Elise Erickson

Curious and passionate, Elise will bring heart, dedication and her variety of experiences in education. She is eager to begin her 15th year teaching and learning alongside the 4/5/6 students and staff in bringing to life HLCS's mission of, "Being Brave, Wise, and Curious." Outside of school you'll find her with family, enjoying nature, going on adventures big and small, reading and dabbling in being creative. She can't wait for our Crew to grow and learn together!

Madison Benham

Hello! I’m Madison Benham, I am excited to start my first year of teaching at HLCS! I graduated from Park Rapids Area High School and continued my education at Bemidji State University where I received my bachelors degree in Elementary Education. My hobbies outside of the classroom include reading, fishing, boating, playing volleyball,listening to music, being with family and friends, and spending time with my cat and dog. I am so excited to learn and grow this year with our HLCS community. 

Emily Kirchenwitz

Emily comes to us with a variety of experiences working with both kids and adults at summer camps, after school programming, and other care settings. Emily is a caring and enthusiastic team player, with contagious energy.

Emily’s hope is to foster an environment that values authenticity, where students feel comfortable expressing themselves and exploring their role in their learning community.

She plans to incorporate lessons on sustainability and environmental awareness into her teaching and to encourage scholars to ask questions, think critically and seek solutions to problems they see in their world.

Todd Marsden

Todd brings a breadth of life-experiences to our HLCS Crew. Todd enjoys being active and learning new things. He is a licensed Math teacher (Mathematics Education from Eureka College) and also speaks a language that is quite rare in this part of the world. He loves helping young Scholars appreciate and enjoy learning in general, and especially learning and using Math. Todd and his family live in Park Rapids, MN.

Kasey Schorn

Hello, my name is Kasey Schorn. This will be my 5th year teaching Special Education. I have previously worked as an Early Head Start teacher, and an LPN in a few different settings.

I have a 4 year old daughter, 2 dogs and a cat. We are very active, and we love to play outside and go camping in the summer. In my spare time I enjoy reading, playing with my dogs, being outside in my flower beds and listening to music.

I'm looking forward to working at HLCS!

Sarah Wilson

Exploring the forests around her home from an early age sparked Sarah’s passion for the outdoors.

For the past 17 years, she has enjoyed sharing that passion by engaging young people in powerful, place-based, learning while teaching everything from Social Emotional Learning classes to math, science and literacy.

She loves to experiment with innovative teaching methods and is passionate about creating equitable learning spaces that lift up marginalized voices.

She lives and plays in the gardens and forests around Bemidji with her family.

Kristin Hoff

Bio coming soon!

Kara Lawhorn

Kara is a dedicated and compassionate Veteran. With a Bachelor’s degree in social work Kara spent the past five years making a meaningful impact in the field of mental health, holding various roles that have honed her skills and deepened her commitment to helping others. 

Outside of her professional life Kara is a proud pet owner, sharing a joyful home with two dogs, and a cat. Together with her family, she enjoys embracing the beauty of nature and the outdoors. Whether its fishing, tubing on the lake, or roasting marshmallows by a campfire, Kara cherishes these moments of adventure and connection with loved ones. An avid reader, she also pursues various crafts as a form of creative expression. From coloring and crocheting to diamond art, Kara finds joy and relaxation in experimenting with different artistic activities.  

With a passion for service, a love for family, and a creative spirit, Kara strives to inspire others through her actions and words. 

Faith Houlihan

Bio Coming Soon.

Garnet Mosse

We are so excited to introduce you to Garnet Mosse, Special Education Paraprofessional.

Garnet is the newest member of our Staff Crew. A dedicated mom of three amazing daughters, Garnet brings her positive spirit and love for the outdoors to our community. With a passion for exploration and play, she believes in the importance of creating a fun and engaging learning environment.

As a paraprofessional, Garnet is committed to supporting our scholars and helping them thrive.

We’re excited to have her on board and can’t wait for you to get to know her!

Talya Smith

Bio Coming Soon.

Tina Burkman

Bio Coming Soon.

Patrick Kaufenberg

Patrick is a proud graduate of Park Rapids Area High School (Class of 1995) and holds a degree in Communication from the University of Wisconsin, Superior. Originally a Fine Arts major, he also explored creative writing, reflecting a lifelong passion for art, particularly drawing. Beyond the visual arts, Patrick is a seasoned musician with experience in several bands, mastering drums, guitar, and bass as self-taught skills.

A devoted dog lover and fan of Minnesota's sports teams (Vikings, Twins, Wild, and Timberwolves), Patrick finds joy in nature and values family, especially his role as a proud dad. With a deep commitment to fostering growth, he is dedicated to creating a positive learning environment where scholars feel encouraged to share their thoughts constructively.

Taylor Peterson

Bio Coming Soon.