About Northome School
South Koochiching-Rainy River ISD #363 is one of the largest geographic school districts in the state of Minnesota with an attendance area of 1,532 square miles. The District, as it is now configured, was preceded decades ago by many small communities/townships, which had their own schools, most being the one-room school house. Currently, ISD #363 has only one remaining PreK-12 Grade school located in Northome, MN.
The Northome School offers unique opportunities to learn in nature. The experience begins with 80 acres of land that is laced with ski and wildlife trails. This beautiful northern acreage is enhanced by various geographic features such as the Northome School Forest and pond, which attract wildlife year around. We also utilize the Big Bog State Recreation Area, an old growth forest known as “The Lost 40”, Island Lake and many of the natural wonders of Koochiching County and surrounding areas.
The Northome School community believes in the process of working in collaboration versus isolation and embraces the concept of Professional Learning Communities, or PLC’s. The Northome School Community understands that every student is unique, as we strive to meet the needs of each student learner. We have scheduled specific times during each school day that we call our WIN (What I Need) time that places special emphasis on student learning and the differentiation of instruction. During this time, we use the Four (4) questions of a PLC to help guide our fundamental purpose. 1) What is it that we want our students to know and be able to do (Essential Skills)? 2) How do we know if the students have learned the skill (Assessment)? What do we do for students that have not learned the skill (Intervention)? What do we do for students that already know the skill (Enrichment)?
Meet our administrative team
Superintendent
Principal
Secretary
Business Manager
Accounts Rec/Payable
School Nurse
Superintendent
Ms. Tara Lere
Superintendent
tlere@northome.k12.mn.us
218-897-5275 ext. 153
I am a K–12 executive educational leader with expertise in district leadership, school improvement, and federal programs. I have led strategic initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness, ensure regulatory compliance, improve student outcomes, and build collaborative partnerships with educators, families, tribal communities, and government agencies. I believe in leading through strategic vision, strong operational leadership, and collaboration to create high-performing school systems where every student is supported and empowered to succeed.
I began my career in education in 1998 as a health teacher at Bemidji High School. Since then, I have had the privilege of serving students in both charter schools and traditional public schools as a teacher and administrator. Over the past eight years, I have held a variety of leadership roles, most recently serving for two years as Superintendent of a school district in northern Idaho.
Although northern Idaho offered incredible scenery and wonderful people, my heart has always been in Minnesota. Returning home allows me to be closer to my parents, my adult children, and my grandchildren, all of whom live within an easy drive. Family has always been my foundation, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my career while being near those I love.
Outside of work, I enjoy taking road trips and exploring our nation’s natural beauty. I have visited every Minnesota State Park and am currently working on my second trip through all of them. I also love visiting National Parks and keeping an eye out for quirky roadside attractions—especially anything claiming to be the “World’s Largest!”
I am honored to serve as Superintendent of the South Koochiching Rainy River School District. I look forward to building strong relationships with our staff, School Board, students, families, and community members. Together, we will continue to create a positive, student-centered learning environment, celebrate the strengths of our schools, and ensure every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. I am excited to become part of this community and look forward to the great work we will accomplish together.
Principal
Mrs. Emilie Duffney
Principal
eduffney@northome.k12.mn.us
218-897-5275 ext. 155
What an honor and blessing it is to be serving Northome School as the Principal. Education has been a passion of mine for over half of my life. I believe that every student should have the opportunity to learn, feel safe, and become who they are meant to be in this world.
The 26-27 School year starts my 24th year of education with a mix of teaching and administration. I was a Family and Consumer Science teacher for 20 years in St. Paul, MN. Within those 20 years, I took a year of leave to work with students teaching them softball and life skills, and helped rescued women recover from a life of bondage in the Dominican Republic.
When I returned from the Dominican Republic, I was the director of a tutoring program for Latino children and realized that I enjoyed the administrative part of the position. This led me to pursue my administrative license and begin my journey to become a principal.
After getting married and moving up north, I took a job at Cherry School as the “School Within a School” teacher for a year. Then I took a job as assistant principal at Deer River High School for two years, and now I am a Mustang!
In between all the educational life I enjoy traveling, being outdoors, being on, in, or near water, gardening, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
Secretary
Mrs. Nikki Adegun
School Secretary
218-897-5275 ext. 100
nadegun@northome.k12.mn.us
I joined Northome School in 2022 as a paraprofessional and moved into the secretary role the following school year. My family and I moved to Northome from the Twin Cities in 2020. In the cities, I ran the Special Education Academic Support Center at Brooklyn Center High School. Prior to that, I was the Director of a non-profit travel program for adults with developmental disabilities, called Ventures Travel for 13 years.
Outside of school, I am very active in our local church and I greatly enjoy doing music ministry with my whole family. I also enjoys crafting, graphic design and spending time with my extended family.
“I believe that strong schools and strong communities go hand in hand. I’m glad to be a part of both here in Northome.”
Business Manager
Mrs. Alissa Carlson
Business Manager
218-897-5275 ext. 152
alissa.carlson@isd363.org
I joined South Koochiching-Rainy River ISD #363 in April of 2022 as the Business Manager. Prior to joining ISD #363, I served Bemidji State University for 15 years as a Campus Security Officer. I previously graduated from Bemidji State University with Bachelor’s Degrees in Criminal Justice and Business Administration with an emphasis in Management and completed Alexandria Technical and Community College’s Law Enforcement Skills program.
My interests include spending time with my family, gardening, outdoor activities, food preservation and fitness.
As a Northome School graduate, I am happy to be part of the Mustang team again.
Accounts Rec/Payable
Ms. Shawn Waldo
Accounts Receivable and Payable
218-897-5275 ext. 154
shawn.waldo@isd363.org
I have been employed by the District since 2012. I enjoy working in the Northome community, with the students and their families.
I work in the business office doing accounts payable/receivable, purchasing, meal programs, and a variety of other duties.
In my off time I enjoy time with my family.
School Nurse
I joined Northome School in January 2026, bringing over 12 years of clinical experience from Bigfork Valley Hospital. As a nurse since 2013 (transitioning from LPN to RN in 2022) and a former educational support professional, I am passionate about blending health and education. I am dedicated to ensuring our students are safe, healthy, and ready to learn.
I’m incredibly lucky to call northern Minnesota home, where I get to enjoy the serenity of nature every day. My life is full with my wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters. We love exploring the outdoors together, from camping and kayaking to fishing and golfing, we are always finding new ways to enjoy the beauty around us.
I am absolutely thrilled to join the Northome family! I can’t wait to connect with our amazing students, dedicated staff and wonderful community members. Go Mustangs!