Meet District 196's New Special Education Coordinators

District 196's special education department has hired three new staff members. 

Jessica Hoida will serve as a coordinator for the district's elementary schools, Lindsay Engberg for its secondary schools and Lauren Trainer for Dakota Ridge School.

All three are filling vacancies and will start in their new positions with the district July 1.

Here's more about the three new staffers from the district.

• Jessica Hoida has worked in District 196 since 2002, most recently as a school psychologist and lead teacher for Early Childhood Special Education. In her new position as coordinator, Hoida will be responsible for overseeing special education services at the district's 18 elementary schools. She is replacing Anne Liebeck, who accepted an administrative position at Apple Valley High School earlier this year. Hoida has a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame, a master's in special education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a doctorate in school psychology from Indiana University.
  
• Lindsay Engberg has been the assistant director of special services for the Faribault School District since 2011. Prior to that, she was a special education case facilitator in Faribault for one year and was a special education teacher for the Goodhue County Education District from 2006 to 2010. In her new position as coordinator, Engberg will be responsible for overseeing special education services in the district's middle schools and high schools. She is replacing Nancy Recibe, who is retiring at the end of this school year after a 15-year career in the district. Engberg has a bachelor's degree from Winona State University, a master's in special education from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and is working on a doctorate in educational leadership from St. Mary's University.
  
• Lauren Trainer has been a special education teacher for Intermediate School District 917 in Rosemount since 2008 and has served as lead teacher for the last year and a half. In her new position as coordinator, Trainer will lead Dakota Ridge, a school that serves students with unique behavioral needs, grades K-12. She will replace Nandi Rieck, who accepted the position as coordinator of federal and state programs at the District Office earlier this year. Dan Wilson has been serving as interim coordinator at Dakota Ridge and will continue as assistant administrator. Trainer has a bachelor's degree from the College of St. Catherine and a master's degree in special education from Augsburg College.