Joseph P Kaufenberg


My adventure to the Great North Woods began in August of 1999, when my wife and I decided to move to the beautiful city of Babbitt. We left the hustle and bustle of the Twin Cities behind for a more serene and relaxed atmosphere. A place where we could raise our children and know they would get a quality education in a small school that would address their individual needs. We packed up our belongings grabbed the little ones (only three at the time, now of course 5 of these ding dongs) and started our new adventure. Many, many years later here we are enjoying every ounce of the life we have been given (adding two more children to the fold along the way). Update, now a grandpa/grandma of two amazing little boys, having sooooo much fun, they are our hearts.

When we first arrived, I started working as a substitute teacher at the Babbitt-Embarrass school. During my educational adventure, I commuted to Itasca Community College for a year to instruct speech communications courses. In 2006, I was hired by St. Louis County Schools-ISD2142 as the Community Education Coordinator for the Babbitt-Embarrass area and have been here ever since. In 2010, I started the Northeast Range Community Theatre Program. This program has given me the opportunity to enjoy my calling. The focus of the theatre program is to provide students and community members with the opportunity to be involved with quality fine arts. I am actively directing two plays per year and teaching a variety of acting classes that are open to students and community members alike. I thoroughly love my job and working with the wonderful people in this part of Northern Minnesota. Obtaining my teaching license as we speak, wish me luck. 
 
Education

​Theatre Arts and History
1987 - 1992          Bemidji State University                               Bemidji, Minnesota
BFA Theatre
1993 - 1995          University of Wisconsin-Superior              Superior, Wisconsin
MA Theatre/Communications  
1995 - 1996          University of Wisconsin-Superior              Superior, Wisconsin
Bachelor of Science – Human Services
2002 -    University of Wisconsin-Superior              Superior, Wisconsin
2021-Florida State University    Teaching License

Professional Experience
2018-                          Northeast Range School                 Babbitt, Minnesota

Paraprofessional---Special Education


2006-Present     Northeast Range School                     Babbitt, Minnesota
Community Education Coordinator, Youth Development Coordinator, NER Community Theatre Director and One Act Director/Advisor and ISD2142 Lead Coordinator.
Coordinate and implement community education classes and activities for the Babbitt/Embarrass area. Direct Community Theatre Productions and instruct several community education classes/workshops focused on performance arts. Direct and advise One Act competition for NER High School.
 
2007-2013                                Northeast Range School                                                 Babbitt, Minnesota
Instructional Aide – Special Education   
Instructional Aide for elementary and secondary students with special needs. Provide instruction to students on an individual and small group bases according to learning needs and disabilities. Provide supervision during lunch and recess and work directly with students on basic fundamental and social skills.                

2006-2007            Itasca Community College            Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Speech Communications Instructor
Plan and instruct communications courses on an as needed basis. Course list: Fundamentals of Public Speaking, Introduction to Speech Communications, Interpersonal Communications, Intercultural Communications

1997 - 1999          Stage Coach Theatre      St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Theatre Arts Teacher
Coordinated class curriculum and instructed acting classes

1997 - 1999          Homeward Bound Theatre          Chanhassen, Minnesota
Theatre Arts Teacher
Coordinated class curriculum and instructed acting classes

1996       Hermantown Community Theatre           Hermantown, Minnesota
Director/Producer
Coordinated production of “The King and I.” Responsible for all accepts of the production: budget, scheduling, auditions, rehearsals, cast, crew etc… 
 

Contact: Joseph Kaufenberg