Wells’ United South Central School District will welcome eight new teachers this fall, pictured above. In the back row, left to right, are Rachael Korman, Emily Knutson, Todd Schmidtke, Cody Huiras and Randy Muske. In the front row, left to right, are Ellen Gordon-Kamm, Alissa Norman and Luz Rodriguez.

It is time to welcome in a new school year, and, with that, eight new teachers at United South Central (USC) School District.

Whether they are new to the profession, new to the district, or seasoned veterans of both, all USC High School teachers and staff will start classes on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Meanwhile, USC Elementary will open its doors to students on Sept. 7.

Educators who will be joining the Rebels team this fall include Ellen Gordon-Kamm, Cody Huiras, Emily Knutson, Rachael Korman, Randy Muske, Alissa Norman, Luz Rodriguez and Todd Schmidtke.

Ellen Gordon-Kamm

Gordon-Kamm will serve as a fifth grade science and reading teacher this fall.

She received a degree in elementary education with a specialization in English from Iowa State University. She also earned a Masters of Education degree with an emphasis in literacy at Iowa State University.

Gordon-Kamm spent the past five years working with middle schoolers at Mankato Area Public Schools. The subjects she taught ranged from English to reading intervention to a college and career readiness course.

She lives in Wells with her husband, Jamie, and stepson Easton.

Cody Huiras

Huiras will educate ninth and 10th grade Rebels at USC High School, where he is joining the team as a history teacher.

He received his degree in secondary education from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, and went on to teach sixth, seventh and eighth graders at Lafayette Charter School for two years.

Huiras is currently engaged, and he and his fiancé have a dog together.

Emily Knutson

Knutson will join the USC School District as a K-12 ELL (English Language Learner) teacher.

She received her degree at Minnesota State University, Mankato, before completing her student teaching in the Owatonna School District. She then spent two years substitute teaching.

Knutson’s family includes her father, mother and a younger sister.

Rachael Korman

Korman will educate young Rebels as an early childhood special education teacher at USC.

She received degrees in elementary education and special education from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and she has also earned her Masters degree in education from Walden University.

Korman has previously taught special education in both the Maple River and Albert Lea Area school districts.

Her family includes her husband, Matt, and two children, Bennett and Weston.

Randy Muske

Muske will serve as a math teacher at USC High School.

He received a degree from St. Cloud State University and went on to earn his Master’s degree from the University of New Hampshire.

He brings a great deal of experience to USC Schools, having taught for 26 years all over the state of Minnesota, both at the high school and college level.

His wife, Annie, is a French teacher. They have a dog named Shama.

Alissa Norman

Norman will join the USC Elementary School team as a fourth grade teacher.

She earned a degree in elementary education from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and then went on to student teach with USC’s own Karen Robbins last fall.

Norman comes from a family of educators. Her father, Rob, is the activities director and Dean of Students at Blue Earth Area High School, while her mother, Marnie, is a speech pathologist at BEA Elementary School. Her twin sister, Lindsey, will serve as a first-year STEAM teacher at BEA High School this fall, and her brother, Luke, is currently pursuing a degree in physical education. Her youngest brother, Jack, will be a senior at BEA High School this fall.

Luz Rodriguez

Rodriguez will teach Spanish for the USC School District this fall.

She earned a degree in K-12 education with an emphasis in Spanish, and then taught Spanish for many years at Covenant Life School in Wells.

Rodriguez joined the Rebels community a decade ago, serving as a paraprofessional and interpreter for over nine years in the district. She also spent a year at USC High School teaching under a community expert license.

Her family includes her husband, Javier, her five children, Luz Maritza, Ethel, Javier, Denis and Ruth, and nine grandchildren. She also has two dogs, Aslan and Chancly.

Todd Schmidtke

Schmidtke will serve the USC School District as a full-time substitute.

He received his degree from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, and went on to gain teaching experience at Marshall Public Schools, Martin County West School District and Blue Earth Area School District.

He is married to his wife, Stacy, and has three children: Koby, Ella and Gibson.