Interviewed by Dexter Unzen

What is your favorite classroom activity?
I love teaching about butterflies.  The students get so excited to watch their transformation.

Where did you graduate and what was your degree?
I graduated from SDSU with a degree in psychology and then graduated from USD with a degree in Elementary Education.

Where are you from?  Platte, SD

How many years have you been teaching? 23 years

Do you do any extracurricular activities?
Not coaching, but I am in a couple volleyball leagues.

What made you want to become a teacher?
I wanted to make a difference in the lives of kids.

What is your favorite school day out of the week?  Thursday

How far do you have to drive to work every day to work? 8 miles

If you could change anything in the school, what would it be?
I’d add a chocolate fountain in the teacher’s lounge.

If you could go back to any time in history, where would you go?
I’d only go back to the beginning of my own life so I could learn to appreciate all of the small moments that I now wish I could have back. 

What is your favorite weekend activity?
Watching wrestling, playing board games with my family, and watching movies.

Interviewed by Jaden Damm

Favorite classroom activity
STEM projects -- it is so fun to watch the students collaborate and create.

Where did you graduate from?
University of South Dakota, go yotes!

Do you have any degrees?
Elementary and Special Education 

Where are they from?
University of South Dakota

How many years have you taught?
I am in my 6th year of teaching 

Position at school?
First Grade Teacher

Extra curricular?
Varsity Golf Coach 

What is most challenging about teaching first graders?
Behaviors. 

What is most rewarding about teaching first graders?
Seeing the growth they make in one school year--there is so much to learn.   Watching first graders be excited about learning and coming to school. I love the relationships we have as a class, it's something special and always a tough goodbye. 

How much time do you spend preparing lessons and teaching material?
It varies depending on the activities and content covered.

How do you help students at different levels of learning understand things?
Adjusting materials and finding material at levels for them to be successful. 

Do you find that first graders are anxious/excited to learn
Yes! Mostly at first grade, they are excited to be at school and enjoy being in the classroom.

Did you originally want to teach first graders?
No! I always said lower elementary wasn’t for me, but I was wrong! I LOVE it. 

Do your students ever make comments that make you laugh and if so what are some?
I always have a few funny characters in my class. They make me laugh every day.  

If you weren't a teacher what other career would you have any interest in?
I love being a mom and a teacher. The best jobs in the world!