Once a Spartan, Always a Spartan: Alumni in Our Schools

At Richfield Public Schools, there's a special connection for our staff members who are also proud alumni—coming back to work at Richfield feels like coming home. In fact, many of our current team members once walked these same halls as students and have returned to continue shaping the community they love.

“It feels really good to pour into a community and give back to a place that has given so much to me,” said Teresa Stadem (‘99). Teresa currently works as an English Language Arts teacher at RCEP, and is also the head coach of the boys track team at Richfield High School. “I think a key part of what makes Richfield a great place is how the community looks out for each other,” she said. 

“The Richfield community has always been very caring and thoughtful of everyone,” said Geneley Briones Salgado (‘17). “Being part of this district has shown me that everyone is so helpful in our community.” Geneley is the current Administrative Assistant for the Assistant Principals at Richfield High School. “It’s a special feeling to work here,” she said. “Everyone in the district has been so welcoming and kind.”

Other alumni agree: “Richfield is a close-knit community that values education and our children,” said Nancy Olson (‘90). Nancy currently works as a building substitute at Richfield Dual Language School and is fully invested in the Richfield community. In addition to her own graduation, both of her children graduated from RPS. “It's fun to be back in the building where my education first began in Richfield,” she said. “When I show my students my third grade picture from Elliot Elementary School, it's so fun to see their faces when I tell them it was taken in the very same building we're in.”

Amie Killorin (‘77), the Student Information Specialist for the district, has lived in Richfield since 1964, and all of her children attended Richfield Public Schools and graduated from RPS. “I love this community, love being a part of it and love contributing to everything Richfield,” she said. “Coming back to work in Richfield felt like coming home.”

“Working in the same school district, and especially the same high school I attended, makes me feel very nostalgic and at ease,” said Jeff Denesen (‘92), a special education para at Richfield High School, who has worked for the district for 32 years. “I'm proud that I can share my Spartan spirit and love of Richfield with my students.”

"Honestly, it feels good being able to work in the same school district as I was once a student," said Jackie Sanchez-Vidal ('17), who works as the Richfield Health Resource Center Coordinator. "It is amazing to be able to see the amount of effort that is put into all the students at all the grades."

Bethann Dietl Larson (‘89), a third grade teacher at Richfield STEM Elementary, describes Richfield as a thriving community that prioritizes schools, parks and businesses. “I have benefitted from an excellent education in RPS,” she said. “It is a pleasure to give back to my community. Like many others, I am committed to our school family.” 

Bethann has wonderful memories of her experience growing up in Richfield, and recalled that it was always her dream to return to Richfield to be an elementary school teacher. “The Director of Teaching and Learning attended my high school graduation party,” said Bethann. “I approached him and told him that in four years I would be requesting that he hire me for an elementary teaching position. While it took several more steps in the process, my dream came true.”

Leslie Lien (‘80), a special education para at Sheridan Hills Elementary, loves the supportive and positive environment at Richfield, and has many great memories from high school. “I love working for the same school district I attended school in,” she shared. “It is fun to watch as the schools change with the times.” She was especially proud to watch her daughter graduate from Richfield, 43 years after her own graduation. “If you would have told that to my 18-year-old self, I never would have believed it!”

Many of our alumni-turned-staff-members agree that they knew they wanted to come back to Richfield after graduation. “Ever since I graduated from Richfield High School, I had a goal that I wanted to help come back and help families so they have the resources they need to help their children be successful,” said Jomira Ramales-Martinez (‘15). Jomira works as a Special Education paraprofessional and is happy to be back in the Richfield district as a staff member. She remembers her time as a student fondly. “I will always be grateful for all my teachers I had growing up,” she said. “Thanks to them, I enjoy working with students.”

Lissette Miguel (‘15), a premier reserve teacher at the Central Education Center, feels nostalgic each day working in the same district where she was once a student. “I'm reminded how it feels to be part of the Richfield community again,” she said. “After working at different schools, somehow I always end up coming back to my hometown of Richfield. It gives me a sense of belonging since I've been a Richfield student since kindergarten. Now as an employee, I still experience the same feeling. I love the welcoming environment and sense of community.”

Lissette enjoys catching up with former teachers. “I always ask how their classes are going with the new generation of students. The one thing that always gets to me is when I see my teachers still have the same personality as I remember when I was a high schooler,” she said. Lissette also loves seeing her former classmates dropping their children off for school. “It makes me feel happy that we are somehow still connected,” she explained. “I feel comfortable speaking with them since we would chat in high school, and now as partners in education for their children.”

One of our other recent alumni-turned-staff members is Angie Meza (‘18), who returned to work in the district just months after crossing the stage at graduation. Angie is an outreach worker at Richfield High School and loves helping families and students. “I have always felt welcomed here, as a student and now a staff member,” said Angie. “Richfield High School has changed my life - I love working here!”

Looking Back

In addition to their employment in Richfield Public Schools, our alumni staff members share one more common theme when talking about their experiences while in high school: fond memories with friends and families.  

“Some of my most vivid memories revolve around athletics: baseball, track (especially representing RHS as a semifinalist at the 1992 State Track Meet), and the annual Fire & Ice broomball tournaments,” shared Jeff. “Little did I know as a student that I'd one day be playing for the victorious Team Faculty!”

Many of our interviewees talked about how much they enjoyed competing in and watching sports during high school. “The football games were always packed!” recalled Amie. Teresa also has great memories of attending sporting events or playing on the court and watching all the fans. “There was always so much school spirit,” she said. Bethann remembers going to school dances with a group of friends and having dinner at Chi Chi’s on Nicollet.

Leslie remembers the talent show at Richfield High School that was a spin off of The Merv Griffin Show, where she played her guitar and sang an original song in front of her classmates. “When I was done it was so amazing to hear the applause from my peers who had never heard me sing before,” she said. “It will always be my favorite memory of my high school days.”

Two of the staff members we interviewed, Chris Bartlett (‘88) and Mary Jo Gregersen (‘88), both met their husbands at Richfield High School! “I grew up in Richfield and my childhood home was close to the high school,” said Mary Jo, who is a second grade teacher at Sheridan Hills Elementary. “Thus, I have a very strong connection to the community of Richfield through friends and family and enjoy continuing that bond through teaching in the district. I met my husband in high school (who is also a Richfield graduate), and we have been happily married for 31 years.” 

Chris is a paraprofessional at Richfield High School and finds it surreal to walk past her old locker each day at work. “I feel very connected to this school and community,” said Chris. “Not only did I graduate from here but my husband and I bought a house in Richfield, and all four of our kids went to Richfield schools and graduated from RHS, so I am super invested in everything that happens here. This school has had a huge impact on my life!”

“My favorite memory from high school is when I helped make a video for students and staff, and the editor (who had not met me) confused me for a staff member and put me in the staff section,” laughed Angie. “Maybe it was a sign!”

Looking Ahead

Our alumni staff members have enjoyed seeing all the changes that have occurred since many of them graduated - both physically and in the school’s culture. “It's an outstanding community to work for due to the supportive and caring staff,” said Mary Jo. 

“I think that not only graduating from Richfield and having both of my children graduate from Richfield, but living in Richfield really gives me the desire to invest in the district and community,” said Nancy. 

Leslie agrees: “Richfield has a small town, hometown feel to it that makes it easy to want to be part of,” she said. “Having gone through the school system and living in the city is really valuable when talking to others about who Richfield is.”

“I feel that being an alumni has helped me be a better staff member,” said Jeff. “When students hear that I am from Richfield and graduated from RHS, I feel it gives me more credibility with the students and helps forge bonds in the ‘getting to know you’ stage. They are happy and relieved to know that I walked these same halls and had many of the same challenges and experiences they are currently going through.”

“Once a Spartan, always a Spartan,” said Bethann. “Without hesitation, I recommend Richfield Public Schools to other alumni or family members as a great place to work. The number of alumni working for RPS is a strong endorsement. I feel at home teaching in Richfield.”