WMS Special Ed Staff
Mrs. Burch
My name is Mrs. Burch and I am the Social Worker for the Middle School. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Southwest Minnesota State University in 2005 and my Master’s degree from the University of South Dakota in 2018. I have been working for District 518 since 2009. I currently co-facilitate several social skills groups with the school psychologist. I also work individually with the students spending time focusing on specific needs they may have. I find my job here to be very rewarding as I get to work with not only some great students but also their families.
Mrs. Bautista
My name is Beatriz “Betty” Bautista. I joined Worthington ISD 518 in 2016 as a high school special education paraprofessional. In 2021 I obtained my educator license in Elementary Education K-6 and in Special Education K-12 from Western Governors University located in Utah. I currently teach 6th grade special education in the area of Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) at the middle school.
My goal as an educator is to guide my students so they can reach their fullest potential by providing a safe and positive learning environment.
Worthington has been my home since 2001. I was born in Mexico and lived in south Texas for seven years. When not teaching my students I love to spend time with my family and friends.
Mrs. DeKam
Hello! My name is Jessica DeKam. I am a special education teacher at Worthington Middle School. I graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education.
My family and I love to be outside and explore new places. We enjoy traveling and being with our family and friends.
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. 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.
Mrs. Jirele
Hello, my name is Mara Jirele. I am a Speech/Language Pathologist and work with students at Worthington Middle School. I received my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. I work with students of all ages to improve communication skills in areas such as articulation, language, voice, fluency, and social skills. I have worked as a school-based Speech/Language Pathologist in both Iowa and Minnesota, and have also done part-time work at hospitals and long term care facilities. I grew up in Iowa but have lived in Minnesota for many years. My husband and I have two grown children. Outside of school I enjoy bicycling, antiquing and reading.
Mrs. Larson
Hi my name is Dana Larson. I was born and raised here in Worthington, MN. I started working with the school district back in 2014 as a special education paraprofessional. I went back to school to become a teacher. I attended WGU and received my BA in special education mild to moderate disabilities. I will be teaching 6th grade special education. The one thing I love about becoming a teacher is seeing all my students grow in their learning. When I am not teaching I enjoy being outside spending time with my family.
Mr. Marsh
My name is Justin Marsh and I am originally from Sioux Falls S.D. and completed my undergraduate at S.D.S.U in Brookings and my graduate degree at U.S.D in Vermillion and I’m looking to continue my graduate education in Minnesota to always be learning just like my students. I have taught the last 6 years in Sioux Falls and I’m looking forward to continuing my teaching career in Worthington !
Mrs. Sandra Sand
I am a Special Education teacher at Worthington Middle School. I received my Bachelor’s degree at SMSU. I have worked for the district as a para in special education for 20 + years. An interesting fact about me is that I have 5 grandkids.
Ms. Taarud
My name is Amber Taarud. I started at the Worthington Middle School as a Special Education Teacher in the 2019-2020 school year. My direct position is working as the 8th grade Student Learning Disability Teacher. I was born and raised here in Worthington. Graduated from Worthington High School. I then attended MN West Community and Technical College in Worthington, MN where I earned my AA in Liberal Arts and AS in Human Services. From there I attended Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN where I earned my BA in Psychology and Social Welfare. I moved back to my hometown where I spent 7 years working as a Special Education Paraprofessional. In 2018 I decided I loved education and started my journey through Western Governors University based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Through Western Governors University a Bachelor’s in Special Education and General Education will be earned. I have one son, Corbyn, and one daughter, Gracelyn (gained wings during pregnancy). Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my son, family, and friends. We enjoy activities like dirt track racing, truck pulls, bond fires, amusement parks, zoo’s, swimming, and much more. I look forward to working with your children throughout the year and seeing them learn, grow, and become successful.