Faculty and Staff
Miss Haines grew up in Eveleth, just north of Duluth, and started college at the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2004. She graduated from UMD in May of 2010 with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Language Arts and Communication. Miss Haines is very excited to be a part of the Queen of Peace staff as the Kindergarten teacher. She is excited to see the children grow and learn throughout the year academically and socially.
My name is Beth Nelson. I am the new first grade teacher at Queen of Peace School. I was born in Milwaukee, WI, and moved to South Range (outside Superior) when I was four years old. I went to school in Superior K-12 , and attended UW-Superior, where I earned my Elementary Education degree, with an Early Childhood minor. I have worked in several different schools and taught mostly in birth to first grade classrooms.
Sister Paul Mary, F.S.E.- 2nd Grade
Sister Paul Mary Dreger, a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist, recently moved to Minnesota from Pocatello, Idaho. She currently holds an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education and a BA degree in Child Study with a concentration on education of preschool through third grade. Presently, Sister Paul Mary is completing her Masters of Education degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Idaho State University.
For more than 20 years Sister Paul Mary has been educating children in a wide variety of environments. She has taught children ages six weeks through twelve years old in four different states and to a variety of children.
Sister Paul Mary is excited to be a part of the Queen of Peace family and is thankful for the warm welcome she received. The most exciting role of Sister Paul Mary’s job as second grade teacher is to help prepare her students to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist for the first time. The faith and love of Christ that is experienced in her students and families inspire Sister Paul Mary. She looks forward to a great year at Queen of Peace School.
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Tristy Jager - 3rd and 4th Grade
Miss Jager grew up in Detroit Lakes, MN and started college in 2003 at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. While attending the university, Miss Jager was involved in many different organizations. She graduated from UMD in 2008 with a degree in Elementary Education and two minors in Math and Special Education. She is very excited to be part of the Queen of Peace staff!
Karen Tokarczyk - 5th and 6th Grade
Mrs. Tokarczyk grew up in Duluth, MN, and attended the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in Social Studies in 2004. Mrs. Tokarczyk has taught in a variety of classroom settings, including 5th Grade and as an Indian Education Teacher. She feels excited and blesse to be part of such a unique community.
Mrs. Benko - Spanish Specialist
I am a native of Puerto Rico and have lived in MN for 36 years. I'm not a 'Winter person'. I only enjoy the snow by watching it through a glass window. I enjoy the Summer a lot! My father is in Puerto Rico and he is 87 years old. My two sisters and a brother also live in PR and I miss them most at Christmas time. I have taught Spanish for approx. 8 years in different schools in the area, from K-12 levels. I love the idea of being part of molding Americans into bilingual ones, where future career doors can be opened easier to them, if they know Spanish.
My experience as a Spanish teacher has assured me that learning Spanish at a very early age is best. Children seem to be like 'sponges' and they absorb everything I teach them, without asking questions as of why things are said the way they are said in Spanish. They are always willing to learn and they show a very unique enthusiasm while learning.
Ms. Lah graduated from the College of St. Thomas, receiving a BA in English Literature. While in college, she was the president of the Liturgical Choir and studied vocal performance. After receiving her law degree from the University of Minnesota, she practiced law for nearly 14 years. Ms. Lah has always been active in music, theater and music ministry. She has been the music specialist at Queen of Peace School for the past 5 years.
Karin Sabyan - Preschool Aide and PE Specialist
I was born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa. From there we moved to Hudson, Wisconsin where I graduated high school. I began college at UMD and graduated from St. Mary's University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business. I am married to my husband Tom, and we have three children, Samantha, Sarena and TJ (a Queen of Peace student).
Much of the past nine years, I have spent volunteering at the preschool and elementary level. When we lived in the cities, I chaired the Early Learning Advisory committee of South St. Paul/ Inver Grove Heights for two years and in Clouqet, the PIE group (like PTA). Last year, I worked in two kindergarten classrooms for the Cloquet school district.
I enjoy the outdoors, volunteering, and coaching my girls' soccer teams. I strongly believe in motivating children, teaching them lifelong skills, and taking advantage of all of those 'teachable moments'.
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