About Our EL Teachers
Mrs. Brouwer
My name is Mrs. Brouwer. I am a licensed Elementary Education teacher with an additional degree in English as a Second Language (ESL). I teach with the 3rd grade team at Intermediate School. I work with Second Language Learners in Third Grade. I graduated from Mankato State University and received my Masters in Elementary Education from the University of Colorado. I began my career in Pittsville, Wisconsin as a First Grade teacher and moved to Haxtun, Colorado where I taught Third Grade for seven years. When I moved to Worthington, I taught Third Grade for four years. I have been teaching ESL ever since and have worked with First through Fifth grade students as well as the Newcomers as they arrive from other countries.
I love being a teacher because it’s one of the only jobs in the world with the highest degree of professional satisfaction. Nothing makes me happier than the moment when I see my students, once unable to understand one English word, capable to manage real-life situations in English. I also work with young children and their eagerness and enthusiasm when learning English is absolutely great.
You will be interested to know that I enjoy antiques, I am addicted to homemade cards, and I like photography.
Ms. Kingery
My name is Ms. Kingery and I teach 3rd grade EL at Intermediate School. I graduated from Bethel University in 2011 with a degree in TESOL and Spanish Education. Before coming to Worthington, I taught high school English for two years in Bogotá, Colombia. I loved soaking in Colombian culture, speaking lots of Spanish, and experiencing the adventure of living in another country. No matter where I am teaching, two of my favorite parts of teaching are watching my students learn and having the opportunity to learn from them.
Ms. Olson
Hello! My name is Jessie Olson, and I am a 4th grade ESL teacher. I graduated from Bethel University in St. Paul. I have had many experiences working with ELs, most notably when I volunteered with an adult ESL class in the Twin Cities and when I volunteered with Adult Basic Education for ESL at the Hubbs Center in St. Paul. I have also had a practicum experience in Segovia, Spain and several experiences in various schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Some interesting facts about me are that I speak Spanish and that I have traveled to five countries around the world: Honduras, Spain, England, Ireland, and the Czech Republic. I definitely plan to travel more in the future. I am looking forward to this school year!
Ms. Payne
Hello! My name is Ms. Payne and I teach 4th Grade EL at Intermediate School. I graduated in 2013 from Bethel University in St. Paul Minnesota with Bachelor of Arts degree in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and Elementary Education. One of my favorite things about teaching is getting to witness students’ excitement when they master a new concept or skill. When I am not teaching I enjoy curling up with a good book, riding horses, camping, kayaking, and being outdoors.
Mrs. Scheidt
Hello all! My name is Mrs. Scheidt and I teach 3rd grade EL at Intermediate School. Prior to Worthington I was a family and consumer science teacher/volleyball coach at Okoboji School District. I graduated from South Dakota State University with a bachelor in family and consumer science as well as in food and nutritional science, and a minor in coaching. I received my masters of science in education with an emphasis in teaching English as second language from Southwest Minnesota State University. I’m currently a student at MSU – Moorhead earning my license in Ed Leadership. The best part about teaching in EL is witnessing students overcome barriers to excel in their classrooms. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family, painting, and reading.
Mrs. Strand
My name is Mrs. Strand. I grew up in Brownton, MN and graduated high school from McLeod West. I attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, where I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I also received my Masters in Education from St. Mary’s University and my ESL degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato. I taught first grade for 2 ½ years before coming to Worthington. I started teaching in Worthington in 2009. I have taught Kindergarten, First Grade, third grade, first and third grade ESL. I enjoy getting to know and working with my students. It is fun to see their faces, when they finally understand a concept that they have been working on. I have two children, Kally and Wyatt. I enjoy reading, being outside, and spending time with my family and friends.