New faces in BVSD classrooms
By:
Staff
The Journal continues its introduction of a new class of Brandon Valley educators.
VALLEY SPRINGS ELEMENTARY
Jennifer Chicoine will teach K-4 special education at VSE. She chose the profession because of “great teacher role models” she had at Fremont, Neb., where she graduated high school from in 2005. She went on to earn her bachelor’s in elementary education from Briar Cliff University in 2009, and her master’s in special education from Concordia University in 2016.
Prior experience includes stints at Holy Cross in Sioux City, Iowa (5-6th grade), St. Michael, also in Sioux City (5-8th grade science, 5th grade reading/religion), and a K-6 special education assignment at Holy Spirit in Sioux Falls.
“BV is a fantastic district that works to ensure student success. I am also very impressed with the RTI system set up to meet the needs of each individual student,” she said.
Jennifer and her husband, Matthew, are parents to three, Noah, Amelia and Josiah. She enjoys reading, playing games and spending time with her family.
BV INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Lindsey Block left BVHS in 1997 with her diploma in hand. Ten years later, Block returns to her alma mater to teach fifth grade English language arts at BVIS.
“I love being around children and watching them learn,” is what drew her to a career in education.
“I grew up in Brandon, and I love the BVSD,” is what drew her to wanting to teach here.
Prior to this assignment, Block worked as a K-5 educational assistant and substitute taught for the BVSD. Earlier this year, she graduated from the University of Sioux Falls.
Block and her husband, Bryce, are parents to daughter, Hadley. She lists coaching softball, being outdoors, hanging with her family, riding horse and caring for her animals among her hobbies.
BV MIDDLE SCHOOL
Dan Reed joins the BVSD staff officially as a special education teacher and seventh-grade assistant basketball coach. But he has prior connections, as he student-taught and filled in as a substitute teacher.
“I have always been impressed with the district,” says the 2007 Tea High School grad.
Reed graduated with a history education degree from South Dakota State in 2001, and received his master’s in special education in 2015 from Fort Hays University. His prior classroom experience includes five years at Hugoton, Kan., where he was a middle school special education teacher.
“I have a pasxsion to serve people. In education, I found that I could serve our society and our youth by helping to prepare students for life after high school,” is what drew Reed to the profession.
He and his wife, Christine are parents to Lydia, 4, Timothy, 3, and Amelia, 8 months, and lists spending time with his family as his main hobby.
The series continues next week.
