progress 2012 education
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Progress 2012 EducationTRANSCRIPT
PROGRESS 2012 - EDUCATION Sunday, February 26, 2012 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 3
EDUCATION Sunday, february 26, 2012
Zoe Lawson, a second grader at Hawthorne reads to Patricia Dollum after school. Dollum is a retiree who volunteers her time to help children with their reading skills. — Brandi Hagen
Reading and creating relationships
ust before 3 o’clock. She walks into the near empty library. A young girl with glasses and short blonde hair bounces up and down on a purple couch in excitement.
“I thought you weren’t coming,” says second-grader, Zoe Lawson.Patricia Dollum, a volunteer reader at Hawthorne Elementary
School, takes a seat next to Zoe on the couch. She lays out three books for Dollum to choose from.
“You pick,” Zoe says.Every Wednesday, Dollum spends a half hour reading with Zoe
after school. As a widow and retiree, Dollum wanted to find some-thing to do with her time. When a reading position became avail-able, she accepted.
As a young woman, she had wanted to be a teacher, but a mar-ried life and children came first and the idea “fizzled out.” Without really realizing it, Dollum said the time she spends with children reading is probably fulfilling that dream a little bit.
Last year was Dollum’s first time reading in the schools. She had read about positions in a newspaper and became interested. She figured if she didn’t like it she could always stop. That was not the case and she believes as long as she is able to do it, she will continue.
“If I can help a child read, it makes me feel good,” said Dollum.
Zoe is the second child Dollum has read with. The first was a boy in fifth grade.
There were many distractions with children coming in and out of the classroom when she read with the young boy, and it became hard to concentrate. With Zoe, they sit in the library where the only other person around is media clerk, Nikki Worman.
After reading with the young boy, Dollum received letters from him and his teacher saying how much she had helped him. She felt accomplished for being able to help him become a better reader.
Dollum said it was an adjustment switching from a fifth-grader to a second-grader because of the size of the books, but she doesn’t mind.
When Zoe is unsure of a word, she makes an at-tempt to sound it out and then she lets Dollum kindly
correct her. To check for comprehension, Dollum asks Zoe questions as they read.
Worman believes Dollum gets satisfaction from see-
ing Zoe’s face when they spend time together and Zoe benefits from the one-on-one time.
“Zoe has that special time with Patricia and nobody else,” said Worman. “Nobody else is competing to read with Patricia, and there’s not the interruptions there might be at home. It’s just one-on-one time with a special person.”
Cuddled up next to Dollum, Zoe usually does the reading, but there are times when she would rather be read to.
“Ah sure I say, I can read you a book,” said Dollum. The time flies when Zoe and Dollum are together. “She says, let’s read another book,” Dollum said.
“I say, honey we can’t, the time is up, but we’ll read more next time.”
What is supposed to last a half hour, sometimes lasts as long 45 minutes.
— Brandi Hagen
J
Zoe Lawson and Patricia Dollum read after school.
very year, as teach-ers retire and others move, the Albert Lea School District hires
a series of new teachers at its seven schools. This year was no different.
Across the district, there were more than 30 new educa-tors hired. The following is a brief look into the backgrounds and interests of those teachers:
Halverson Elementary SchoolMichelle NiskaAge: 38Residence: Albert Lea
Family: son, 8; daughter, 4Education: Bachelor of Science
degree from MSU-Mankato, a few grad classes from various universities
What she teaches: Halverson Elementary
Where she came from: I lived in New Mexico for a year. Prior to that, we lived in the Twin Cities.
Favorite book: Too many to choose!
Favorite sandwich: Any sand-wich that the Lakeside makes!
Sallie KyleAge: 23Residence: no responseFamily: mom, dad, brother and
fiancé
Education: University of Min-nesota, working on a master’s degree in elementary education
What she teaches: first gradeWhere she came from: St. PaulFavorite book: “The Forgotten
Garden” by Kate MortonFavorite sandwich: turkey and
cheese
Amber ScheweAge: 28Residence: FreebornFamily: husband, Derek; chil-
dren Easton, 3, and Ellery, 1Education: University of
Wisconsin-River Falls/Winona State University
What she teaches: Title I (K-3 reading and math)
Where she came from: I taught second grade at St. Theodore’s Elementary for four years.
Favorite book: “The Kissing Hand”
Favorite sandwich: turkey on wheat
Maria SchneiderAge: 24Residence: 1849 Greenwood
Drive, Albert LeaFamily: Lee, Jane, Teresa, Joe
and George SchneiderEducation: bachelor’s degree
from and graduate school at the University of Minnesota
What she teaches: fourth grade at Halverson
Where she came from: student
taught in HopkinsFavorite book: “The Giver”Favorite sandwich: club
sandwich
Lakeview Elementary School
Laura Hillman Age: 24Residence: Albert LeaFamily: Gary and Jackie Hill-
man; brothers Peter (Nichole) Hillman, David Hillman
Education: Gustavus Adol-phus College 2010, elementary education
What she teaches: first grade at Lakeview Elementary
Where she came from: third grade, part-time, at Halverson from 2010-11
Favorite book: “Heaven is For Real”
Favorite sandwich: grilled cheese
Kristin KylloAge: 30Residence: Albert LeaFamily: no responseEducation: undergraduate
degree from Gustavus Adolphus College; graduate degree from Hamline University
What she teaches: fourth gradeWhere she came from: teach-
ing in OwatonnaFavorite book: “Alexander and
the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day”
Favorite sandwich: Anything with avocado!
Meghan LichterAge: 23Residence: no responseFamily: Parents, Patrick and
Ann Lichter, younger sister, Katie Education: elementary educa-
tion major at the College of Saint Benedict with a concentration in science education
What she teaches: kindergarten
Where she came from: gradu-ated in May from the College of Saint Benedict
Favorite book: “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss
Favorite sandwich: Chicken Shwarma from a small deli in St. Joseph called Bo Diddley’s
4Teachers, Page 3
Meet New teachers at Halverson Elementary School are Sallie Kyle, Maria Schneider and Amber Schewe. Not pictured is Michelle Niska. — Sarah Stultz
the new teachers of Albert Lea
School District
E
Page 2 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 26, 2012 PROGRESS 2012 - EDUCATION
By the numbersAlbert Lea School District
full-time staff, including teachers, admin-istrators, janitors, food service workers and others, work for Albert Lea School District, as well as 49 part-time staff.428
range that full-time educators are paid per year in the district. The average is around
$45,000. The salary scale has steps and lanes that take into account the years of educa-tion teachers have. The smallest amount is a bachelor’s degree, and the biggest amount is a master’s plus 30.
$37,000-$61,000
is the average amount it costs per year to educate one child in the district. That average includes all operating expenses, staffing costs, transporta-
tion, food service and special education costs, among other expenses. The district’s director of finance and operations, Lori Volz, said the Legislature determines how that amount is calculated.
$11,504.88
years are left on the debt schedule for Albert Lea High School, the district’s only building debt. The interest rate is 4 percent, and there is 19,313,500 left to pay over the seven years.7
— Kelli Lageson
is the amount of excess revenue in the district’s general fund. With a more than $42
million budget, Volz said that’s as close to a balanced budget as the district can get. “We’re in a good financial position,” Volz said. “We’re not deficit spending.”
186,844
total number of students en-rolled in the district as of
mid-December. The number reflects all students K-12 and students in early childhood education and at the Area Learning Center.
3,337
District #241 AIMS:
1. Safe, healthy and welcoming schools2. Increase opportunity and achievement3. Effective and efficient operations
thinking. achieving. caring.
For complete information on our comprehensive program, go to
www2.albertlea.k12.mn.us or call 379-4800
Lakeview Elementary
SchoolKelsey NoackAge: 24Residence: Albert LeaEducation: went to Min-
nesota State University, Mankato, for 4 1/2 years. I graduated with a Bach-elor of Science degree in elementary education with a pre-primary focus.
What she teaches: I teach Title I at Lakeview Elementary.
Where she came from: I was living in Mendota Heights working as a substitute in the nearby elementary schools as well as working at a day care.
Favorite book: Any Nicholas Sparks book.
Favorite sandwich: Jimmy John’s Turkey Tom
Anna Nordlocken Age: 23 Residence: Albert LeaFamily: mom, Julie; dad,
James; and two younger sisters, Molly, 20, and Mag-gie, 17
Education: I gradu-ated from St. Cloud State University in 2011 with my elementary education degree, (K-8 communica-tion arts and literature) and minor in special education and human relations.
What she teaches: fifth grade at Lakeview Elementary
Where she came from: New Hope
Favorite book: “The Hunger Games” series and “The City of Ember” series
Favorite sandwich: Pea-nut butter and cheese
Melinda TalamantesAge: 34Residence: Albert LeaFamily: husband and
three kids at homeEducation: Bemidji State
UniversityWhat she teaches: fourth
gradeWhere she came from:
no responseFavorite book: “Time
Traveler’s Wife”Favorite sandwich:
I make a mean grilled cheese.
Valerie AshlandAge: no responseResidence: KenyonFamily: husband, Brent,
and two daughters, Kayla and Emily
Education: Bachelor of Arts from Gustavus Adol-phus College, St. Peter; master’s in education from Viterbo University, La Crosse, Wis.
What she teaches: I teach third grade at Lakev-iew Elementary.
Where she came from: Before this I have taught third and fourth grade in Bowler, Wis., for seven years, and sixth grade in Menomonie, Wis., for 17 years.
Favorite book: no response
Favorite sandwich: turkey with lettuce, cheese and mayo
Sibley Elementary
SchoolTrevor AbelAge: 24Residence: Albert LeaFamily: mom, Julie; dad,
Ian, and sister, JemmaEducation: graduated
cum laude from Gustavus Adolphus College in the spring of 2011
What he teaches: second grade at Sibley Elementary
Where he came from: Originally from the Twin
CitiesFavorite book: So many
choices, but if I had to choose one “The Curi-ous Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime” by Mark Haddon.
Favorite sandwich: ba-con, lettuce and tomato
Shanna DawsonAge: 38Residence: Manchester
areaFamily: husband, Jared;
children, Drake, 11, Grace, 7, Evie, 4, and Alec, 10 months
Education: Bachelor of Science in elementary edu-cation, K-6 licensure
What she teaches: kindergarten
Where she came from: Taught at Sibley in 1997 and Glenville-Emmons until 2004 — was a homemaker since then.
Favorite book: The BibleFavorite sandwich: buf-
falo/ranch chicken
Ashley GonwaAge: 23Residence: Albert LeaFamily: mom, Lynn; dad,
Denis; older brother, DerekEducation: University
of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Bachelor of Science in el-ementary education, minor in Spanish studies
What she teaches: first grade
Where she came from: I went to college in Min-neapolis and St. Paul. I’m originally from De Pere, Wis., which is right outside Green Bay, and yes I’m a Packers fan.
Favorite book: My favorite adult book is “The Hunger Games” by Su-zanne Collins; my favorite children’s book is “Ish” by Peter Reynolds.
Favorite sandwich: ham and cheese
Kristi TapperAge: 35Residence: St. ClairFamily: husband, Scott,
and two children, Jacob, 12, and Hunter, 10
Education: gradu-ated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education
What she teaches: kindergarten
Where she came from: St. Peter
Favorite book: “Twilight” saga
Favorite sandwich: pea-nut butter and jelly
Hawthorne Elementary
SchoolJessica KiefferAge: 27Residence: MankatoFamily: husband, Bran-
don KiefferEducation: I have a
Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Minnesota State University-Mankato; working toward my reading teacher licensure from MSU-Mankato, which I will finish in May.
What she teaches: first grade
Where she came from: Le Sueur-Henderson School District
Favorite book: “Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs”
Favorite sandwich: pea-nut butter
Jenika BoersmaAge: 23Residence: Albert LeaFamily: mom, Betty; dad,
Jerry; sister, JanaeEducation: graduated
from University of Wiscon-sin-River Falls
What she teaches: fourth
gradeWhere she came from:
EaganFavorite book: Too many
to choose from!Favorite sandwich: grilled
cheese
Dana Sonnicksen Age: 23Residence: Albert LeaFamily: All of my family is
in the Twin Cities area.Education: Bachelor of
Arts in elementary educa-tion and English as a sec-ond language from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa
What she teaches: K-5 English as a second language
Where she came from: Just graduated from Luther College in May 2011 and moved down from the Twin Cities before school started this fall.
Favorite book: “The Hunger Games” and “The Other Boleyn Girl”
Favorite sandwich: ‘Un-wich’ (lettuce wrap) Italian Vito from Jimmy John’s
Margaret HuberAge: 51Residence: 8989 Dalton
Ave., NorthfieldFamily: husband, Kris,
51; sons Derek, 24, and Schuyler, 22, daughters Kelsey, 19, and Abby, 17
Education: Bachelor of Science in exceptional education, Bachelor of Arts in elementary education
What she teaches: Title I grades K-3
Where she came from: Northfield School District (long- and short-term sub-stitute assignments)
Favorite book: “The Late Homecomer”
Favorite sandwich: turkey with guacamole and lots of vegetables
Kelsey BoydAge: 27Residence: New
RichlandFamily: Mom and dad
live in Albert Lea. Two older brothers in Eagan and Washington, D.C.
Education: Albert Lea High School; Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from the University of Minnesota; Master of Arts in teaching from the University of St. Thomas
What she teaches: fifth grade at Hawthorne
Where she came from: Senior product coordina-tor at Target Headquarters in Minneapolis (2007-09) and ELL/reading interven-tion teacher in Owatonna (2010-11)
Favorite book: “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch
Favorite sandwich: buf-falo chicken sandwich
Albert Lea High School
Nikki FeistAge: 25Residence: WellsFamily: husband, JonEducation: South Dakota
State University
What she teaches: family and consumer sciences
Where she came from: Worked last year in Janes-ville as a para-educator
Favorite book: anything by Harlan Coben
Favorite sandwich: pea-nut butter and pickle
Jeanne GarbersAge: 26Residence: OwatonnaFamily: My husband
teaches at Waseca School District. We also have a dog named Ida.
Education: I studied at Minnesota State University, Mankato for my undergrad-uate degree, and I received my master’s from St. Mary’s University.
What she teaches: I currently teach 9-12 family and consumer sciences courses. Next semester, I will also teach eighth grade family and consumer sciences.
Where she came from: I taught three years in Forest Lake.
Favorite book: “Tues-days With Morrie” by Mitch Albom
Favorite sandwich: any-thing from Panera Bread
Erin GustafsonAge: 26Residence: Albert LeaFamily: husband, An-
drew; daughter, AudreyEducation: Bachelor of
Science from North Dakota State University, currently working on master’s degree at Western Governors University
What she teaches: Spe-cial education
Where she came from: Worked as a paraeducator in the district last year. Be-fore that I taught in Nome,
Alaska, for two years.Favorite book: “Little
Women”Favorite sandwich: grilled
cheese
Jasmine HenrichAge: 23Address: no responseFamily: I come from a
long line of teachers in the family. I have one younger brother.
Education: I received my teaching degree from Minnesota State University, Moorhead in May of 2011.
What she teaches: I teach eighth grade algebra. I also coached the ninth-grade volleyball team in the fall and now have the ninth-grade basketball team.
Where she came from: I grew up in Morris and went to college in Moorhead.
Favorite book: Right now my favorite book to read is the Algebra I book that we are using in class.
Favorite sandwich: ba-con, lettuce and tomato.
Jolene KriegerAge: no responseResidence: Blue Earth
Family: husband, Don, five sons, one daughter
Education: Minnesota State University, Mankato, licensed in elementary ed-ucation, mild to moderate impaired, specific learning disability, emotional behav-ior disorder, and certified in autism
What she teaches: I teach transition, personal communications and life skills for students under the autism spectrum.
Where she came from: Granada-Huntley-East Chain High School in Granada
Favorite book: All books by Jody Picoult and favorite books, “Tuesdays with Mor-rie,” and “The Five People You Meet in Heaven”
Favorite sandwich: cheeseburger just off the grill
PROGRESS 2012 - EDUCATION Sunday, February 26, 2012 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 3
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Teachers: Educators answer questions about themselvesContinued from Page 1
Seven of the district’s new teachers at Albert Lea High School are shown in back from left, Jasmine Henrich, Brit-tany Yokiel and Jeanne Garbers. Front from left are Kaitlin Weis, Erin Gustafson, Nicki Luehrs and Emily Nelson. — Sarah Stultz
There are seven new teachers at Lakeview Elementary School this year. Back row from top right are Val Ashland, Melinda Talamantes and Kristin Kyllo; in middle are Laura Hillman and Anna Nordlocken; in front are Kelsey Noack and Meghan Lichter.
4Page 4
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Albert Lea High School
Emily NelsonAge: 26Residence: AustinFamily: Parents, Paul
and Coni NelsonEducation: bachelor’s
in social work from Luther College, master’s in social work from University of Northern Iowa
What she teaches: school social work
Where she came from: Waverly, Iowa
Favorite book: The Janet Evonovich series
Favorite sandwich: Grilled cheese
Kaitlin WeisAge: no responseResidence: no responseFamily: All from the cen-
tral Minnesota areaEducation: Concordia
College in Moorhead (Graduated with a degree
in Spanish education and psychology)
What she teaches: Cel-ebrating Spanish (eighth grade course) and Spanish II at ALHS
Where she came from: Sauk Rapids
Favorite book: This is a tough question! I really enjoy reading and I do not have an absolute favorite. However, I find biogra-phies to be particularly interesting.
Favorite sandwich: Any-thing from Jimmy John’s or Erbert’s and Gerbert’s.
Bill Wietman Age: 31Residence: 2000 Tiger
Lane, Albert Lea, MN 56007 Room E218
Family: A beautiful wife, Kammi, and two amazing children, Sophie, 3, and Logan, 2
Education: Bachelor of Science in mathematics education from the Univer-sity of Wisconsin-Superior,
master’s degree in teach-ing and learning from St. Mary’s University-Winona
What he teaches: 8-12 mathematics. This year I am teaching Algebra I, Al-gebra II and Trigonometry/Statistics
Where he came from: I am originally from the Duluth area. Last year we lived in Esko, and I taught at Duluth Central-Denfeld. Previously I taught in Carl-ton and am originally from Hermantown.
Favorite book: Any John Grisham book.
Favorite sandwich: Double cheese cheeses-teak from Quiznos.
Brittany YokielAge: 24Residence: Albert LeaFamily: husband, Chad
YokielEducation: bachelor’s
in special education from Minnesota State University, Mankato
What she teaches: grades 8-12, special education
Where she came from: I taught in Puyallup, Wash., for a year before this because my husband is in the Army.
Favorite book: “The Lucky One” Nicholas Sparks
Favorite sandwich: French dip with au jus
Nicki LuehrsAge: 24Address: Albert LeaFamily: no responseEducation: Bachelor of
Arts in English literature and writing (Bethel Univer-sity, 2009)
What she teaches: eighth- and ninth-grade English
Where she came from: Minneapolis
Favorite book: “Extreme-ly Loud and Incredibly Close” by Jonathan Safran Foer
Favorite sandwich: tur-key bacon ranch
Brookside Education Center
Mary GreenAge: no responseResidence: Albert leaFamily: five childrenEducation: Master of
Science in communication disorders from Minnesota State University, Mankato
What she teaches: speech, language therapy
Where she came from:
FairmontFavorite book: “Mitford”
seriesFavorite sandwich:
Chicken salad
Kara Paulson Age: 37Residence: rural Clarks
Grove
Family: children Dylan, 16, Dakota, 8, and Mya, 4
Education: master’s degree in early childhood special education
What she teaches: Early childhood special educa-tion birth to 3
Where she came from: I taught part time last year at
Alden-Conger Schools.Favorite book: I just com-
pleted my master’s degree so haven’t had opportunity to read for leisure.
Favorite sandwich: Lake-side club
— Sarah Stultz
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Continued from Page 3
New teachers at Sibley Elementary School this year include in back, from left, Trevor Abel and Shanna Dawson; in front, from left, Kristi Tapper and Ashley Gonwa.
New Albert Lea School District teachers at Hawthorne El-ementary School are in back from left Jessica Kieffer and Margaret Huber, in front from left are Dana Sonnicksen, Kelsey Boyd and Jenika Boersma.
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