Cotter has a new science teacher, Resident Assistant, and assistant cross country coach.

Katie Halvorson is from Lanesboro, Minn., which is about 45 minutes from Winona. She is 26 and has an older brother named Matt. She attended Lanesboro high and then St. Olaf college in Northfield, Minnesota. She earned at undergraduate degree in biology at St. Olaf.  Last year she earned her teaching degree from St. Marys University in Winona.

She is teaching biology and human biology at Cotter, her students are primarily sophomores and seniors.

“Cotter is as community” she said, because people who are in Cotter help and support a lot, and they always say “Hi”.

She likes outdoor activities: hiking, running, and biking. She also likes to read fiction books.

“Trying new things to keep it interesting and fun for the students,” is part of her philosophy of teaching.

While working at  Eagle Bluff outdoor education center outside of Lanesboro, she learned about what it takes to teach.

“A teacher’s job is something different every day,” she said.

This aspect of teaching is her favorite part of the job and what drew her to the career.

“She is very kind and answers students’ questions politely. Also, she knows a lot of things about biology. ” said sophomore Jimin (Wendy) Bae.

In her first year working with the cross country team, she has spent a lot of time with the girls team and the younger runners, helping both groups develop a sense of camaraderie.

She is also the RA for the first floor of the girls dorm, where she lives with and supervises junior and senior girls.

Over the past summer, Miss Halvorson went to a cross country running camp, visited friends, and completed her master’s program.