The Becker Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed eight new and one returning teacher at its annual welcome new teachers luncheon at Becker High School Wednesday afternoon. Principals from the four district schools attended the event, and each had the opportunity to introduce their incoming staff members.
Guests at the luncheon included Sup. Dr. Stephen Malone, Pastor Rob Olsen from Becker Baptist Church, Becker Area Senior Center coordinator Carol Brunn, Becker City Administrator Greg Pruszinske, BACC board member Amy Chmielewski and long-time chamber member Audrey Orton. Board member and BACC office manager Lynette Brannan served as the emcee for the event.
New Teachers
The eight brand-new teachers included the following: Natalie Geier, grade six; Sara Peterson, grade seven, Anna Borchard, kindergarten; Stephanie Berg, grade five math; Tyler Niedfeldt, middle and high school PE; Margaret Smude, high school counselor; Tim Peterson, high school English, and Kari Brandt, grade six. The returning teacher is Nathan Bucher, who is returning to his classroom at Becker Primary School after he and his wife, Kristi returned to the area after completing a two-year mission with the Jesus in Haiti ministry.
Each of the new teachers endured the annual ritual popular at this event, having to stand before the crowd and introduce themselves, following which they were required to tell a funny story about their experiences in education thus far. All acquitted themselves well, with some “laugh out loud” moments.
New School Year
Sup. Malone addressed the group, saying that he was particularly pleased with the group of new teachers hired for the coming year, and noting that 75% of the district budget goes to provide the highest quality teaching staff available. He said that the 2014-15 school year should be a “great year” in the district, with the tools in place such as the professional learning committees (PLCs), a new instructional model and advanced technology in place to help students and educators succeed.
The district also has created a new teacher evaluation model, as required by the state legislature, Malone said, and he also cited the membership of TRAK (Together Reaching Area Kids) or their work on mental health and suicide prevention issues.
Malone also commented on a variety of ongoing repair and renovation projects ongoing in district schools, and he conducted a short tour of the new swimming pool and auditorium. Becker High School will host an open house with public tours of the new facilities Fri., Sept. 26 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Each new teacher also received a gift bag with items donated by area businesses. Sponsors for the 2014 luncheon included: Xcel Energy; Liberty Paper; Allina Health – Buffalo Hospital; Huse Orthodontics; Mary Kay Cosmetics; CentraCare Health – Monticello; Anytime Fitness; Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate; Palmer Wireless; Hubbard Studio; Vonco Waste Management; EDA – City of Becker; Insurance Specialists Team; Becker Community Center; American Family Insurance – Amy Chmielewski Agency and STARCOR Credit union.
