Interviewed by: Brock Winter

Where are you from?
I grew up in Minnesota, but Clear Lake is home. 

Where did you graduate from?
SDSU and Mount Marty

What degrees do you have? (Include majors/minors)
Business Economics (SDSU) and K-8 Education (Mount Marty)

What is your position at the school?
2nd grade teacher

How many years have you taught at Deuel School?
This is my 19th year.|

Do you help with any extra curricular activities?
Not currently

What is one of your favorite classroom activities?
I love hearing students read!

What made you want to become a teacher?
I had many great teachers growing up and it inspired me to become one. 

Tell me about a time a student or students had a lasting impact on you?
All my students have had an impact on me.

What’s one thing that can instantly make your day better?
Chocolate!

How would your 10-year old self react to what you do now?
She would be happy! I loved playing at school when I was little.

If you could go back to any time in history, where would you go?
There are so many I would want to experience! One of my picks would be during the founding of America.

How is technology used to support teaching and learning at Deuel High School?
We use one to one iPads in 2nd grade. We use iPad programs and apps as a supplement to our core curriculum.

What are some challenges teachers are facing today? 
I would say that education being a priority in meaningful legislation and funding is a huge challenge facing educators today.  

If you were able to teach any other subjects/grade what would you choose? Why?
I love history so teaching social studies would be fun.

Interviewed by Zach Martinell

Where did you graduate from?
I graduated from the University of North Dakota.

What did you get your degree in? Major? Minor?
Bachelor’s of Science with a double major in Elementary Education and Special Education.

Where are you from?
I grew up in Sioux Falls, SD. However, my mom and her siblings graduated from Clear Lake High School.

How many years have you taught?
28 years

What is your position at Deuel School?
Currently, I am a second grade teacher. I have also been the High School LD teacher and a kindergarten teacher here at Deuel School.

What extracurricular activities, if any, do you coach or help with?
I do not coach currently, but I was previously the gymnastics coach.

How do you remember all of your students’ names?
I try to practice their first and last names. Lots of times, I call students by their siblings names, or ….. George ;).

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Teachers already have superpowers! We can hear your whispers, we have eyes on the back of our heads, and we know what you are going to ask before you say it! If I could have another superpower, it would be to make snow melt. Oh, and “world peace”.

What do you remember most about your first job?
I remember the students. I worked with students who had learning disabilities and behavior disorders at Vermillion High School.

What would be the first thing you bought if you won the lottery?
I would buy a lake cabin, a pontoon, and pay off debts.

What are your hobbies?
I enjoy riding horses, cooking, gardening, and spending time with my family.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Watching kids grow and learn. Their minds and imaginations are like sponges. Second graders still get so excited about learning new things.

What is your favorite snack?
I love to munch on buttery popcorn or Red Vine licorice.

Do you have a favorite part of your school day?
(Kids would say lunch and recess) I would say I enjoy teaching math.

What’s something we would be surprised to learn about you?
I placed third in regions for Shot Put. (Washington High School - Sioux Falls)

Updated Feb 2023