LUVERNE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Two resignations late last school year prompted district officials to replace existing staff after cutting five full-time teachers for the upcoming school year due to declining enrollment.

While Hanna Walters and Ali Dinger are new to the Luverne district, they are not new to the classroom.

Walters spent nine years with the Ellsworth School District, primarily teaching third grade, with a few fourth-grade subjects over that timeframe.

The Luverne 2012 graduate returns to her alma mater as the fifth-grade English language arts and science teacher.

“I am excited for the opportunity to continue growing as an educator and to build positive experiences with students, families and colleagues in my hometown community,” she said.

Walters is the daughter of Darrell and Mary Hemme of Luverne.

She received an elementary education degree from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall along with a Master’s degree in education with a focus on teaching, learning and leadership.

Joining Walters at Luverne Elementary are her children, Elliot, a first-grader, and Everly, who is in preschool.

“Having my own children attend Luverne Schools makes this especially meaningful, and I am looking forward to sharing in the school experience with them while also giving back to the community that shaped me,” she said.

Walters will make her home in Luverne.

Ali (Taylor) Dinger is no stranger to Luverne Public Schools, having worked as a paraprofessional at Luverne Elementary.

“I was able to work primarily in the preschool with Mrs. Debbie Mitchell, who encouraged me to continue my education and become a teacher myself,” Dinger said.

Dinger grew up in St. Cloud, where she attended Tech High School and earned her undergraduate degree in liberal studies at St. Cloud State University (SCSU).

She later earned an online Master’s degree in early childhood education from Grand Canyon University.

She moved to Luverne ten years ago after meeting her husband, Brent, while at SCSU.

The two married eight years ago and made Luverne their home.

“We knew Luverne would be a good place to call home and raise our family,” Dinger said. “We live close to the school and enjoy having the bike path near our home.”

The couple has two children, Evren, 5, a kindergartner, and Tate, 3. They also have two black Labs named Rainy and Rave.

Dinger’s road to becoming a first-grade teacher in Luverne was a busy one four years ago.

“I began teaching preschool in Ellsworth in 2021 while I finished my Master’s, ran my in-home day care by hiring Madison Crabtree to run it for me while I was away teaching, and was pregnant with my son,” she said. “It was a very busy year as a teacher.” she said.

Dinger spent two school years with Ellsworth before leaving to teach preschool in Adrian for the past two years.

She applied for the first-grade position in Luverne in July.

“I had to take the chance at having the opportunity to work so close to home and in the same school district that my children will attend,” she said. “It’s always been my dream to teach in Luverne, so I’m looking forward to it finally happening.”