Rushford-Peterson Schools had five new teachers join the staff this year. Taylor Allen, kindergarten; Belle Berg, fourth grade; Jodi Monerson, K-4th grade music; Grace Dahl, grades 9-10 math; and Robbie Strand, MSHS business and head football coach.
Taylor Allen, the new kindergarten teacher, used to always play school with her siblings growing up. During COVID, Taylor tutored a kindergartner; after that experience she knew with certainty she wanted to be a teacher.
Taylor earned her teaching degree from Winona State University; she student-taught at R-P last fall and returned to R-P as a substitute teacher from March to June. When Taylor learned of the opening at R-P, she knew it was a perfect fit for her.
Taylor lives just outside of Rushford with her fiancé and her dog Possum. She is planning her wedding for next August.
In her spare time, Taylor loves spending time with her friends and family. She and her fiancé enjoy trail riding and barrel racing with their horses, fishing, hiking and spending time at the lake.
Ms. Allen’s goal is to give her students the best education she can while making their year fun and memorable.
“I’m incredibly thankful to be part of such a wonderful community. The teachers, students and families make this district so special!” Ms. Allen declared.
Belle Berg is the new fourth grade teacher. Belle received her elementary education degree from Luther College; she is pursuing a Master’s in Integrated Curriculum from the American College of Education. Previously she taught third grade at Fillmore Central.
Ms. Berg chose elementary education because she enjoys helping students build strong academic and social-emotional foundations. Her goal this year is to create a classroom where everyone feels valued, confident and excited about learning so they can grow as kind, respectful and curious individuals.
Outside of school, Belle enjoys being outdoors, reading and traveling; she is a runner and weight lifter who admits to enjoying competition. Belle also enjoys baking sourdough bread and spending time with her rescue dog and her family and friends.
Ms. Berg will be commuting from her home in Chatfield. She is excited to be part of both communities and is looking forward to getting to know her students and their families. “I truly believe that learning works best when teachers, students and families work together,” Berg concluded.
Jodi Monerson will be teaching K-4 music at R-P. Mrs. Monerson received both her bachelor’s in pre-primary through elementary education and her Master’s in Educational Leadership from Winona State and her Doctor of Education degree from St.Cloud State University.
Monerson began her career in higher education administration; she decided to return to classroom teaching after COVID. She taught music in Winona schools until she began working at R-P in October 2024.
Jodi is a professional musician; she plays the French horn as well as other instruments. She performs with the Winona Symphony Orchestra, the La Crosse Wind Symphony and her brass quintet. Jodi lives in Winona with her husband, three children and two dogs.
Mrs. Monerson is looking forward to having students from kindergarten through fourth grade and seeing their growth through the years. Her goal is to help bring elementary music to something that is enjoyed within the greater community. She encourages all members of the community to join the school at their concerts this year. “I promise you won’t be disappointed!” Mrs. Monerson exclaimed.
Grace Dahl teaches grades 9-10 math at R-P. Grace is from Rockford, Minn.; she attended Winona State and student-taught at R-P last fall. In the spring of 2025, she took a mid-year position at La Crescent. Grace chose a teaching career because she loves to be with people and help them grow.
Grace lives in Houston with her husband Dawson Dahl and their Chesapeake Bay retriever Murray. She loves to be outside, four wheeling, kayaking, hiking or having bonfires. In her spare time she loves to play the guitar, sing, cook and hang out with the people she loves.
Mrs. Dahl’s goal is to establish good relationships with her students and to start to incorporate some hands-on learning in geometry. She is looking forward to getting to know her students and “plugging into” a new community.
“I’m very excited to be teaching in a town that is so important to my husband and his family. This is a great community and I feel blessed to have gotten a job at this school!” Mrs. Dahl enthused.
Robbie Strand is R-P’s grades 6-12 business teacher as well as the new head football coach. Robbie is from a family of educators and loves working with kids; his dad and his dad’s dad were both business teachers, so Robbie chose to continue the family tradition.
Mr. Strand is from Barnesville, Minn.; he graduated from Valley City State University in North Dakota. Previously, Strand taught at DGF (Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Public Schools) in Glyndon, Minn., which is outside of Moorhead.
Robbie likes all kinds of sports. He golfs in the summer and enjoys spending time at his family’s lake house in Park Rapids. Robbie lives in Rushford; he is single with no kids.
Mr. Strand shared that the kids and the community at R-P have been really good to him. He is looking forward to building positive relationships with his students; his goal this year is to get involved with things outside of his classroom and become a positive member of the Rushford-Peterson community. Strand wanted everyone to know he’s really excited to be at R-P.
Welcome to all the new R-P teachers! Have a great school year!
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