Meet the Graduates

I manage the childcare program at Atonement Lutheran Church and we are licensed with the state of North Dakota to care for children ages birth - 12 years. We enroll 136 children and employee 30 full and part-time teachers. I am in charge of managing program operations including: budgets, enrollment, marketing, recruitment and retention of teachers, professional development, grant projects and many other "hats" that a director wears each day.

My role as teacher is incredibly fulfilling. Each day is different from the last and I appreciate the energy and challenge kids bring to my life.

My duties include teaching, learning and playing (this is the ultimate way children learn, it is not ever just "fun" without purpose) with a classroom of children four to six year olds. In addition, I am responsible for the work-study students who are in the room interacting, playing with, and helping me watch the children. Finally, I supervise practicum students and student teachers who are in my room throughout the year.

I teach broadcast and film to high school students. We produce daily announcements, a bi-monthly magazine show, short films, an annual music video awards show and also compete nationally. I love every bit of it! I was named the Region 6 Teacher of the Year 2010 -- one of the top 20 secondary teachers in Texas.

I am the director of the Early Education Center, which is the preschool/childcare center at MSUM. I manage the entire Center - scheduling and training teachers as well as student workers, budgeting, collaborating with MSUM College courses and professors, as well as, of course, working with the parents and children of the Center.

I provide daily activities that help children grow and develop in all areas of development. I make sure to provide a safe, fun learning environment with many opportunities for children to excel. I also help children to learn daily life skills and become more independent.

I work with students who have disabilities - advocating for them and their families. My role is to provide academic instruction and interventions within both an inclusion setting and special education setting. Recently, I have had the opportunity to be a part of a wonderful team in providing processing and cognitive skills training to students with learning disabilities.