Curious and passionate, Elise will bring heart, dedication and her variety of experiences in education. She is eager to begin her 16th year teaching and learning alongside the 4/5 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!

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, as well as with us as our 1st grade teacher last year. 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.

Patrick is a proud graduate of Park Rapids and University of Wisconsin, Superior. Originally a Fine Arts major, he explored creative writing, reflecting a lifelong passion for art. Beyond the visual arts, Patrick is a seasoned musician with experience in several bands, mastering drums, guitar, and bass as self-taught skills. 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.

Joanna is excited to serve the HLCS Community as the dedicated School Social Worker and SEL Teacher! She has over 15 years of experience working with kids and families in schools and mental health settings. Joanna is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, mom, business owner, former School Board Member, and life-long learner. She would always rather be outside - no matter what the weather is! 

Dani is excited to join the HLCS crew as an Environmental Education teacher! She brings more than 25 years of experience in natural resources and loves helping people discover connections between soil, water, plants, animals, and our communities. As a third-year HLCS mom, she is excited to nurture curiosity through hands-on learning and exploration. Outside of school, she enjoys adventuring outdoors with family, friends and her hobby farm animals.

Bio coming soon.

Dr. Erin Lavery is a licensed special education teacher and has been working as a Director of Special Education since 2007. She is currently the Executive Director of INDIGO Education, a nonprofit that serves schools across the state of Minnesota. 

Erin has a passion for people and works to expand upon her devotion to the pursuit of civil rights for all people. By way of educational advocacy, Erin’s interests lie in school culture, staff development, and dispute resolution. Erin's area of research while pursuing her doctoral degree was focused on special education teacher retention and burnout. 

Erin serves on the P.E.A.S.E Community Foundation board. She enjoys reading and spending time with those who make her laugh and think.

Jace is a licensed occupational therapist who earned his Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) from the University of North Dakota. He has several years of experience working with children across a variety of settings and roles, supporting individuals with diverse needs. Currently in his second year as a school-based occupational therapist, Jace is passionate about helping students develop functional skills that promote success both in the classroom and in everyday life. He emphasizes engaging, fun, and interactive activities to foster growth, independence, and confidence in each student he serves.

Bio coming soon.

Hello! My name is Emily Blake. I am a licensed Special Education Teacher, which is how I first joined Heartland Lakes Community School. During the school day I jump back and forth between teaching general education ELA and math programs for our 6-8 scholars, as well as providing special education services to small groups. I currently live in a suburb outside of Minneapolis with my husband, two toddlers, dog, and cat. I enjoy walking, reading, knitting, and spending time with family and friends. I plan to come up a few times this year and I hope to get a chance to meet all of you! 

I was a public school teacher for 36 years.  My husband was also a teacher for 40 years. We coached almost every sport.  We retired on the same day, three years ago. We moved from Ada to Detroit Lakes and decided to continue our careers at Holy Rosary Catholic School for a few years! From there, I decided to look for something part-time and came upon HLCS where I am currently teaching 5th grade math!

We have four children and six grandchildren.  We love spending time with our family, going out on the lake in our pontoon, fishing, biking, riding our motorbikes, and on occasion we like to go to Florida where we can be beach bums for a few weeks.  I also like to read, walk, jog, listen to music and go to the movies.  

I am excited to spend the year teaching 5th grade math.  It's been fun getting to know the staff and scholars at HLCS.  

I grew up in Menahga, and have now lived in Park Rapids for 18 years! My wife's name is Jen and we have 4 kids.

This is my 28th year in education. Along the way I had the opportunity to coach several different sports. 

When I am not teaching, you can find me spending time outdoors, watching my kids sporting events, fishing, and hunting.

I was raised in a small community in Missouri, moved to Arizona in 2000, and now live in Cave Creek. My husband and I treasure time with our family - our daughter, son-in-law, three grandchildren, our son, and our two pups, Belle and Gracie.
We love escaping to northern Arizona in the summer and visiting Utah, where our son attends college. Spending time with family and friends is important to us.
I enjoy mountain biking, hiking, yoga, walking, and time in nature. My passion has always been spending time with children and watching them grow.