Four new teachers joined the staff at Caledonia Public Schools this year. They are Nicole Meyer, Maria Inglefield, Kailee Olerud, and Liza Bruce.
Meet Nicole Meyer
Nicole Meyer grew up in Winona and graduated from Winona Senior High School in 2020. After high school she attended Winona State University. She started her teaching career at Dover Eyota High School as a long-term math substitute teacher, and this is her first year teaching in Caledonia.
Meyer proudly explained why she chose Caledonia Public Schools, “Caledonia has such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The staff, students, and community are so welcoming, kind, and supportive. It truly feels like a place where teachers and students are valued and encouraged to grow.”
This year, Meyer is teaching seventh and eighth grade Algebra 1, 10th grade Advanced Algebra 2, 11th grade Precalculus, and 11th grade Functions and Trigonometry.
On why she chose teaching, Meyer said, “I have always loved helping others learn and find confidence in something that once felt challenging. I love when a student finally grasps a concept, and I can see that “light bulb” moment for them. I also enjoy building relationships with my students and helping them grow not only in academics but as good people in and out of school.”
Her teaching philosophy centers on, “My goal is to create a classroom that is engaging, supportive, and student centered where every learner feels valued, challenged, and confident in their ability to succeed. Students should feel encouraged to think critically, solve real world problems, and connect math to everyday life. I want my classroom to be a positive and encouraging space where students feel safe to make mistakes, ask questions, and be themselves. My goal is to help them grow not only as learners but as people who are confident, respectful, and ready to take on challenges. Above all, I want my classroom to spark curiosity, build perseverance, nurture potential, and create lasting understanding that extends beyond the classroom.”
Outside of school, she enjoys dancing, volunteering, traveling, playing board games, and spending time with her husband, family, friends, and their puppy Penny.
Meet Maria Inglefield
Originally from Massachusetts, Maria Inglefield most recently lived in Utah before moving to Minnesota. She graduated from Wachusett Regional High School in Holden, Mass., in 1988 and attended State University of New York at Albany. With 26 years of teaching experience in Utah, Inglefield brings a wealth of knowledge to Caledonia Public Schools, where she now teaches English and math to students in grades 8-12.
Teaching runs in Inglefield’s family, and she was inspired to follow in their footsteps.
When asked why she chose Caledonia Public Schools, Inglefield replied, “I was interested in small town teaching and making new friends.”
Her teaching philosophy is simple but profound: “Everything is connected to everything else.”
In her free time, Inglefield likes to walk in state parks, playing with her dogs, and attending local church suppers and fish frys.
Meet Kailee Olerud
Kailee Olerud was hired as the student services teacher for kindergarten through fifth grade, providing guidance lessons for each grade level and facilitating both small group and individual lessons. A native of Spring Grove, Minn., Olerud graduated from Spring Grove Public Schools in 2019 and attended Winona State University.
“Ever since I was little, I’ve wanted to be a teacher, and I was fortunate to have many influential educators throughout my academic journey who made that decision even easier,” she shared.
Before accepting her current role, Olerud worked as a substitute teacher in Caledonia and Spring Grove for the past two years. During her student teaching placement at Caledonia Elementary, she quickly realized it was where she wanted to be. “The encouragement, teamwork, and dedication to helping both students and colleagues succeed creates such a positive school environment that I am lucky enough to be a part of,” she said.
“I strive to create an inclusive, supportive environment where every learner feels valued and capable of success. I believe all children deserve individualized attention, encouragement, and the tools they need to grow academically, socially, and emotionally,” she added.
Outside of school, Olerud enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, watching movies, or being outside!
Meet Liza Bruce
Liza Bruce was hired this summer as the elementary special education teacher. Bruce was unavailable for an interview.
Please extend a warm welcome to Caledonia’s newest teachers when you see them at school or around town. Caledonia Public Schools is fortunate to have such talented and dedicated educators joining the team this year.
Leave a Reply