To reach Good Shepherd staff via phone, dial 763-545-4285 and when prompted, dial their three-digit extension number. You can reach them via email by clicking on the envelope below their name.
Tiffany Christensen, Ext 822
Kindergarten
I am very excited to join the Good Shepherd Community this year as one of the Kindergarten teachers. Previously, I taught third grade and K-5 Science and Technology for four years at a Catholic School. I graduated with an Elementary Education and Psychology degree from the University of St. Thomas and received my Masters in Learning Technology from the University of St. Thomas as well. I look forward to our year together in Kindergarten, learning and having fun!
I have been teaching Physical Education for 25 years. Twenty two of those years have been here at Good Shepherd School. I received my Bachelor of Science Degree at Winona State University in 1986 and my Master’s of Arts in Education Degree from St. Mary’s University in 1999.
Jan Gengler, Ext 837
Reading, Writing, Spelling Specialist Special Education Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in English and Spanish from Mankato State College. Before my children were born, I taught English and Spanish at Wayzata Senior High School. This is my twenty-second year of teaching at Good Shepherd School. I completed my Master’s Degree in Special Education: Learning Disabilities at the University of St. Thomas in 2000. I teach reading, spelling, and writing skills to small groups of students who need extra help in these areas beginning in Kindergarten and continuing through sixth grade. I provide resources for teachers and coordinate services with public school Special Education staff for our students who qualify for those services.
Amy Halstrom, Ext 834
6th Grade
I have been teaching 6th grade at Good Shepherd School for seventeen years. I have my Undergraduate Degree from the College of St. Benedict and my Master’s Degree from St. Mary’s University.
Karla Juetten, Ext 832 5th Grade
This is my fourth year teaching 5th grade at Good Shepherd School. In the past eight years I have taught third, fourth, and fifth grade students in a multi-age setting. I have my Undergraduate Degree in Biochemistry from Rice University and my teaching licensure from Augsburg College.
This is my third year teaching 5th grade at Good Shepherd School. Prior to coming to Good Shepherd I taught for 3 years as a specialist. I have my Bachelors degree from Augsburg College in Health education and hold licensure in K-6 elementary education, 5-8 communications/language arts and 5-12 health. I feel blessed to be a part of such a wonderful staff and teach at a fabulous school!
This is my sixth year teaching at Good Shepherd School. I am a first grade teacher and very excited to work for such a great school. I previously worked for the Anoka-Hennepin school district in their school care program. I received my undergraduate degree and Masters of Arts in Instruction from St. Mary’s University.
This is my second year teaching fourth grade at Good Shepherd School. I received my Undergraduate degree from the College of Saint Catherine and my Master's in Education from Hamline University. This will be my eighth year teaching in a Catholic School.
Krysta Proulx, Ext 831
4th Grade
Teaching fourth grade will be my first official year as a teacher, and I'm so excited to be at Good Shepherd! I just graduated from the College of St. Benedict with an elementary education degree (K-8). Having student taught and subbed here last school year, I know the strong sense of community that Good Shepherd upholds among the staff, students, and families. I feel truly blessed to officially be part of the school. I'm looking forward to a great first year of teaching!
Angie Ruehle, Ext 826
2nd Grade
I have been teaching second grade at Good Shepherd School for twenty years. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education and a Master of Education degree in early childhood education.
Nancy Shields, Ext 829
3rd Grade
This is my fourth year at Good Shepherd and my twenty-third year of teaching. I have twelve years experience teaching third grade. My Masters and Undergraduate degrees are from Bradley University in Illinois.
Julie Starosta, Ext 820
Administrative Assistant
As the school Administrative Assistant, I can tell you that you won't find a better community for your children. The entire team at Good Shepherd School is the most dedicated group of professionals that I've ever met. I'm honored to support the quality education that Good Shepherd provides. We are a community and a family.
Cindy Stearns, Ext 838
Music Specialist
I am very excited to be teaching my sixth year here at Good Shepherd School! I graduated from St. Cloud State University with a bachelor’s degree in K-12 music education, with an emphasis on instrumental music. My primary instrument is the trumpet; however, I have performed on almost all the band instruments in concert! I have also performed many different genres including, concert band, orchestra, brass ensemble, jazz band, marching band, pep band, concert choir, and a world drumming ensemble. I look forward to teaching both classroom music and band to the students here at Good Shepherd School.
I have been the Good Shepherd School Administrative Assistant for the past four years. Previous to this position, I have been the schools receptionist and one of the Kindergarten Aides. This is my twelfth wonderful year at Good Shepherd School.
Julie Steffensmeier, Ext 823
Kindergarten
This is my eighth year being one of the Kindergarten teachers at Good Shepherd School and I just love it! I am also one of the editors for our school yearbook. I received my undergraduate degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato and my Master of Education from St. Mary’s University.
This is my fourth year teaching Spanish at Good Shepherd School, but not my fourth year in the building! I attended Good Shepherd grades 1-6. I have taught middle and high school Spanish for nine years, the majority of those in Howard County, Maryland. I have a BA from the University of MN, Morris in Spanish and English. It’s good to be back!
Nicole Suchla, Ext 827
2nd Grade
This is my thirteenth year teaching second grade at Good Shepherd School. I have spent all of my teaching years here. I earned my elementary education degree (grades K-6) from The College of St. Benedict and my master’s degree in education from St. Mary’s University.
I have been teaching third grade for over twenty-nine years, most of these years at Good Shepherd School. I have a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s Degree from Hamline University.
Gloria Tri, Ext 835
6th Grade
This is my thirty-eighth year of teaching and my nineteenth at Good Shepherd School. I received my Elementary Education degree from the College of St. Benedict and my Master’s degree from the University of St. Thomas.
Kim Whitehouse, Ext 815
Technology Specialist
This is my sixth year at Good Shepherd School. Previously, I worked as a director at a Huntington Learning Center located in the Twin Cities. I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 2000. I received my Masters degree from the University of Minnesota in the summer of 2007 in Elementary Education.
Nancy Vanasse, Ext 824
1st Grade
I have been a first grade teacher at Good Shepherd School for nineteen years. Prior to teaching at Good Shepherd School I taught second grade for four years in northern California. My first teaching experiences took place in the Brainerd Lakes area where I lived for two years. I received my BS degree from St. Cloud State University and my Master’s degree from St. Mary’s University.
Tom Zellmer, Ext 811
Principal
I have been Principal here at Good Shepherd School for thirty two years. I received my B.S. from the University of Minnesota, a Master’s Degree in Administration from St. Thomas, and an ED.S. degree from St. Thomas as well. I have taught or been a principal in Catholic Education for forty-one years.
