PIERZ PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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Patti Block--Para, High School

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Hi! My name is Patti Block. I am in my 18th year as a Special Education Para at the High School.

As the youngest child, I grew up on a farm just northeast of Pierz with my parents, Joe and Pat O’Neil, 4 brothers and 5 sisters. Yep!  12 of us in one house, and only one bathroom!  How did we all survive? I attended St Joe’s Catholic School (Holy Trinity) as a kid. My brothers, sisters and I spent a lot of time outside. Whether it was doing chores, picking weeds in my dad’s massive garden, playing games or playing ball--we were outside.

While in high school I was involved in BPA and choir. I was also boys basketball scorekeeper and track manager. I also worked at my mom’s daycare center, Wee Care. I graduated from Healy HIgh in 1991.

I went off to Central Lakes College, then Brainerd Community College, to get my AAS degree in child development. After college I worked at Little Lambs Child Care Center  in Brainerd, which was affiliated with the Brainerd Tech College.
​

After the daycare closed, I moved back to Pierz with my now husband Todd. I worked for St. Cloud Schools as a para  at Jefferson Elementary and fell in love with Special Ed.  Since school ended by 2 I was able to work for from my mom again a few hours a day and in the summers as a daycare teacher.

I married Todd in 1997 and lived just south of Pierz on a farm. In July of  2000 we bought our current house in Pierz. It needed A LOT of TLC so we spent many weekends and  late nights(after our real jobs) with the help of family and friends to get it into liveable shape.   

That same month I started this job at Pierz Healy High. As a para I love going to to different classrooms with the different kids and constantly learn new things. One of  the best things about Pierz Schools is the people. I can honestly say that I love my co-workers. They make the good days great and the bad days better!  

From Principal Karrie Boser, "Over the years Patti has continually displayed her compassion for students and their success. She has demonstrated this by not only her direct work with students, but also advocating for them through discussions with instructors. Patti will not "allow" a student to be unsuccessful - she will do whatever she needs to support them."


At school I help chaperone school dances and prom. I have been a part of the Para union negotiations committee for the past 16 years. I have been the union Building Representative for almost  just as many years. I have also been active in Special Olympics, and finally took the Polar Plunge into the freezing waters of Mille Lacs last year for the first time--I can’t wait to do it again this year March 10th.   

I currently live in Pierz with Todd and our 2 kids, Creo (age 13) and Kansas (age 10).  They keep us busy!.  Creo is in the 8th grade here at Healy.  He  is involved in Robotics and plays the drums in pep band and Jazz band.  Kansas is in the 4th grade at Pioneer is just finishing her basketball season. Todd has been a union painter for 26 years. He works for Fransen Decorating out of Milaca

One thing that people might be surprised to know about me is that I wrote a book. After my sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer I wrote a social story to help children get through their own trials of having a loved one diagnosed with any cancer. It wasn’t a get rich adventure, but it was high on my bucket list.

In our spare time we like to go camper at our seasonal in Garrison. Since we have the summers off, the kids and I spend a lot of time outside. We go biking, play basketball, go swimming, plant the garden and try to make sure it is weed free like my dad’s was.  That is a high expectation to live up too! As a family we enjoy going to museums, state parks, and playing games and cards.

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District Office

112 Kamnic Street
Pierz, MN 56364
320-468-6458
DO Fax: 320-468-6408

High School

112 Kamnic Street
Pierz, MN 56364
HS Fax: 320-468-6577

Elementary

66 Kamnic Street
Pierz, MN 56364
EL Fax: 320-468-2841
Copyright © 2015 ISD 484

  • DISTRICT
    • District
    • 2020-21 Learning Models
    • Enroll at Pierz Schools
    • About Pierz
    • All Staff Directory
    • District Calendar
    • Transportation/Busing
    • Education Today
    • District Vision and Info
    • District Nurse
    • Emergency Notifications
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Contact Us
    • Leadership
    • District Testing Info
    • Reports
  • HIGH SCHOOL
    • High School
    • Healy Principal Page
    • Healy Parent Page
    • Daily Announcements
    • Departments and Staff
    • Counseling & Career Advising
    • Student Links
    • Chromebooks at Healy
    • Healy Media Center
    • PAP
    • WEB
    • Lunch Info
    • Staff Resources
  • ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
    • Elementary School
    • Pioneer Principal Page
    • Pioneer Parent Page
    • Early Childhood
    • Pioneer Media Center
    • Classrooms and Staff
    • Pioneer Lunch
    • Pioneer PTO
    • Chromebooks at Pioneer
    • Student Support Services-Pioneer
    • Staff Resources
  • STUDENT ACTIVITIES
    • Student Activities
    • Activity Calendar
    • Healy Student Activities
    • Pioneer Student Activities
    • Pierz Gearz
  • COMMUNITY ED
    • Community Ed
    • General Registration Information
    • Early Childhood
    • Driver Education
    • Youth Activities
    • Adult Classes
    • Adult Basic Education
    • Facility Use
    • Defensive Driver Safety Program
    • Parent Guides: How to
  • COVID-Related News & Updates
    • COVID-RELATED NEWS & UPDATES
    • DISTRICT NEWS >
      • News
      • SOCIAL
      • Parking
      • Open Enrollment FAQs
      • Pioneer Pride eNewsletters
      • Staff in the Spotlight
      • Business Spotlight
      • Education Today Newsletters
      • REFERENDUM 2018