Red Wing Public Schools ISD 256

Four years teaching in San Juan, Texas, and six months in China brought Lisa Dill Hanson to Red Wing. Now in her 29th year here, she teaches health at both Twin Bluff Middle School and the high school.

A teacher for life? Absolutely. But a lifelong learner, too. That's Lisa Dill Hanson.

"I love being ‘the student’ and try to take classes and attend seminars every year to be better in the classroom," says the health -- and sometimes physical education -- teacher at Red Wing High School and Twin Bluff Middle School. "There is always room for growth!"

What or who inspired you to become a teacher?

I actually started college as an art major at Moorhead State University and quickly realized that I didn’t have the raw talent needed to go further; for me art needed to be fun and not feel like work. My middle school health teacher, Mrs. Mortenson, popped into my brain as soon as I made that decision and I knew teaching health was what I had to do.

My mother said she was relieved because she saw this coming long before I did and was glad I figured it out after the first quarter of college!

What's the most rewarding part of being a health educator?

Most of us would agree that we don’t see the “fruits of our labor” right away, but there are those moments in class or even the hallway that a student will show their growth in one way or another and a very satisfied feeling overcomes you.

What I love the most is when an adult stops me in the store or Big Turn Music Festival to let me know how much of an impact I made in their life while they were at RWHS. I usually end up in tears, hugging them and feeling incredibly full. Health is about you and your wellness. Oftentimes the information isn’t terribly relevant at 16 but becomes so as we get older and wiser.

How do you approach sensitive topics such as mental health and safe relationships?

This has probably changed the most over 33 years of teaching. As a young teacher I know I avoided some things due to not knowing how to present and manage them and/or how the parents would react to their child learning about these things. My two mentors in Red Wing were Patty Otteson and Brenda Blahnik. Two incredibly smart and talented women who had to fight to get a fully comprehensive health curriculum approved by our board at the time. They taught me to be brave and bold. To talk to the students openly and honestly ALWAYS.

My students have taught me much of what I try to do every day in my classroom. When a student lets me know that I have said something that didn’t quite or fully didn’t represent them well in my lesson, I listen and try to do better right away. I want all my students to feel seen and heard.

What's your favorite health lesson you've taught, and how did students respond?

I have had so many over the years it’s hard to decide! For one I started last year in our Chemical Health unit, I have the students go to “drug stations” where they have to experience doing certain activities in a way that resembles being under the influence of a drug without actually taking any. They have to unwrap a Starburst with gloves on, type out a message on a keyboard wearing Drunk googles, have a conversation with marshmallows in their mouth, and several others. The students are very engaged and most are able to separate the ‘fun’ or ‘funny’ part of the activities and understand the reality of what this would be like if actually experiencing it.

What are your “trapped on a desert island” books or movies?

The island would be warm so that means a book and not a movie for sure! I would go with “Language of Flowers" by Vanessa Diffenbaugh or “Personal Librarian” by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray. Two very different books but both ones that I learned so much by reading. My dream is to live in a library!

One of my happiest days was when my daughter left a book on my bed with a Post-it note saying “Mommy, you have to read this, it’s fully awesome!” She was right! “The Clockwork Three” by Matthew J. Kirby is fully awesome.

These courses are designed for all students, focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and understanding how information is created and used. With course registration right around the corner, students and families are encouraged to review these new offerings and consider how they can support each student’s interests, goals, and future plans.

The final curtain opens at 2 p.m. today, Jan. 25, for Red Wing High School's "Once Upon a Mattress." Visit the Sheldon Theatre online box office to purchase a ticket. See more photos by Chad Achen posted on the Red Wing High School Facebook page.

CALENDAR

Sunday, Jan. 25: "Once Upon a Mattress," 2 p.m., Sheldon Theatre.

Wednesday, Jan. 28: Club day.

Grade 10-11 class registration meeting, 1:25 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 4: Club day.

IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION

RWHS Student Newsletter Jan. 26-31

RWHS Office hours: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays

Phone: 651-385-4700

Webpages: Red Wing High School and and Class of 2026

TOWER VIEW CALENDAR

Friday, Feb. 13: No school; teacher workday.

Monday, Feb. 16: Presidents Day; no school.

IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION

Webpages: Tower View and Class of 2026

Tower View Office hours: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Phone: 651-388-8963

Nick Richmond's students put the science, technology, engineering, art and math into STEAM. The fifth grades (left) are completing toolkit lessons while sixth graders have their home construction projects ready to bring home. See more photos on the Twin Bluff Facebook page.

TWIN BLUFF MIDDLE SCHOOL CALENDAR

Friday, Feb. 13: No school; teacher workday.

Monday, Feb. 16: Presidents Day; no school.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Twin Bluff Newsletter: January

Office hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Phone: 651-385-4530

Twin Bluff webpage

Meet out school's new therapy dog, Huck, who visited Marie Arens' classroom on Wednesday. The 5-year-old miniature Australian shepherd is certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Huck is owned by the schools' due process secretary Laura Wyttenbach. The goals of having a therapy dog are to bring joy and smiles to Burnside, provide comfort and/or reduce stress and anxiety for students, and to encourage growth and build confidence in students who are facing academic and/or social-emotional challenges.

BURNSIDE CALENDAR

Thursday, Jan. 29: Report Cards sent home.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Burnside Newsletter: January

Student hours: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attendance: 651-385-4715 or: BESattendance@rwps.org

Phone: 651-385-4700

Kids Junction: 651-385-4709

Webpage: Burnside Elementary School

Sunnyside students slip and slide before the cold weather hits. See more photos on the Sunnyside Facebook page.

SUNNYSIDE CALENDAR

Thursday, Jan. 29: Report cards sent home.

Friday, Jan. 30: Grade 1 Sustainable Safari.

Friday, Feb. 13: No school; teacher workday.

Monday, Feb. 16: Presidents Day; no school.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Sunnyside Scoop: January

Student hours: 7:45 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.

Attendance: 651-385-4580 or SESattendance@rwps.org

Phone: 651-385-4570

Kids Junction: 651-385-4587

Webpage: Sunnyside webpage

Students discover how school items can change when they mix in a little water, curiosity and fun!

COLVILL CALENDAR

Thursday, Feb. 5: Early childhood screening (by appointment).

Open gym, 5:30-7 p.m.; registration required.

Thursday, Feb. 19: Early childhood screening (by appointment).

Open gym, 5:30-7 p.m.; registration required.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Click on the ECFE program cover to see classes.

Office hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Phone: 651-385-8000

Webpage: Colvill Family Center

If your child is interested in leading school spirit, register for our Intro to Cheerleading for ages 4-9. The fun and learning start Feb. 4.

Checkout all our offerings by clicking on the catalog cover. Highlighted are featured below:

YOUTH CLASSES INCLUDE

Jan. 27: Pipe Cleaner Creatures, grades 2-4.

Jan. 31: Intro to Soccer, ages 4-6.

Feb. 2: Intro to Horses at Lost Creek Ranch, ages 7-16.

Feb. 3: Intro to Archery, grades 6-12.

Heart Suncatchers, Three Ways!, grades 2-4.

Feb. 4: Intro to Cheerleading, ages 4-9.

Feb. 5: Heart Suncatchers, Three Ways!, grades K-1.

After School Floor Hockey, grades K-1.

ADULT CLASSES INCLUDE

Jan. 26: Therapeutic Chair Yoga - Online.

Jan. 27: Morning Swim.

Jan. 28: Yoga Therapy for Enhancing Your Mood.

Therapeutic Chair Yoga.

Jan. 29: Google Sheets for Awesome Beginners.

Jan. 31: Bob Ross "Wet-on-Wet" Painting Class, ages 12+.

Feb. 3: Unique Uzbekistan.

Feb. 5: Taxes Made Simple.

Feb. 7: 5th Annual Community Education Puzzle Competition and Swap, ages 16+.

IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION
Community Education webpage

Red Wing Community Education Facebook

Office hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

Phone: 651-385-4565

Approval of a new contract with Education Minnesota, adoption of mid-year budget revisions and public summary of the superintendent’s evaluation are on Red Wing School Board’s agenda Tuesday, Jan. 27.

But first fourth grade students will talk about their research projects for the Minnesota Zoo STEM design challenge. They will be the Student & School Showcase when the meeting begins at 5 p.m. in Red Wing High School room J110.

Board members voted at their organizational meeting Jan. 5 to hold workshops on the second Tuesdays of the month and business meetings on the fourth Tuesdays. The new start time is 5 p.m. The business meeting will be livestreamed. Find the full agenda on the BoardBook.

DISTRICT CALENDAR

Tuesday, Jan. 27: Red Wing School Board meeting, 5 p.m., Red Wing High School J110.

Tuesday, Feb. 10: Red Wing School Board workshop, 5 p.m., Red Wing High School J110.

Friday, Feb. 13: No school; teacher workday.

Monday, Feb. 16: Presidents Day; no school.

Tuesday, Feb. 24: Red Wing School Board meeting, 5 p.m., Red Wing High School J110.

IMPORTANT LINKS & INFORMATION:

District Office

2451 Eagle Ridge Drive

Red Wing, MN 55066

Office hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

Phone: 651-385-4500

Website: www.rwps.org

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