Special Education Teacher
37 years / 8 years at RAS
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Luck, (northwestern) Wisconsin in a family of 7 on a small dairy farm in a very close-knit Danish community. I graduated from Luck High School as a part of the largest class in the history of our school—52 students!
Where did you attend college?
I attended college at the University of Wisconsin—Stout in Menomonie and graduate school at the U of M and Mankato.
Did you always want to be a teacher?
I’m from a family of teachers – two uncles, two aunts, and four of five of my siblings are teachers, and four of us married teachers. My real inspiration, though, was my 6th grade teacher. I loved being in her class and hoped that one day I could be that kind of teacher.
How many years have you been a teacher?
I started teaching in 1979 and with just a few years off for maternity leaves, I’ve been a teacher about 37 years. Fun Fact – my first annual salary was $10,167.71.
I’ve taught students at all grade levels: high school, middle school, elementary, and adult education (GED preparation).
What will you miss most about teaching in Rockford?
I will definitely miss the students and all my wonderful colleagues. I feel so fortunate be have been given the opportunity to work such a talented staff and such amazing students!
Family
We have three sons, two amazing daughters-in-law, with one more daughter-in-law joining our family sometime next summer. In addition, we have 7 and 4-year-old grandsons in Washington, DC, and a 3-year-old granddaughter in Farmington.
What are your plans when you retire?
Having time to spend time with family will be such a gift. With one son living in DC, and one living in Montreal, Canada we have lots of ground to cover to see them. We’re also looking forward to traveling/camping around the U.S. and would love to check off as many National Parks as possible. Also, my dream is to actually run out of household projects!
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