Meet the new teachers in the Watertown School District, and the new faculty at Lake Area Technical College. Be sure to check the Current for District and LATC updates.

Cecilia Paulsen, Lincoln and Jefferson Elementary Schools
Cecilia Paulsen
School and Grade or Subject(s): Jefferson/Lincoln, Art Teacher, 1st-4th
Hometown and High School: Brandon, SD; Brandon Valley High School
College and Degrees: South Dakota State University, Early Childhood Education
Number of years teaching and prior schools: First Year Teacher!
What are you most looking forward to this year? Getting to build relationships with the students.
What inspired you to teach? Making a difference in my students’ lives!

Tesa Meier, Watertown High School
Tesa Meier
School and Grade or Subject(s): Watertown High School, Sophomore and Junior English
Hometown and High School: Jeffers, MN; Red Rock Central High School
College and Degrees: Augustana University, Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education
Number of years teaching and prior schools: First year teaching
What are you most looking forward to this year? This year I am looking forward to starting off my first year teaching at Watertown High School. I am excited to meet my students, and build those connections not just with them, but their families as well. Then, ever since I moved up here I have been hearing about how big homecoming is to the school and the community, so I am very excited to see what that is all about.
What inspired you to teach? Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. As I continued to grow throughout the years that thought never went away. I also have had a few incredible teachers that have inspired me, and I hope that I am able to do the same.

Chris Weber, Watertown High School
Chris Weber
School and Grade or Subject(s): High School Assistant Principal
Hometown and High School: Canby MN; Canby High School
College and Degrees:
Mankato State University: Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement
Minnesota State University- Mankato: Master of Education in Special Education
Concordia University- St. Paul: Educational Specialist Degree- K-12 Principal
Number of years teaching and prior schools: 22 years in Education
Maple River Elementary- Mapleton MN- Elementary Special Education (1 year)
Montevideo High School (Montevideo MN)- Special Education Teacher-15 years
Montevideo High School- Assistant Principal (3 years)
Montevideo High School – Principal (3 years)
What are you most looking forward to this year? Getting to know the students and staff of WHS.
What inspired you to teach? The passion for learning and the desire to help students learn and grow.

Stacey Briggs, Physical Therapist for all schools
Stacey Briggs
School and Grade or Subject(s): I am the Physical Therapist Assistant that will be serving all the schools within the Watertown school district.
Hometown and High School: Brookings, SD; Brooking High School.
College and Degrees: I attended LATC and obtained an Associate’s degree.
Number of years teaching and prior schools: I have been employed as a Physical Therapist Assistant for 21 years.
What are you most looking forward to this year? I am looking forward to working with the children and meeting the staff.
What inspired you to teach? I enjoy the relationships that I build with the children and their families, and I love assisting them with their specific needs.

Evan Stahlke, Watertown Middle School
Evan Stahlke
School and Grade or Subject(s): I will be teaching 7th Grade Mathematics and a section of Accelerated Pre-Algebra.
Coaching or Extracurricular Involvement: Throughout this year, I will have the responsibilities of coaching 8th grade football, and both 7th grade boys and girls basketball.
Hometown and High School: Watertown, SD; Watertown High School.
College and Degrees: I attended South Dakota State University to major in Early Childhood Education.
Number of years teaching and prior schools: This is my first year of teaching. I student taught in a 5th grade math classroom in Brookings, SD.
What are you most looking forward to this year? I am really looking forward to all of the student interactions throughout the year. All of the different conversations about a multitude of topics is something that I am excited about.
What inspired you to teach? I was inspired to teach by the education I had while growing up in town. There were many different teachers who I felt were very caring and fostered a great amount of wanting to learn in my own life. I would like to continue this by helping students be successful and develop a growth mindset of always wanting to achieve more.

Kelli Wenande, Lincoln Elementary School
Kelli Wenande
School and Grade or Subject(s): Lincoln Elementary-Learning Center Teacher (2nd &3rd)
Hometown and High School: Alexandria SD; Hanson School District
College and Degrees:
SDSU: Human Development and Family Studies
DSU: Elementary Ed & Special Education
Number of years teaching and prior schools: -1 year- previously taught elementary- Special Education in Harrisburg, SD at Liberty Elementary.
What are you most looking forward to this year? Meeting new students and staff and making new memories!
What inspired you to teach? As a child, I had my own struggles academically. I wanted to become a teacher to provide support and guidance to students who may be facing those similar challenges. My mom has also been a significant source of inspiration for me to pursue a career in teaching. She has been teaching 34 years and counting. Her dedication and passion for teaching has influenced my own aspirations and motivated me to follow in her footsteps.

Lindsay Krause, McKinley Early Childhood Center
Lindsay Krause
School and Grade or Subject(s): McKinley Early Childhood, Jr. Kindergarten
Hometown and High School: Watertown, SD; Watertown High School
College and Degrees: Early Childhood Education at South Dakota State University
Number of years teaching and prior schools: My first year with my own class. I was a paraprofessional in McKinley preschool for 2 years after I graduated college.
What are you most looking forward to this year? Building relationships with my students and their families while developing a positive classroom culture. It’s going to be fun!
What inspired you to teach? I love learning and being in a learning environment, as well as the excitement and challenges that come with working with children on a daily basis. I also want to make a difference in children’s lives and give back to my community.

Amber Thomas, Watertown High School
Amber Thomas
School and Grade or Subject(s): Assistant Principal at WHS
Hometown and High School: Watertown, SD; WHS
College and Degrees: Masters in Leadership and Administration (Northern State University)
Number of years teaching and prior schools:
1 year in Special Education
3 years in 6th grade
4 years in 3rd grade
1 year as MS/HS Principal at Deuel
What are you most looking forward to this year? I am most looking forward to getting to know the students and staff at the high school.
What inspired you to teach? My second grade teacher, Mrs. Ellis. She made learning fun and went above and beyond for her students.

Sherri Remmers, Watertown Middle School
Sherri Remmers
School and Grade or Subject(s): Watertown Middle School 8th Grade Language Arts
Hometown and High School: Bryant, South Dakota; Hamlin High School
College and Degrees:
Mount Marty University BA Behavioral Studies
Western Governors University MA Elementary Education
Number of years teaching and prior schools: 8 years Watertown Intermediate School Librarian
What are you most looking forward to this year? I am looking forward to working with students to help them to grow both academically and personally.
What inspired you to teach? Learning is a lifelong endeavor that I enjoy. I consider it an honor to share my love for learning and the academic journey with students.

Maggie Meland, McKinley Early Childhood Center
Maggie Meland
School and Grade or Subject(s): McKinley, Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten Special Education
Hometown and High School: Watertown, SD; Watertown High School
College and Degrees: Northern State University, Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education with Preschool Special Education Endorsement
Number of years teaching and prior schools: First Year Teacher
What are you most looking forward to this year? I’m most looking forward to building relationships with the staff and students and seeing the progress my students make.
What inspired you to teach? My mom is an amazing teacher, and seeing the difference she makes in her students’ lives is what drew me to teaching initially. I also have a couple of family members with disabilities, and I wanted to go into special education in order to help students like them!

Cheryl Honomichl, Watertown Middle School
Cheryl Honomichl
School and Grade or Subject(s): Watertown Middle School, 8th Grade Math Jackrabbit Team
Coaching or Extracurricular Involvement: Middle School Declam (Oral Interpretation)
Hometown and High School: Mitchell, SD; Mitchell High School
College and Degrees: SDSU – Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Go Jacks!
Number of years teaching and prior schools: over 28 years in education
Prior schools: Todd County, SDSU, Rutland, Flandreau Indian School, Sioux Valley, and Brookings
What are you most looking forward to this year? I am excited to teach 8th grade math at the Middle School this year. I look forward to collaborating with my grade level team and my math department team. This year I will be focusing on finding ways to take advantage of the energy and curiosity of middle school students.
What inspired you to teach? I have always had a knack for explaining math topics to others, and there’s nothing quite like witnessing that “ah-ha” moment when a student finally grasps a concept they’ve been struggling with. It’s rewarding to see their confidence in math grow as they tackle material they once thought was beyond their reach. Teaching allows me to have a meaningful impact on the future.

Katelyn Gades, Jefferson Elementary School
Katelyn Godes
School and Grade: Jefferson Elementary, 2nd Grade
Hometown and High School: Appleton, MN; Lac Qui Parle High School
College and Degrees:
SDSU- Early Childhood B-3
American College of Education- Curriculum and Instruction
Number of years teaching and prior schools: 3.5 years at Browns Valley
What are you most looking forward to this year? Learning and growing with the students
What inspired you to teach? My father!

Amanda Ries, Watertown Intermediate School
Amanda Ries
School and Grade or Subject(s): Watertown Intermediate School, Special Education
Hometown and High School: Truman, MN; Truman High School
College and Degrees:
Southwest Minnesota State University, Speech Communications: Public Relations, B.A.
Western Governors University, Teaching: Special Education M.A.
Number of years teaching and prior schools: Four years special education paraprofessional at McKinley Elementary
What are you most looking forward to this year? I am looking forward to meeting the students and building relationships that will extend beyond the school year.
What inspired you to teach? I am inspired to become a teacher because of my passion for learning. I am eager to share this enthusiasm with my students so that they will also be excited to learn.

Audrey Downes, Watertown High School
Audrey Downes
School and Grade or Subject(s): High School Social Studies
Coaching or Extracurricular Involvement: Middle School Track and Field
Hometown and High School: Zumbrota, Minnesota; Zumbrota Mazeppa High School
College and Degrees: South Dakota State University – History with a teaching specialization and minor in geography.
Number of years teaching and prior schools: First year ever!
What are you most looking forward to this year? I am very excited to meet my students and helping them succeed in any way they need.
What inspired you to teach? My high school social studies teacher. He was able to make connections with every student and give them the exact help they needed. I hope to be the same for my students.
Katie Talsma
School and Grade or Subject(s): Watertown Intermediate 5th Grade
Hometown and High School: Watertown, SD; Watertown High School
College and Degrees: WGU, B.A Elementary Education
Number of years teaching and prior schools: Four years Librarian Roosevelt Elementary
What are you most looking forward to this year? Fostering a lover for learning within my students and watching them grow.
What inspired you to teach? I wanted to be a part of contributing to an environment where students are excited about school and eager to discover new things each day.

Kari Holden, physical therapist for all schools
Kari Holden, PT
School and Grade or Subject(s): Physical therapist for birth to 21; all schools
Hometown and High School: Council Bluffs, IA; St. Albert High School
College and Degrees:
University of South Dakota; Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Biology 1995, and Master of Science in Physical Therapy 1998
Number of years teaching and prior schools: Physical therapist for 26 years; school based PT for multiple districts in SD and NE
What are you most looking forward to this year? I am most looking forward to being back in the schools and with kids!
What inspired you to teach? I was a PT at a small hospital in Vermillion SD and was good at all the different PT services I provided including outpatient, home health, inpatient, nursing home, sports medicine – I wanted to be great at something and found my passion in pediatrics.

Jake Denzer, Watertown Intermediate School
Jake Denzer
School and Grade or Subject(s): 6th Grade Math & Social Studies @ Watertown Intermediate School
Coaching or Extracurricular Involvement: 7th Grade Girls’ Volleyball Coach
Hometown and High School: Watertown, SD; Watertown High School
College and Degrees: Mount Marty University with a degree in Elementary Education
Number of years teaching and prior schools: This is my first-year teaching!
What are you most looking forward to this year? Building positive relationships with my students
What inspired you to teach? My father inspired me to make a difference in the world and there is no better profession to accomplish that than teaching!
New Lake Area Technical College Faculty

Andy Flisrand, LATC Diesel Techknowledge
Andy Flisrand
Course/Program Taught: Diesel Techknowledge
Hometown and High School: Florence, SD; Florence High School
College and Degrees: LATI Diesel Technology
Previous Experience:
Diesel Technician- 18 years
Service Manager- 2.5 years
What are you most looking forward to this year? Interacting with students and helping them grow in their field.
What inspired you to teach? I had 2 great mentors growing up and working who inspired me to want to help others succeed.

Tristin Westhoff, LATC Diesel Technology ThinkBig
Tristin Westhoff
Course/Program Taught: Diesel Technology ThinkBig
Hometown and High School: Hartford, SD; West Central High School
College and Degrees: LATC Diesel Technology ThinkBig
Previous Experience: 6 ½ years at Butler Machinery & 6 ½ owner operator at Westhoff Transport.
What are you most looking forward to this year? Continued learning in the industry and working with the students.
What inspired you to teach? Contributing to the industry in a new exciting way.

Wyatt Voelsch, LATC Diesel Technology
Wyatt Voelsch
Course/Program Taught: Diesel Technology: Butler Max
Hometown and High School: Watertown, SD; Watertown High School
College and Degrees: LATC Diesel Technology Think Big 2014
Previous Experience: Worked for Butler Machinery though the Think Big program 2012-2014 and full time from 2014-2024
What are you most looking forward to this year? Working with new students to help them learn about the industry
What inspired you to teach? I enjoy seeing someone understand a new concept or skill, the look of understanding and ability to apply what they learned is satisfying.

Emily Olson, LATC Dental Assisting
Emily Olson
Course/Program Taught: Dental Assisting/Dental Hygiene
Hometown and High School: Bowdle, SD
College and Degrees:
Lake Area Tech: AS in Dental Assisting
USD: BS in Dental Hygiene
Previous Experience: 12 years of Dental Hygiene experience
What are you most looking forward to this year? ’m most looking forward to getting to know this year’s students and helping to inspire and educate them to be successful in their careers.
What inspired you to teach? I want to be part of something bigger than myself. I hope to make a positive impact on my student’s lives & produce the best dental professionals possible.

Blake Wilkinson, LATC Auto Body and Paint Technology
Blake Wilkinson
Course/Program Taught: Auto Body and Paint Technology
Webster, SD, High School- Webster Area
College and Degrees:
Lake Area Tech – Associate’s degree
Custom Paint and Fab (Auto Body and Paint Technology’s former name)
Previous Experience: Auto body tech for 8+ years
What are you most looking forward to this year? I am most looking forward to meeting students and being able to be a part of their learning experience here at Lake Area Technical College.
What inspired you to teach? I had such a great relationship from my instructors while attending Lake Area. A big part of who I am today is because of them and to have that same opportunity with my students is something I take with high regard.