The Zumbrota-Mazeppa school district welcomed four new teachers this fall when school opened.
Kelly Barker is the new Art teacher for the lower grades. Kelly and her husband live outside Mazeppa with their horses, dogs and chickens. They have three children and nine grandchildren. She grew up in Elgin-Millville area and most recently worked at the Pine Island school district for twenty-five years as early childhood and community education.
Amanda Sand is the new art teacher for grades 7 through 12. She is a Z-M graduate from 2003. She worked for Mayo Clinic for 16 years before getting into teaching. Amanda grew up in Mazeppa and lives there with her husband and three children. Her husband Ben has been an elementary teacher at Z-M for the last ten years and encouraged her to change careers.
Jordan Thompson is the new special education teacher for K through 2 at Zumbrota Mazeppa. He is a Z-M graduate and has worked as a para at Z-M. He will also coaching seventh grade girls basketball and eighth grade boys football. Jordan lives in Zumbrota with his wife and their child.
Eric Torgerson is the new high school English language arts teacher at Zumbrota-Mazeppa. He has been teaching since 1988 and lives in Mantorville with his wife. They have two children and five grandchildren.
Enrollment at Z-M has jumped by twenty-five students since the end of last school year. 2023-24 started with 1,224 students and ended with 1,201. 2024 school years started with 1,224 and has already slipped by ten students.
Homecoming is this week with the Cougars facing Lake City on Friday, October 4th for their football Homecoming game.
