ELED/SEED 783 - Introductions by Erica Boomsma https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9 en-us 2022-12-18 17:08:51 UTC 2025-12-07 11:08:39 UTC hello@padlet.com Hello! My name is Sam Goldsmith. I am a 29-year veteran high school Social Studies teacher in MN. I recently moved to SD. I have 2 children- one is a freshman in college and the other is a sophomore in high school. I enjoy traveling, coffee, running 10K's and 1/2 marathons, and recently got back into XC skiing. We also have an aged English Bulldog who we adore! I am pursuing my Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. This is my 2nd class in the program. samgbecker https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2439434034 2023-01-10 14:52:11 UTC https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2439434034 Kirsten Biersbach https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2439583078
Hello! My name is Kirsten Biersbach, and I am originally from Milbank, SD. I lived in Vermillion from 2015 to 2022 while earning my undergraduate and master's degree. I am a graduate research assistant at USD in the education department. Before starting my doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction, I worked as a special education and behavior teacher in the Yankton School District. I graduated with my undergraduate degree in 2019 and started my master of arts degree in advanced disabilities while working with the Yankton School District to develop a behavior intervention program. Once I started my doctoral degree, I decided to take the opportunity to enhance my research skills and take on the GA position here under Dr. Mourlam.  
I have an identical twin sister, named Gretchen, that is in her last year of law school here at USD, who is also my roommate! We moved to Sioux Falls in the fall so my other roommate, my husband, could pursue his career as an attorney in wealth management. My husband, Madison, graduated from law school here in USD last May, and my sister’s boyfriend, Jack, graduated last May from the med school here at USD. Between us three, we have four cats that are absolute menaces but whom we could not live without! We enjoy watching the Vikings, ice fishing, and being with family and friends as much as our crazy schedules allow! 
I look forward to this class and am already loving the content we get to explore! 

]]> 2023-01-10 16:19:26 UTC https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2439583078 https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2440074680 Hello everyone! My name is Travis Freese. I am a high school mathematics teacher, currently in my sixth year, at South Sioux City High School in Nebraska. However, I am living in Vermillion, South Dakota because my wife is a professor at the University of South Dakota. I am seeking an Ed.S. for curriculum director. I am not sure if I will eventually pursue an Ed.D. In personal life my wife and dog Mabel enjoy traveling and hiking any trail we can get our feet or paws on. In the winter and busier school months we enjoy the occasional board game when we have some free time. I hope to get to know you all more and look forward to a productive semester with you all. ]]> 2023-01-10 22:47:51 UTC https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2440074680 Majdi Almalki majdialmalki https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2441220033 Hello everyone,
My name is Majdi Almalki and I am an international student from Saudi Arabia. I am pursuing my doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction. I live in Brookings SD with my wife and my 10 years old boy. My wife is doing her PhD degree in dairy science at SDSU. Back home I worked as a high school teacher teaching ESL. As a family, we enjoy travelling and we have been to many places in the united states and outside of the united states. I look forward to get to know you all and learn from your different experiences. 
]]> 2023-01-11 17:54:46 UTC https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2441220033 Majdi majdialmalki https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2441248834 Hi Travis, 
nice to see you again, I hope you had a wonderful holiday. I look forward to working with you again. ]]> 2023-01-11 18:14:52 UTC https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2441248834 Majdi majdialmalki https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2441255693 Hi Sam & Kirsten,
nice to meet you, I hope you are having a great start for the semester. I look forward to working with you. ]]> 2023-01-11 18:19:07 UTC https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2441255693 Lindsey Gray lindseyolson01 https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2441675528 Hello everyone! My name is Lindsey Gray and I am currently pursuing my Ed.D. while teaching 5th-grade in Sioux Falls, SD. I am teaching at All City Elementary which is a specialty school in Sioux Falls where parents are required to commit four hours per week (per enrolled child) in their child’s classroom. Parents are also required to provide either an educational experience through our “choice day” activities or help at one of two annual festivals, the Fall Festival or Snowflake Shuffle. Many people are intimidated by the constant presence of parents & families but I love it -- it's very helpful to have 3-4 parents all day/every day to assist where & when students need them! My husband and I live in downtown Sioux Falls with our two dogs (Max & Walter) and we love spending our weekends hiking and biking throughout South Dakota. I am excited for this course and look forward to learning from and with you all.]]> 2023-01-12 02:33:09 UTC https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2441675528 Aedan Huntley https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2443837625 Hello everyone, my name is Aedan Huntley. I am currently working on earning my Masters in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education!. I teach 6th grade history on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Todd County SD. 
I enjoy being able to work with different people and I try to stay active in my community. I am currently engaged as a volunteer firefighter in my town and I hope to become certified as an EMT as well in the coming months. I recognize some of the names I'm seeing introductions and I look forward to working with you all. ]]> 2023-01-13 17:06:43 UTC https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2443837625 Ashley Sarvis https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2445160998 Hello! My name is Ashley Sarvis. I am working on my Masters degree in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners. I teach 3rd grade in Huron which gives me plenty of opportunities to practice strategies that I am learning! My husband and I have three boys (and two huskies) who keep us busy with hockey, XC/track, and soccer. With the rest of our time we like to spend it hiking/tent camping, and traveling. ]]> 2023-01-16 04:00:03 UTC https://padlet.com/ericaboomsma/gaiia9ry9gt5r8y9/wish/2445160998