St. Joseph's Catholic School
Faculty and Staff
NELLIE GOSHEY
Principal
My name is Nellie Goshey. I was the kindergarten teacher for four years and am currently the principal at Saint Joseph Catholic School. In previous years I have taught in Hibbing and Virginia Minnesota at the Catholic Schools there. I have taught fourth, sixth, and first grade in those schools. When I'm not teaching or lesson planning, I can be found working on my craft projects: painting, card making, or quilling. You should also know that I LOVE Christmas and my Catholic faith. One thing I can hardly believe I've done is hold a tarantula, despite my absolute fear of spiders (Never volunteer to hold a mystery animal when you are in front of the entire school).
CARMEN WATLAND
School Secretary
Welcome to St Joseph’s School.
My role at St Joseph’s School is School Secretary. My first year in this role was 2016.
Prior to this I was Playground Supervisor for 7 years.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my husband, children and grandchildren.
CINDY ECKERT
Pre-School Teacher
My name is Cindy Eckert, and I teach the preschool classes here at St. Joseph’s School. I grew up in Wisconsin and moved to Grand Rapids with my husband and our two daughters over twenty-five years ago. Our girls are now married, and God has blessed us with two grandchildren (so far). My favorite thing to do is spend time with our family.
I have always loved working with children. Back when I was in sixth grade, my friend and I started a ‘Kiddie Care’ in our neighborhood. I decided to follow my passion and earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with concentrations in math and early childhood. After years of volunteer work in education and some substitute teaching, I began teaching on a regular basis. I was privileged to work with three-year-olds for thirteen years and four-year-olds for four years. I truly enjoy teaching preschool-age children. Their enthusiasm for life and learning is infectious. I am excited to be able to once again tell young children about God’s great love for them. It is heart-warming to hear them share what they have learned about Jesus’ payment for their sins through His death and resurrection. Working at St. Joseph’s School is a pleasure. The support and camaraderie between the teachers and staff help to make it more than just a job.
MRS. ABBY ADAMS
Kindergarten Teacher
I'm Abby Adams and I'm the Kindergarten Teacher at St. Joseph's Catholic School. My first year in this school was 2023. In previous years I have taught Kindergarten and 1st Grade, mostly in Catholic education. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy spending time on the lake with my husband, cooking, gardening, and playing board games.
AMY O'SHEA
First Grade Teacher
My name is Amy O'Shea, I teach first grade here at St. Joseph's. I was born and raised here in Grand Rapids and have lived here most of my life, graduating from GRHS in 2008. My husband and I have four children ages 6-13. I love to be outdoors and can often be found on the lake whether it be summer or winter.
I have my Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Walden University, currently working on furthering my education towards my masters degree. I have 6 years of experience in Special Education and hope to add to this in my future learning.
I enjoy teaching the lower primary grades as this is when so many new things are learned and students are so excited about their learning journey! Getting to share my faith with my students and helping them grow in their own faith journey has been such a blessing. I look forward to many more years here at St. Joes!
MOLLY HOWARD
Second Grade Teacher
My name is Molly Howard and I am the second grade teacher at St. Joseph’s School. Prior to teaching here I taught at Vandyke Elementary in Coleraine for three years. I was also in Florida for three years, where I taught first grade at a Catholic School. I have also taught at King School in Deer River and at a
Catholic School in Faribault, MN. I completed the Graduate Teaching Licensure Program at the College of St. Scholastica in November, 2012, in order to attain
my teaching license and then completed my Masters of Education through St. Scholastica.
I am from the Grand Rapids area. I attended college at the University of Minnesota where I received a degree in Journalism. After this, I spent several years traveling and living in different states while pursuing a career in horse racing. Although my career path has changed, horse racing continues to be a passion of mine. My husband and I have two daughters, Hadley and Ainsley. We returned to our home state upon the birth of our first child and look forward to raising our girls in the town in which I grew up.
JENNIFER KUJULA
Fourth Grade Teacher
My name is Jennifer Kujala and I am the 4th grade teacher at St. Joseph’s School. I have worked here since 2019, and I think working in a small school community has been an absolute blessing! I graduated in May of 2019 from the College of St. Scholastica Duluth. In the summers I work at ICC with the College for Kids program. I have also been the outdoor activities coordinator for VBS at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church for several years. I am a very patient caring person who loves working with kids.
CHARLENE RUZYNSKI
Fifth Grade Teacher
I was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in Southern New Jersey where I attended parochial schools for 13 years. To further my education, I attended Albright College in Reading, PA and later received my teaching certification at Rutgers University, NJ.
I began my teaching career in Camden, NJ in 2006 and have taught every grade from 5th grade through adult in my tenure thus far. In 2021, with my husband and our four children we moved to Grand Rapids, MN to enjoy the wonders of God’s creation in Northern Minnesota.
I am excited to be part of St. Joseph’s faith community. Even though it is very different from where I was raised, it gives me the same warmth and community feeling every time I interact with the students, faculty and staff.
LORI LAGERGREN
Sixth Grade Teacher
My name is Lori Lagergren. I grew-up and attended Catholic schools in St. Cloud. I graduated from The College of St. Scholastica in 1996. From 1996-2007 I taught at St. James Catholic School in the West End of Duluth. In the fall of 2007 we were blessed to have the opportunity to move to Grand Rapids, so I could teach 6th grade at St. Joe’s. It is such a wonderful community, and my husband and I are thrilled that our two children could attend St. Joe’s through 6th grade.
Middle level learners are my passion. Students at this age are intrigued with the real world around them and begin to realize the impact each person can make in our world. My goal is to help students love learning- for the sake of reaching their fullest, God-given, potential.
ANNA ACHESON
Third Grade Teacher
My name is Anna Acheson and I teach 3rd grade at St. Joseph’s. I started teaching at St. Joseph’s in 2007 and I began my teaching career in 2002 in Catholic schools. I am now blessed to be able to send my own daughter to St. Joe’s. I am very passionate about Catholic education. I love being able to share my faith with my students! It is wonderful to work in an environment where Christ is the center. Celebrating the Mass each week and the peace of praying the Rosary as a school are two of my favorite parts of teaching here. I enjoy working in a small school where I know all of the students and their families by name and am able to see them progress through the years.
BARBARA HUGHES
School Librarian
I love books and working with children so I consider myself very fortunate to be the new librarian at St. Joseph’s School. My name is Barb Hughes. I retired from teaching in 2015 after many years teaching 2nd grade in Wayzata. My husband and I have considered Grand Rapids our second home since 1991 and were thrilled to be able to move here full time in 2015. After meeting staff members and substitute teaching at St. Joseph’s School, I realized how much I missed the excitement of being with kids. I was delighted when asked to be the librarian. Please visit the library. I’m here Tuesdays and Thursdays and would enjoy meeting more families.
LOUISE LOBOSCO
Phy Ed Teacher
Hi, I am Coach Louise LoBosco. I teach Physical Education for Pre K through 6th grade. I graduated from Colorado State University with a BS in Physical Education K-12 and University of Denver with a MA in Exercise Physiology. I have taught P.E. for 18 years. I have coached competitive and recreational ice skating for 30 years. I coach at Rapids and Greenway. I have a wonderful husband Frank who works remotely for Glazier Football Clinics. We have 2 grown children and 2 amazing grandchildren with one more on the way! We love to go cross country skiing in the winter and fishing and hiking in the summer. I am blessed to work at St. Joe’s with a great staff and wonderful students. It is a privilege to be able to incorporate character, sportsmanship and faith.
ANN DICK
Music Teacher
My name is Ann Dick and I am the K-6 music teacher at St. Joseph’s. I have a background in piano, theology, and elementary education. I use this background each week to teach music skills, choral singing, and also to coordinate the weekly children’s mass. I am thrilled to be able to work with students in each grade and am passionate about incorporating our liturgy each week into the music class. The students are very involved in the weekly mass and their many talents are obvious! It is a joy working with the students at St. Joe’s and watching them develop musically through the years!
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JENNIFER BEHM
STEM Instructor
I am Jennifer Behm and I started as the STEM Instructor at St. Josephs the fall of 2023. I graduated with an electrical engineering degree from North Dakota State University and a masters in business administration from the University of St. Thomas. Having grown up in Grand Rapids, I was very happy to move back here!
While I loved engineering as a career, once my husband and I started a family I craved a family friendly work schedule which led me to education. STEM has been my focus the last dozen years primarily in math and science substitute teaching. I have also done contract STEM programming, worked as an instructor with College for Kids, and I also work for the Bell Museum as an educator.
I am passionate about the outdoors, nature, and gardening. I also really enjoy working with curious kids.
St. Joseph Catholic School Staff
Miss Kelly Gandy (Art Instructor | Keyboard Instructor)
Mr. John McCauley (Computer Instructor)
Ms. Amy Bertram (Custodian)
Position Open (Custodian)
Mrs. Deb Hakala (School Cook) - Job Opening
Mr. Corey Knapp (School Cook) - Job Opening
Mrs. Cathy Erickson (School Nurse)
Mr. Zach Wilson (Kindergarten Para)
Mrs. Kim Moen (Para)
Mrs. Hannah Walker (Para)
Mrs. Sonne Jackson (Para)
Ms. Jodi Weber (SAC Director)
Mr. Randy Stimac (IT)
