Several alumni return to NYM School

By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

Eleven teachers are beginning new roles at the New York Mills School District this year. Although a few of them are not exactly new to the district, they are filling new positions and are excited to be working in their new roles this fall.

Mike Bauck

A longtime staple of the New York Mills school staff, Mike Bauck will be changing positions to the seventh through 12th grade Personal Finance, Computer Applications, Digital Design, Tech 7, and Comp 8 classes this fall.

Bauck grew up right here in NY Mills and is looking forward to meeting new faculty and students as well as creating friendships and relationships. He graduated from NY Mills High School and went on to Concordia College in Moorhead for Business Administration.

“I want to make a difference in as many student’s lives as possible,” said Bauck. “I had some very inspirational teachers and coaches that helped me to decide to become a teacher.”

He lives with his wife and coworker Teri and has three children, Zach, Brad and Bella, as well as his dog Cee Cee. He spends his free time participating in sports and going hunting.

Jamie George

Growing up next-door to NY Mills, Jamie George comes from Perham and will be starting her very first year of teaching ASD/DCD special education this year. She student taught in the NY Mills School District last year, as well as long term substituted. She’s excited to get to know her students and their families as well as working with the staff in town.

“I always wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “But as I got older and I realized how important it is to have caring teachers and how much of a difference one teacher can make in a child’s life.”

George graduated from Perham High School before attending Southwest Minnesota State University and is going for her Masters Degree in Special Education. She lives with her husband Travis, son Levi, and daughter Braelyn, as well as her dogs, cats, horses, chickens, and rabbits. She’s excited to attend the many sporting events this school year.

Zach Hocking

A 2018 Park Rapids graduate, Zach Hocking is returning from a year of student teacher in the NY Mills School and will fill the K-6 Physical Education teaching position this year.

“I became a teacher because of coaching baseball in the summer in Park Rapids,” he said. “It opened my eyes on how much I enjoyed it and was good at it.”

Hocking graduated from the Minnesota State University in Moorhead last December and also worked as a paraprofessional in this district last spring.

“I am looking forward to having my own class and teaching,” said Hocking. “Being around last year in different areas was huge factor in why I wanted to be here. I am looking forward to seeing the kids react when we start different activities that they might not have done before.”

Hocking makes the most of his free time with his many hobbies including baseball, golf, hunting, fishing and hanging out with family and friends. He also has coached football, wrestling and softball, which he is looking forward to participating in again.

Dinee Dykhoff

Another NY Mills native, Dinee Dykhoff graduated from NY Mills High School before attending Fergus Falls Community College, Minnesota State University in Moorhead, as well as Bemidji State University. She will be teaching Special Education this year in NY Mills.

“I come from a large family and have always been surrounded by children and loved babysitting, teaching lessons to my nieces and nephews when they came over to the farm,” she explained. “I taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and had sisters that were teachers. I really can’t remember a time that I didn’t want to be a teacher!”

Dykhoff has a long history of teaching, from her beginnings with her own family members as well as Sunday School lessons. She taught for a year in Karlstad, Minn., nine years in Sebeka, as well as many years of teaching and substituting in NY Mills and also Perham.

Dykhoff lives with her husband Gordy, son Rowland, and daughters Dixie and Hazel as well as her cat, dogs, rabbits, and 36 chickens. She’s active in 4-H leadership and various sports and enjoys walking, reading, and music.

“I’m looking forward to making a positive difference in students lives and lots of energy to the school and community,” she said.

Leah Roberts-Veazie

Returning to her hometown to teach seventh, eighth, and 11th grade English is Leah Robert-Veazie, a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead. She has taught for three years in Henning prior to returning to NY Mills. She is also currently attending Mankato State University for her graduate studies and is looking forward to being a NY Mills Eagle once again.

“Mrs. (Heidi) Dresser was most definitely my inspiration for becoming a High School English teacher,” said Roberts-Veazie.

Robert-Veazie lives with her husband Jackson and their cat, Stella Marie and their new puppy, Wrigley. She spends her free time antique shopping, watching documentaries, reading, and drinking coffee.

Amy Sobieski

Also growing up in NY Mills, Amy Sobieski will be filling the position of K-12 Music/Choir teacher this year. She graduated from NY Mills High School before attending Bemidji State University for Communications and Political Science.

“I have had a mid-career lapse and this opportunity arose,” she said. “I am excited to share my love of music with the students and learn from them as well.”

This will be Sobieski’s first year teaching and she looks forward to working with students and staff members in NY Mills. She lives with her husband David and has two sons, John and Henry who are both college students. She enjoys her time at home with her one year old German Shepherd, Mabel.

Alli Bauck

Growing up in Rolla, N. D., Alli Bauck is beginning her fourth year of teaching as the fourth grade teacher this fall. She attended Rolla High School before going on to Valley City University for Elementary Education.

“I became a teacher because I had some influential teachers that made a different in my life,” she said. “I want to be that for someone else. I’m looking forward to connect with the NY Mills community and build relationships with all learners.”

Bauck lives with her husband Zach and dog Paisley. She enjoys birding and playing basketball.

Jenna Stodgell

Hailing from northern towns Warroad, Minn. and Bemidji, Minn., Jenna Stodgell will be beginning her tenth year as a teacher in her third grade classroom this fall. She attended Bemidji High School and earned her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from Bemidji State University. She later completed her Masters Degree in Elementary Reading and Math from Walden University.

“I was the kid that played teacher with all of my cousins,” Stodgell said. “It was a natural path for me.”

Stodgell lives with her two children and her golden doodle named Millie. She spends as much time as she can out and about around the local lakes.

“I am looking forward to getting to know my students, their families, and the New York Mills community,” she said.”

Lindsay Kennedy

Incoming 7-12th grade SPED Emotional/Behavioral teacher Lindsay Kennedy comes from West Fargo, N. D. She attended West Fargo High School before going on to Minnesota State University in Moorhead for Art Education and SPED.

“My dad was the EBD specialist in Moorhead for over 30 years,” she said. “I’ve seen how he has changed lives of students and that has become a goal of my own.”

Beginning her first year of teaching, Kennedy is looking forward to getting into the swing of a routine of the year and learning what works and doesn’t for her students.

Kennedy lives with her husband, two dogs, a cat and a rabbit. She enjoys printmaking and painting.

Shelby Midthun

Hailing from Cody, Wyo., Shelby Midthun will be teaching eighth grade Science and STEM, 10th grade Biology, and 10-12th grade electives, Zoology and Ecology. This is her fourth year teaching.

“I fell in love with teaching outreach while with Wyoming Game and Fish,” she said. “My mother was a phenomenal teacher that guided me as I pursued teaching.”

Midthun attended North Dakota State University for Zoology and has her Masters Degree in Science Education from Western Governors University. She is looking forward to getting to know her students and the community.

She lives with her two dogs, Panda and Meeko as well as her horse, Ditto. She enjoys spending time hiking, fishing, hunting, horse riding, and reading.

Matthew Brown

Baudette, Minn. native, Matthew Brown, has made his way around the nation. He was born in Indianapolis, Ind., before moving and being raised in Baudette and then moved to upstate New York while in high school. He is returning to his home state for his 15th year of teaching for his position in Special Education, specifically working with students that have behavioral and social challenges in the elementary setting.

“One summer I was back home in New York looking for a summer job and one of my friends, her dad was a principal at a school that serviced students with special needs,” said Brown. “He asked if I wanted to work and at that time I needed something to do. I was a one-on-one para and worked in a classroom with a teacher that really inspired me. I went back the following semester and started my path to become a special education teacher, and have not looked back since.”

Brown attended school up to 11th grade at Lake of the Woods and graduated after his senior year in Saranac, N.Y. He attended Bemidji State University with an undergraduate degree in Mass Communications before going back for graduate studies to receive his Special Education license.

“I love the small town school feel that New York Mills has to offer,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with the wonderful staff and of course the students and can’t wait to get started.”

Brown lives with his three golden retrievers named Tucker, Cooper, and Huk. He spends his free time on the lake or at the golf course.