District 518 welcomes new teachers for 2022-23 school year

Editor's Note: This is the fourth of several installments featuring new teachers in Worthington District 518.

Job Title: Special Education Teacher

Where I attended high school: Worthington High School

Education: Western Governors University

What about this school district excites you? What are you looking forward to? I was a student in ISD 518 from kindergarten to 12th grade and I am excited to give back to a school district that made me who I am today. I am looking forward to starting a different role in the district and I am excited to see where it takes me.

Who was your favorite teacher and why? Andrea Karsten because I connected with her from the start and I still communicate with her to this day. She made school fun for me and always pushed me, but never gave up on me when I failed.

Job Title: Long-Term Substitute Teacher

Where I attended high school: Westover High School, Albany, Georgia

Education: Southwest Minnesota State University

What about this school district excites you? What are you looking forward to? I am excited to work in a district that offers so many opportunities to all students and I am looking forward to being back in the classroom and sharing my love of teaching with the students and staff.

Who was your favorite teacher and why? I actually have two favorite teachers. My fourth grade teacher Mrs. Watson and my high school English teacher Anita Moore. I attribute my love for reading to Mrs. Watson. She read to us every day and said we should keep a book with us at all times because we could always find time to read. Ms. Moore gave killer spelling tests each week but, by the time each term was done I understood grammar and had a pretty good vocabulary.

Job Title: Middle School Computer Teacher

Where I attended high school: Comfrey

Education: Minnesota State University, Mankato

What about this school district excites you? What are you looking forward to? I have worked in the Worthington School District previously. I am excited to come back and teach students again.

Who was your favorite teacher and why? My favorite teacher was a high school teacher of mine. She ALWAYS spent her free time helping me with my math homework.

Job Title: Fifth Grade Teacher

Where I attended high school: Andress High School

Education: UTEP, the University of Texas in El Paso

What about this school district excites you? What are you looking forward to? I'm excited for the new opportunities given to me and can't wait to establish a connection with the kids in the community as well as the staff.

Who was your favorite teacher and why? My favorite teacher would be Mrs. Terri. She took the time and came down to her students level which helped her know who her students were and made connections that will never be forgotten.

Job Title: Special Education Teacher

Where I attended high school: Tracy

Education: Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall

What about this school district excites you? What are you looking forward to? I appreciate the fact that there is a large team of special education teachers and related staff to create a supportive network. I most look forward to creating relationships with my students and fellow co-workers.

Who was your favorite teacher and why? A number of teachers stand out, but I think overall the teachers I appreciated the most were the ones who got to know me as a person and cared about their students.

Job Title: Physical Education Teacher

Where I attended high school: Springfield, Massachusetts

Education: Westfield State University, Massachusetts

What about this school district excites you? What are you looking forward to? I'm really excited for the multilingual and diverse culture of students at the high school!

Who was your favorite teacher and why? I'll never forget Mr. Luna in second grade and how he made every student's voice feel respected, heard, and understood — all while teaching from his heart.

Job Title: Middle School Counselor

Where I attended high school: Sibley-Ocheyedan High School, Sibley, Iowa

Education: Upper Iowa University

What about this school district excites you? What are you looking forward to? I'm looking forward to learning in my first year as a counselor. My favorite teacher was my mom. She was my middle school math teacher and I thought that was so cool when I was younger.