The Rotary Clubs of Chaska and Chanhassen hosted a new educators breakfast at the Chaska Event Center on Thursday, Aug. 21. This has been an annual event for several decades. The breakfast has been established as a kick-off event for the new educators of Eastern Carver County School District 112. The district’s administrative leaders, school principals and the year’s recent arrivals were invited to meet with co-workers new to their school and to meet others within the district.
During the meet and greet before the meal, Brielle Christenson played and sang music.
The master of ceremonies was Rotarian David Brecht, director of finance and operations for the school district.
Matt Podhradsky and Ryan Seibert, co-presidents of the Chaska Rotary, led the opening events, including introducing North Star Youth Exchange student Ane Ostby from Norway and her first host parents, Stacy and Matt Busch. She will attend Chaska High School.
Rod Provart of the Chanhassen Rotary joined Chaska’s Gretchen Oppriecht in providing an overview of Rotary and their shared belief in “service above self.”
Brecht then took the microphone and acknowledged the schools in the community that were unable to attend the gathering. Next, he acknowledged the district staff led by Superintendent Erin Rathke and then enthusiastically gave the principals the floor to introduce the new educators in their buildings:
- Chanhassen High School, Doug Bullinger
- Chaska High School, Jim Bach
- Integrated Arts Academy, Angie Charboneaux-Folch
- Chaska Middle School East, Greg Martin
- Chaska Middle School West, Alicia Fischer
- Pioneer Ridge Middle School, Amy Nelson
- Bluff Creek Elementary School, Beth Holm
- Carver Elementary School, Sam Blank
- Chanhassen Elementary School, Greg Lange
- Clover Ridge Elementary School, Nate Slinde
- Jonathan Elementary School, Pete Morse
- La Academia / Kinder Academy, Gretchen Kleinasser
- Victoria Elementary School, Jill Velure
- Community and Early Childhood Education, Sue Harberts
The 2025 District 112 Teacher of the Year Heather Reighard of Chaska Middle School West was unable to attend the breakfast, so two of the five finalists for the award provided the keynote address.
Jess Stewart and Kristina Stodolka kept the attendees laughing as they confirmed the new educators that they were making a difference in the lives of the children. The smiling audience nodded their agreement as Jess and Kristina provided anecdotes and hypothetical situations illustrating experiences that might be encountered during their careers.
Matt Podhradsky closed the gathering by thanking teachers and staff for their dedication and commitment to the education of the next generation in our communities.
