The Crookston Public Schools District has many new faces joining its staff for the 2021-2022 school year. KROX will be introducing you to the new teachers throughout the week. Below is an introduction to the second group of new teachers.
KIELY TATE
Kiely Tate is originally from Colorado and came to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota Crookston on a soccer scholarship and has lived here
for the past 17 years. She’ll be a half-day School Readiness Teacher for Washington School this upcoming year. She’s taught infants, toddlers, and preschoolers throughout her career.
She talked more about her hope for what the students will get out of her classroom this year. “I think our program is all about school readiness,” said Tate. “Just making sure they’re ready when it’s time to move into a more foundational setting and making sure they’re able to get along with their peers.”
Tate also hopes to install a love of learning in each of her kids throughout the school year. Tate says teaching has always been a passion, and she is happy to be at Washington School for the upcoming year.
ASHLEY NIRSCHL
Ashley Nirschl will be a Special Ed 3rd Grade Teacher at Highland Elementary. Ashley grew up in Ada, and attended 
the University of Minnesota State Moorhead. This will be Nirshcl’s first teaching job as she graduated this past May.
Nirschl says she became a teacher because her family inspired her to work with children to have the help they were not receiving. She hopes she can provide her students with the help they need. “I want to connect with them the best I can. I don’t want to see anyone fall through the cracks and feel like they’re not getting the help they want,” said Nirschl. “They truly are smart in their own unique way, and they just need someone to believe in them.”
Nirschl saw the job posting and decided it was a perfect fit. She feels Highland helps everyone in the community, and she is excited to be a part of the Highland staff.
SARAH LINDQUIST
Sarah Lindquist grew up in Prior Lake, and attended the University of North Dakota. She graduated this past year and, like Nirschl, will be in her first
teaching job this upcoming school year. She will be filling a role as a 2nd Grade Teacher at Highland Elementary School. Lindquist says she has always wanted to be a teacher and has just always been drawn to it.
Lindquist talked about her goal and how it aligns with the School District. “I think our goal district-wide is to get everyone caught up to where they were pre-Covid,” said Lindquist. “They’ve lost a lot of in-person schooling, so the biggest thing is to get them back on track.”
Stay tuned to KROX and KROXAM.com for more of the new teachers.
