Welcome, New Teachers and Staff!
August 28, 2023
We are excited to welcome several new teachers and staff members to Cretin-Derham Hall!
Toby Anderson
Admissions Associate/ Baseball Coach
Education: University of Minnesota/ Sports Management
Previous work: Northstar Baseball Club
Why did you choose to work at CDH? The community and network of people involved with the school
What do you love about your career path? I'm looking forward to helping all students through their high school careers, and being a resource for them after they leave CDH. I come from a family of educators, so being involved in a school both academically and athletically has always been a goal of mine.
What should our students and families know about you? I'm a people person. I love building relationships and helping others any way I can. Through coaching at CDH the last 4 years, I have developed a strong passion for the school and everything it stands for!
Laura Esping
Chemical Health Counselor
Education: I hold a BA from the University of Iowa in Speech and Dramatic Art and an MFA from the University of MN in Acting. I returned to school in 2020 to study and receive my diploma in Addiction Counseling from MCTC.
Previous work: In this capacity, I interned at a local treatment center and have been at Benilde St Margaret's for a year.
Why did you choose to work at CDH? I work for Phoenix School Counseling and they told me there was an opening for this position. I have enjoyed my work at BSM so thought I would try to extend the work here at CDH.
What do you love about your career path? I never grow tired of talking about addiction, the struggles that come with it, and the possibility of change when people are ready.
What should our students and families know about you? What students tell me is held in confidence, unless it is a situation for mandated reporting. I also tell students that I am here as a mirror and sounding board for what is working or not working with the choices they are making with their chemical health. Any changes come from them. If I meet a student for an assessment I like to continue to check in with them briefly throughout the school year to see how things are going. I also welcome students to stop by my office on their own if they are concerned about their chemical use or the use of a loved one.
Sarah Jamieson
Chemistry Teacher
Education: Saint Cloud State -- Chemistry; Saint Catherine University - Curriculum & Instruction
Previous work: I took an unconventional sabbatical last school year at Chisago Lakes High School
Why did you choose to work at CDH? This place has chosen me! I was hired in 2006 when Mr. Engler decided to interview me even though I discovered the job listing over two weeks past the posting deadline. After 15+ years of service, I left last year in efforts to be closer to my family. Later in the school year, just before budget cuts were going to be announced, Mona "randomly" -- it actually was God's perfect timing -- called me to see if I had any interest in a potential science position. I had a great sense of peace when I was told my position at Chisago Lakes would be eliminated and it resulted in me being called back to this wonderful community, family, and school! I view last school year as an unconventional sabbatical that made me realize how thankful I am to be back here with my CDH family. Thank you all for welcoming me back!!
What do you love about your career path? In my desk I have a "happy folder" that is filled with emails, notes, letters, etc. from students and parents that express their gratitude for the impact I have made on their lives as a teacher. It is so rewarding to be in a position to impact the lives of students and their families.
What should our students and families know about you? I love science, teaching, and am always trying to make class engaging. When I am not in the classroom, I am most likely riding my bike.
Alex Nuy
Social Studies Teacher
Education: Saint Mary's University, Winona (Social Studies Education)
Previous work: Loyola Catholic School (Mankato)
Why did you choose to work at CDH? I wanted to reconnect with the Christian Brothers that I got to know when I was in college and teach at a school affiliated with them.
What do you love about your career path? I love teaching Social Studies because everyone has a story and it is closely connected with the stories we share in class. Everyone has a place in this class!
What should our students and families know about you? I love to read about history and government and my favorite place to visit is Boston. I have been there three separate times and still have much of the city to explore and much more of the nation's history to see.
Aaron Puent
Religion Teacher
Education: Augsburg University, Religion w/ Concentration in Interfaith Studies and Global Religions
Previous work: St. Peter's and St. Thomas More Catholic Schools
Why did you choose to work at CDH? Religious education has always been important to me, and I want nothing more than to provide today's young adults the same experience I had growing up in a Catholic school system.
What do you love about your career path? Religion is a very unique subject, and to be able to study it in a classroom setting offers students and teachers the chance to grow in many different areas, such as empathy, personal philosophy, and logic.
What should our students and families know about you? I have been a student for practically my entire life, and this is my first opportunity to experience the classroom from the other side of the podium. I am very understanding that there is a lot of stress in high school for many reasons, and I am more than willing to help in any way that I can. While I might be the teacher, I am always ready to learn, and I have no doubt that I will learn a lot this year!
Rachel Kumher
Licensed School Nurse/Registered Nurse
Education: Kent State University, BSN in Nursing and University of Missouri, M.Ed.
Previous work: St. Paul Public Schools
Why did you choose to work at CDH? I chose CDH because of it's reputation of excellence and for the opportunity to work in a God centered environment.
What do you love about your career path? I love nursing because I am able to serve others. Nursing is a career with great flexibility and provides a good living wage to support a family.
What should our students and families know about you? I am a wife and a mom. My children are teenagers, with one leaving for college for the first time soon. I have 27 years experience as a registered nurse with expertise in hospice care and school nursing. This is my 7th year as a school nurse in SPPS. I am soooo excited to be working part time with CDH. I am overwhelmed by the love in this community already. Thanks for allowing me to serve.
Mitchell Reynolds
College Counselor
Education: Dickinson College (BA in Political Science and Religion) and University of Pittsburgh (M.Ed in Higher Education)
Previous work: Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Susquehanna Township High School (PA), and Messiah University
Why did you choose to work at CDH? The sense of history, community, and teamwork!
What do you love about your career path? I love working with students to make a decision they are proud of for their post-secondary pursuits. Graduating high school is one of the biggest moments and students deserve to be proud and excited about their futures.
What should our students and families know about you? I love swimming and all other sports, so I'm really excited to work with students that have a goal to compete in college athletics. I just moved to Minnesota in 2022, so please teach me about your favorite things in the Twin Cities!
Delilah Schuster
Choir, Performing Arts, Music Ministry.
Education: I attended University of Wisconsin-Madison where I majored in Music Education.
Previous work: I worked at Brooklyn Center STEAM Middle & High School most recently. Before that, I taught in Wisconsin in the Madison/Sun Prairie districts.
Why did you choose to work at CDH? I chose to work at CDH because I can tell that teachers and students alike are passionate about creating a community that supports learning and growing, and I want to be part of that mission and that community. Purple is also my favorite color!
What do you love about your career path? As a music teacher, I love that every day brings a new opportunity to create something beautiful for ourselves and for the world.
What should our students and families know about you? I am a musician in and out of the classroom - you can find me at Orchestra Hall singing with the Minnesota Chorale, playing guitar in my backyard, or making beats on my computer. I also enjoy visual art, especially collage and journaling. I enjoy all kinds of music and love to hear about what you're listening to, so please don't hesitate to come say hi!
Tara Seifert
Asst. Athletic Director, Varsity Girls Basketball Coach
Education: Iowa State University, Exercise Science Major
Previous work: Unrestricted Marketing and Head Girls Basketball Coach at Chaska High School
Why did you choose to work at CDH? Interested in working within the CDH athletics dept. and to lead the Girls Basketball program at CDH.
What do you love about your career path? I have been blessed to get to work with a lot great students and families. I enjoy helping mentor students to gain confidence to succeed at life after high school.
What should our students and families know about you? I am excited to be at CDH and look forward to getting to know CDH families!
Jessica Toensing
Social Studies
Education: UW River Falls and Majored in Broad Field Social Studies and History
Previous work: Kennedy High School
Why did you choose to work at CDH? I like the sense of community that it has and that community is important to the school.
What do you love about your career path? I really enjoy getting to work with the students and learn what makes all of them individuals.
Cheryl Van Laak
International Students
Education: Hampshire College: Comparative Literature
Previous work: Amerigo
Why did you choose to work at CDH? I had a great experience working here with Amerigo international students.
What do you love about your career path? Seeing students become more confident.
What should our students and families know about you? I can speak very good Chinese!