BVSD add new classroom teachers, staff

Staff report

 

When Brandon Valley students headed back to classes Aug. 23, they were greeted by 20 new teachers in classrooms throughout the district. This week and in the weeks to come, the Journal introduces you to this new class of Brandon Valley educators.

 

BRANDON ELEMENTARY

 

Brenda Stahl

In her special education classroom at Brandon Elementary, Brenda Stahl will be addressed as “Mrs. Stahl.” But in 1996, Stahl was addressed as “Miss Fulda 1996.”

That’s right, the farm girl from the southwestern Minnesota community of Fulda, wore the crown and sash that came with the honor.

Her most recent teaching assignment (2015-17) was working with students at McCrossan Boys Ranch. She was eager to join the BVSD staff “knowing it has a good reputation and high standards,” she said.

She went after a career in education because she “enjoys working with people, helping them learn and make good life choices.” 

Her students will soon learn that she “loves to use humor” and is a “hands-on teacher.”

Stahl has two children, Carter, 9, and Brianna, 8. She enjoys cooking, crafting and reading in her spare time.

 

FRED ASSAM ELEMENTARY

 

Julie Brummels 

Julie Brummels has been in Brandon Valley classrooms the last five years as a substitute teacher. This year, Brummels, a first-year teacher, will teach third and fourth grade physical education at Fred Assam Elementary.

“Being a parent and substitute teacher in this school district, I believe in the professionalism, philosophy and compassion BV has for their students,” said the Tucson, Ariz., native. “I want to inspire children to love physical education as I was inspired.”

Brummels graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a B.A. in exercise/science in 2000 and the University of Sioux Falls in 2017, where she earned a Master’s of Education in Teaching.

Brummels’ teaching style, she said, is to build relationships with her students by being fun, consistent, motivating and having hands-on activities.

She a mother of four: Taylor, 16, Zach, 14, and identical twins, Austin and Cade, who are 11.

Her spare time is filled with CrossFit, walking her Golden Retriever, playing slow-pitch softball, reading and mastering crossword puzzles.

She’s also “a big fan of the Cubbies and an even bigger fan of the Arizona Wildcats women’s softball, men’s basketball and football teams,” she said. 

 

Sarah Felder

Sarah Felder says she’s known her career path since she was a little girl: she wanted to be a teacher.

While Felder is not new to the teaching scene, she was drawn to the BVSD for it’s “great reputation for education.” She previously taught three years at Mark Twain Elementary in Sioux Falls and seven years in South Bend, Ind.

Felder received her teaching degree in 2005 from the University of Northern Iowa.

She said students may be surprised of her love to sing and dance, and said her teaching style is “to make sure all students are engaged.”

She and her husband, Nick, are parents to Griffith, 8, and Hadley, 3. She enjoys camping, attending or watching Minnesota Vikings and Twins games, and attending her son’s sporting events.

 

Cathie Herbers

Cathie Herbers grew up here and loves the sense of community here, so much so that she’s also going to teach here.

Herbers, a 1998 BVHS grad, will teach first grade at FAE. She previously taught first grade for eight years at Hawthorne Elementary in Sioux Falls, and first through third grade in Minnesota for six years.

She earned her degree in early childhood education in 2003 from Winona State University, where she also competed in gymnastics.

“I loved working with young students,” is what led Herbers to a career in education.

She and her husband, Josh, have two children, Avery and Lane. In her leisure time, she enjoys spending time with her family, photography, and rooting for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

 

April Peterson

After teaching in the Sioux Falls School District for 15 years, April Peterson transfers to the BVSD as a speech language pathologist at Fred Assam Elementary.

“(I wanted) to be part of this outstanding community centered around academic growth and excellence,” she said.

A strong desire to help improve communication skills in children is what drew Peterson, a Brandon resident, to a career in education.

In the classroom, Peterson said she will utilize a variety of manipulatives and creative therapy materials to help keep the kids engaged and enthusiastic about learning and using new skills.

She and her husband, Ben, are parents to 10-year-old Hunter, a fifth grader, and Harper, a first grader at FAE. She is a graduate of Augustana University (B.A. degree in communication science and disorders) where she also played softball for the Vikings. Peterson also gained her M.A. in communication science and disorders from the University of South Dakota.

he enjoys tackling DIY projects, gardening, and watching her kids participate in a variety of activities.

 

 

The BVJ’s new teacher series continues next week.