Welcome to RLCC High School in Oklee

Three people have joined the Red Lake County Central High School staff. Two individuals, Jodi Bachand and Vicki Duden, were recently hired as para-professionals to work with students at the high school. Both have substituted as paras prior to their full time employment. One new teacher, Craig Swanson, was also hired.

Jodi Bachand

By Lily Guillemette

Jodi Bachand has been hired as a paraprofessional at Red Lake County High School in Oklee. She attended North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton and received a degree in dental hygiene. 

Bachand is most looking forward to getting to know more students and staff in RLCC and being an active part of the school. She was interested in working at the high school because she wanted to get to know her kids’ friends and peers and to be a part of what she considers to be a great school. 

Bachand moved to the area 17 years ago to marry Jeff Bachand. They have three children: RLCC Class of 2016 graduate Cade Bachand, freshman Kia Bachand, and eighth grader Cari Bachand. In her free time she enjoys reading, playing volleyball, baking, and spending time with friends and family. 

Vicki Duden

By: Grace Gieseke

Vicki Duden from Red Lake Falls is another of the new para-professionals at the high school. She has been subbing at RLCC for a few years. She decided to start working at RLCC because two of her sons attend school in Oklee. Seeing the students every day at RLCC is what she is looking forward to.  

She is married to Brad Duden and has four children: Alexis, Jimmy, George, and Oscar. As a mom her hobbies are cheering her kids on in all their activities.

Craig Swanson

By Chris Longtin

Hired as an Agricultural and Industrial Technology teacher, Craig Swanson will be starting his first year at RLCC High School. Mr. Swanson studied at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul for Agricultural Education. Mr. Swanson teaches eighth, tenth, 11th-12th woodworking, small engine, welding, and construction trade classes. He looks forward to teaching an Agricultural Education curriculum. He is very interested in Crop Science, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Farm Management, Metals and Welding, and Construction Trades.

In his free time Swanson likes to spend time at his lake home fishing and doing watersports with his six children and four grandchildren. “It’s an ideal place to relax, four wheel, snowmobile, paddleboard, and to just spend time with my family.” His favorite things to watch are “Sharktank,” and PBS Science and History. He also likes to work on building projects in his shop along with engines, metal, and more. 

Swanson has six farm cats, a few labs, and a spaniel. He has lived in Canada, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Hawaii, and Mexico. He can also speak a little Spanish. Swanson loves going on mission projects and staying to complete them. He is now busy building a new cabin at the lake.