October Teacher Feature Early Childhood Educators Stacie Petterson and Andrea Churness

“...a PERSONS a person, no matter how small!” - Dr. Suess

 

Clearbrook-Gonvick’s School Readiness and Early Intervention Programs are in full swing for the 2016-2017 school year.  There are 42 children attending these programs and there are currently 30 children registered for the district’s ECFE program. Clearbrook-Gonvick early education programs also offer various special events throughout the year to which there is no registration. Last year, these  averaged 23 people per event - anywhere from 13 adults and kids to 52 adults and kids (Holiday Fun Night!)  The most successful event, a partnership event called Healthy Kids Extravaganza, hosted 120 adults and kids last year. Feel free to contact the district and request information about this incredible program and its opportunities.

 

Stacie Petterson is one of the Early Childhood Educators in the district.  She is married to Corey Petterson and has three boys: Tanner, Austin and Caleb.

Stacie grew up in Grand Forks, ND near the Red River in the Lincoln Park area with her parents, brother, and two sisters.  She attended Lincoln Elementary School (K - 6th grade), South Junior High School (7th - 9th grade) and Central High School (10th - 12th grade).  Her first job was boxing chocolate covered potato chips (“chippers”) at Widman’s Candy Store just a few blocks from Central High.  She attended Mayville State University,  majoring in Elementary Education.  After receiving her degree, she married, moved and began working at Jefferson Square Early Learning Center in Duluth, MN.  When her husband’s job moved them back to Bemidji, she subbed.  Once they began a family, she stayed home and attended Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes in Bemidji and Laporte before moving to Clearbrook. She was hired in 2006  at Clearbrook-Gonvick School.

Why did you choose to be a teacher? I became a teacher because of my teachers! - especially my 3rd grade teacher,  Mrs. Brunson, (who loved Sioux hockey and bananas) and my 4th and 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Bjertness, who cared about me as a person, not just as a student.   (Plus I got to push the film through the reels when we watched  movies.)

What did you do before coming to Clearbrook-Gonvick? I was an at-home-mom attending Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes!  I loved ECFE so much I went back to school at St. Cloud State University for Parent Education to stay in it!

What is the best part of your job at Clearbrook-Gonvick? Seeing students master skills, the “a ha” moments they have, the “I want to be a teacher, just like you” comments, helping and supporting parents as their child’s first and most important teacher and my Early Childhood co-workers - they are the best! 

What is the biggest challenge of your job? This year?  Finding enough chairs and carpet space for everyone!

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

I really do like what I do!  If I had to choose another occupation, I would probably like to do studies/research on human behavior because I think human behavior is fascinating.

What do you do when you are not at school teaching? Kayak (my new favorite thing to do), shop, play cards & board games, watch my children’s activities, Survivor and The Voice.

What are your favorite aspects of the Clearbrook-Gonvick community? I grew up in a tight-knit neighborhood in Grand Forks where neighbors enjoyed each others company, watched out for each other, and helped each other out.  I assumed all neighborhoods were the same.  I discovered I had a unique neighborhood.  It went in the flood of 1997.  The Clearbrook-Gonvick Community has what I cherish about my childhood neighbors - compassion, kindness, joy, pride.  It is a great place to live.

 

And a now a word (or two) about Miss Stacie from some of her former students…

What do you think Miss Stacie does when she is not here at school? “Maybe paint”  “Working in stuff to help with learning.” “She plays like we do during playtime.” “Goes to a hotel.”

What do you think Miss Stacie was like as a kid? “She played and colored like me.” “Went to parades.” “Played.” “Really good at painting and wanted to learn her numbers”  “She played a lot because she likes to play” 

What is the best thing about Miss Stacie? “She is really, really nice.” “She taught us how to paint and learn the ABCs” “We learn from her and it is fun when she teaches us” “She is really nice” “When she reads to me”

What job do you think Miss Stacie would have is she was not a teacher? “Work for people who are poor.” “Work at the pool” “Work on the farm” “Duluth to see all the fun things”

If you sent Miss Stacie on a vacation, where would you send her?  Why would you send her there?

“A beach because you can build sandcastles and relax with a smoothie.” “Hawaii, like my grandma” “Hawaii because it is really fun to swing on branches.” “To the beach because I like the beach”

What is Miss Stacie favorite play area in the classroom? “Art time” “Where the kids are” “Art area” “The tables” “The table part”

What is one thing Miss Stacie ALWAYS says? “Clean up when you are done playing.” “Don’t be mean”  “No running in school.” “Slow down.” “Never be mean”

 

Andrea Churness is another Early Childhood Educator in the district.  She is married to Troy Churness and has one son: Hunter (age 18) and three daughters: Adriana (15), Amara (14) & Ashlyn (12)

Andrea is a Clearbrook-Gonvick graduate. She  attended St. Catherine’s University, St. Cloud State University and graduated from Bemidji State University.  My degree is Early Childhood, Birth - 3rd grade. Andrea has worked in the school since 2008 in various sub positions.  She has been an Early Childhood teacher in the school since 2011.

Why did you choose to be a teacher?  I chose to become a teacher because of my love for children and the impact my teachers had on me while I was in school.  

What did you do before coming to Clearbrook-Gonvick?  I have spent the majority of my life in the Clearbrook-Gonvick Schools, but before being employed here I was a stay at home mom and also had a daycare in my home.

What is the best part of your job at Clearbrook-Gonvick?  The best part of my job include the smiles and hugs from the little ones and seeing the progress the children are making each day.

What is the biggest challenge of your job?  Having enough time in a day to accomplish everything!

What do you do when you are not at school teaching?  When I am not teaching, I am typically attending my children’s events.  I enjoy  spending time with my family and my teacup Yorkie, Sophie.  Camping is my favorite activity to do with my family!

What are your favorite aspects of the Clearbrook-Gonvick community?  My favorite aspects of the C-G community includes the wonderful staff that I work alongside of, and seeing first hand the time and care each staff member  puts into every child.  

And a now a word (or two) about Miss Andrea from some of her former students…

 

What do you think Miss Andrea does when she is not here at school? “Brings her kids to the doctor because they are sick.” “I think her does work and comes back to the classroom” “Cleans her kitchen” “Laundry”

What do you think Miss Andrea was like as a kid? “Played toys and went outside and jumped in mud puddles”  “played in her bedroom” “Happy” “A baby”

What is the best thing about Miss Andrea? “She has lots of fun stuff to do” “The best thing is her working on stuff” “Her voice” “She is my aunt” “Voice”

What job do you think Miss Andrea would have if she was not a teacher? “She would work for Walmart” “She would have flip flops and rolling cars” “Work at home” “Be a nurse” “Be at the airport”

If you sent Miss Andrea on a vacation, where would you send her?  Why would you send her there? Hawaii because it is really fun there” “I would send her to Walmart” “Utah”  “Florida because I would want to go there and it’s a really fun place” “Fargo, because she would like it there”

What is Miss Andrea’s favorite play area in the classroom? “The carpet” “On the floor” “The carpet” “Carpet” “Game area”

What is one thing Miss Andrea ALWAYS says? “Stand up”  “No running” “Clean your space and go to the carpet” “No running”  “You’re being good”