The start of school brings a new fourth grade teacher to Colman-Egan and adds a new school counselor and a Flandreau-native as the Title I teacher.

Cheryl Nelsen
Position: Title I
Hometown: Flandreau
Education: Flandreau High School and Dakota State University
Experience: Special education para educator at Colman-Egan since 2002.
Family: Husband, Scott Nelsen, four grown children and five grandchildren
What are you most looking forward to with your job in the Colman-Egan school system? I am looking forward to continuing to work with the students and staff at Colman-Egan. Most of my years as a para educator were spent working with junior high and high school students, but in the past few years I have transitioned into working more with elementary students. I look forward to the bright energy they bring to each day.
What is your top goal for the school year? My top goal is to learn as much from each of my students as they learn from me. Each one of them is unique in their approach to learning, and I look forward to getting to know them and adapting my methods of teaching so that they may each find their greatest possible success.
What one project will showcase your best effort this year? New to the Title I classroom this year will be our own iPads. Because technology has become such a huge part of our students’ world, I will constantly be searching for new ways to constructively bring it into my classroom. I am excited to use the many resources presented through my college courses, as well as networking with fellow educators.
What interesting hobbies or background will you bring to your position? The most important thing I am bringing to my new position in Title I is my 15-plus years working in the Colman-Egan school district. I am blessed to have been a part of this district and have built relationships with both students and staff. I also have a love for learning and am passionate about reading. I hope to instill in my students that both of these can be fun and open a world of new experiences.  
Why did you choose education as a career? I often say that I didn’t choose education, it chose me. I began my work as a para educator because it provided me the opportunity to work when my own children were in school and be home when they were. I never expected it to capture my heart. From the very first time I was able to help a student understand a concept they had been struggling with, I was hooked. Every student deserves to find success in learning and being a part of them finding that success is so rewarding.

Kendra Steinberg    
Position: Counselor
Age: 24
Hometown: New Ulm, Minn.
Education: New Ulm High School, Minnesota State University, Mankato (Psychology), University of South Dakota (School Counseling)
Experience: Boys and Girls Club of the Sioux Empire lead teacher, Americorps social emotional skill builder, K-12 school counseling internship at the Harrisburg school district.
Family: My family lives in Minnesota, and my partner and I live in Sioux Falls.
What are you most looking forward to with your job in the Colman-Egan school system? I am looking forward to working in such a tight knit community/school system.
What is your top goal for the school year? My top goal for the school year is to build a relationship with each and every student at Colman-Egan.
What one project will showcase your best effort this year? I will be implementing the Sanford Harmony curriculum with the elementary grades. I am looking forward to building a positive school climate that is proactive.
What interesting hobbies or background will you bring to your position? I am a very social person, so I like to connect with families and students and learn about their unique backgrounds, experiences and abilities. I also enjoy supporting athletics, and I plan on going to a lot of games this year.
Why did you choose education as a career? I chose to work in the field of education to support students to be the best version of themselves, whatever that may be.

Katlyn Sawtelle
Position: Fourth Grade
Age: 25
Hometown: Luverne, Minn.
Education: Luverne High School, University of Sioux Falls
Experience: Memorial Middle School
Family: Tom and Renee Sawtelle
What are you most looking forward to with your job in the Colman-Egan school system? I am looking forward to getting to know the staff, students and community.
What is your top goal for the school year? My top goal is to survive my first year of teaching, but also to make fourth grade memorable, fun and a great learning year my students.
What one project will showcase your best effort this year? Teaching the students to be independent, responsible young humans is what will showcase my best effort this year in the classroom.
What interesting hobbies or background will you bring to your position? I have been coaching for a few years, and I am excited to continue with the opportunity here by coaching junior high volleyball and high school track and field.
Why did you choose education as a career? I chose education because I wanted to reach out to students in the classroom and in coaching by being a positive role model for those who may not have that every day.  We are teaching our future community, leaders and world, and I wanted to have an impact on that bright future even for a small chunk of it.