About Our Teachers
Mrs. Ahrens
Hello! My name is Erin Ahrens and I teach Kindergarten through second grade Special Education at Prairie Elementary. I have been teaching at Prairie since 2011. I graduated from Winona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Special Education. I have licenses in the areas of Specific Learning Disabilities as well as Developmental Cognitive Disabilities. I absolutely LOVE working with kids every day. It amazes me to see the growth they make through their elementary years.
Mrs. Baumhoefner
I graduated from Minnesota State University-Mankato in the Spring of 2019. I started teaching in Worthington in the fall of 2021 after I moved to the area just before the start of the school year. In my free time I enjoy reading, exploring the outdoors, crafting and hanging out with my goldendoodle, Brooks.
Ms. Brignac
My name is Rebecca Brignac and I started at Prairie Elementary in 2019 as a Special Education Teacher. I grew up in Worthington, graduated from Worthington High School. I received a Sport Management degree from Wayne State College in 2010. I am currently working on receiving my Special Education degree from Walden University which I will receive in 2021. I have two kids, Taliyah and Treyson. We enjoy being outside as much as possible playing games, walking, and biking! I look forward to working with your children and seeing them learn and grow!
Mrs. Gath
I graduated from the University of South Dakota in 2013 with a Bachelors of Science and in 2015 with a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy. I have recent work experience in medical settings, but am excited to grow in this position with ISD 518. My husband and I live on an acreage near Spirit Lake and we enjoy spending our time with our daughter and family.
Ms. Feldman
Hello! My name is Tricia Feldman. I am a Teacher for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing for District 518. I have been working here since 2012, but have been an itinerant teacher in several other districts and states since 1998. I graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, majoring in Deaf Education and Elementary Education.
I work with students with varying degrees of hearing loss and needs. I truly love what I do, and it is always different every day! My most rewarding part of my job is when I see a student advocate for themselves in different situations, and when skills are carried over to the classroom or in social situations. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family at our lake cabin.
Mrs. Miller
My name is Tonisha Miller and I am a Special Education Teacher. I went to Minnesota West Community and Technical College and received my AA. I then attended Minnesota State University Mankato and received my BS in Special Education, Developmental Cognitive Disabilities. I have since went on to add licenses in Emotional/Behavior Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders. The thing I enjoy most about teaching is every day is new and exciting. They keep me busy and I love it!
Mrs. Mischke
Hello, my name is Lisa Mischke. I was born in Iowa and raised in Minnesota. After obtaining an undergraduate degree from MN State University, Mankato in elementary education and special education. I began teaching in 1989. I earned my graduate degree from Southwest MN State University in 2008. My hobbies include gardening and running.
Mrs. Mulder
I teach occupational therapy. I received a B.S. from Mount Mary, Milwaukee Wisconsin and a MBA from University of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
I have worked in healthcare for twenty years then changed to education in 2009. I have specialized in pediatrics for several years while in healthcare. I enjoy the day to day hands on with the children. When the child understands the concept, it’s very exciting and rewarding. I am an avid, diehard, relentless, understanding U of M gopher fan! Go Maroon and Gold!
Mrs. Murphy
My name is Darcy Murphy. I am a speech language pathologist employed with the Worthington School District. I am working with third grade, fourth grade and high school students. I graduated from Lakefield High School and attended Mankato State University where I obtained both my undergraduate and Masters Degree in Communication Disorders. I have eighteen years of experience as a Speech Language Pathologist in the school setting working with all ages. I have an additional six years of experience working with adults in the nursing home and hospital settings.
I reside in Round Lake, MN on a farm with my husband and daughter. My husband farms and my daughter is a student at Jackson County Central. I also have an adult son currently living in Mankato.
Ms. Wysong
Hello! My name is Avery Wysong. I am from Beaver Creek, Minnesota, and attended Hills-Beaver Creek Highschool. After high school, I went to North Dakota State University to further my studies in Elementary/ Special Education and to continue my softball career. I graduate in December of 2022 with a major from North Dakota State University in Human Development and Family Science and a major from Valley City State University in Elementary and Special Education. My position in the Worthington School District will be at the Intermediate School as a Special Education Teacher. I will also be the Head Varsity Softball Coach. I have a younger brother that is 20 years old and is a sophomore athlete at Dakota State University, playing football. I also have a 2-year-old German Shepard/husky mix dog named Paisley. In my free time, I enjoy going to the lake and spending time with friends and family. An interesting fact about myself is that I have a 13th set of ribs.