Meet the Teachers
Meet Mrs. Nikki Juliot
I am so excited to meet you! I have been teaching for over 17 years, most recently kindergarten for the past 10 years, which I love and have a great passion for! I am a Osseo Area Schools graduate attending Fernbrook Elementary, Osseo Junior High and Maple Grove Senior High class of 2001. I received my Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education K-8 from St. Cloud State University in 2006 and completed my Masters of Teaching and Learning from St. Mary's University in 2018. I live in Elk River MN with my husband Brian who is a cabinet maker and our 3 boys: Tyler (13), Wesley (9) and Vincent (4). We love all things Disney and going camping in our renovated RV up to the family cabin in Crosslake, MN. We love to explore and take adventure trips around the cities during the summers months. My favorite color is "sparkle" or pink as you can see and I LOVE popcorn!
Meet Mrs. Connolly
Ms. Connolly has been teaching for 13 years. She has a Master's Degree from Concordia University St. Paul and Bachelor's Degree from Luther College. She is originally from Woodbury and moved across town a few years ago. She lives in Maple Grove with her husband Brian, Toy Poodle named Harold and Pudelpointer named Misha. When not teaching, she enjoys singing in choir with VocalEssence, traveling in her camper, hiking, and cheering on Minnesota sports teams.
Meet Ms. Tina Thompson
It has been my great pleasure to teach kindergarten for the past 30 years! I will let you in on a little secret; teaching kindergarten is truly the BEST!! I am a graduate of Osseo Area Schools. I received both my Bachelors and Master's degree from Hamline University. I currently reside in Brooklyn Park. My son Graham is an engineer in Iowa working for John Deere. I am the mom to twins as well. Noah and Ellie are both in college. Noah attends Anoka Ramsey where he plays baseball and plans to major in Business and Communications. Ellie attends Mankato State University and is currently working on a degree in Criminal Justice. I love chocolate chip cookies, Diet Coke, reading, running, hiking and watching baseball. I whole heartedly believe that a teacher takes a hand, opens a mind and touches a heart! I can't wait to meet our newest kindergarten friends!
Meet Mrs. Lisa Lanners
I love teaching Kindergarten at Rice Lake with a wonderful team and am very excited to meet the newest Kindergartners for the next school year! I live in Maple Grove with my husband, Chad and our Springer Spaniel, Brinley. We have 2 sons, Andrew, also a teacher and Adam, in Physical Therapy school. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Cloud State University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota. When I am not teaching, I enjoy walking, reading and traveling. I am very excited to meet all of my new friends and families. It’s going to be a fun year!
Meet Mrs. Katie Hager
I am SO looking forward to beginning my 16th year of teaching with our newest kindergarten kiddos at Rice Lake in the next school year! I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University and earned my Curriculum & Instruction Master's Degree while also teaching full-time at an inner-city school in Chicago, IL. My husband, Scott, and I have lived in Maple Grove for 12 years (we are both originally from Illinois) and we have two wonderful children. My oldest son, Jack, is 14 and Benny, our youngest, is 11. We are very busy with our boys’ sports: baseball, soccer, football, golf, and tennis! In my free time, I enjoy reading, biking, hiking, and traveling with family and friends. I am looking forward to getting to know all of you as we build our school community together!
Kindergarten Teachers are a fun bunch!!
We love to smile in kindergarten!
End of the year kindergarten fun!
Kindergarten teachers know how to dress up for our end of the year countdown!
Rice Lake Kindergarten Teachers look forward to welcoming you to school!
