Dana Wesley
Ms. Dana Wesley is a para this year at OHS. She was a paraprofessional at Lincoln Elementary before coming to OHS. Ms. Wesley has worked in the Owatonna School District for a full year. Ms. Wesley was selected to be a paraprofessional at OHS due to needing more support in the discovery program. Ms. Wesley said, “It is definitely different than what I was used to last year, coming from an elementary school setting.” Ms. Wesley did not attend college, but she is looking to more schooling and get a teaching degree with a specialty in emotional and behavioral disorder.
Nicole Fredrickson
Ms. Nicole Fredrickson is a para this year at OHS. Ms. Fredrickson was a stay at home mom for seven years before she was hired at OMS in Jan 2024 to work in the Stride program as a para. Ms. Fredrickson said, “It was bittersweet. My son is a ninth grader so the decision was easier to make.” Ms. Fredrickson worked in the Stride program as a para helping students with all disabilities. She attended Minnesota State University, Mankato for her undergraduate in psychology. Ms. Fredrickson then waited a few years to get her master’s degree at Capella University in Minneapolis in the field of Psychology – Applied Behavior Analyst (ABA). Ms. Fredrickson liked the technology that OHS had to offer and how big and open the school felt.
Emily Jenkins
Ms. Emily Jenkins is a new para this year at OHS as well as the coaching program. Ms. Jenkins worked at the Owatonna Middle School in the kitchen before getting a job at OHS. She wanted to work at OHS because of its available work in a new school building. Ms. Jenkins was looking forward to this new opportunity and the ability to start on a new path. Ms. Jenkins said, “So far I love the OHS. It’s a beautiful school and work environment.”
