back to school

---

Page 8 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2018 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

BACK TO SCHOOL

Karen Beckmann

Kate Kaluza

Katie Gales

Family: Husband, Eric Beckmann, and Damon, 8, and Brynnly, 3. Hometown: Sioux Falls, S.D. College: University of MinnesotaMorris, St. Cloud State University, St. Mary’s University, Bemidji State. Experience: Fourteen years of teaching physical education and adapted physical education (13 years in Milaca and one year in Sierra Vista, Ariz.). What grade and subject will you teach? Tenth-grade physical education and ninth-grade health Why did you become a teacher and what are you most passionate about? Becoming a teacher is in my family. My father, two aunts and two uncles were all educators. I love teaching students the importance of staying healthy. There were many influential teachers who helped guide me down the right path in high school.  What is the most important life lesson you hope to teach your students? Success does not come without failure. Life is 10 percent about what happens to you and 90 percent on how you react to it.  What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? I enjoy being with my family. In the summer, we swim or fish all day long. I enjoy listening to books on Audible, officiating basketball and playing sports.   What is your favorite children’s book? “Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings,” by Shel Silverstein.

Family: Rene Kaluza and Steve Kaluza, and older brother, Adam.  Hometown: St. Cloud. College: St. Cloud State University.  Experience: Five years.  What grade and subject will you teach? Ninth-grade human geography and 10th-grade world history.  Tell us about your background and experience that has led you to this position. I have always wanted to be a teacher. My first teaching job was at Eagle Valley High School in Clarissa where I taught geography and history to middle and high school as well as coaching junior high volleyball and track and field. I then went and taught sixth-eighth grade at St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Savage. I spent the last 3.5 years teaching middle school and high school at Heron Lake-Okabena High School. I wanted a chance to work in a larger district, closer to home and when I saw an opening in Sauk Rapids I jumped at the chance.  Why did you become a teacher and what are you most passionate about? History was always something that fascinated me. I wanted to make it fun and fascinating for others. The more I learned, the more I realized social studies is what made the world go around. Civics, geography and psychology they all play a major role in our lives. By teaching the next generation about history and geography, we can make great changes in our world.  What is the most important life lesson you hope to teach your students? It is not always about memorizing facts, it is about the skills you learn when you memorize those facts.   What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Whenever I can, I enjoy spending time with family. That could be out on the lake at our cabin, going out to dinner or watching British mysteries. When I am not with my family, I tend to relax with Netflix with friends, long walks or watching dog videos on Instagram.   What is your favorite children’s book? Either Strega Nona or Amelia Bedelia books. 

Family: Husband and two kids, ages 9 and 7 Hometown: Sauk Rapids. College: St. Cloud State University.  Experience: Five years in a regular education classroom. What grade and subject will you teach? Title 1 at Pleasantview. Tell us about your background and experience that has led you to this position. I have taught grades 2 and 3 in a small, private school setting. Why did you become a teacher and what are you most passionate about? Growing up, my mom did in-home daycare. Children have always been a part of my life, and I wanted to continue working with them as I pursued my career. I am passionate about helping children be successful in their learning. What is the most important life lesson you hope to teach your students? I want my students to try their hardest and do the best they can do. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? I enjoy camping with my family, watching my kids in their activities and reading a good book.  What is your favorite children’s book? “Roar of a Snore.” 

• • • •

AUTO HOME HEALTH FARM

• • • •

LIFE FLOOD BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL BOAT & WATERCRAFT

www.tricoins.net w tri triicoiins net Tri-County Insurance Tri-County Insurance Foley 59 Minnesota 23 800 industrial Dr S Suite 206 6 Foley, MN 56329 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 (320) 968-6496 (320) 251-2552

Kelly Sundby Family: My husband, John, and I have been married for almost 15 years. We have two kids. Adam is a seventh grader at SRR Middle School, and Emma is a fourth grader at MHES. Hometown: Litchfield. College: St. Cloud State University. Experience: 10 years. What grade and subject will you teach? Early childhood educator and school readiness teacher. Tell us about your background and experience that has led you to this position. I have worked in different preschool settings including a daycare and with the head start program. Why did you become a teacher and what are you most passionate about? I have always loved to be around small children so becoming an early childhood teacher came naturally to me. I am passionate about helping my students develop a love for learning by making school a fun and engaging experience. What is the most important life lesson you hope to teach your students? You are going to make mistakes and that is OK. Learn from them. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? I enjoy watching my children in their various activities, reading, scrapbooking, camping and golfing. What is your favorite children’s book? “The Pigeon Books,” by Mo Willems.

Welcome Back to School! (320) 252-9972 | Fax (320) 253-4160 1428 2nd St. No., PO Box 660, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

www.stjsk.com PO Box 674 • Sauk Rapids, MN

320-497-0842

www.lumberjackshockey.com