District School Counselor, Osseo Area Schools

Dr. Jacqueline Trzynka is an educator with extensive expertise in preK–12 systems, mental health integration, and student support structures. Currently serving as a District School Counselor for Osseo Area Schools with experience as a school counselor at the high school level and as a social studies teacher, she brings a wealth of practical and academic experience. In addition to preK-12 public school experience, Dr. Trzynka also teaches graduate-level coursework on mental health for educators and serves as a dissertation advisor through two doctoral programs. Working with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), our district  is maximizing the impact of the Demonstration Grant. Through this initiative, the district team have spearheaded the acquisition of Tier 2 and Tier 3 SEL curricula for K-12 school counselors, social workers, and school psychologists, alongside providing calming space materials to support students in their SEL skills. Passionate about systemic growth, the MDE Demonstration grant is used to build robust district-wide MTSS systems and processes, while providing dedicated, ongoing support to school teams to ensure successful implementation and long-term sustainability.

School Social Worker, Stillwater Area Public Schools

Christine has been working as a School Social Worker in the Twin Cities Metro for 10 years and currently works as a School Social Worker at an elementary school in the Stillwater area. She also has past experience as a mental health therapist working with clients aged 4 -14. Christine has knowledge of and experience using a variety of evidence-based SEL curriculum and interventions. During the 2025-2026 school year, Christine completed a Student Support Personnel Demonstration Project through MDE. For her project, Christine implemented the Unstuck and On Target curriculum and the HOPS curriculum in order to help students with executive functioning skills. She also designed a gross motor sensory space, which was available to all students in the school to help support self-regulation.

School Psychologist, Osseo Area Schools

Jessica Wiswell is a school psychologist with Osseo Area Schools, where her work has focused on psychoeducational evaluation, multi-tiered behavioral and social-emotional intervention, systems-level implementation, and crisis response. She is completing her PsyD in School Psychology at Minnesota State University, Mankato, with dissertation research focused on Tier 2 intervention practices at the middle school level.

Social Worker, ISD 279

Jennifer Anderson, MSW, LICSW is a School Social Worker with Osseo Area Schools (ISD 279).

Social Worker, ISD 279

Heather Kale is a bilingual LICSW that started her career in Southern California working in Birth-18 county mental health programs. Her primary focus was trauma-related work and eating disorder treatment. Eventually, she transitioned into the specialty program working with Birth-5 in trauma, parent coaching, and bringing accessibility into underserved communities. She worked as a contract mental health provider in the school system for several years before relocating to Minnesota in 2018. Since then, she has worked as a school-based mental health professional, obtained her Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health certificate from the U of M and eventually joined the 279 school district as a school social worker. She enjoys bringing her clinical lens into the school space to help shape approach and response to trauma and mental health needs in the school system.

Social Worker (Middle School), Owatonna Public Schools

Katee Harmon, MSW, LICSW, is a school social worker with Owatonna Public Schools, bringing 12 years of experience to the profession and currently serving at the middle school level. She earned her Master of Social Work from the University of St. Thomas and her Educational Leadership degree from Winona State University and holds a Minnesota K–12 Principal license.  Throughout her career, Katee has served in a variety of leadership roles, including District Lead Social Worker and member of both the District Crisis Response Team and Threat Assessment Team with Rochester Public Schools. She currently serves as a District Safety Care Trainer for Owatonna Public Schools and has mentored graduate-level social work interns while providing clinical supervision to Master of Social Work professionals.  Katee is an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS) and a former National Mental Health First Aid Trainer. Over the course of her career, she has implemented and evaluated dozens of evidence-based and research-informed interventions in both individual and small-group settings, continually adapting practices to meet the unique needs of K–12 students. Her work focuses on trauma-informed practices, behavior de-escalation, and supporting students with complex needs in Level III special education programming. She is passionate about helping school professionals bridge the gap between research and everyday practice, making evidence-based interventions both accessible and sustainable.

Coordinator of Mental Health, Rochester Public Schools

Sarah Clarke is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who has been working in the mental health field for over 20 years. She is currently the Coordinator of Mental Health for Rochester Public Schools, where she is responsible for guiding the implementation of mental health services for 17,000 students. These services span all tiers of service, from Tier 1 instruction for all students, to Tier 3, targeted and individualized services. Sarah has experience working in a wide range of specialties, including substance use, domestic violence, child welfare, foster care, severe and persistent mental illness, school-based services and postpartum issues. 

Lead School Social Worker & OHS School Social Worker, Owatonna Public Schools

Nancy Williams is beginning her 34th year as a school social worker with Owatonna Public Schools. She has served as a high school social worker for more than 20 years. In recent years, she has been part of a district initiative with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and a demonstration grant that has provided district social workers and counselors with opportunities to learn and implement multiple evidence-based social-emotional learning (SEL) interventions, track data, and use measurable outcomes to demonstrate student progress or identify areas of need.

Williams is excited to share how Owatonna High School created a “Chill Room,” a calming space designed to help students learn and practice self-regulation skills while increasing their engagement in school.

Student Support Coordinator, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan ISD 196

Stephanie Ochocki, DSW, EdS, LICSW, is the Student Support Coordinator for Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan District 196, where she leads comprehensive school mental health and social-emotional wellbeing efforts. Over the past two decades, she has served two of Minnesota’s largest school districts as a tireless advocate for children, families, and schools. A recognized leader in school social work, Dr. Ochocki previously served as President of the Minnesota School Social Workers Association and as Midwestern Representative for the School Social Work Association of America. Today, she continues to actively contribute to the field by publishing original research and advancing equity-centered strategies to transform educational practices.

Elementary School Social Worker, Owatonna Public Schools

Amanda Griswold is beginning her 12th year as an elementary school social worker with Owatonna Public Schools. Prior to her current role, she worked as a school-based therapist and an in-home family therapist, experiences that have shaped her commitment to supporting students, families, and school communities. She has also had the opportunity to support her school in developing and implementing its PBIS program. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys camping, spending time outdoors, reading, and, most importantly, watching her three daughters participate in their activities.

Behavioral Health Services Coordinator, SoWashCo

Jess Muszynski, EdS, NCSP, is the Behavioral Health Services Coordinator for South Washington County Schools. A former school psychologist, graduate professor (Educational Law and Ethics and Behavioral Interventions) and trauma-informed schools coach. Jess has extensive experience supporting districts in the development of MTSS frameworks and intervention systems. Throughout her career, she has remained passionate about direct student support and helping schools create equitable, responsive systems that promote student success and well-being. Jess enjoys collaborating with educators and mental health professionals to strengthen outcomes for students, families, and school communities.