Administration
Jodie Mohan
Remediation Learning Leader
Jodie Mohan
Hello!
My name is Jodie Mohan. I am currently the Remediation Learning Leader at Riverway Learning Community. I began my journey with Montessori 23 years ago when my daughter began Children’s House. Eight years later when my youngest was starting Children’s House, I decided to be a classroom assistant. After being an assistant for 4 years, I went back to school to become a teacher and to get Montessori training. I have a Master of Arts in Instruction degree,, I am licensed in MN to teach K-6 with a Middle School specialty in Language Arts, and also hold both an E1 and E2 Montessori Credential. Prior to coming to Riverway, I worked for two other Montessori charter schools and served on their Board of Directors.
I began teaching at Riverway nine years ago as the E2 learning leader. Five years ago I left the E2 classroom to become the Remediation Learning Leader. While at Riverway, I have served on the Board of Directors as well as several other committees.
I love the community here at Riverway. It is so much fun to be able to see children progress through the Primary and Secondary programs. Last year I was able to see students that I had as E2 students graduate from Riverway!
Children’s House Staff
Elementary II Staff
Miranda Harper
Learning Leader
Miranda Harper
My name is Miranda Harper, and I am happy to be the EII (Grades 4-6) Learning Leader at Riverway. I taught EII and Latin at Ramalynn Montessori Academy in Bloomington, MN for 8 years before joining the Riverway community. I have been a proud Knowledge Bowl, Quiz Bowl, and Odyssey of the Mind coach for many years.
I began my education at the University of Minnesota, through which I spent a semester in Florence, Italy, and finished with a degree in Elementary Education and emphasis in middle school language arts from Winona State University. I taught Italian and Arabic at College for Kids in Winona during the summer. I also hold an EII Montessori Certification through North American Montessori Center as well as an apprenticeship from my favorite Montessorian.
I am drawn to Riverway because of its emphasis on environmental education and the interconnectedness of the all who pass through its doors. When I am not teaching, I enjoy reading science fiction, exploring forests and waterways, and driving my family’s steam engine. Parents are welcome to bring their interests, talents, and occupations into the classroom by sharing their education and experience.
Brianna Haupt
Art Learning Leader & E2 Classroom Assistant
Brianna Haupt
Hello! My name is Brianna Haupt and I teach K-12 art at Riverway by incorporating the Montessori method and Project Based Learning. Currently, I serve on Riverway’s Governance Committee and the Garden Committee. I grew up in the Manitowoc, WI area and moved to Winona for college. I graduated from Winona State University in 2013 with an Art Education degree and began teaching at Riverway after graduation.
Outside of Riverway, I’m an art instructor at Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts where I teach people from age six to ninety-six. In my free time, I enjoy learning more about cooking, native plants and photography.
I love working at Riverway because of our focus on the whole child, our small class sizes, and the dedicated staff. I especially enjoy helping students find their inner artist. Parents and families can help the art program by donating materials they feel would be useful and encouraging their child to appreciate art they see around them.
Secondary Staff
MaryKate Ciszak
Mathematics Learning Leader
MaryKate Franklin
Hi! My name is MaryKate Franklin and I am the SI (Grades 7-8) and math Learning Leader. I also currently serve on the School Board as the treasurer. I grew up in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, went to college at Winona State University and graduated with a degree in Secondary Mathematics Education, fell in love with the town and have never left. Some of my passions are spending time on the river whether it is kayaking, pontooning, swimming, fishing, or ice fishing. I truly enjoy it all. Another is traveling, whether it is taking a road trip across the country or taking a plane across the sea I really enjoy meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. Oh and I also love to cheer for the Packers!
I started working at Riverway in 2018. Riverway drew me in because it was different from other schools. From the importance of environmental education to the multiage classrooms and the project based learning I was very interested in it all. Throughout my time at Riverway I have really enjoyed the relationships that I have built with my students and really appreciate being able to teach them for more than just one year. If you are interested in helping out in my classroom please feel free to send me an email. I am always looking for people to share their passions with my students.
Sharon Foss
Science Learning Leader
Sharon Foss
Hi my name is Sharon Foss, I am the Secondary 3 Learning Leader and I teach science 7-12th grade. This is my 12th year teaching at Riverway. I previously have been a member of the Riverway School Board, a few committees, and founder of the Outdoor Activity After School Group. I also plan and organize our Riverway Graduation Ceremony for our Seniors each year.
I have been a parent of Riverway students as well, all 3 of my children attended school at Riverway during their elementary years. I attended Winona State University and obtained a degree in Biology:Ecology with a minor in Interpretive Studies in 1994. I taught Environment Education and worked in the native plant industry for many years before going back to Winona State to receive my teaching certificate to teach science 5-12th grade. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my kids, and being outside as much as possible! I love to hike, garden, kayak, cross-country ski, camp and grow seeds to plant in my garden around my house each season.
I love being a part of the Riverway community, I honestly can’t see myself teaching anywhere else! I am passionate about teaching our students about the natural world around them and hope to instill a sense of wonderment, awe and respect for our whole planet! I think my favorite event we do annually is our overnights with an Environmental Education focus. I enjoy those times of building relationships outside of the classroom. Another part of our school that I don’t think I could find anywhere else, is being able to watch and build relationships with our students, possibly all the way from preschool to graduation! It is a very cool experience to be a part of their lives for such a long time, watching them grow, mature and find their true passions. If you would like to be involved with the S3 classroom, you are more than welcome to help plan, organize and chaperone trips, sharing your career or lifelong hobby or activity with our students. Or any other way you feel comfortable and willing to contribute to help students have as many different experiences and opportunities to learn!
Zachary Krage
Social Studies Learning Leader
Zachary Krage
Hello, my name is Mr. Krage, and I am the Secondary II Learning leader. My main area of focus is Social Studies and Project Based Learning. This is my eleventh year at Riverway Learning Community. I have had many roles at Riverway. I started halfway through the year in EI as a Learning Leader Assistant, and by the end of the year, I was hired as the Secondary I Learning Leader.
I was born in Winona but moved to Victor, Colorado when I was twelve. After graduating high school, I moved back to Winona to attend Winona State University where I received my degree in Secondary Education, and I decided to stay in Winona after graduating. Winona is a beautiful town, and I am happy that I get to live here with my family.
I chose to work at Riverway because I enjoy the small class sizes and the focus on Community as Classroom. I believe that students learn best when they are able to get real world experiences.
When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, skateboarding, reading, and spending time outdoors.
Brianna Haupt
Fine Arts Learning Leader
Brianna Haupt
Outside of Riverway, I’m an art instructor at Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts where I teach people from age six to ninety-six. In my free time, I enjoy learning more about cooking, native plants and photography.
I love working at Riverway because of our focus on the whole child, our small class sizes, and the dedicated staff. I especially enjoy helping students find their inner artist. Parents and families can help the art program by donating materials they feel would be useful and encouraging their child to appreciate art they see around them.
Art Staff
Brianna Haupt
Art Learning Leader & E2 Classroom Assistant
Brianna Haupt
Hello! My name is Brianna Haupt and I teach K-12 art at Riverway by incorporating the Montessori method and Project Based Learning. Currently, I serve on Riverway’s Governance Committee and the Garden Committee. I grew up in the Manitowoc, WI area and moved to Winona for college. I graduated from Winona State University in 2013 with an Art Education degree and began teaching at Riverway after graduation.
Outside of Riverway, I’m an art instructor at Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts where I teach people from age six to ninety-six. In my free time, I enjoy learning more about cooking, native plants and photography.
I love working at Riverway because of our focus on the whole child, our small class sizes, and the dedicated staff. I especially enjoy helping students find their inner artist. Parents and families can help the art program by donating materials they feel would be useful and encouraging their child to appreciate art they see around them.
SPED Staff
Janine Stanton
Special Education Coordinator / Primary Special Education Learning Leader
Janine Stanton
Hello!
My name is Janine Stanton and I am the Special Education teacher for the Primary program, grades Pre-K – 6th grade. I also work as the Special Education Coordinator for the school and a teacher member on the school board. I grew up here in Winona going through the Cotter system. I played many sports and was part of the well known band, playing the trumpet. I continued to stay in Winona while I attended Winona State University to obtain my teaching degree. I double majored in Special Education receiving a license for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) and Developmental Disabilities (DD).
This is my 7th year teaching; 5th year teaching at Riverway Learning Community (RLC) – starting in 2015. After that first year of teaching, I was hooked on staying at RLC for my career. I knew the philosophy of the school, integrity of my co-workers, and dedication of the families to the school were only some of the reasons I knew this is the perfect school to be at. One thing I love about RLC is the angle of inclusion for Special Education. Working with the students inside of their own classrooms with their own peers is the best feeling I have ever had and continue to feel with each lesson I give.
Throughout my years here, I have been able to become a CPI Trainer for the school. CPI stands for Crisis Prevention Institute in which we train team members to recognize, de-escalate, and manage behaviors in the most safe and respectful way possible for all the individuals involved in a crisis. In the future I hope to further educate myself in the areas of Emotional Behavior Disorder (EBD), Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), and Montessori Philosophy and Practices.
If you are interested in participating in the SPED program, either as a parent or family member of a student or a volunteer out of the good of your heart, feel free to email me and we can talk more specifics regarding what that might look like. Examples could be cutting and laminating works for future use; educating yourself on different needs that your student might need to help them succeed; volunteering as a reading buddy or recess supervisor; the possibilities are endless depending on the time of year.
