This year, Houston Public Schools welcomed six new teachers to their staff. Here is a little introduction to each of them.
Lisa Skifton
Lisa is the new special education teacher at Houston High School. Lisa grew up in South St. Paul, Minn. She has a plethora of teaching experience including teaching elementary special education in Winona (1995) and at Houston Elementary (1996-1998). Lisa was a school psychologist in New Ulm (2000) and at Winona Middle School (2001-2022). She also taught classes at St. Mary’s University in their graduate special education program (2009-2011). Most recently, she has been a professional developer through the University of Kansas, teaching reading, writing, and studying strategies for teachers for the last ten years as well as a professional developer of social skills for students with high-functioning autism.
Lisa lives in Houston with her daughter Natalie and husband Steve, a chief financial officer at St. Mary’s Press and chief of the Houston Fire Department. They have a dog, Dash, and a cat, Hugs.
In her spare time, Lisa is the Silver Creek Rustlers 4-H leader and volunteers at her church and in the community. She enjoys biking, running, and gardening. Traveling is another interest of hers. She has traveled to South Africa, Tanzania, Mexico, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic.
Mrs. Skifton shared, “I love the field of education and am delighted to be returning to the classroom, and in my own community!”
Katie Farnen
Katie is Houston’s new elementary special education teacher and assistant musical director. Katie attended The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for music and special education and just completed her masters in education. She taught in the La Crosse area previously.
Katie shared that she always had the natural tendencies of a teacher. She commented, “I tried to go to college for something else, but always came back to teaching.” Her mom was a preschool teacher and Katie always enjoyed working with children. She has siblings and family members with special needs and was always drawn to work with them.
Katie got married over the summer to her husband, Sam. They now live in Mabel with their puppy Kepler, and cat Gezza. Both Katie and Sam are teachers in the area.
Hobbies and interests for Katie include music, playing percussion and piano. She enjoys the outdoors and likes kayaking and boating.
Mrs. Farnen is looking forward to growing as a teacher; her goal is to “have a positive impact across the school district working with students of many different needs and abilities.” A challenge for her this year will be shifting her teaching focus to work on more social emotional skills with her students than academics.
Katie is excited to experience the small town community of Houston and is excited to be a Houston Hurricane. She shared, “The first month has been wonderful, and we have a great team here! Thank you for welcoming me in!”
Nicholas Hoff
Nicholas is the new sixth grade teacher in Houston. Nicholas comes to Houston from Rushford, where his parents Gary and Sue live. He has three siblings: Gretchen, Alex, and Olivia.
Hoff has many family members who are educators. In particular, he has always looked up to his grandfather. He shared that he has always had a passion for working with children and helping them.
Nicholas attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
Reading, watching sports, golfing, and spending time at his lake house with his friends and family are some of the things Nicholas enjoys in his free time.
According to Hoff, his goal for this year is to help each of his students reach their full potential. “I hope to provide them with the tools and skills to prepare them for seventh grade,” he declared.
Hoff enthused, “I am so excited to be joining the Houston School District! I already feel so welcomed from the staff, students, and community.”
Shelby Reinert
Shelby will be teaching first grade at Houston Elementary this school year.
Shelby claims Sparta, Wis., as her hometown. Her parents are located in Sparta and near Wisconsin Dells. In addition, Shelby has extended family in New York and Chicago.
Shelby earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and elementary education from Winona State University. Before coming to Houston, Ms. Reinert taught second grade and kindergarten.
Shelby chose education as her career because she loves learning about new things and she loves working with kids. She exclaimed, “It’s so great to have a job where I’m still able to learn and spend time playing and building a community with my students!”
Ms. Reinert’s two goals for this school year are to help her students grow and to create a community in her classroom.
In her time away from school, Shelby enjoys spending time outside with her dog, Axle. She also enjoys gardening, reading, and shopping.
Ms. Reinert commented, “Everyone has been so kind and welcoming! I am SO happy to be here!”
Dane Wiskow
Dane is the new K-12 music teacher at Houston Public School. In addition to teaching K-12 vocal music, he will also direct both the junior and senior choir at the school.
Wiskow graduated from University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse with a K-12 music education degree, with a vocal emphasis and a general music emphasis.
Dane comes to Houston Schools from St. Charles, Minn. He decided to become a music teacher after growing up with several musicians in his family.
Singing, playing piano and guitar, traveling, and hosting board game nights are some of the ways Dane enjoys spending his free time.
Mr. Wiskow wants to inspire his students to pursue their own musical talents. He shared, “My goal is to make beautiful music together and get as many kids involved as possible.”
Dane ended, “I thank the Houston Public Schools and staff for welcoming me into their community, and I hope to make you all proud!”
Christopher Johnson
Christopher is the new 10th through 12th grade English teacher at Houston High School.
Christopher was born in Russia and was adopted and raised in Shoreview, Minn. He has eight siblings; two in his adoptive family and six in his birth family. In addition, Christopher has over 120 cousins!
In his free time, Christopher enjoys reading, putting together puzzles, listening to music, and collecting vinyl.
Johnson attended Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz., where he earned his bachelor’s of science degree in English for secondary education in December 2020.
Johnson chose education as his career path because he wanted to “be able to assist in guiding students to become both better readers, better citizens, and better critical thinkers.”
He shared his goal for this year, saying he wants “to make reading appreciable, if not enjoyable, to those who would rather not read.”
Johnson added, “I am so grateful to be a part of the Houston community!
Welcome to all the new teachers in Houston!
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