Welcoming new teachers in local districts: Ritzville Grade School

January Pietila

January Pietila is the new fourth grade teacher for the Ritzville Grade School. She currently lives with her husband of 36 years a mile from LaCrosse.

Along with teaching, Pietila is an instructor for Sunday school at her church. During her free time, she enjoys going to Cougar football games, sewing, baking and showing off pictures of her granddaughter.

Although Pietila grew up in Quincy, she attended grade school and high school in Waterville. Originally planning on pursuing a career in economics, she attended Eastern Washington University where she earned a bachelor’s in economics.

She received her teaching credentials in 1999 from Walla Walla University, her master’s from Grand Canyon University in 2003 and National Boards from Washington State University in 2009.

For the last 17 years she has been teaching the fourth grade in College Place, Mattawa and Othello.

Pietila said she enjoys the amount of community pride Ritzville contains and is looking forward to building relationships with the locals.

Over the past few weeks since school started, Pietila has had the opportunity to start building relationships with her students. She said her class this year is very kind, and watching them grow and learn is exciting.

One attribute she is looking forward to this year is incorporating more technology into the student’s learning because these are skills students need to succeed in almost any profession, she explained.

Pietila values self-confidence and said her goal this year includes encouraging students to take risks, learn from their mistakes and appreciate their own strengths.

Kelsey Knodel

A familiar face walks the halls of the Ritzville Grade School as the new Lead Preschool Teacher, Kesley Knodel. Knodel grew up in Ritzville and attended school here until graduating from high school in 2010.

She recently married her husband in May and currently resides on their farm.

In her free time, she enjoys all outdoor activities. Hunting, fishing and spending time with her animals are some of her favorite hobbies, she added.

After graduating from high school in Ritzville, Knodel attended Eastern Washington University (EWU) to pursue a degree in Children’s Studies. She graduated from EWU with a bachelor’s in concentration in early childhood, and minors in special education and sociology. She also completed practicum work in elementary education.

Growing up in Ritzville, Knodel said she is grateful to have the opportunity to teach in her hometown. She is excited to be involved in the community, the school and looks forward to assisting her young students with a successful first year in school, she said.

Watching her class grow academically and mentally is what Knodel is most excited about this year. She understands the importance of incorporating positivity with schoolwork and said her goal is to make sure all her students feel comfortable and welcome in the classroom.

Christine Colestock

Originally from Pinehurst Idaho, Christine Colestock is the new second grade teacher for the Ritzville Grade School.

Wishing to do something spontaneous in her life, Colestock moved to Ritzville from Spokane alone. Her husband of 25 years visits her several times a week, she said.

Their children ages 18 and 21, both attend Gonzaga University and live on campus. Being her first year as an empty nester, Colestock said she is rediscovering hobbies she did not have time for while her children were living at home. She enjoys gardening, reading books, knitting, making soap and hosting dinner parties.

Colestock transferred to Boise State University her sophomore year and earned a Bachelor of Science in political science in 1985. In 2000 she moved to Spokane because her husband accepted a position as the Senior Director of Housing and Residence Life at Gonzaga University. While in Spokane, Colestock said she felt a calling to teach while working in volunteer management with a local nonprofit.

In order to pursue her passion, she enrolled in Gonzaga’s Master In Teaching Program with the goal of teaching elementary school students and graduated in 2003.

Colestock came to the Ritzville Grade School from Deer Park Homelink where she taught for five years. She also worked as a private teacher and a substitute.

Her goal is to help students learn how to form strategies in order to solve problems and be willing to help others by working together.