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Learn more about Rita Gauscheman, the new Elearner Project Coordinator for the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy!

Rita has been an art educator in the K-12 education space for the past 8+ years. She has been interested in moving into adult learning and is excited to embark on her new adventure as an Elearner Project Coordinator. Rita feels deeply about healthy social and emotional development of children and is proud to be a part of the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy. Rita holds a Master of Arts in Teaching in Visual Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Her teaching experience includes elementary art at St. Paul Academy and Summit School, Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh, Propel Charter Schools, and a makerspace at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Rita and her spouse moved to the Twin Cities in 2017. She enjoys learning new skills for her creative endeavors, spending time with her spouse and cat, and taking long walks with podcasts and audiobooks.

What is your job title, and what will you be doing? My role is Elearner Project Coordinator on the LMS team. I will be supporting Child Welfare learners as they create new portal accounts, register for courses, progress through our Canvas courses, and assist with pulling data and reports as needed.

Tell us about your education and/or work experience prior to joining MNCWTA. "My educational background includes an MAT from The University of the Arts and a BFA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining MNCWTA, I've been teaching art for students in grades K-12 and in the past 5 years I focused on elementary art."

What are you surprisingly good at? This summer I've been on learning journeys that include picking up gardening skills as well as how to read body language and behaviors of cats. 

What do you like to do outside of work? I love to take long walks while listening to podcasts. My spouse and I love to go to comedy shows. 

What else should we know about you? I have lived in Minnesota for 5 years but am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In the winter my happy place is watching the Great British Baking Show.