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5th Grade

 

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Jill Bluhm
bluhmj@ritenourschools.org

Hello!!!  My name is Jill Bluhm. I am very excited about starting my 12th year of teaching at Wyland!  This will be my ninth year teaching fifth grade and I am very excited about getting the year started.  Before becoming a fifth-grade teacher, I was a fourth-grade teacher at Wyland for three years.   

I absolutely love education and continue to improve my education.  I graduated in the Summer of 2020 with my Educational Specialist Degree with an emphasis in Mental Health Practices in Schools from Mizzou.  I also have my Master's Degree in Elementary Education which I received from Greenville College.  

 

My husband, Adam, and I have been married for 18 years.  Together, we have two amazing daughters. Hailey is 15, and is a freshman this year. Natalie is 13, and going into 8th grade.  We also have a Golden Retriever/ Golden Doodle mix puppy, Archie, that we decided to adopt during quarantine in 2020.  He definitely keeps us entertained.  As a family, we enjoy trying new places and traveling the world.    

"Every child deserves a champion - an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." -Rita F. Pierson.  I hope to be your child's champion this year and for the years to come.  Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.  I look forward to working with you and your child to have a successful year!    

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.  I look forward to working with you and your child to have a successful year! 

Huddleston, Rachel
 

Hello! My name is Rachel Huddleston and I’m so excited to start my first year teaching! 

I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Blackburn College last fall, and recently returned to the St. Louis area where I grew up. 

In my free time I love to go to the movies, play mini golf, and shop with my sister, Hannah. 

I have always dreamed of having a classroom where my students and I can all learn a lot and have FUN! I look forward to this year and getting to know my students and their families

McEnroe, Angela 

Hello, my name is Angela McEnroe and I am so excited to be teaching Fifth Grade this year! This is my 1st year at Wyland and 26th year of teaching. I have experience in many grade levels.  I have taught in the regular education setting in Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, and Fifth Grade. I had the opportunity to spend three years as a building math interventionist for grades Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. Most recently, I taught for Special School District, co-teaching in three Eighth Grade ELA classrooms.  As a Teacher, I love to create a classroom that feels like a family.  It is my goal each year to not only teach students the new curriculum, but to make sure they grow both socially and emotionally.

I graduated from Southeast Missouri State University where I received my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with and emphasis in Early Childhood Education. After one year of teaching I attended Lindenwood University and received my Master's Degree in Elementary Education. I am also certified in K-12 cross catagorical Special Education.

I have lived in the St. Louis area my entire life and enjoy spending time with my family and friends. My husband (Ed) and I have three children. Eddie (18) just graduated and is starting his associates degree at Jefferson College in the fall. Molly (15) is learning to drive and will be a sophomore in high school.  She keeps us busy with her love of gymnastics and cross country. Ellie (12) will be in 7th grade and keeps us busy with her love of dance. She is on the competitive dance team at her school and the competitive dance team at her studio. 

I look forward to working at the elementary level again this year.  Fifth grade is an amazing year for students and I look forward to being a part of their journey! 

 

Ogechi Okpara
okparao@ritenourschools.org

Hello! My name is Ms. Okpara, and this will be my second year teaching 5th grade at Wyland Elementary! I am a graduate of Fontbonne University, where I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.

I competed in track and field throughout my years in college. I enjoy traveling, watching movies with my family, and spending time with my dog, Archie. I look forward to working with my 5th graders and their families this school year!

Schwendemann, Grace
mailto:schwendemanng@ritenourschools.org

Hello! My name is Ms. Schwendemann—though most people just call me Ms. S! I’m thrilled to be starting my 8th year of teaching as part of the incredible 5th grade team here at Wyland. I’m so excited to continue learning and growing alongside this amazing community of students, families, and educators.

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Southeast Missouri State University and went on to complete my Master’s Degree in Special Reading at Lindenwood University. Teaching reading is one of my greatest passions because it encourages students to question the world around them, think deeply, and unlock new ideas through the magic of words and stories.

The 2025–2026 school year will be especially memorable for me—I’m getting married in November! My fiancé and I love spending our free time together at the gym, gardening, cooking up tasty meals, and curling up with our dog, Duke, for a good movie night.

This school year will be filled with curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and—of course—lots of fun! By building a growth mindset and striving to be the best version of ourselves each day, we can make this an incredible year of learning. I’m so excited to partner with you and your child on this journey!