Meet the new teachers at the Goodridge & Grygla Schools

    Grygla School

In addition to the three new faces in Grygla above, some other changes in the Grygla School include Beth Kucera coming back to teach Business/Computer classes, along with some Math classes. Jana Nelson switched positions and is now teaching 5th grade. Katie Brobst is also now teaching Head Start; she was previously teaching in Goodridge. The new Superintendent at the Grygla School is Jamie Lunsetter, who was previously serving as the Principal. Names and changes provided by Jamie Lunsetter, Grygla School Superintendent.

Derek Gieseke

What is your new position at the school? Principal

What/where were you previously teaching? Social Studies in Hibbing, MN

Educational background? Undergraduate degree in History and Social Studies from UND, Master and Specialists in Education Leadership Degrees from MSUM.

Where are you living? Over by Neptune Bridge.

Family? My wife’s name is Kristi. Our daughters are Adalyn (3.5) and Faith (11 months).

What attracted/drew you to your new position/school? Closeness to home and great community to raise our kids.

Describe your teaching style? I work tirelessly to bring out the best of the people I work with.

What goals have you set for your first year? Make great relationships with my staff, students AND families. 

Five adjectives that describe you? Happy, lighthearted, positive, hard-working, caring.

What interests/hobbies do you have outside of the classroom? I love the playing with my girls, outdoors, hunting, fishing, riding wheelers, watching/talking football and baseball, especially the Vikings and Twins!

If you could trade places with anybody for a week – who would it be? Someone with a lot more money and a lot more down time! 

Megan Larson

What is your new position at the school? I am student teaching in 4th grade for 12 weeks and preschool for 4 weeks. 

What/where were you previously teaching/working? I coached for Community Ed in Bemidji for 2 years. 

Educational background? I attend(ed) Bemidji State University for elementary education with a pre-primary endorsement and coaching certificate. 

Where are you living? I recently moved into my own home by Gatzke. 

Family? My parents are John and Dawn. I have 2 brothers (Jordan and Brayden), 1 sister (Katelyn), and 2 sister-in-laws (Lyndsey and Caitlin). I have an almost 2 year old niece (Lola) and another niece due in November. 

What attracted/drew you to your new position/school? Ever since my sister Katelyn transferred here in 8th grade, I have been attracted to the school because of the way they make you feel a part of a family. After BSU I knew I wanted to come back home and I knew I wanted to do my student teaching in Grygla so I could also coach volleyball. 

Describe your teaching style? I love doing things hands on with students to get them moving and involved. I also like to have my students know that this is their classroom not mine so they are involved with creating expectations and making decisions about what we do. 

What goals have you set for your first year? During student teaching I hope to grow my own style of teaching and learn everything I can from Mrs. Sundberg and Ms. Katie/Ms. Susie. 

Five adjectives that describe you? Brave, eager, outgoing, reliable, and motivated. 

What interests/hobbies do you have outside of the classroom? I enjoy coaching (volleyball and basketball), farming with my dad, deer hunting, and snowmobiling. 

If you could trade places with anybody for a week – who would it be? I would trade places with Joanna Gaines.

Brandon Bakken

What is your new position at the school? I am going to be student teaching in Phy Ed and Health classes with Brady Olson.

Where were you previously working? I was previously taking my classes for my degree at Bemidji State University. 

Educational background? I graduated high school from Goodridge in 2015, Northland Community College in 2017, and after this fall when I finish student teaching, I will be all done with BSU, although they let me walk last May.

Where are you living? Currently live at home, but am moving out in early October.  

Family? My parents are Jeff and Deonne Bakken and I have 2 brothers, Brett and Brady. 

What attracted/drew you to your new position/school? I have always liked sports and being active so I just thought that becoming a Phy Ed and Health teacher would be a nice fit. It is nice to be close to home and in a smaller school setting. I like the area so I was glad that I got placed here at Grygla School.

Describe your teaching style? I haven’t really had my own class yet, so I am sure I will find out more about that this semester. I hope to be the teacher that can build relationships with my students and get to know them, but when needed, I can also have good classroom management.

What goals have you set for your first year? Well, I hope to pass the edTPA that we have to do while student teaching, and then get my licensing done, since I have already passed all my licensure tests. I then hope to get a job in the area after student teaching, or if possible substitute teach until I find something.  

Five adjectives that describe you? Energetic, Weird, Funny, Honest, Outgoing.

What interests/hobbies do you have outside of the classroom? I farm with my dad so that keeps me pretty busy whenever I am not working, but when I do have time, I love to play basketball. When I was in college I sometimes got in the habit of binge watching some Netflix series, but in the summer, like I said earlier, I am busy farming so I don’t get to watch as much as I would during the school year.

If you could trade places with anybody for a week – who would it be? I wouldn’t mind trading places with any professional athlete just to see how it really is for them. I have not and never will see the kind of money they make so It would be pretty cool to feel what it’s like to live their life.  I would love to play just one week of football or of a basketball season and make the money they do in that span because that could last me a long, long time in my rural lifestyle. 

Goodridge School

In addition to the new face in Goodridge, above, some other changes in the Goodridge School include Deb Farris coming back to do Special Education. Alyssa Nelson switched positions and is now teaching Preschool. Alissa Hruby is now the Social Worker; she was previously at the Grygla School. Connie Stinar also switched positions to Head Cook. The new Superintendent at the Goodridge School is Tomas Loberg, who was previously teaching Social Studies in the Goodridge High School. Names and changes provided by Becky Carlson, Goodridge School Principal.

Stephanie Olson

What is your new position at the school? I will be teaching English for grades 7-12.

What/where were you previously teaching? I previously taught art workshops and residencies.

Educational background? I earned my English BA from the University of North Dakota and my Writing MFA from Hamline University.

Where are you living? I live on a fourth-generation family farm between Goodridge and Thief River Falls.

Family? My husband, Krist, and I have two children, Fia (age 6) and Teddy (age 5.) We also have three dogs and a cat.

What attracted/drew you to your new position/school? Writing has always been a passion of mine. The opportunity to teach within my favorite subject seemed like kismet.

Describe your teaching style? My teaching style is heavily influenced by my experiences in the arts. I aim to be both instructor and guide and to meet students where they’re at.

What goals have you set for your first year? I hope build a strong foundational relationship with my students that we can build on during the rest of their high school careers.

Five adjectives that describe you? My five adjectives: bright, artsy, kind, driven, nerdy.

What interests/hobbies do you have outside of the classroom? A lot of my “spare” time is spent painting. I mostly use watercolor so that my kids can paint with me without making an impossible mess. Some of my work is currently on display at the courthouse in Crookston.  

If you could trade places with anybody for a week – who would it be? I would trade places with our oldest dog! Not only does he sleep all day, but someone usually tucks him in. No chocolate would be hard, though!