Staff Directory
Being a staff-led school allows staff to work collaboratively to shape the development of the school and empower each other to have a voice. By working together to lead the school, CHOICE staff model the very democratic process for which we hope to prepare our students.
Scott Strusz - Math Teacher
Scott joined our team in 2019 as a Special Education Paraprofessional/math tutor. Scott works extremely well with our students and has helped us to add a great dynamic to our math program here at CHOICE. He always has a positive attitude, a calm demeanor, and an eagerness to help. Scott has many years of experience as a teacher and has a Masters Degree in Science. Both students and staff are very grateful for his presence at CHOICE, as he has been a tremendous addition to our team. Scott enjoys hiking, being in the outdoors, and hanging out with his family.
Amy Elmer - Special Education Advisor
Amy joined the CHOICE team in August of 2026. She comes with 31 years of experience solely in special education. Amy completed her bachelor's degree in education with a minor in special education in 1995. She continued with her education while working and obtained a graduate degree in special education learning disabilities. In 2012, Amy worked on her master's degree in education and graduated with honors in 2014. She has three children, one son-in-law, 2 grandchildren, a miniature poodle and a grand-fur-baby husky. Amy enjoys camping, taking cruises and playing games with her family and friends. Her favorite quote is from Winnie the Pooh, "You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think."
Derrick Hintz - Advisor
Derrick joined the CHOICE team in August of 2026. He has 28 years experience as a high school teacher, while 20 of those years being a college football coach. Derrick did his undergraduate work at UW-Stout, and attained his master's in kinesiology at the University of Minnesota. Derrick enjoys collecting 8 track tapes and players, fixing them up, and enjoying them. Derrick has two adult children and one grandson. We are excited to have Derrick join our team.
Karen Adame - Office Manager
Karen worked as a paraprofessional at CHOICE starting in 2021, and she is now working as our School Office Manager. Karen fits in wonderfully. She is kind, caring, and loves to connect with students. She is a mother of four fully grown kids, a previous foster mother of four, and a grandmother of two. In her free time, Karen enjoys reading, cooking, taking long walks, date nights with her boyfriend and spending time with her family.
Emily Schumacher - Special Education Paraprofessional
Emily joined our team during the Fall of 2022. She graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a Bachelor's Degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Emily has 13 years of experience working in group home settings, Special Olympic competitions, camps, and day programs. Some of her hobbies and interests include traveling, golf and baseball, camping, concerts, ballet, cooking, film, non-fiction books, and spending as much time as she can with friends and family. We are delighted to have Emily as a part of our team.
Ashley Gardner - Special Education Paraprofessional
Ashley has worked at CHOICE since Spring of 2018. She is a Special Education Paraprofessional. Ashley is a very dedicated, hardworking individual, and has brought so much to our team here at CHOICE. Ashley always has a positive attitude and a smile on her face, is always willing to go above and beyond to help others, and is great at building meaningful relationships with students and coworkers. We are lucky to have her as part of our team.
Chelsey Nelson - Special Education Clerical
Chelsey began working as a Paraprofessional at CHOICE during the Spring of 2018. She enjoys the opportunity of working along side the advisors and staff helping to guide students to thrive and succeed. Chelsey's background as a yoga practitioner and teacher assists her in a classroom setting by allowing her to apply the skills of patience, focus, dedication, & empathy. Some of her favorite things are deep belly laughs, spending quality time with family and friends, reading books, and the beauty of nature.
Email: eking@technicalacademies.org
Elayne King - Special Education Paraprofessional
Elayne recently joined our team in the Fall of 2024 as a Paraprofessional. Elayne loves spending time at the lake with friends and family and she also enjoys a good game of darts.
Hannah Nelson - Title One
Hannah joined our team in the spring of 2021. In the short amount of time she has been here, she has had an incredibly positive impact on our school. Hannah is a very kind, patient, and caring individual. She is always willing to step up to the plate and help whenever someone is in need. Hannah graduated from Winona State University, receiving her Bachelor's Degrees in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Psychology, and Spanish. Hannah has been teaching since she graduated in 2018. In her free time, she loves to crochet, knit, play tennis, watch movies with her cats, and go on walks in our local parks.
Melissa "Missy" Donner - Reading Interventionist and Art Teacher
Melissa "Missy" Donner has been at CHOICE since 2016. If you are interested in art, she is the one to see! She enjoys working with just about any medium, and likes to see the students push themselves while learning new things. Missy believes creativity is one of the most valuable outlets for expression. Missy and her husband Brad (a wildlife artist) live in Waseca, MN. They raised seven children together, and now have seven grandchildren (and counting), which are spread out all over the country. Missy loves to read, and someday hopes to have a house with her own library in it. She also enjoys sewing dolls and animals from her own original patterns, and creating other unique and original forms of art.
Email: Dnuss@technicalacademies.org
Dawn Nuss - Special Education Advisor
Dawn joined the CHOICE Technical Academy team as a Special Education Advisor in 2019. She has three grown children, and 7 grandchildren that she enjoys spending time with. Dawn (and the rest of us) loves her dogs, Echo and Roselyn, and they have become part of the CHOICE family. She has been a spectacular addition to our Special Education Team at CHOICE, and both the students and staff enjoy working along her side. Over the past two years, Dawn has felt privileged to be a team member that has understood, respected, encouraged, and empowered our students' young minds to pursue their dreams. Dawn has a Masters Degree in Special Education, as well as one in Community Counseling. She is a strong believer in lifelong learning and growth. She looks forward to the opportunities that lie ahead of her as a staff member at Choice Technical Academy.
Jess Williams - Advisor and English Language Arts Teacher
Jess joined our team in December of 2025. She came to CHOICE with 11 years of teaching experience. Jess graduated with her Bachelor's Degree from Bemidji Sate University in 2014, and completed her Master's Degree in Cirriculum & Instruction from St. Catherine University in 2018. Jess enjoys crocheting, reading, spending time outside, and going to music festivals. Jess has been a great addition to our team, providing structure and support to our students. She meets students' needs by facilitating a positive classroom community where all students have the opportunity to thrive.
Courtney Leyden - Human Resources Manager
Courtney has worked at CHOICE Technical Academy since 2016. She worked as a Special Education Paraprofessional from 2016-2022, and at the start of the 22-23 school year she began working as our Human Resources Generalist. Although she is working a new role, she still makes time to connect with the students at CHOICE and joins in on activities whenever she has a moment to do so! In her spare time, Courtney loves to hang out with her two children; Benjamin (13) and Juliette (7), going camping, traveling, hiking, or any other outdoor adventure. In December of 2024, Courtney graduated with her Bachelors Degree in Human Resources Management at Winona State University.
Sasha Katzung - Advisor
Sasha has worked at CHOICE Technical Academy since spring of 2024 as a Special Education Paraprofessional. She is currently in the process of earning her Degree in Ag Education. Sasha is always willing to go above and beyond, and is great at engaging with students and supporting them when it comes meeting their educational goals!
Alice Esquivel - Special Education Paraprofessional
Alice has worked at CHOICE Technical Academy since 2023 as a Special Education Paraprofessional. Alice is a highly valued team member and both the students and staff enjoy having Alice as part of our CHOICE Family.
Janessa Jandt - School Social Worker
Janessa has worked at CHOICE for 7 years. She graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a Master's Degree in Social Work and a Master's Degree in Sociology. Janessa has 11 years of experience working in a school setting as well as Allina's Mental Health Unit, Steele County Attorney's Victim Services and Rachel's Light Shelter. She is an adjunct professor at Winona State University. In her spare time she loves traveling, hiking outdoors, photography, painting and spending time with her family and friends. Her goal is to visit all the US and Canadian National Parks in her life time. We are excited to have Janessa as part of our team.
Erin Lange - Special Education Advisor
Erin joined the CHOICE Technical Academy team in August 2025 as a Special Education Teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from Winona State University in 2004 and has spent her career working in a variety of schools and roles, supporting students with diverse learning needs. Erin is passionate about hands-on, career-focused education, especially for students who may not thrive in traditional academic settings. She believes students learn best when they have opportunities to learn by doing, develop real-world skills, and see how their education connects to their future goals. She works closely with students, families, and staff to create individualized supports that promote equitable access to learning, build independence, and help every student find success. Outside of school, Erin lives on a hobby farm with her husband, their adult child, and a variety of animals. In her free time, she enjoys riding motorcycles, dining out, and watching movies.
Jessica Gagnier - School Social Worker
Jessica (Jessy) joined our team as our School Social Worker in October of 2019. Jessica obtained her Masters of Social Work degree from Minnesota State University - Mankato. Both students and staff greatly appreciate having Jessica at CHOICE, as she has been an amazing support system and role model for our school. Jessica was born and raised in Owatonna. She and her husband live in Owatonna with their two children. Jessica enjoys spending time with her loved ones and traveling, especially somewhere by the ocean.