Clearview Elementary students returning to class Sept. 4 will be greeted by five new faces, including teachers Kari McRaith and Theresa Ferkinhoff.

McRaith, who will be teaching fifth grade Spanish immersion, is actually returning to Clearview after a one year leave to Detroit, where she taught at a dual language school.

Originally from Monticello, McRaith graduated from the College of St. Ben’s, student teaching at Clearview. She was hired fulltime by the district and taught first and fourth grades in Clearview before her leave.

“I like the community feel at Clearview,” she said. “They’re very welcoming and a great group of people to work with.”

She lives in Clearwater with her daughters and husband Joe. Both McRaith’s daughters will be attending Clearview, the oldest, first grade and the youngest, preschool.

She loves to travel and has been to numerous foreign countries, including a number of Spanish speaking and European countries. She also studied abroad in Chile and Spain.

Ferkinhoff, who will be teaching special education, is job sharing the position with Stacie Schraut. 

She was a degree in English and women’s studies from St. Cloud State University and was a substitute teacher for the last three years, primarily at Clearview.

Ferkinhoff was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest child started kindergarten. Her three children, who are 12, 10 and nine, are all in Clearview’s immersion program.

“The school system was a perfect way to stay a part of my children’s lives,” she said. “I love the community here at Clearview, everyone is friendly and welcoming. Even as a sub I never felt like I wasn’t part of the team. My kids have had wonderful experiences here, they do a phenomenal job.”

Ferkinhoff, who is originally from Brooklyn Park and today lives in Clearwater with her children and husband Luke, enjoys the outdoors. She also bakes on the side for friends and family.

“We’re an outdoorsy family, we like to hike,” she said. “We love being on the lake. I go paddle boarding and other water activities. In the winter I snowboard and the kids ski.”

Also new to Clearview this year is school nurse RN Pam Wegge, who is sharing her time with other District 742 schools, health para LPN Laurie Munkhamxang who is moving to Clearview from South Junior High, and Eric Thompson, who will be teaching adaptive physical education for Clearview and other District 742 schools.