Our Teachers
Passionate. Dedicated. Caring.
Katie Rosenthal
In Child Care Since: 2006
At Hidden Valley Since: 2010
In 2002, Katie moved from Minneapolis to attend college at St. Scholastica and has happily called Duluth home ever since. After graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Elementary Education and a math specialty, Katie substitute taught in the Duluth Public School District until she helped open Hidden Valley Preschool in 2010. In 2018, Katie took over as Director and moved the school to its current location. She absolutely loves her job and can't imagine doing anything else!
It is clear that she has an innate talent in working with the preschool age group and realizing each of their individual potentials. The children are always engaged and excited to learn with her fun, hands-on activities and ever-changing lesson plans.
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Katie lives in Lakeside with her daughter, son, and their cat Cookie.
Miss Katie's favorites:
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Author: Mo Willems
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Fruit: Raspberries
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Dessert: Dark chocolate anything
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Hobby: Knitting
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Fall activity: Hikes to see fall colors while searching for acorns
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Winter activity: Downhill skiing
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Spring activity: Puddle jumping and watching the preschoolers make mud creations
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Summer activity: Bare feet in sand and cabin time with family
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Quote: "Do the best you can until you know better. When you know better, do better." - Maya Angelou
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Tara Jeanetta
In Child Care Since: 2011
At Hidden Valley Since: 2011
Tara is a lifelong Duluth resident. Before working at Hidden Valley, she worked as a summer nanny, assisted at a daycare, trained in early childhood, and raised her own children.
Tara has a gift for working with young children. Her positive energy and love for our preschoolers shines the minute she walks through the door each day. They literally chant, "Miss Ta-ra! Miss Ta-ra!" when they see her arrive every day. Every. Single. Day. Her patience, kindness, and encouragement brings comfort to the students, and inspires them to learn, grow, and explore.
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Tara loves spending quality time with her 3 kids Dominik, Alexa, and Amaya. They enjoy doing arts and crafts, reading, family bike rides, playing at the park or just watching movies together. Tara also prides herself on being a dance/gymnastics/soccer mom!
Miss Tara's Favorites:
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Color: Pink
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Restaurant: Mexico Lindo
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Flower: Sunflower
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Children’s Book: Elephant and Piggie's Let’s Go For a Drive by Mo Willems
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Dessert: Cheesecake
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Drink: Coffee
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Song to sing at school: Mr. Sun​
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Winter Activity: Watching Bulldogs hockey games
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Quote: “You are stronger than you seem, braver than you believe, and smarter than you think you are.” - Winnie The Pooh
Rachel Mason
In Child Care Since: 2002
At Hidden Valley Since: 2014
Rachel grew up on a farm next to a tiny town in rural North Dakota and has loved making music her whole life. She holds a BA in music education and English education from the University of Jamestown, is a Kindermusik trained teacher, and has been teaching early childhood music since 2001. For the past 20 years, Rachel has been bringing her early childhood music curriculum to assisted living centers. This unique environment has brought toddlers, preschoolers, their parents, and elderly residents together to make music.
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Rachel teaches at HVP most Thursday mornings. Her lessons are nothing short of magical as she is able to hold 12 preschoolers’ attention for 45 minutes! She uses movement along with bins and bins of preschool instruments and other hands-on tools to keep her lessons exciting and fresh.
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With 5 kids of her own and a noisy crazy house, Rachel still finds time to sing in the Arrowhead Chorale, and plays numerous instruments (piano, clarinet, bass clarinet, a little flute, French horn, and cello). She also has a large private piano and voice studio, and is also a lifestyle photographer who loves to naturally document the experiences of families and children. She loves Lake Superior, reading, and writing.