Meet the Staff
Father John L. Evans, II
cruxpas@acegroup.cc
507-895-4720
Greetings! I am a firm believer in Catholic education, especially the many benefits provided by our school, numerous programs, and an exceptional staff. I am the pastor of Crucifixion parish and school. Growing up in Fargo, North Dakota, I graduated from North Dakota State University in Education and then studied theology at The St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. Before my time in the bluff region, I served twelve years as a chaplain at Mayo Clinic Hospitals in Rochester. It is a blessing for me to be a part of Crucifixion School and the children, families, staff, and volunteers that make it a great place to grow.
Principal
Welcome to Crucifixion Catholic School! I am married to Dr. Judy Harpenau and we have 3 children that went to Crucifixion School and Aquinas Catholic School system (La Crosse). I spent 10 years as a computer programmer working my way up to Assistant Vice President at a Fortune 100 company. Then I taught computers for 20 years as a college professor at Western Technical College. I started working at Crucifixion School in fall, 2014. I have an associate's degree from Western Iowa Technical college in computer programming, bachelor's degree in business from the University of Iowa, and a master's degree from St. Mary's in Education and Leadership. I have loved being principal of Crucifixion School and truly believe that I have been blessed to have been granted this opportunity.
Secretary
Hello! My name is Jackie Fruechte. I have worked at Crucifixion School as the part-time bookkeeper since 2018, and after five years will now be taking over the secretary position as well! I have been a member of our PTO for five years and took over as president a year ago. My husband, Nick, attended Crucifixion as a child. We have two daughters. Brooklyn, who graduated from Crucifixion and now attends Aquinas Middle School, and Laney, who is a 5th grader this year. We love the way that Crucifixion feels like one big family, and I am happy to be even more a part of that now!
Pre-school Teacher
Hello. I am Cheryl Van Atta, and I am currently the preschool teacher at Crucifixion School. We have been part of the Crucifixion family since our eldest daughter Alexandra attended the first preschool class with Mrs. Paulson in 2006. My husband Tim, who also currently helps at the school with maintenance and the boiler, and I have two other daughters, Naomi and Diana. Naomi graduated from Crucifixion School in 2016 and Diana graduated from Crucifixion in 2018. I grew up in South Milwaukee, WI, and attended college at UW-L where I received a Bachelors in Elementary Education with minors in Early Childhood and Spanish. I have always loved teaching the little ones. They have such a joy and curiosity to know about the world. They keep me in a young frame of mind. I taught and subbed in child care centers in La Crosse when I first graduated from UWL and then took a couple of years to work on a ship alongside Tim until we built our log home in 2002/2003. I then worked for almost 15 years for Mayo Clinic as a medical transcriptionist until the preschool position here opened up and I decided to return to my first passion, teaching preschool. I feel so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful school!!
Kindergarten
Hello! My name is Cali Hartsock and I am so happy to begin my first year teaching kindergarten at Crucifixion School. I graduated from Winona State University in May of 2021 with my Bachelor of Science Elementary Education degree. I grew up near the Twin Cities area in Apple Valley, Minnesota. I was lucky enough to have the chance to student teach at Crucifixion School in the spring of 2021, and I can definitely say that I have found the school that makes me feel at home! I have always had a love for working with children and am so excited to be the kindergarten teacher at Crucifixion School!
First Grade
Hi there! My name is Shannon Brown and I had the wonderful opportunity to start teaching 1st grade at Crucifixion School in 2020! I grew up in Woodstock, Illinois! I am the youngest of 4 children and I am a proud Aunt to 11 nieces and nephews, ranging from 1 month old to 13 years old. All throughout my life I have loved working with children and helping them grow!
This passion of mine influenced me to attend Winona State University and study Education! I graduated from WSU in December of 2019 and received degrees in Elementary Education and Spanish.
After college, I substitute taught in many local schools, and I’m so excited to now have a classroom of my own at Crucifixion School! I have found my home here at Crucifixion School and I cannot wait to spend the year learning, growing, and having fun together!
Second Grade
Hello, my name is Shannon Bezdicek. After receiving my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Social Studies from Winona State University. I started teaching second grade at Crucifixion School in 1999. It is truly a blessing to be able to teach in such a caring environment where students are nurtured in their faith as they strive for academic excellence.
Third Grade
Hi! My name is Dani Paulson. I have been working at Crucifixion Catholic School since 2002. I received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Southwest State University and a Certificate in Catholic Leadership from St. Mary's University. My first position here was the Eagle Care (before and after school care) director. I began the preschool program in 2006 and moved to 1st grade in 2016. I am now the 3rd grade teacher. I am so happy to call Crucifixion my home. My husband Tom and I have two children. Caroline and Thomas graduated from Crucifixion School and attend Aquinas School. I love working with children and feel very blessed that I get to share my faith with my students each day by going to mass, praying together, reading the Bible and learning how to be kind and loving children of God.
Fourth Grade
My name is Nina Reed and I am so excited to begin my first year teaching at Crucifixion School! I grew up in Marengo, Illinois but fell in love with Minnesota after attending Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota where I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education in May of 2021. I strive to make a difference in the lives of my students and am looking forward to applying my passion for teaching into my classroom every day. I feel very blessed that this next chapter of my life begins at Crucifixion as the 4th grade teacher!
Fifth Grade
My name is Amy Kies. I am a graduate of Saint Mary's University in Winona with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. I joined the Crucifixion team in 2017 as the 5th grade teacher. I also teach science to 4th and 6th grade students. Before coming to Crucifixion School, I worked in many local schools as a substitute teacher. I am married to my husband Mike, a former Crucifixion graduate. We have three wonderful boys: Owen, Ian, and Conner
Sixth Grade
Hi! My name is Lori Datta. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Winona State University in Elementary Education with a Math Minor. I have been a member of the Crucifixion School family since the year 2000 as the 6th grade teacher. I also teach Social Studies to grades 4, 5 and 6. I am continually looking for new ways to help my students in this area of study. Along with teaching, I am an administer for MAP testing, on the CEU committee for the Diocese of Winona, set up the Safety Patrol Schedule for the school, help my class make a quilt to be auctioned at our school's Gala, plan special masses, and correct a lot of papers. I'm also a sounding board for Mr. Harpenau, our principal. I love working at Crucifixion even on trying days. My co-workers have become my second family.
Art and Computer Teacher
Hello! My name is Mrs. Gagermeier. My degree is in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. I graduated from UW-La Crosse with a bachelor of science degree and αΊ—hen I taught in Westby, WI for 6 years. After being a stay at home mom to my 3 kids for 10 years, I began at Crucifixion School as a substitute teacher in 2013. Then, for one year I taught an awesome 3rd grade class and now I am so happy to be in my fantastic position of the art teacher! My husband went to Crucifixion School as well as our 3 children. I’m so grateful that my students get to experience the wonderful family that Crucifixion School is! I love to teach and see my students grow, change and discover new things. I am blessed that I get to have every student in the school as one of ¨my kids¨. It means lots of stories, hugs and smiles each day!
Music Teacher
Greetings! I am Maureen Norris and am overjoyed to join the Crucifixion school family as a music teacher. I graduated from Viterbo University in 1984 with a degree in Instrumental and General Music Education. I received my Masters Degree of Arts Administration from St. Mary's University in 1992. It was always my dream to share music with the students of Crucifixion, both sacred and secular. So many fun songs out there for kids that just bring joy as well as the beautiful songs we sing for Mass. I retired from the School District of Holmen in 2018, had a 32 year career teaching elementary music to K-5th grader. In retirement I had a few years to try some different things and am very blessed to now start my dream job at Crucifixion!! Stop in and say hi!!!
PE Teacher
Hi there! My name is Tyler Sidders and I am so excited for this opportunity to teach Physical Education at Crucifixion School! I grew up in New Berlin, Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin Lacrosse for my degree in teaching Physical Education. I am currently enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin Lacrosse for Physical Education with an emphasis in Adventure and Outdoor Pursuits.
Prior to this amazing opportunity, I spent time student teaching at Sand Lake Elementary in Holmen and Bangor Middle/High. With these two schools I was lucky enough to teach students K-12 within a semester. I am thrilled to be a part of the Crucifixion School community and connect and grow with students, staff, and families!
Head Maintenance Engineer
Hi. I am Tim Van Atta, and I am married to Cheryl Van Atta (the preschool teacher). We have 3 daughters, Alexandra, Naomi, and Diana. Alexandra and Naomi graduated from Crucifixion. I grew up in La Crosse, WI, and attended Maine Maritime Academy where I received a BS in Marine Engineering. I served in the US Navy for 4 years and then went to work as an engineer on ships in the Merchant Marine for 23 years, working on a variety of different ships from carriers to tankers to pre-positioned ships in Diego Garcia to the Delta Queen and the Mississippi Queen. I retired from sailing in January of 2015. Since then I have worked for the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse as a Boiler Operator/Maintenance Engineer. I am happy to be a newer member of the Crucifixion family as I just started in November of 2016, and I look forward to working here for many years to come.
Nurse
I was very excited to accept this position in 2016. I graduated from Viterbo University in 2003 with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing. I worked at Mayo Clinic in Rochester in Orthopedics for 4 years and did in home daycare when my kids were young. My kids, Therin and Kya, are in middle school in the La Crosse School District. My husband, Travis, is a general surgeon at Gundersen Lutheran. Our family loves to stay active and be outside. We have a goal to get to as many National Parks as we can. I am still learning names and faces but have felt so welcomed by the Crucifixion families and staff!
Pre-School Aide
Kylie Garrison
Hello! I am Kylie Garrison and I have been the Assistant Pre-School Teacher here at Crucifixion School since 2018. I live in La Crescent with my husband, Brandon and our three children. I have worked in Early Childhood Education since 2007. I truly love getting to know each and every child in our classroom and helping to make their first school experience a great one! I feel very blessed to be a part of the Pre-School Program at Crucifixion School and look forward to working with many more children and families in my future here.
Librarian
Emily Wieser
Janitor
Dick Beach
