2021 Back to School - Benton County

BENTON COUNTY NEWS | TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021 | Page 5

Benton County Abstract & Title

• Residential • Agricultural • Commercial

320-968-7278 bct@bentontitle.com

411 Dewey St., Foley MN, P.O Box 128

JOBS AVAILABLE!

425 Dewey Street Foley MN 56329

APPLY IN PERSON 800.578.9524

Wellness Center Foley

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Meet the

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We have your:

At the time of press, all new teachers from St. John’s Area School and Foley Public Schools who had been hired are featured.

Alan Berndt-Dreyer

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Chemistry teacher at Foley Public Schools Family: My wife, Maggie, and I have two sons, Simon, 2, and Otto, 5 months.

Hometown: Rushville, Nebraska College: Doane University and the University of Sioux Falls Years of experience: Three Who has been your favorite educator? Mark Plano Clark, one of my college physics professors. He was passionate about whatever topic he was teaching and jovial and kind to students. At the same time, he challenged us. He made himself available to chat and was supportive of my career goals.

If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? Empathy. I believe not only seeing things from another’s perspective but really feeling and understanding their reality will help make our world a kinder, more cooperative place.

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Emily Gaspers Early childhood special education teacher at Foley Public Schools Family: I live in Foley with my husband, Sam and my son, Russell.

Hometown: Foley College: St. Cloud State University Years of experience: This year will be my sixth year teaching early childhood special education and my ninth year overall teaching.

211 G

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TREET

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If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? Embrace yourself and who you are. It is OK to be outside of the box. Just be yourself.

Third grade teacher at Foley Public Schools

5632

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Who has been your favorite educator? Mr. Raymo. He was kind, patient and helped take time to make sure I understood the information he was trying to teach.

Erika Schwartz

, MN FOLEY

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Family: My fiancé, Morgan; dog, Thor; parents, Rob and Ann; sister, Ellie; and grandma, Lu. Hometown: Becker College: Bethel University Years of experience: One Who has been your favorite educator? My favorite educator is Mary Peters of Foley elementary. She taught me to be fair and kind. Work hard and have fun and that teaching is truly a work of heart.

If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? To be kind to others and love one another. Teaching students to be good human beings is so special and will benefit them the most.

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(320) 968-6217 | 415 Dewey Street | Foley, MN 56329

Page 6 | TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021 | BENTON COUNTY NEWS

Deanna Jacobson Developmental cognitive disabilities teacher at Foley Public Schools

Most Insurance Plans Accepted

everyday life.

Dr. Kimberly Molacek - Optometrist Garrett Molacek - Office Manager FOLEY 320-968-6015 MILACA 320-983-3434

Family: I come from a family of six where I am the oldest. I have three younger brothers along with one cat.

Hometown: Annandale College: University of Minnesota-Duluth Years of experience: This will be my first full year teaching.

Who has been your favorite educator? My mom. She is an amazing special education teacher that I look up to and strive to be like, not only in the classroom but in

If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? To embrace and be confident in who they are. I want all of my students to be proud of who they are because they are so unique and special in their own way.

Jeremy Albright Sixth grade teacher at Foley Public Schools Family: My wife, Kelly, and our son, Jake.

Hometown: Royalton College: St. Cloud State University Years of experience: Twenty-four Who has been your favorite educator? Kevin Hemmesch. He taught me that it is important to have a sense of humor with your students If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? Do what is right not what is easy.

Jody Martinson Choir teacher at Foley Public Schools

Welcome back

to School

Family: My husband, Todd, and I have two sons, Jakob,18, and Caleb,15.

Hometown: Royalton College: College of St. Benedict and St. Cloud State University Years of experience: Four years of teaching high school and middle school, and many more years of directing music to singers of all ages.

Who has been your favorite educator? My college voice professor, Carolyn Finley. She was always supportive and encouraging, and challenged me to reach my potential.

If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? Compassion.

Through the arts, we experience an understanding of the emotions of others, which gives us the potential to step into their shoes. Compassion toward others leads to dialogue, a greater understanding of our neighbors and builds friendships.

Mary Lamberson

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Distance learning and math intervention teacher at Foley Public Schools Family: I have a fiancé and am a soon-to-be step-mom to a 4-year-old and 6-year-old.

Hometown: Marshfield, Wisconsin College: Trinity International University Years of experience: Nine Who has been your favorite educator? I had a science teacher in high school, Mr. Heeg, who showed genuine interest and concern for each of his students. He was intentional to get to know us and push us to be our best selves. He also lit a curiosity and passion for learning inside of me which further motivated me to become a teacher. I am grateful for the example he set for me as an educator and the confidence he gave me to pursue a future in education.

If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? Empathy. Out of an empathetic heart and mind flow kindness, selflessness and a desire to learn and understand what others are experiencing. Empathetic students are amazing change makers and can have a powerful impact in their families, communities and beyond.

Foley Family Dental Dedicated to creating positive smiles Welcome back to school students!

Foley Family Dental 430 Broadway Ave. North, Foley, MN 56329 Phone: 320.968.7392 | Fax: 320.968.8858 Dr. Andrea McGrew Dentist

Office Hours: Mon. & Wed. 8 am - 5 pm | Fri. 8 am - 2 pm

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Liz Czech Learning disabilities teacher at Foley Public Schools Family: My parents; boyfriend, Chase; and dog, Hudson.

Hometown: Royalton College: Winona State University Years of experience: One Who has been your favorite educator? My fifth grade teacher, Mr. Baloga as he always made learning fun, interactive and adventurous. You never truly felt like you were learning in his room. Instead, you felt more that you were growing.

If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? What my dad taught me every morning before he left for work. Always do your best. It is important for students to know that their best effort is truly good enough and to never compare to someone else’s best. My students will be reminded of it every day as my dad made a plaque for me to keep in my classrooms.

Madison Mehrwerth

Kindergarten teacher at Foley Public Schools Family: My husband, Brandon, and our dogs, Bo and Finnley.

Hometown: Foley College: St. Cloud State University Years of experience: This is my third year teaching.

Who has been your favorite educator? My favorite educators were at South Elementary in Princeton. They played a huge impact on making me love education.

Because of them, I wanted to become a teacher. Mrs. Miller, Ms. Hagen and Mrs. Lindell.

If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? To have patience and grace with themselves and others. Everyone will learn, grow and live at a different spot in life and that is OK.

BENTON COUNTY NEWS | TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021 | Page 7

Richard Johnson

Melissa Gohman

Social studies teacher at Foley Public Schools

Art teacher at Foley Public Schools

Family: My wife, Noelle, and I have two sons, Bennett and Asher.

Hometown: Ham Lake College: University of Minnesota-Duluth, University of North Dakota and Southern New Hampshire University Years of experience: This will be my 25th year teaching.

Family: I live with my husband, Craig Erickson, and two daughters, Paige and Alea Erickson.

Hometown: St. Cloud College: St. Cloud State University Years of experience: I have been a teaching artist since 1996 but received my teaching license in 2019.

Who has been your favorite educator? My dad taught me the kind of person I wanted to be.

If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? To be kind; it costs nothing to give but pays greatly to both give and receive.

Richard Thomas Music teacher at Foley Public Schools Family: My wife, Susan, who is also a music teacher.

Hometown: Lakeville College: University of Wisconsin-River Falls Years of experience: This will be my fourth year as an educator.

Who has been your favorite educator? My high school choir director, Paul Wigley. He mentored and encouraged me to be excited about music and helped me realize I would be a great music teacher.

If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? The ability to enjoy music. Music is such a wonderful form of communication. Teaching students to appreciate the many types of music allows students to enjoy music throughout their entire lives.

Angela Sterriker Language arts teacher at Foley Public Schools Family: I am married with four children and a bonus daughter: ages 14, 12, 9, 5 and 30.

Hometown: Zimmerman College: St. Cloud State University Years of experience: Second year at Foley High School.

Who has been your favorite educator? John Barth who was my language arts teacher and coach at Elk River Senior High. He had a great sense of humor and love for life. His character made me want to be a better person.

Who has been your favorite educator? My favorite educator was Mr. Hummel. He was the art teacher at Apollo High School. He was a skilled artist and shared his passion for art with his students.

If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? To have fun and not be afraid to fail. People learn more about the art making process when they are not afraid to take chances.

Victoria Halverson Ag teacher at Foley Public Schools Hometown: Foley College: University of Wisconsin-River Falls Years of experience: One year at Atwater-CosmosGrove City High School.

Who has been your favorite educator? Al Stemper. He always made everything fun and exciting to learn about.

If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? How important of a role agriculture plays in your life. No matter where you are or what you are doing, it somehow relates back to agriculture.

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Gilman, MN

320-387-3070 Welcome back to school!

If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? I would teach them to be their unique selves. We all have different gifts; the sooner we know what they are, the sooner we can share them with others. Life will bring more joy and acceptance if we are able to recognize that we are all unique. When we accept or like ourselves, others cannot help but to like us back.

April Wendorff Preschool teacher at Foley Public Schools Family: My husband, Matthew, and I have two children, Juliet, 2.5, and Maverick, 9 months.

Hometown: Princeton College: University of North Dakota and St. Cloud State University Years of experience: This is my first year teaching.

Who has been your favorite educator? Mrs. Saterbak.

She was my kindergarten and second grade teacher.

She had a passion for teaching and was excellent at giving us hands-on experiences to learn.

If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? Never lose your sense of wonder. As adults, we take for granted being taught things, and we lose the ah-ha moments that children experience. When preschoolers reach their ah-ha moment, they are so proud and cannot wait to show everyone what they have learned.

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Have a great 2021-2022

SCHOOL YEAR!

Whitney Eckel Special education teacher at Foley Public Schools Family: Parents, Larry and Jodi Eckel, sister, Stephanie Asseged, and boyfriend, Gavin Nistler.

Hometown: Long Prairie College: St. Cloud State University Years of experience: I student taught in Foley and was a long-term substitute January through the end of the school year in Foley as a special education teacher.

Who has been your favorite educator? My college professor, Jerry Wellik, who showed just how impactful and important relationship building with students is.

If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? I would teach my students kindness as it is the most important thing in order to live a happy and fulfilled life.

William Corbett Sixth grade teacher at St. John’s Area School Family: I have two younger sisters, Annie and Katie, and an older brother, Charlie, and my parents are Tim and Bridget Corbett.

Hometown: Pierz.

College: I went to Concordia College in Moorhead for elementary education with an endorsement in middle school math.

Years of experience: I taught middle school math for two years, and I have also been a substitute teacher for two years.

Who has been your favorite educator? I have had several great teachers, but my favorite is my high school math teacher Mr. Thorson. He made learning so enjoyable that I looked forward to his classes every day even when we had harder topics. It probably helped that I like math, but I will never forget how much I enjoyed the way he taught it. His classes were a big factor in my decision to get the math endorsement in college.

If you could teach your students only one thing, what would it be? Critical thinking skills. The ability to logically analyze and react to a situation will be helpful to them in many ways as they grow in faith and learning.

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