St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School names new first, third grade teachers

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in Hastings has announced two new staff people for the 2012-2013 school. Jodi Hoffman will be teaching first grade and Stacy Bauer will be teaching third grade.

Hoffman has been an educator for 18 years. For the last five years she has been a first grade teacher at St. Joseph School in Prescott, Wis. Previously she taught both first and second grade in River Falls, Wis.

While teaching in River Falls, she helped to develop and train staff and students in peer mediation and conflict resolution, a program the school continues to use.

Hoffman grew up in Menomonee Falls, Wis. She graduated from Marian College in Fond du Lac, Wis., with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in elementary education with an art minor. She has also earned a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in professional development/

elementary education with an emphasis in peer mediation and conflict resolution.

An important aspect of Hoffman’s life is her family. She lives in Hastings with her two daughters. Emily, 20, is pursuing a degree in occupational therapy at the University of North Dakota. Madeline, 14, is an avid basketball and soccer player, and she will be a freshman. In their spare time, Hoffman and her children enjoy attending local sporting events, golfing, and taking long walks together.

This will be Bauer’s second year of teaching at Seton School and her 15th as a teacher. She spent last year learning and having fun with the preschoolers.

When Bauer taught at St. Mathias in Hampton, she had the opportunity to teach in a combination of grades for three years. In December 2011, she completed an Associate of Applied Science degree in early childhood education – special needs (birth to age 8).

Bauer lives in Farmington with her husband, three daughters and pets.

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