Brandon Bata, Junior High Math, Head Boys Basketball Coach:

Mr. Bata is from Kensal, ND. He is a graduate of Valley City State University with degrees in Math Education and Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. He is married to Alicia (1st grade teacher at Oakes Elementary), and has a daughter Mariah (almost 2 years old). When Mr. Bata isn't teaching or coaching, he likes to hunt, fish, be outdoors, play sports, and play cards, This is his 5th year of teaching.
e-mail Mr. Bata

Krista Dobitz, High School Science, Yearbook Advisor:

Mrs. Dobitz’s hometown is Oakes.  She has a degree in Biology from Jamestown College.  This is her 3rd year of teaching in Oakes, but she taught 7-12th grade science for 3 years in Strasburg, ND before coming back home.  In her free time, she likes to be with family and friends, read, jog, and watch all types of sports, especially the Minnesota Twins! 

e-mail Mrs. Dobitz

Larry Engel, TV Production Instructor/Technology Coordinator:

Mr. Engel is from McClusky, North Dakota, has two sons Ben and Sam, a wife of 26 years - Terry, and a he loves sports (especially baseball). Mr. Engel has a degree in Technology Education from VCSU and is in his 4th year of teaching TV Production.  He has been the Technology Support Advisor for the school district since the fall of 2001.

e-mail Mr. Engel

Susan German, Band Director and Music Teacher:
Mrs. German is the instrumental music advisor and she leads the pep band, jazz band, marching band, and concert band.  But that's not all, she is also in the Guelph Community Band, member of the Guelph Community Development Association, Country Rose FCE Club, Active Arts Club, Inc. and the director of the Grace Lutheran Senior Church Choir.  To stay active she likes to garden, walk or spend time with her seven children.  Occasionally she likes to take some down time at her lake cabin with her husband Chuck.  Mrs. German is originally from Guelph, ND and is a graduate of Valley City State.  She has been teaching since 1973.
e-mail Mrs. German

Wallace Geske, Math and Science:

Mr. Geske has been teaching for 43 years!  His home town is Enderlin, ND. From there he went on to the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND to receive a Pre-Ed degree. He continued his education at Valley City State University where he completed his bachelor's degree.  Mr. Geske is married, has two daughters and five grandchildren (with whom he loves to spend time!).  He also plays the bass guitar in the church choir.
e-mail Mr. Geske

Virginia Gramlow, HS Art, K-3 Student Performance Strategist:

Mrs. Gramlow is originally from New Rockford, ND. She is a graduate of Valley City State University where she received two degrees: Elementary Education and Art Education. She has been teaching since 2008. She and her husband Adam reside in Oakes with their son, John. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, creating art, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.
e-mail Mrs. Gramlow

Travis Hackey, Social Studies:

e-mail Mr. Hackey

Kathie Hay, Choral Music/Elementary Music:

Mrs. Hay is the vocal music director at Oakes High School as well as an elementary music teacher. Mrs. Hay is originally from Fullerton, ND and a graduate of Jamestown College. She has been teaching in Oakes since 2001. Mrs. Hay has three children: Travis, Evan, Kris (husband Josh) and one beautiful granddaughter, Taylor. Her outside of school interests include reading, playing piano and keeping track of her kids!
e-mail Mrs. Hay

Bruce Junker, Junior High Science and Health, Junior High Basketball Coach:

Mandan, ND is Mr. Junker's home town.  He received his bachelor's degree from North Dakota State University and has been teaching for 31 years.  In his spare time Mr. Junker likes to camp, fish, umpire baseball and collect sports cards.  He is married to Janet and has a daughter Allison.

e-mail Mr. Junker

Leonard Kjelland, Word Processing:

Mr. Kjelland is originally from Valley City, North Dakota. He graduated
from Valley City State University in 2010 with degrees in Business
Education and Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, and
he is currently in his second year teaching in Oakes. In addition to
teaching Word Processing classes at Oakes High School, Mr. Kjelland
teaches Web Design, Marketing, and Sports Marketing classes at the
Southeast Region Career and Technology Center in Oakes where he also
serves as the DECA advisor.

e-mail Mr. Kjelland

Liana Lemnus, Jr. High English and Speech Advisor:

e-mail Mrs. Lemnus

Misty Olds, HS English & Drama Advisor:

Ms. Olds is originally from New Rockford, North Dakota. She graduated from Valley City State University with degrees in English education, Spanish education, and an endorsement in Teaching English Language Learners. This is her 4th year teaching here in Oakes, and she’s excited for what the year will bring! She enjoys writing, reading, traveling (especially to Germany!) and spending time with family and friends.
e-mail Ms. Olds

Amy Paeper, Special Education (EMH & TMH):

Mrs. Paeper is originally from Gwinner, ND. She is a graduate of Moorhead State University and had been teaching in Oakes since 1992. She has two daughters TyAnna and McKenna, and a son Adler.

e-mail Mrs.Paeper

Jeanine Pahl, Library Media Specialist:

Mrs. Pahl is a member of the Accelerated Reader Committee and also serves as the Oakes Public Library Director. She has been teaching since 1976. As you might imagine, she enjoys reading, but her other interests are her children's activities, quilting and volunteer programs. She is an Oakes native and a graduate of Mayville State University. She is married to Tom; they have three children, Jason, Justin, Janae, a granddaughter, Jillian Brooke, and a grandson Jeran Blake.
e-mail Mrs. Pahl

Nolen Peterson, Jr. High Social Studies, Ass't. Football Coach, Ass't Boys Basketball Coach:
Mr. Peterson, aka. Norm, has degrees in History/Poly Sci and PE. He has 3 years of teaching experience in the Turtle Lake school system and is in his 5th year of teaching in Oakes. His home town is Havana.......ND not Cuba...and in his free time he likes to hunt, fish, golf and watch the Twins win! Mr. Peterson's wife is Ellie, he has a dog named T.D. (Touchdown), a cat name Sarah and he said the best thing about OHS is, "Listening to Coach Sagert say 'linebackers!', excellent students, and excellent faculty!"
e-mail Mr. Peterson

Shawn Sagert, Physical Education & Health Teacher, Junior High Boys Basketball Coach:

Mr. Sagert grew up wearing the mighty orange and black! However it was as a Cavalier Tornado! He then went on to to earn his Bachelor's degree at NDSU. This is Mr. Sagert's 8th year of teaching! His hobbies and interests are hunting, sports, and hanging out with his Wife (Mary) and Son (Braysen Henry). The Super Chev and Green Hornet are still running strong. GO BISON!!!!!

e-mail Mr. Sagert

Caitlyn Wojahn, HS Math, Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach:

Ms. Wojahn's hometown is Milbank, South Dakota. She graduated from Valley City State University with a degree in Secondary Math Education. This is her first year teaching and coaching. She enjoys reading, playing sports, and spending time with family.

e-mail Ms. Wojahn