Welcoming Mrs. Carrie Esser: Our New 2nd & 3rd Grade Teacher

We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Carrie Esser as the new second and third grade teacher at St. Ann School for the 2025–2026 school year!

If you’ve been part of the St. Ann community for a while, you may already know Mrs. Esser. She and her family became members of St. Ann Parish in 2019, after moving to the area from Arizona following her husband’s retirement from military service. Since then, she’s been an active part of our school family—serving as both an Educational Assistantand substitute teacher. This year, we’re excited to have her officially join our teaching staff!

A Passion for Reading and Student Growth

Mrs. Esser brings a wealth of experience to the classroom—especially in the area of reading and literacy support. For the past five years, she has tutored students at St. Ann's using the Barton Tutoring program, a specialized system designed to help struggling readers. Alongside that, she spent the last four years supporting the Reading Interventionist at a local middle school as an Educational Assistant.

These experiences have helped her develop a deep understanding of phonics, reading comprehension, and the tools students need to overcome learning challenges. As she puts it:

“Learning to read and understand what you are reading is such an important skill to have—and no one should be without this skill.”

Her passion for literacy will be a huge asset to both second and third graders as they continue building confidence and strong foundations in reading.

Rooted in Faith

Beyond academics, Mrs. Esser is devoted to the spiritual formation of her students. As a committed Catholic and active member of St. Ann Parish, she’s excited to help guide students in both faith and virtue. In second grade, she looks forward to supporting families who choose to prepare their child for the beautiful sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion—a sacred and joyful journey shared by many in our school and parish community. While participation in these sacraments is not required, families are welcome to discern and decide together whether to take part. In third grade, her focus will be on deepening students’ relationship with God and encouraging them to live out their faith each day.

A Classroom Built on Compassion and Respect

Mrs. Esser believes in creating a classroom environment grounded in respect, compassion, and God’s teachings. She’s committed to helping students grow in both knowledge and character—equipping them with the skills and moral compass they need to succeed in school and beyond.

A Bit About Her Family and Life Outside the Classroom

Mrs. Esser and her husband, Lee, met while both were serving in the military. Since moving to our community, their family has been a vibrant part of St. Ann's. All three of their children—Emma (11th grade), AJ (10th grade), and Wesley (8th grade)—have attended St. Ann School since 2019. Emma and AJ now attend Stoughton High School, where they are active in sports: Emma participates in golf, dance, and track, while AJ plays football and hockey. Wesley, currently in middle school, enjoys playing tackle football, hockey, and baseball.

Outside of school, Mrs. Esser loves cheering on her kids at their sporting events, reading, traveling, and watching hockey games with her family.

A Strong Foundation in Education and Service

Mrs. Esser holds degrees in biology and sports medicine from Norwich University, and later earned a degree in nursing. She is currently working toward her education certificate, continuing her lifelong passion for learning and service. Her diverse background in science, healthcare, and now education brings a unique and well-rounded perspective to the classroom.

We are incredibly grateful to have Mrs. Esser join us in this new role, and we can’t wait to see all the ways she will inspire and support her students this year. Welcome to your new classroom, Mrs. Esser—we’re so glad you’re here!