The new school year brings fresh faces to the Mabel-Canton School District, which welcomed three new teachers: Cole Mundt, Samantha Livingood and James Ryan.
Cole Mundt
Cole Mundt teaches seventh through 12th grade government, economics, health, and physical education. He hails from Utica, Minn., and graduated from Lewiston-Altura High School in 2020. He graduated this past spring from Winona State University. Mabel-Canton is his first teaching job.
Mundt chose teaching as his profession “for the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself. My students are my top priority, and I can only hope to play a small part in what I feel is a critical time for establishing a positive relationship with their health and movement journey.”
As a small-town kid from southeast Minnesota, he said Mabel’s close-knit community drew him to the district.
He added, “My mission is to empower students to cultivate a lifelong relationship with physical activity by fostering an environment where autonomy, agency, and reflective practices are at the forefront. I aim to provide a space where every individual feels seen, valued, and capable of making informed choices about their health and well-being. By serving as an authentic role model, I strive to inspire personal growth and a holistic approach to physical education that transcends the classroom and lasts a lifetime.”
In his spare time, Mundt enjoys working on the family’s dairy farm, coaching football, playing volleyball, attending concerts with friends, cooking and grilling, and participating in competitive activities.
Samantha Livingood
Samantha Livingood joins the district as the school’s new special education teacher working with students from preschool through high school.
Her parents grew up in Preston, though she grew up in several states as her parents’ federal government careers required frequent moves. She considers Tennessee home because she spent most of her childhood there. Livingood graduated from Brentwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn., in 2006 and attended David Lipscomb University in Nashville before transferring to the University of North Texas, where she completed her undergraduate degree.
“I have always loved school,” she said. “I have a passion for special education and enjoy helping children overcome challenges to develop a lifelong love for learning.”
Livingood has worked at Mabel-Canton since 2018, in several roles including special education paraprofessional, Title 1 paraprofessional, librarian, SAC teacher, and substitute teacher. This is her first year as a special education teacher.
She said that her family’s ties to the area made Mabel the right place to raise her daughter. “As a child, I remember spending time each summer in Preston and have loved small towns ever since,” she said. “My dad’s favorite memories as a kid were spending time with his aunt and uncle in Mabel, as well as Steam Engine Days. So, when my daughter was about to start kindergarten, I knew I wanted her to grow up somewhere special, like Mabel.”
Her teaching mission is “to inspire and encourage all students to reach their full potential in a supportive and positive classroom where they feel loved, safe, and accepted.”
In her spare time, Livingood enjoys spending time with her daughter. “We like to go shopping and play at the arcade. Most of the time, our outings, however, usually involve what has now become my favorite thing to do – sitting in the stands watching her play volleyball and softball.” She also enjoys arts/crafts, gardening, designing t-shirts, and baking.
James Ryan
James Ryan, the district’s new fifth to 12th grade band teacher, was unavailable for an interview.
The district welcomes Mundt, Livingood and Ryan to the Mabel-Canton community.
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