Madison Holman | Writer
Alexandra Schneider – 6th grade teacher
Alexandra Schneider is a recent graduate of Dakota State University. Schneider received a degree in K-8 Elementary Education, and she also has two minors in reading and technology. This 6th grade teaching position is her first teaching job.
Why did you become a teacher?
I wanted to be a teacher because I had some of the best teachers growing up in Watertown. There were a few, Mrs. Lubbers (3rd grade) and Mrs. Manely (senior year) that just made my overall experience at school so much better. They showed me how a teacher can become a person you can trust. I want to be just like them. Kind, caring, and compassionate.
There is also that feeling you get in your heart when your students learn something from you. For example, if we are working on nouns, and they are confused for a few days on the difference between proper and common nouns, but then that third day, they are comprehending it and are finally seeing the differences and the meaning of those nouns, I get this huge jolt of excitement! The excitement I get from seeing students succeed and grow in something they believed they couldn’t do…that’s why I’m a teacher.
What is your first impression of Tri-Valley?
My first impression I received from Tri-Valley was family. Everyone takes care of each other here. Whether it is just asking how your day is going, to actually sitting down with you and helping create a lesson plan that will inspire students to learn. I have enjoyed every single day here since starting and I love being a Mustang!
What do you want parents to know about your teaching style? How can they help assist you this year?
My teaching style is constructivism. That means students build on personal experiences (internal), active and social in the learning process. This is putting our learning into what students already know, and how they can relate it in their future. Students always ask, “Why are we doing this?” “Will it help me in the future?” I make sure the answer is always yes and give them a reason on why.
Parents can assist me by checking on their students grades on Infinite Campus and communicating with their student about missing work or late work. I also enjoy communication with me. If there is something I need to know, please reach out. I know with COVID-19 things are not always for sure, but know that I am here to help you, the students and parents/guardians, succeed in this changing world. Always feel free to email me with any concerns, questions, or if you need to chat about anything.
Alyssa Krohnberg – 1st Grade Teacher
Alyssa Krohnberg is a recent graduate of Winona State University. She received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education. This is her first year of teaching.
Why did you become a teacher?
My biggest reason for becoming a teacher is to make a difference in my student’s lives as my teachers did for me growing up. They almost always made an impact that was far beyond just the content, and my heart has always been drawn to be able to do the same for others one day. When I began my teacher preparation courses at WSU, I knew that I could never picture myself doing anything different.
What is your first impression of Tri-Valley?
My first impression of Tri-Valley was “perfect.” When I got back to my car after interviewing in the spring, that was my exact thought. This place is perfect. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am a strong believer in nothing ever being “perfect” without room for improvement, but I know when someone or something can get pretty close in my perspective! Tri-Valley checked all of the boxes for me. As I stated earlier, my small-town heart simply felt at home and I knew I could see myself starting my career here and one day, raising a family here as well. They have been extremely welcoming, supportive, and simply strong as a school and as a team as this is a crazy year for not even just me as a first year teacher, but for everyone.
What do you want parents to know about your teaching style? How can they help assist you this year?
Although there are a lot of things, such as different teaching/learning styles, that we are not able to incorporate this year as much as we would like to (due to COVID), I still would like parents to know that I will continue to envision my students as active learners. I firmly believe that we can not expect any student K-12 to be stationary learners for 7+ hours a day, especially in primary grade levels. Flexible seating is incorporated into our classroom, active learning and/or active “brain breaks” are incorporated into almost every lesson of mine, we have taken the classroom outside when we have had the opportunity, etc.
The best way that parents and guardians of students can help me this year is by simply being patient with me. As a first year teacher, I am doing my best to do what is right for your child, for you, and for our classroom, but I am still learning too! Also, you are just as much your child’s teacher as I am; meaning, the more you can help them at home or outside of school, the more it helps them to succeed and the more it circles back to helping me as well.
Emily Hanson – 1st Grade
Emily Hanson is a first year teacher who graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University. While at DWU, she participated in Future Teachers Organization, choir, women’s choir, cross country, and track.
Why did you become a teacher?
My mom and grandma are both teachers, and this led me to follow in their footsteps. I got to see ever since I was a little girl how much work goes into teaching. It was so neat to see my mom work every day, and the impact that she has had in so many lives. I hope that I can one day be half the teacher that she is. She truly inspires me to always put my students first and also look for ways to push myself.
I remember the moment I wanted to be a teacher. It was over the summer and I was babysitting for a wonderful family in Alexandria. We were doing a science project, and the curiosity of the kids and their love to learn directed me on my path towards education. I cannot imagine doing anything else as a profession.
What is your first impression of Tri-Valley?
My first impression of Tri-Valley was “this is the kind of school I hope to be a part of.” At my interview, I asked everyone the question, What is so amazing about Tri-Valley?” They responded right away that the staff and students made it a great place. After being at Tri-Valley, I could not imagine starting at any different school.
I have had countless moments of support and overwhelming generosity. From principals helping me in lessons, colleagues offering suggestions and support, EA laminating for me, technology help from our tech coordinators, receptionists always answering my questions, and janitors carrying my stuff in for me! I could not imagine being anywhere else!
Finally, I have to say that my wonderful students make each day special. They each are so gifted and have unique personalities which brings life and energy to our classroom. No matter how many hours I spend preparing, it is worth every minute when I see students engaged, laughing, and learning. Tri- Valley has the best students around!
What do you want parents to know about your teaching style? How can they help assist you this year?
First and foremost, I am so grateful that I have such an amazing group of families! This year I sent home a letter to each family about my classroom management and teaching style. I love to use a lot of hands-on manipulatives and movement in my classroom. This is how I learn—so I try to incorporate that into my classroom the best I can! This year has for sure been a little different, but my families have been so communicative and willing to help. They are truly amazing!
Julie Schlueter – School Nurse
Julie Schlueter is a Crooks local who graduated from both University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University. She has a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Previously, Schlueter was a nurse at Avera McKennan Hospital, and this is her first position as a school nurse.
Why did you become a school nurse?
The impact you can make in a child’s life through health education and prevention are amazing! You can empower these children to make wise decisions, be an advocate for themselves, and give them the knowledge to take into their adult lives…creating healthy adults!
What is your first impression of Tri-Valley?
It is simple. I love Tri-Valley. As a parent of children within the school district the academic, extracurricular activities/opportunities and staff are wonderful! The staff are very engaged in the students learning and have a personal stake in every single student. The staff have been very welcoming to myself this year being new to the “school nurse” ropes!
What do you want parents to know about you? How can they help assist you this year?
I am here not only for the kids but for you! When in doubt reach out to us for more information, concerns or to answer your questions! I know that this is a very challenging time and there is lot of information, fear and uncertainty to go with it.
Kynedi Cheeseman – 5th Grade
Kynedi Cheeseman is a recent graduate of Dakota Wesleyan University with a degree in Elementary Education. At DWU, Cheeseman also played women’s basketball. Her 5th grade teaching position at Tri-Valley will serve as her first teaching job.
Why did you become a teacher?
When I was in elementary school, I had many teachers that were positive role models in my life and still are till this day. Those teachers inspired me to put that same impact on students today.
What is your first impression of Tri-Valley?
My first impression of Tri-Valley was, “Wow, the location of this school is interesting.”
What do you want parents to know about your teaching style? How can they help assist you this year?
I am a very easy-going teacher and love to have fun with my students! Building a positive relationship is the most important thing to me. Parents can assist me in the classroom by making sure their children get their reading in at home. Great reading skills lead to great skills everywhere else!
Zachary Schroeder – High School Math
Zachary Schroeder is a graduate of South Dakota State University where he ran track and graduated with a degree in Mathematics. This is his first teaching job. Along with his teaching duties, Schroeder will also be an assistant varsity track coach in the spring.
Why did you become a teacher?
I became a math teacher because math can be a universal language, and it helps society communicate every day. It makes me happy being able to teach the importance of math to these bright students every day.
What is your first impression of Tri-Valley?
This isn’t exactly a first impression for me, since I was a student-teacher here at Tri-Valley last year. Now having my own room and being completely involved in everything, I could not imagine being anywhere else. The superintendent and principals have done everything they can to make sure things run as smooth as possible in all classrooms. The care and passion they have for their job is contagious, and it motivates me every day to be a better teacher than I was yesterday.
What do you want parents to know about your teaching style? How can they help assist you this year?
There isn’t a whole lot. I like to encourage student engagement and hands-on work, but with the pandemic, that makes it very difficult right now. I’m doing everything I can to make sure the students stay safe. I enjoy having an energetic classroom where students can discuss and collaborate about the math we are learning. Having a number of students online doubles the amount of work to be done for every class period, every day. I try to plan weeks in advance but things are constantly changing. On any given day, I don’t know who I will have in my classroom and who will be online.
The one thing that would help is not having a negative attitude towards math at home. I understand math might not have been the favorite subject in some homes, and that’s alright. I allow ample amounts of time in class to complete assignments. That way, the students can ask me if they have questions, instead of bringing it home and having to ask the parents. I change the term “homework” to “schoolwork” because I prefer it to be done in school and not at home.