New 2025-2026 teachers at Burnside

Burnside’s Back-to-School mini-conferences will take place Wednesday, Aug. 27. Parents/guardians should have received instructions in the child's teacher placement letter on how to sign up for a 15-minute slot. They may use the link below to sign up for one conference per child.

Marie Arens path to a a full-time classroom teacher took her from Winona State to Burnside.

Position: Grade 3 teacher

Experience: I was a sub for a variety of different schools last year, including here at Burnside!

Education: I graduated from Winona State in 2024 with my K-6 teaching license.

Why do you want to be a teacher?

I have wanted to be a teacher since I was very little. My dad was a seventh grade math teacher, so I think my passion first started from watching him. I want to make a positive impact on students' lives and show them that learning can be fun!

What are some of your hobbies?

In my free time I enjoy reading, playing pickleball, watching Minnesota sports games, traveling, listening to music and spending time with my friends and family.

What do you want your students to know from Day 1?

I am so excited for this new chapter as a 3rd grade teacher! I look forward to building relationships with students and having an overall fun school year together.

Do you have any pets?

I have one dog and her name is Maggie! She is a Maltese Poodle and she turned 10 years old this year. I would love to have more dogs someday.

Kristi Chahani will teach at both elementary schools as she settles into Red Wing.

Position: Multilingual learner teacher

Experience: 16 years

Education: Master of Arts

What are your hopes as you join Red Wing Public Schools, serving both Burnside and Sunnyside?

I hope to make RWPS my home.

What do you want your students to know from Day 1?

I have lived in countries where I do not speak the language as well, so I understand how they are feeling. I am here to help you understand and feel comfortable in Minnesota.

When did you realize that you wanted to teach?

I decided to teach while I lived in Dubai, UAE. There I chose to spread American English because it is the language of trade and business.

What’s your first day of school memory?

Seeing the smiles when I meet all of my new students.

Carly Goettl loves pets and children, so no surprise she's an elementary school teacher.

Position: Grade 4 teacher

Experience: First year teacher

Education: BA Elementary Education (K-6), Winona State University-Rochester

What are your hopes as you join Red Wing Public Schools?

I am excited to work at Red Wing Public Schools and start teaching in 4th grade! I am hoping to really get to know my students and the community of Red Wing.

What do you want your students to know from Day 1?

That they are cared for and safe when they are in my classroom. This is the most important thing for my students to know. They will also be pushed to learn and grow every day within my room.

When did you realize that you wanted to teach?

I have wanted to become a teacher since I was in elementary school. When I was in high school, I did a mentorship program that solidified that teaching was the job for me. I did my student teaching in fifth and first grade at Zumbrota-Mazeppa and loved it!

Do you have any pets?

I have a 13-year-old Yorkie-Poo named Sophia and a 2.5-year-old English Cream Golden Retriever named Windsor. They are both super lovable but the little one runs our house! They love to go on walks and to bark at passing bunnies and squirrels.

Position: Special education teacher

Experience: Five years teaching in the Philippines and three years in the U.S.

Education: Master of Arts in Education major in Special Education

What are your hopes as you join Red Wing Public Schools?

I hope to build strong, supportive relationships with my students, colleagues and families and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the learners I serve. I also look forward to growing professionally in a collaborative and inclusive school environment.

What do you want your students to know from Day 1?

I want my students to know that they are seen, valued and capable of success. I am here to support them, believe in them and help them grow academically, socially and emotionally.

When did you realize that you wanted to teach?

I realized I wanted to teach when I volunteered to help students with special needs during my college years. Seeing their progress and smiles made me realize that teaching is not a job but a calling.

What’s your first day of school memory?

My first day of school memory as a teacher was feeling nervous but excited. I remember standing at the classroom door greeting the student with a smile and thinking this is where I’m meant to be.

Morgan Sweeney loves the great outdoors.

Position: Special education teacher

Experience: First year teaching

Education: Waldorf University

What are your hopes as you join Red Wing Public Schools?

I hope to learn and grow as much as possible with my students.

What do you want your students to know from Day 1?

I absolutely love puns, jokes, and riddles. I will be sure to make you smile once every day guaranteed.

When did you realize that you wanted to teach?

I knew I wanted to be a teacher after my seventh grade year. My teacher in seventh grade changed my whole perspective on education and what it means.

What do you like to do outside the classroom?

Outside the classroom you can find me one of two places, out on the golf course or out on the lake!

Lauren Runze's untold story ... well, told now ... is that she and her mom enjoyed "Wicked."

Position: Second grade teacher

Experience: I completed my student teaching at Burnside Elementary and Twin Bluff Middle School. I have since acted as a substitute teacher.

Education: I graduated from Winona State University with a major in Elementary Education and minor in Middle Level Social Studies Education.

What are your hopes as you join Red Wing Public Schools?

One of my main hopes is that I am able to connect with the community. I am not from Red Wing, but have spent plenty of time here while I was student teaching and loved it. I also hope to build strong relationships with students, families, and staff within the district.

What do you want your students to know from Day 1?

I want my students to know that they are capable of learning. I don’t want my students to ever feel like they are unable to do something or that they are unimportant. Every child in my classroom is valued, and I want to make that clear to them on Day 1.

When did you realize that you wanted to teach?

I have known that I wanted to teach since I was in elementary school. My teachers were always some of my biggest role models while I was growing up. I loved school and knew I wanted to make an impact on students like my teachers did for me.

What’s your first day of school memory?

One first day of school memory that I have is from my first day of student teaching. I remember being so excited to finally be in a classroom and getting to live out my dream of being a teacher. I enjoyed spending time with all my students and simply getting to know them more through stories that they shared or skills that they demonstrated.

Red Wing Public Schools strives to provide an innovating and meaningful educational experience that fosters curiosity; pursues and applies best practices; embraces diversity by respectfully engaging all students, families, and staff; and connects and partners with our community. We serve pre-K through grade 12.

Website: www.rwps.org
Location: 2451 Eagle Ridge Drive, Red Wing, MN, USA
Phone: (651) 385-4500