May Spotlight Clearbrook-Gonvick Teacher Feature

 

Cathy Dickey is in her 18th year as a teacher at Clearbrook-Gonvick Public School. She was a substitute teacher for 2 years in this district previous to being hired full time.

Cathy is married to Howard Dickey and they have two sons, Mason (22) and Elliot (17). She grew up in Mounds View, Minnesota which is a suburb of the Twin Cities.  She graduated from Irondale High School and attended UMC for two years, majoring in Light Horse Management  before transferring to the University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus double majoring in Animal Science and Agricultural Education.  Cathy graduated from the U of M in 1984.

 

Why did you choose to be a teacher? Teaching chose me, actually! Animal Science was my first love, but my college adviser had "advised" a double major in Ag-Ed, as it would increase marketability in the work world.  When Howard and I were married, he took a position with Centrol in Twin Valley, MN.  I didn't have a job at the time, so while I was looking, I offered my services as a substitute teacher in the Twin Valley School District. They had just hired a new Ag Teacher who proceeded to quit on the first day...so I got the job!!  It was fate, as I realized quickly that I truly enjoyed teaching.

 

What did you do before coming to Clearbrook-Gonvick? I taught Vocational Agriculture and was the FFA Advisor at Twin Valley Public School from 1984-1989.  Howard and I then moved back to Leonard where we operated a dairy farm for several years.

 

What is the best part of your job at Clearbrook-Gonvick? The smiles on my students' faces when they walk into my classroom!  

 

What is the biggest challenge of your job? Getting to school on time.

 

If you could have any job in the world - what would it be?  A jockey Why? Need you ask?

 

What do you do when you are not at school teaching? Lots of things, but according to my family it's NOT laundry or cooking!

 

What are your favorite aspects of the Clearbrook-Gonvick community? It is small enough to have the "small town", country flavor of people who care about each other, and big enough to have Daroos Pizza!

 

Any other favorites you would like to share? So...one day several years ago, I was teaching the concept of "bilateral symmetry" to my 7th grade class.  The day before, a student had brought in a moose antler to share with fellow students.  I decided to hold up the antler to demonstrate the "mirror image" idea.  The class was mesmerized of course, and completely quiet, when out of the cheap seats in the back, a student commented, "Nice rack, Mrs. Dickey".  

If what they say about laughter making you live longer is true, I will live a long time!

That, in a nutshell, is why I love teaching...students make me smile every day, for many reasons!  It can be summed up in the words of Forrest Gump....it's "like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get".

PS:  I still have the moose antler in my classroom :)

 

And now a word (or two) about Mrs. Dickey from her students…

Why do you think Mrs. Dickey chose to be a science teacher?  “She likes science and she likes to learn science.” “I think Mrs. Dickey chose to be a science teacher because she seems kind of daring and seems to like hands-on stuff including dissections.” “She likes and wants to give people a friendly feel for science.” “Because she seems excited easily by science things.” “Because she likes science.” “Because she is fascinated by Earth and how it works and she says science always excites her.” “I think Mrs. Dickey chose to be a science teacher because science was always her favorite subject in school.” “Because she knows lots of stuff.”

 

What do you think Mrs. Dickey  does when she is not teaching here at school?  “I think Mrs. Dickey takes care of her farm and family. I also think she likes to listen to music (specifically country music), and she likes to be with her friends.” “I think Mrs. Dickey works on her farm.” “When Mrs. Dickey is out of school I think she corrects papers, reads, and gardens.” “Works on her farm.” “I think she works with her animals at her farm.” “I think she goes home, drinks coffee, and gets after her two dogs because they are always getting into trouble.  She also works with her horses.” “When Mrs. Dickey is not at school I think she works on her farm.” “Farms and breeds horses.”

 

What do you think Mrs. Dickey  was like as a seventh grader?  “I think Mrs. Dickey was a pretty cool seventh grader. I also think she was interested in science at a young age.” “Mrs. Dickey was very energetic and talkative! And had lots of friends!” “I think she was a kind, straight-A student and willing to help.” “Better than this year’s seventh graders!” “She was smart and friendly.” “She was probably very quiet, and she got all her work done on time and probably always brought all her stuff to class. And maybe a teacher’s pet in science class.”

 

What is the best thing about Mrs. Dickey ?  “She can have a good conversation that doesn’t involve school.”  “She is always trying and doing her best, she always encourages everyone, and she is always enthusiastic.”  “She always has something fun for us to do.”  “I love Mrs. Dickey’s personality and her obnoxious laugh!” “She is nice and happy when students aren’t misbehaving or talking when she is talking.” “She is easily excited and has a bubbly personality.” “Her laugh!” “She is a great teacher because she is enthusiastic and she interacts with her students.  She is also helpful.  I am thankful for her.”

 

If Mrs. Dickey  did not teach here at school, what job do you think she would have?  Why? “A horse rancher or vet.”  “I think she would be a vet or a farmer.” “Just be at home more.”  “I think she would be a veterinarian because she seems like she loves animals and would be doing surgeries on animals.”  “I think she would be a secretary because she is gentle and kind.” “A biologist of some sort because it is who she is.” “I think she would be an animal person because she loves animals.” “She would teach science somewhere else because she loves science, but I can’t see her teaching anywhere else.”

 

If you send Mrs. Dickey on a vacation, where would you send her?  Why would you send her there?  “Horse breeding convention.”  “I would send her to the Bahamas or Hawaii because she deserves a nice relaxing vacation.” “I would send her to Florida because she needs a break from all the kids at school.” “I would send her to a place with a lot of horses or somewhere with lots of animals.” “I would send Mrs. Dickey to Boston, Massachusetts because it is nice to take a trip there and it is historical for the USA.” “Southern Europe because she has always wanted to go to Europe and she likes a southern Mediterranean climate. She told us.” “I would send her to Hawaii because I think she would like to see the volcanoes.” “Iceland. She thinks it is to cool because of the volcanoes and mid-ocean ridge.”

 

What country song best fits Mrs. Dickey?  “‘Kick The Dust Up’ by Luke Bryan”  “”1994’ by Jason Aldean” “‘Wagon Wheel’ by Darius Rucker, because she loves him!” “‘Back Where I Come From’ by Kenny Chesney” “‘My Church’ by Maren Morris”

 

What is one thing Mrs. Dickey ALWAYS says? “”Have  good day” or “Get to work””  “‘Dayron, pay attention!’ or ‘Be quiet!’”  “Where’s your composition book?” “I don’t know but she has a contagious smile and a day-making laugh!” “Quiet, please.” “No way!” “‘Good morning’ and ‘Have a good Weekend’” “Wake up, Robert!”