Meet the Staff

Kindergarten (K) Teacher, Contact: Email

Hello! My name is Stacey Jarvis, but the kindergartners call me Mrs. J. I have been teaching for 17 years and have taught Kindergarten for 12 of those years.

First (1) Grade Teacher, Contact: Email

My name is Elizabeth Winter, and I will be teaching first grade this year for the RPS Online School. It is going to be an amazing year!

Second (2) Grade Teacher, Contact: Email

My name is Paula Winter, and I will be teaching second grade for the RPS Online. I grew up in Rochester and attended kindergarten through twelfth grade in the Rochester school system. I have been an educator for thirty-three years.

Third (3) Grade Teacher, Contact: Email

My name is Monica Cookman, and I have been teaching since 2000. I have a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Winona State and a Master's in Special Education from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Third (3) Grade Teacher, Contact: Email

Hello! My name is Carla Plunkett and I am very excited to be teaching 3rd grade this year!

Fifth (5) Grade Teacher, Contact: Email

My name is Kim Hill, and I am excited to continue working with students in an online format. I have been teaching since 1990, most recently for the last 19 years with Rochester Public Schools. 

Kindergarten - Twelfth (K-12) Grade Physical Education Teacher, Contact: Email

Hello! My name is Dave Edwards. This is my 29th year teaching for Rochester Public Schools. 

Seventh and Eighth (7-8) Grade Communication Arts Teacher, Contact: Email

My name is Bri Kappers, and I teach 7th and 8th grade Communication Arts at RPS Online as well as 7th and 8th grade English and Communication Arts in person at John Adams Middle School.

Seventh and Eighth (7-8) Grade Science Teacher, Contact: Email

Hi, I'm Kirstin Lawstuen and I graduated from Winona State University in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and also Communication Arts and Literature Teaching.

Eighth (8) Grade Music Exploration Teacher, Contact: Email

My name is Marilyn Yennie and I am excited to be teaching music exploration this year.

Kindergarten - Twelfth (K-12) Grade Physical Education Teacher, Contact: Email

Hello! My name is Dave Edwards. This is my 29th year teaching for Rochester Public Schools. 

Eighth - Twelfth (8-12) Grade Gifted and Talented Teacher, Contact: Email

My name is Denise Cooksey Seabarkrob but I go by Seabarkrob.

Ninth - Twelfth (9-12) Grade Teacher, English 9, English 11, World Literature, Speech, Contact: Email

Hi! My name is Laurie Cassman. I have worn many hats during my 32 years in teaching.

Ninth - Twelfth (9-12) Grade Business Education Teacher, Contact: Email

Hello everyone! My name is Michelle Haukos (pronounced Ho-cus), and I am the business teacher for RPS Online.

Geometry Honors Teacher, Contact: Email

Why was the Geometry teacher limping? Because she broke her angle!

I'm Mrs. Zeuli and I love corny jokes like that one!

Tenth - Twelfth (10-12) Grade Teacher, US History, Government, Sociology, Psychology, Social Studies, Contact: Email

My name is Samuel Pfeifer and I am new to Rochester Public Schools after spending the previous decade teaching within a charter school in Saint Paul.

Ninth - Twelfth (9-12) Grade Teacher, English, American Literature, World Literature, Speech, Contact: Email

I am thrilled to join the RPS Online team this year in the role of High School English Teacher.

Kindergarten, Third-Twelfth (K, 3-12) Grade English Learner Teacher, Contact: Email

My name is Josie Wasmundt, and I teach English Learners at RPS Online.

Kindergarten-Twelfth Grade School Counselor, Contact: Email

Since 2001, I've worked as a school counselor for the Rochester Public Schools, primarily at the high school level.

Sixth-Eighth Grade Special Education Teacher, Contact: Email

My name is Phil Giarratana, and I've been with Rochester Public Schools since 2013, first as as Paraprofessional at Century High School, then as a Substitute Teacher, a Long Term Sub at Mayo High School, and now at Rochester Online Middle School!

Kindergarten-Twelfth (K-12) Grade DCD-SP Teacher, Contact: Email

This is my first year with Rochester Public Schools and my first experience working in the special education program as an online K-12 DCD-SP teacher at RPS Online.