Twenty-two step into new teaching roles at Brandon Valley

Twenty new educators join the staff of the Brandon Valley School District, and two – Lisa Reinschmidt and Kim Skibsted – return to BV in new positions. 

This week, the Brandon Valley Journal introduces you to the new classroom teachers.

Nate Boever (BVHS), Sarah Rath and Stefan Kinsinger (BVMS) did not submit their information..  

 

FRED ASSAM

ELEMENTARY

 

Domonie Kromann

First grade

Domonie Kromann is a risk taker, and she encourages her students to be risk takers, too.

“I instill the message that it’s OK to take risks and make mistakes in school. I always tell students that if we mess up, we learn from what didn’t work,” shares the Dell Rapids native.

Kromann’s path to education wasn’t in her in initial career plans. But it actually goes back to high school when she helped her aunt in her classroom. It was during her college summer break that the architecture and interior design major changed courses.

“I nannied for a summer in Connecticut. During that summer I knew I wanted to make the switch to elementary education,” she said.

Kromann, a 2004 Dell Rapids High School graduate, earned her elementary education and child development degrees from North Dakota State University, and obtained a Masters in Reading Specialist from the University of South Dakota.

Her career history includes a five-year stint as a reading recovery and special education EA in Watertown, followed by 10 years with the Harrisburg School District. There, she taught kindergarten for nine years and second grade for one year. 

Her desire to join the Brandon Valley School District was a simple one: “My kids have had an awesome experience at FAE! I wanted to work in the same district that they are in,” she said.

She and her husband, Aaron, are parents to Oliver, a fourth grader, and Elsie, who is in the second grade.

Her list of hobbies include reading, cheering on her kids in their sporting endeavors, and watching home design shows, more specifically, shows about vintage homes.

 

Allyson Thuringer

Elementary Counselor

Allyson Thuringer remembers not having access to a school counselor as a student herself.

“I was able to see that need for myself and my classmates growing up, and I wanted to be able to help other students,” says the first-year counselor.

The positive reputation of Fred Assam Elementary and the Brandon Valley School District lured her to apply.

“I’ve heard so many good things about Fred Assam Elementary and the district as a whole, and the other staff made me feel very welcome at my school,” she said.

In her school counseling role, Thuringer will teach students social skills they can hold onto throughout their entire lives.

“We will practice what we learn, so they will know that they are capable of using the skills we talk about in class,” she said.

Following her 2018 graduation from Lutheran High School of Sioux Falls, she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Southwest Minnesota State University in 2022. This year, she added a Master’s degree to her resume from the University of South Dakota.

This October, she’ll walk down the aisle to exchange “I do’s” with her fiancé, Alex Duus. In her downtime, Thuringer said she “LOVES” to crochet.

Victoria Wilsey

Special Education

Victoria Wilsey was so impressed with her children’s school that she wanted to join them as a classroom teacher at Fred Assam Elementary.

“BVSD has an amazing reputation,” she adds.

Wilsey grew up in Brandon and is an alum of BV’s Class of 2002. It was while working at Sioux Vocational for five years that she “found my love of special education.”

And that “love” led to degrees in early childhood/early childhood SPED, and K-12 SPED.

Prior to her new position at Fred Assam, Wilsey was employed by the Rapid City Area School District for five years and the Sioux Falls School District for four years.

Self-described as “a total goof ball,” Wilsey and her husband, Brandon, have a daughter, Nora, 8, and a son, Dylan, 6, and two dogs, Dave and Frank, which are Boxers.

In her free time, you may find Wilsey hiking, kayaking, and embarking on “crafty home projects,” much to the “delight” of her husband.

 

INSPIRATION

ELEMENTARY

 

Vickie David

Fourth grade

Vickie David has lived in Brandon for 13 years. This year, for the first time, she’ll teach in the district she calls “home.”

David comes to Brandon Valley from the Bishop O’Gorman School system, where she taught sixth grade for five years at St. Katharine Drexel Elementary and two years of first grade at St. Lambert Elementary.

Her calling to teaching came early in life, shares the Brookings native and 1997 Brookings High School graduate.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I felt called to become a teacher. Life took me on a few twists and turns, but ultimately led me back to pursuing my lifelong dream of becoming a teacher,” she said.

One of the “twists and turns” she notes was earning a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from South Dakota State in 2001. Sixteen years later, she received a B.S. degree in K-8 Elementary and Special Education, graduating from Dakota State University.

One of David’s joys of the job is getting to know her students and understanding each of their interests.

“When applicable, I use this information to create meaningful and engaging lessons that will enhance my students’ active learning,” she said.

She and her husband, Jim, are parents to three: Sophia, Jerren and Ashlynn. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading and watching football.

A former alderwoman on the Brandon City Council, in 2021 David introduced the Safety Town program to the community. Safety Town is a two-week, hands-on learning program for 5- and 6-year-olds. With assistance from the Brandon Police Department, the city of Brandon, the Brandon Valley School District and sponsoring businesses, David and Officer Tyler Carda educate youngsters on the importance of being safe by providing hands-on learning and real-life experiences.

“I am very proud to say that we have graduated over 115 kids through the program to date,” she said.

 

Megan Hooker

Kindergarten

For Megan Hooker, seeing is believing, and that’s exactly what led her to Inspiration Elementary, where she will teach kindergarten.

“My kids go to school at Fred Assam and I’ve firsthand witnessed the amazing relationships staff and students have,” she shares.

Hooker grew up in Sioux Falls and is a 2008 Washington High School graduate. South Dakota State University was her next destination. It was there that in 2011 she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement in kindergarten and special education. She furthered herself at the University of Sioux Falls, and in 2017 was awarded a Master’s in Educational Leadership.

Her assignment at Inspiration Elementary is only the second in her career. She taught early childhood Head Start/special education for a dozen years at Cleveland Elementary in Sioux Falls.

Her desire to teach was born out of her desire to work with kids and make a positive impact on others.

Her students may find that she’s a teacher on the go.

“I love to be and moving with my students. This helps me get to know them and builds relationships with them,” she said.

She and her husband, Cory, are parents to Avery, 7, and Kendyl, 5. Her list of hobbies include reading, traveling and of course, spending time with her young family.

 

Kaitlyn Peng

Fourth grade

Kaitlyn Peng has seen the world, well at least 14 countries of the world. So, it should come as no surprise that her career resume lists “Costa Rica” as one of her previous teaching jobs. For a year, she taught English as a foreign language to grades 1-6. 

She followed that up with a four-year stint teaching fifth grade in Kansas City, Mo., and another year as a fifth-grade teacher at St. Louis, Mo. She’s elated to be back in her home state of South Dakota, where she grew up in Sioux Falls and attended Washington High School, graduating in 2014.

“I was excited to move back to my hometown to teach in a district that holds high expectations for students and staff,” says Peng.

She holds three degrees, a B.S. in elementary education in 2018 from Park University in Parksville, Mo., a Masters in education-reading in 2021 from Northwest Missouri State University, and most recently, an Ed.S Leadership K-12 degree in 2022, also from NMSU.

Her draw to a career in education fills her desire to foster student growth and to make a positive impact on their lives.

Running, traveling and baking are among her hobbies. Peng and her husband, Fulei, reside in Sioux Falls.

 

Morgan Schroeder

Fourth grade

Morgan Schroeder’s student teaching experience in Jill Flint’s third-grade classroom at Brandon Elementary was all the “inspiration” she needed to submit her application to the BVSD.

She describes the opportunity as “incredible.”

“I also had the chance to substitute within the district this past spring. I knew from these experiences that BVSD is the perfect place to begin my teaching career,” she said.

Schroeder is a long way from her hometown of Hermantown, Minn., which is near Duluth. After her 2020 graduation from high school, she attended Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, graduating last December with a B.A. in elementary education. She also obtained her coaching certification there.

The first-year teacher said she’s long dreamt of being a teacher.

“I’ll forever cherish the days my sisters and I spent playing school together. My love for children has always been a big part of who I am, whether through babysitting or nannying over the years. Teaching has always felt like my true calling,” she said.

A big sister to Reagan, a sixth-grader at Brandon Valley Middle School, and Brooklyn, a sophomore at Augustana College, Schroeder said it was their experiences at Brandon Valley that made her want to be a part of it. Her parents are Torey and Michelle Schroeder.

“Brandon Valley is, without a doubt, an incredible district with phenomenal leadership, and I can’t imagine a better place to be,” she said. “While I didn’t get to experience the amazing community and unique aspects of Brandon Valley during my high school years, I knew I wanted to become a Lynx myself. I’m thrilled to finally embark on this journey.”

Student’s under Schroeder’s guide will soon learn their teacher “blends enthusiasm with a genuine care” for each student’s individual growth.

“I strive to create a warm, welcoming environment where students feel valued and motivated to learn,” she said. “My lessons are often interactive and engaging, with a focus on hands-on activities and real-world connections that make learning fun and meaningful. I also prioritize building strong relationships with my students, making sure they know I’m there to support them every step of the way.”

In her free time, Schroeder “loves going for walks at sunset, playing volleyball, being outdoors and spending quality time” with her family.

Volleyball, she said, is one of her passions.

“It keeps me active and fuels my love for teamwork and creating a positive environment,” she says, both of which she incorporates into her teaching.

 

Sierra Thomas

School Counselor

For years to come, Sierra Thomas will remember exactly where she was on Feb. 12, 2023. 

A fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, Thomas was in the stands of State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., for Super Bowl LVII, where the Chiefs squeaked out a 25-22 win over the San Francisco 49ers.  

Thomas grew up as a Gregory “Gorilla”, graduating from high school there in 2013. She next ventured to the University of South Dakota, where in 2017 she earned a B.S. in communications and psychology. She furthered her education at Northern State University, and in 2020 was awarded a Master of Science in Education, School Counseling.

Her prior counseling experience includes a three-year stint as an elementary school counselor at Kansas City, Mo.

From babysitting for family members as a teen to working at a daycare in college, Thomas said it was her lifelong love for kids that drew her to a career in education.

“I became very interested in psychology later in my own education journey and knew school counseling would be the perfect way to combine those two passions,” she said.

“I try to create learning opportunities in everyday interactions and events so that kids understand why the things we’re learning about matter and how they fit into their lives,” she said.

She cites Brandon Valley’s reputation for excellence as the reason she wanted to join the district, which “is full of passionate teachers and staff.”

Her free time is consumed by being with her dog, being in nature, reading, puzzles, and working out. 

 

ROBERT BENNIS

ELEMENTARY

Josie Corliss

Special Education

Josie Corliss has first-hand experience as a Brandon Valley Lynx. The 2017 Dakota State University graduate grew up in Brandon and graduated from high school here in 2012. She attended grades 7-12 at Brandon Valley, and knew that someday, she’d like to teach here.

That “someday” is now.

She gained her degrees in 2017 from Dakota State University, which include bachelor degrees in special education and elementary education. She taught special education the last six years at Todd County.

Engaged to Donald Rozeboom, Corliss said her students will find that she’s “a fierce advocate” them.

 

Jennie Sennes

Special Education

It was “light bulb moments” that drew Jennie Sennes to a career in education.

“I wanted to do something impactful and that would make a difference,” says the Albia, Iowa, native and 1994 Albia High School graduate. “Once I saw the light bulb moment when my own children grasped and understood a new concept, I was hooked.”

Sennes comes to Brandon Valley with 10-plus years of teaching experience in various locales, including Iowa, Minnesota, Florida and now, South Dakota.

Her desire to be on staff here pairs well with the “mission of the district” and “the small-town vibe that allows for connections with our families, colleagues, and community,” she said.

Sennes gained her Master’s degree in special education from Morningside University.

Her teaching style, Sennes explains, is to help her students “find their voice and take ownership of their learning.” In return, Sennes said this helps them build confidence and allows them to better enjoy their educational journey.

Sennes and her husband, Brock, are parents of a blended family of four, and have two grandchildren. She enjoys reading, baking, cooking and traveling.

 

Cole Sylliaasen

Third grade, freshman football coach

Cole Sylliaasen left Brandon in the fall of 2020 bound for Dakota State University, but he knew that one day he would return to live and work here.

That day is now.

“It’s (BV) the best district in the state, (and) I always wanted to come back,” he said.

The first-year, third-generation educator won’t be the only “Mr. Sylliaasen” in the building, as his dad, Tim, teaches fourth grade at RBE. His grandfather, Jeff, taught at Garretson.

Sylliaasen said his love for being around kids and a longtime desire to teach is what led to his elementary education degree. He student-taught at Madison last year. His students, he said, will find that he makes connections with them that in turn builds great teacher-student relationships.

He lists fishing, hunting, golf and hanging out with friends as things he enjoys. He is also engaged to Vonna Gail Schlechter.

 

BRANDON VALLEY

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Stefanie Rieffenberger

Fifth grade ELA

For the past 16 years, Stefanie Rieffenberger taught first through fourth grades in the Harrisburg School District. But with a daughter enrolled at Robert Bennis Elementary, Reiffenberger said she wanted to be part of “an amazing district that I hear so many good things about.”

“My family has lived in town (Brandon) for about two years and we enjoy the small town feel and friendly community,” she shares. “(She) has received a great education from teachers who have high expectations and genuinely care about her.”

Originally from Clara City, Minn., she graduated from MACCRAY High School in 2003. She ventured to South Dakota to attend Augustana University, from which she graduated in 2007 with degrees in elementary education and elementary deaf education.

Raised by a family of educators – her mother, grandmother, aunts and uncles – Rieffenberger said her love for working with children made teaching her clear career choice.

“I love to have fun while learning and create an enjoyable class community,” she said.

She and her husband, Chad, are parents of two daughters, Hadley and Hazel. She enjoys traveling, spending time at the lake, in the outdoors and with her family and puppy.

 

BRANDON VALLEY

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Jami Button

Seventh-grade math

There are two things you should know about Jami Button: She loves giraffes, but hates peanut butter.

While neither has much to do with her career choice, she said it was her own personal experience as a student at Brandon Valley that led her to the profession.

“Great teachers as role models and a passion for kids and math,” are reasons why she chose to become a teacher. And it was the district’s reputation for high academic standards and a desire to return to the community she grew up in that brought her back to Brandon Valley.

Button previously taught math for four years at Colman-Egan (6-8th grades), three years at Baltic (fourth grade), and one year at Volga Christian (grades 5-6).

She gained her degree in 2014 from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.

“I seem quiet,” Button said, adding that she’s always willing to try new things and have fun.

She and her husband are parents to 7-year-old Jaxon. She likes to play softball, tennis, snow ski and spend time at the lake.

 

Gopal Chamlagai

Eighth-grade math

Gopal Chamlagai said the positive impact his teachers made in his life is what solidified his career choice to become a teacher. The 2019 Sioux Falls Washington graduate was awarded a degree in math education from the University of Sioux Falls this year. He student-taught at George McGovern Middle School in Sioux Falls.

Chamlagai wanted to teach in the Brandon Valley School District based on the adequate resources that are in place for first-year teachers, like himself, which in turn, leads to a positive experience.

His students may be surprised to learn that Chamlagai was born and grew up in a refugee camp in Nepal. And that may be one of the personal experiences he taps into in his classroom lessons.

“I enjoy drawing personal relation to the materials that we are talking about, also relating it to the students as well,” he said.

He lists his hobbies as soccer and fishing.

 

Lacey Hoogland 

Eighth-grade English

language arts

When it comes to reunions for the Hoogland family, there’s no question they’ll be showing up in big numbers.

Lacey Hoogland has 56 first cousins on her dad’s side of the family.

Her own family, however, numbers hust four, and includes her husband, Barry, and sons, Cale and Owen.

Hoogland knew she wanted to be a teacher based on her personal experience as a student at Long Prairie, Minn., where she graduated from in 2001.

“Throughout K-12, I had many amazing teachers whose positive relationships made me want to be a teacher like them,” she said.

She made her career passion come true by earning a B.A. degree in 2004 from Concordia University in St. Paul, and followed up with a Master’s degree in 2011 from the University of South Dakota.

Hoogland previously taught grades 6-12 for 10 years in Rapid City and two years in Sioux Falls. She wanted to be part of the Brandon Valley staff because the family lives here and her children are enrolled in school here.

Hoogland says that although she may appear to be “very serious,” she does know how to have fun while teaching.

Her hobbies are reading and being in the outdoors.

 

Jessie Paquette

Eighth-grade English

language arts

“I was born to be a teacher,” Jessie Paquette proclaims. “I knew I wanted to be a teacher since the first grade. After having a teacher that made me love school, I always wanted to be a teacher and played school growing up. … I love being in education.”

Paquette grew up in nearby Luverne, Minn., where she graduated from high school in 2000. She gained her degrees in elementary education and deaf education in 2004 from Augustana University. Her prior teaching assignments include two years as a kindergarten teacher at Worthington, Minn., a year teaching fifth-grade in Del Rio, Texas, and two years as a preschool teacher in Altus, Okla. The last six years, she’s been substitute teaching at Brandon Valley.

The Paquette’s children – McKinley, 16, Kyndle, 14, Cadynce, 10, Skylar, 6, and Gage, 5 – are all students at Brandon Valley, hence her desire to teach here. Her husband’s name is Denis.

“My kids are in this district and I have found it to be amazing,” she said. “I have a lot of friends who teach in this district and I can’t wait to work with them all.”

Paquette said she’s a teacher who knows that student do not all learn the same way. 

“I love to come up with ways to help the students attain information in their special way,” she said. “I love to make learning fun and I will try hard to reach every student where they are.”

Family is of the utmost importance to her.

“I love spending time with my family, traveling with them around the world. I love watching them in their sports and activities,” she said. 

And something else that she loves: reading.

“I love to read People magazine and books for book club,” she shares, in addition to walking outdoors and having dance parties with her family.

 

Rachel Schaeffer

Seventh-grade math

Kids and education have been front and center in Rachel Schaeffer’s life. 

For starters, she’s had a long love affair with school – “(I) enjoyed pretending to be the teacher as a child” – and she’s passionate about helping students reach their potential dreams.

“(That) is such a blessing and honor,” she said.

Schaeffer grew up in Freeman, graduating high school in 2001. Her next stop was Northern State University, where she earned K-8 education and early childhood education degrees.

Her prior seven years in the classroom were intentionally staggered. Her resume includes stints at Bridgewater, McCook Central, Montrose and Sioux Falls. In between McCook Central and Montrose, she stayed home with her children along with operating an in-home preschool.

The family relocated to Brandon when her husband of 20 years, Chad, was hired as a STEM teacher.

“I really respected how the BV District promotes well-rounded students – academically, musically, athletically – but most important, encouraging and teaching good character in all they do,” she said. “I love the community feel and have enjoyed being a Lynx.”

In the classroom, Schaeffer is all about building connections with her students and the material they are learning.

An interesting tidbit about Schaeffer is that she’s visited 49 of the 50 U.S. states. Alaska awaits, she said.

The Schaeffer’s are parents of three daughters, Olia, a freshman, and seventh-graders Eliana and Sophia. She enjoys reading, spending time outdoors and playing board and card games with friends and family.

 

Caitlyn Schwebach

Seventh grade English Language Arts

Although Caitlyn grew up in nearby Tea and graduated from Tea Area High School in 2013, she considers Brandon Valley as her “home.”

That feeling stems from her student-teaching experience at Brandon Valley Middle School.

“I fell in love with the school and the community,” she said.

The 2017 University of Sioux Falls graduate was awarded a Bachelor’s degree in secondary education and English. She taught one year at both North Middle School in the Harrisburg School District and Watertown Middle School, and four years at Brandon Valley.

It was her work experience in an afterschool program during high school and a portion of college that led her to choose a career in education.

She was also recently married to Riley, who is also a teacher in the Sioux Falls School system. 

Schwebach said she’s a teacher who takes time to listen and gets to know her students.

“We take our class time seriously, but I also work to make sure they get the freedom to make a lot of choices in my classroom as well,” she said.

Her list of hobbies includes yoga, cycling, reading, and walking their dogs. Together, she and Riley enjoy checking out MLB baseball stadiums. 

“We keep track of where we have been in a book specifically for ‘ballpark chasing,’” she said.

 

Tara Sheridan

Seventh-grade English language arts

Tara Sheridan confesses that she loves watching baking shows on TV like the Great British Bake Off and Crime Scene Kitchen.

Ironically so, the Huron native said she rarely bakes.

But what she is passionate about is reading and writing, and she wants to instill that same passion in her students.

“Hopefully, (they’ll) see how much I love teaching and the passion I have for my subject area will impact them positively. I want my students to leave seventh grade with an appreciation for reading and writing,” she said.

Her path to Brandon Valley came via through her twin nephews, Kade and Karter, who graduated in May from BVHS.

“They always spoke highly of the teachers and all the schools they attended, (and) I wanted to be a part of that community,” she said.

Sheridan’s path to the profession came through coaching an intramural middle school basketball team. It was then, she said, that she realized how much she enjoyed teaching and inspiring young children.

A 1991 graduate of Huron High School and 1996 graduate of the University of South Dakota, Sheridan has extensive experience in the profession, teaching 22 years for the West Sioux School District in Hawarden, Iowa, where she taught English language arts to grades 6-10. The majority of her two-decade career at West Sioux was spent teaching eighth and 10th grade students.

She lists her hobbies as reading walking, riding bike and playing with her cat, Ripley.

 

BRANDON VALLEY

HIGH SCHOOL

Max Outland

Assistant Middle/High School Band Director

“Grace” and music are front and center in Max Outland’s life.

As they should be.

“Grace”, an educational assistant at Hawthorne Elementary in Sioux Falls, is his fiancée.

And music is his career.

Outland, who grew up in Brandon and is a 2019 Brandon Valley High School graduate, will share his time as the assistant band director at both Brandon Valley’s Middle and High Schools. He’s certainly no stranger to the Marching Lynx, where he’s been was on staff since 2020.

It was his father, Derek Outland, a teacher and coach at Brandon Valley High School, that inspired his career choice. But it was his experience as a band student at Brandon Valley that defined his subject of choice: music.

“I knew I wanted to be involved in music for my whole life,” he said.

Outland attended Augustana University, gaining his degree in music education earlier this year.

“As an alumni, I absolutely wanted to come back to the community that raised me so I could give back,” he said. “I also love the organizations and tradition of excellence that the BV band program has developed and continues to uphold.”

Outland makes an effort to maintain a balance in his teaching between asking for the best out of his students, but always trying to make them feel accomplished and successful, he said.

In his free time, you may find him camping, hiking, going to concerts, and of course, “anything else associated with music!”