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Hey everyone! My name is Taylor Betancourt (Huyvaert) and I am a junior here at USD! I am majoring in Spanish Education with a minor in German and Teaching English as a new language. In the future I hope to teach English as a new language in an English school for international students. One of my passions in life is traveling and exploring new places. This summer I got the opportunity to study abroad in Barranquilla, Colombia and I got to explore the beautiful country of Colombia! I chose to study abroad in Colombia because my husband is from the capital, Bogotá, and I wanted to learn more about the culture, and Spanish, there! My husband and I recently got married this summer and I couldn't be happier!!! :) I also got the opportunity to travel to South Florida, Washington D.C., and New York City this summer! I am super excited for this semester and to further my education!

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Hi everyone! I am Ana Rodriguez, and I'm from Sioux Falls, SD. I am a junior majoring in Elementary Education and Spanish with a Teaching English as a New Language minor at USD. I'm a School of Education Peer Mentor and Student Ambassador. In my free time, I like to hang out with friends, do puzzles, play board games, and play soccer. I also work part-time as a paraprofessional Special Education Assitant at Austin Elementary in Vermillion when I'm in classes. I'm excited to learn more with you all!

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Hello! My name is Eva Volk and I am a junior Elementary Education major here at USD. I am also going for a minor in English as a New Language and that is why I'm taking this course. I liked to be involved on campus: I am a part of the women's choir this semester, I volunteer for the coyote news weekly newscast, and I will be a student ambassador for the school of education this semester. I also enjoy spending my free time with friends and family.

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Hello everyone! My name is Abbie Van Meeteren and I am a junior here at the University of South Dakota. I am majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in English as a New Language. I am from Sioux Falls, SD and am planning on going back there to teach hopefully in the next two years. On campus I am involved in the sorority Kappa Alpha Theta where I am the New Member Director so I help the new members get adjusted to greek life and teach them things about our sorority like history. So in a sense I am kind of like their sorority teacher. I really enjoy hanging out with my family and watching sports games, especially football, big packers fan. This summer I have gotten back into reading as well so I've been reading quite a bit as well. Cannot wait to work with you guys this semester and can't wait to learn from all of you as well!

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Hi! My name is MacKenzy West, I am currently a Junior, I am majoring in elementary education and minoring in reading and teaching english as a new language. I graduated from Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls in 2019. I was born and raised in Sioux Falls. I enjoy spending my freetime with family, my boyfriend,and friends.

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Hey guys. My name is Aedan Huntley. I am a 3rd year 6th grade SS teacher teaching out of Todd County on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. I also volunteer as a firefighter on the side. I hope to learn with all of you so that I can better help my students.

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Hi! My name is Quinn Merriam. I graduated from the University of South Dakota in May with a degree in Elementary Education. This is my first year teaching. I will be teaching 1st grade- starting tomorrow in Watertown! I have one sister, who has two little boys. Their names are Graham (3) and Jax (1). Dr. Conrad was an amazing undergraduate professor, and really inspired me to take graduate courses with a specialization in culturally and linguistically diverse students (ELL students)! I am very excited to continue to learn more for my 1st graders and for future students I may have!

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Hello my name is Ashley Sarvis.  I am a third grade teacher with several years as a preschool and K-5 physical education teacher as well.  My husband and I have three children - all boys and we love to travel and spend time outdoors.  Last summer we spent a week tent camping in Yellowstone and this summer we traveled towards both coasts.  Our kids love history and the youngest insisted on taking the long walk along the reflection pool in D.C. on the hottest day of the summer!

I am excited to gain new strategies to better help my ELL/diverse students succeed.

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Hello! My name is Mallory Bochman. This is my 5th year teaching. I started my careen in Huron, SD and currently am in Yankton, SD teaching 3rd grade. My husband Justin is also a teacher in Yankton. We have a sweet pup named Millie and are expecting our first child in February. This summer we finally were able to take a honeymoon/anniversary trip to Mexico. I am excited to continue growing my knowledge with all of you this semester :)

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Hi!  My name is Erica Boomsma. I am a teacher with 21 years of experience teaching content and English to students from all over the globe!  I am married to Rodney Mittelstedt, and we have two kids - Kiersten and Nick!  Their best memory from this year was going to Disney World!  I don’t think Kiersten would ever want to leave!

I am so happy to work you, and support you as you go out to teach our kids!!  I hope you know that you are VALUED!  And, we teachers in the classroom cannot wait to work with you.  So… if no one has said this to you before, (they should have!)  I am saying it now -

Welcome Teachers!

We are thrilled you are here!