Meet our new Goodridge Teachers

What is your new position at the Goodridge School? First Grade Teacher

What/where were you previously teaching? After college I began teaching preschool in Bemidji for eight years. I then taught Kindergarten at Laporte, MN, and most recently Elementary Special Education grades K-6 at Laporte.  

Educational background? I received my Elementary Education degree with a Pre-primary emphasis at Bemidji State University. I also received my Special Education license from Bemidji State University with a certificate in Specific Learning Disabilities. I furthered by education at Moorhead State University to obtain by Developmental Cognitive Delay certificate.  

Where are you living? My family is living back at the house I grew up in, in Grygla.

Family? I have been married to my high school sweetheart Andrew for 14 years! We have 3 children, Reece who is 12 years old and in the 7th grade (and has been taller than me for about two years now).  Allie who is 10 and in the 5th grade and Emma who is 7 and in 2nd grade. We also have a dog named Sparky.  

What drew you to your new position in Goodridge? I have been waiting for positions to come open back home for a long time, and begging Andrew to move home. We both were very lucky to get positions in these two wonderfully supportive communities. So what drew me was the community and family. 

Describe your teaching style? My teaching style varies daily, hourly, even by the minute so I can engage and encourage the students to do their best at all times. I love to have fun in class. Creating a sense of community and belonging in the classroom is very important to me. I believe that students learn best through a hands on approach and by working together so you will see my students doing a lot of turn and talks and learning through playing educational games together. 

What goals have you set for your first year? My first goal is to build relationships with my students, families, coworkers and community members. Once relationships are built then I can focus on my goals to inspire my students to be the best they can be. To love learning, to differentiate my lessons to meet the needs of all my students.

Five adjectives that describe yourself? Compassionate, energetic, dedicated, positive, bubbly

What interests do you have outside of the classroom? I love spending time with my family. Any kind of board game or card game is always fun! I enjoy camping and geocaching. I love to travel. Exploring new places is always an adventure!

If you could trade places with anybody for a week who would it be? I have always thought it would be pretty cool to live a day in the life of somebody that was from each of the decades. So I would like to trade places with somebody from the 20’s-80’s and live one day in each for a week. 

 

What is your new position at the Goodridge School? Social Studies Teacher

What/where were you previously teaching? Social Studies Teacher at Marshall County Central.

Educational background? Northland Community College and Bemidji State University.

Where are you living? Thief River Falls

Family? My wife Kelsey is the 4th Grade teacher at Good-ridge.

What drew you to your new position/school? The small school atmosphere of Good-ridge and the friendly and welcoming staff, students, and community.

Describe your teaching style? I enjoy constantly challenging my students to become better at what we are doing.

What goals have you set for your first year? Be the best teacher that I can be and get to know all the students and staff at Goodridge High School.  

Five adjectives that describe yourself? Friendly, Hardworking, Honest, Motivated, Tall

What interests do you have outside of the classroom? Hunting, fishing, and anything outdoors.

If you could trade places with anybody for a week who would it be? Any professional NBA basketball player, just to see what it would be like to play in the NBA.