. I am looking forward to working with the staff, families and students in River Falls.
Position: English teacher, RFHS
Hometown: Zimmerman, Minn.
Education: UW-Stevens Point
Hobbies/interests: Rock climbing, writing, painting, hanging out with my cats
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I'm from a family of teachers and enjoyed my English classes in college and high school and I wanted to share that joy with others. Once I started teaching, I was working in Milwaukee and my goal changed to supporting students who were at a disadvantage to find something they were passionate about and help them figure out of to chase that.
Position: School counselor, RFHS
Hometown: Wausau
Education: University of Minnesota, UW-River Falls
Hobbies/interests: I love movement and spending time outside! My main hobbies currently include bicycling (I enjoy bikepacking, road cycling, gravel riding, mountain biking, and fat biking in the winter), cross country and downhill skiing, yoga, tennis, and running. One of my most fun goals in life is to ride a bike in all 50 states - I have already crossed 18 off the list! I love to read and enjoy nonfiction just as much as I do fiction. A perfect day for me includes time spent reading outside in the sun, ideally by a pool or body of water. I also like to swim and hope to complete my first triathlon someday soon!
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? Being an educator is so many things - challenging, rewarding, and incredibly important - and there is seldom a dull moment. I feel honored to play a role in young people's lives as they uncover who they are and who they want to become in the future!
Position: Choir director, MMS/RFHS
Hometown: Aberdeen, SD
Education: Northern State University
Hobbies/interests: Music is a big part of my life, especially singing. I love performing and have done everything from musical theatre, to jazz, to opera. I have also picked up a few instruments in my time, the guitar, the ukulele, and the baritone, but voice is my main instrument. I also like spending time outdoors going on walks with my wife and disc golfing. When at home, I love to cook and enjoy movies/tv shows.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I was so fortunate to have amazing teachers and mentors that inspired me to pursue education as a career. Participating in music has brought me a lot of joy and I wanted to be the person to help students experience all that music has to offer.
Position: Special education teacher, Greenwood
Hometown: Burnsville, Minn.
Education: UW-River Falls undergrad, St. Mary's of MN graduate
Hobbies/interests: I love to spend time with my family and bake bread.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I love working with students and celebrating their hard work and growth.
Position: FCS/WVS/Business teacher, RFHS
Hometown: Brandon
Education: UW-Stout
Hobbies/interests: My interests include going for walks (River Falls has amazing walking trails!), reading, baking, watching/supporting Wisconsin athletics, and creative outlets like painting, sewing, and jewelry. Teaching culinary classes previously, I would also say I am a pretty big foodie and love trying new restaurants. We have also been slowly updating our 1970's home, which takes up a lot of our weekends!
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? Working in Career and Technical Education, we have the chance to work with students as they figure out their next journey in life! I love discussing career and post secondary opportunities with students and preparing them for life's adventures.
Position: Kindergarten teacher, Rocky Branch
Hometown: Hudson
Education: UW-Madison, Concordia
Hobbies/interests: I love to spend time outdoors camping, going to concerts, and kayaking. I also love to travel and got to explore southern France this summer.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I always knew I wanted to be a teacher and in college I tried to explore other options but always came back to teaching. After undergrad, I worked at a school for kids with autism then taught at a preschool which fostered my love of early education. I then chose to go back to school to earn my master in education and move on to teach kindergarten.
Position: Broadfield science and biology teacher, RFHS
Hometown: Eau Claire
Education: B.S. at University of Minnesota, M.S. at UW-Madison
Hobbies/interests: I like to do anything outdoors (hiking, camping, biking, walking)! I like to spend time with friends and family, walk my dog, and do arts and crafts. I enjoy anything science related, gardening, and organizing!
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? Growing up, school was something I really looked forward to. I loved all of my teachers and the relationships I built with classmates. After teaching English briefly in Thailand, I decided science education might be a good combination of my passions! I am really excited to be able to make a difference in the lives of students who need it most.
Position: Health/PE teacher, RFHS
Hometown: Stillwater, Minn.
Education: UW-River Falls
Hobbies/interests: Favorite past time activity is golf! Love to be on the course whenever I can. Love doing activities with the kids and going out to eat at restaurants.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I was a teacher for eight years (seven in RFSD) then pursued a career in collegiate coaching. I love teaching and coaching! To be able to help youth learn, grow and be the best versions of themselves is incredibly rewarding. As a mom of two young kids, I'm transitioning back to teaching to be able to be home with them more. I'm ecstatic to be able to come back to RFHS to teach in a district and school that I loved when here the first time!
Position: School counselor, RFHS
Hometown: Pine Island, Minn.
Education: Undergraduate: UW-Stout, graduate: UW-River Falls
Hobbies/interests: I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, and hiking. It is a life goal of mine to visit and hike as many national parks as I can, though I am not sure any will ever beat Glacier National Park! I spend much of my summers swimming, boating, and UTVing at my family's cabin on Lake Wapogasset. My husband and I also love to watch hockey. Go Wild!
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I chose school counseling as my profession because I have always had a passion to advocate for and help others. When someone shares their passions, goals, challenges, and worries with you, you are trusted with a glimpse into their lives and offered the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. It is very rewarding to build relationships with students and see them explore their strengths, learn new skills, navigate challenges, and achieve their personal, academic, and career goals.
Position: Instructional coach, MMS
Hometown: Hudson
Education: UW-La Crosse
Hobbies/interests: I love to read, go on walks with my dog, try new restaurants with my husband, play board games with my kids, and travel anywhere (but mostly St. John and Disney)!
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I moved a lot growing up, and at every new school I was always very quiet. Since I followed the expectations and received good grades, I was rarely noticed by the staff. Because of this I wanted to one day be the teacher that noticed all the kids.
Position: Eighth grade ELA teacher, MMS
Hometown: River Falls
Education: UW-River Falls and Western Governor's University
Hobbies/interests: For the last six years, I have also had my own business as a metalsmith. I make sterling silver jewelry and enjoy participating in local art shows. I love anything creative and have also taught myself how to knit, sew, and do linoblock/stamp carving as well. Some of my other interests and hobbies include reading (of course), hiking, gardening, cooking/baking, finding fun and weird items at thrift stores, and playing DnD.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? Taking an Intro to Literature course in college completely changed the trajectory of my education. I never imagined I would want to teach, but by taking a course taught by a truly wonderful professor--it unlocked just how important exceptional, dedicated, and caring teachers are. I have loved every moment I've been able to work with students, support them, and help them grow. Teaching challenges me to reflect and improve every single day, and it allows me to channel my energy towards improving the lives and educations of students.
Position: Special education, Greenwood
Hometown: River Falls
Education: Winona State University
Hobbies/interests: I love baking, reading and assorted crafts. I also enjoy spending time with my family.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession? I chose teaching as a profession because I love working with kids. Seeing students have a breakthrough when a new skill “clicks” is so rewarding. I love helping all students gain skills that will aid them in having the life that they dream of.
