Welcome, New Teachers!

September 3, 2021

We are excited to welcome six new teachers to the Cretin-Derham Hall faculty!

Karol Quesada Cerdas

Subject: Spanish

Education: University of Costa Rica, masters in Education

Previous work: South St. Paul Secondary, and multiple schools in Costa Rica.

Why did you choose to work at CDH?
I am a believer, my faith is essential in my life. I come from a Catholic family, with seven children. Our parents taught us about the value of education combined with faith. 

CDH has a strong academic curriculum and strong commitment to social equality. God’s values of love bring us together as a people. It is why I believe in justice, compassion and kindness.

What do you love about your career path?
The opportunity to teach my students about new opportunities, about how amazing it is to learn and respect other cultures and especially not to limit themselves.

What should our students and families know about you?
I am from Costa Rica. I am married and I have two daughters and a son. We have two dogs. Lucy is a Chihuahua and Maple is a labrador. We came to Minnesota six years ago, because we wanted our children to get an education in the USA.

I care about my students and their needs. I have high expectations, but it is a priority to me that they feel comfortable and safe in my class. I will be there for my students or families if they need extra help or support. I would like to show that learning a new language or learning about other cultures should be fun and interesting. I am excited to begin my work at CDH and work closely with students and parents.  

Emma Denzen

Subject: English/Values

Education: College of Saint Benedict, English major, Secondary Ed minor

Previous work: First-year teacher

Why did you choose to work at CDH?
St. Ben's showed me the power of community in an educational setting and CDH gives me the chance to continue this work.

What do you love about your career path?
I love making connections with students, as I believe that high schoolers are some of the goofiest, brightest people I'll ever meet!

What should our students and families know about you?
In line with the value I place on community, each and every student is welcome in my classroom just as they are. Together this year, we will grow, laugh, and foster a love of learning at CDH!

Aaron Hoiland

Subject: English

Alexis Howe

Subject: Spanish

Carolyn Osdoba 

Subject: Math

Education: University of St. Thomas, double major in Secondary Education and Mathematics

Previous work: 2020-21 school year at Prairie Winds Middle School in Mankato, previously CDH

Why did you choose to work at CDH? 
I enjoy being immersed in such a strong community. The staff, students and parents are all working together towards one common goal of educating our students to go on and do great things. It's a very positive environment to be in.

Michael Rasmussen

Subject: Social Studies

Education: Northwestern University, major in Social Studies Education; St. Mary's University of Minnesota, Master of Education in Teaching and Learning

Previous work: Chippewa Middle School

Why did you choose to work at CDH?
There were numerous reasons CDH was an attractive school to teach at for me.
1) The smaller class sizes would allow me to more effectively invest in the lives of my students and to ensure that I am providing everything they need to experience success.
2) CDH's holistic approach to education - fostering the growth and development academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
3) The opportunity to coach and teach within the same building. In previous years I was coaching cross-country and track outside of the building I taught in.
4) The Catholic values that are a part of CDH's identity.

What do you love about your career path?
I love being able to help young people discover their unique strengths, talents, and passions. I also love being able to see the "ah ha" moment when students are able to grasp and understand a concept that they had previously struggled with. I love helping students to "find their voice" and discover how they can positively contribute to the communities they belong to.

What should our students and families know about you?
Outside of school I am a man of a "million" hobbies. A few of those hobbies include: running, hiking, paddle boarding, listening to live music, reading, and spending time with family/friends!