Julie Lingo

Physical Education Teacher
33 years / 31 years at RAS

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Buffalo, MN and attended Buffalo High School.

Where did you attend college?
I went to Concordia College, Moorhead, MN

Did you always want to be a teacher?
It seemed like a great fit with the sports I was involved in and watching the team of phy ed teachers I had in high school.  That path all then fell naturally into place my freshman year at Concordia and have never looked back.

What do you look most forward to everyday at Rockford?
Trying to continue to encourage our kids to live a healthy lifestyle – to be a positive adult in their lives.

What is one of your most memorable moments as a teacher?
Over the past 31 years, my most memorable moments would be the following: coaching at the high school level, jump rope performances with my elementary kids, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes with middle school kids. Also, teaching with R. Griffith, C. Peterson and driving the school bus in the dead of winter to our phy ed classes over to the high school with J. Roelofs…….:))

What advice would you give a new teacher?
Our kids today need positive influences in their lives – be that teacher.

What will you miss most about teaching in Rockford?
I always enjoy when past students come up and tell me something positive about being in my classes-I will miss the opportunities we have as teachers, to be that teacher that in big and very small ways, made an impact.

Family
I have been married to Dennis, whom I met at Concordia, for 32 years. We have 2 sons, Matt and his wife Mollie, with 2 daughters who are totally spoiled by grandma and grandpa. Our other son Luke, just moved back to Rockford and is driving semi truck for Reinhart foods with plans to move back to Brainerd.

What are your plans when you retire?
busy summer on the farm with kids/grandkids, leaving for family vacation August 26 with the family to Polebridge MT instead of getting ready for workshop, helping with kids and our parents, and maybe pick up a very part- time job in the fall. (maybe)

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Retirees from past years