POWERFUL Teaching

Dr. Wendy Schoolmeester has been an educator since 1987 when she began her teaching career at Brown Elementary in Pipestone, Minnesota. From teaching to the principalship to the professorship, she has found delight in every twist and turn of this educational journey. Wendy is currently a Professor of Education at SMSU in Marshall, Minnesota, where she shares her passion of teaching and learning with teacher candidates. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Education degree from Southwest State University (SSU) in Marshall, Minnesota, and her Education Specialist degree and Educational Doctorate degree from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Wendy enjoys presenting at local, state, and national conferences. Her most attended presentations included the topics of building positive school culture, children’s literature, technology tools, branding your schools, and iPhone photography. Wendy’s hobbies include walking, reading, camping, blogging, presenting, and having coffee dates with friends. Her most favorite activity, though, is hanging out on the pontoon or sitting around the campfire with her husband Dean, adult children Kyle and Jamie along with their spouses, Jessica and Tyler, and giggling along with her five grandchildren Trey, Warren, Sibyl, Tyus, and Lucy. You can connect with Wendy on Twitter @kiddielitprof or e-mail her at wendy.schoolmeester@smsu.edu. If you’d like to read Dr. V. and Dr. Wendy’s blog, check out edUconnections.org.

Dr. Rhonda Bonnstetter is serving in her 14th year as a Professor of Education at SMSU. She is a two-time alum of SMSU, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education in 1996 and her Master’s degree in Education with a Mathematics Emphasis in 1999. Dr. Bonnstetter started in the field of education as a paraprofessional at Murray County Central (MCC) High School for five years, before beginning her career as a high school math and computer science teacher at MCC for nine years. Dr. Bonnstetter earned her EdS in Technology for Education and Training from University of South Dakota (USD) in 2005, followed by her EdD in Curriculum and Instruction from USD in 2007. Dr. Bonnstetter enjoys supervising student teachers and working with inservice teachers to improve their pedagogical practice.

Dr. Mary Risacher is an Assistant Professor of Education for Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) in Marshall, Minnesota. Dr. Mary has been in the field of education for over 30 years. She has taught preschool, Kindergarten, and is currently inspiring university students to find their passion in the area of Early Childhood Education. She is deeply committed to serving the needs of our youngest children. In her personal life—if there is a “junk” store in her path she can be found loading treasures into her vehicle. What others see as trash she views as usable opportunities!! She enjoys spending time with her husband—both can be found trying to recapture their youth while attending “80”s bands performances! “Don’t Stop Believing” is a mantra they live by and will keep attending concerts hopefully well into their 80s! She deeply enjoys spending time with her adult kiddos and treasures every moment she can steal from their busy lives—all while hoping one day to take on the role of adoring GiGi. Enjoy life … “it is a moment in a lifetime!”

Dr. Sonya Vierstraete has been teaching and learning since she was born. She is a licensed educator for more than 20 years serving in a variety of roles from a middle school English language arts and math teacher, K-8 administrator, staff development and curriculum coordinator, head coach, adjunct professor, and currently, School of Education Chairperson and Professor of Education at SMSU. “Ms. V.” recently returned to the classroom as a full-time English Language Learners (EL) teacher during her sabbatical, where she had an opportunity to mentor her advisee during student teaching. Dr. V. has licensures in K-12 Administration, K-12 Reading Specialist, K-12 Teacher of English as a Second Language, K-6 Elementary Education, and 7 to 12 Coaching, which she puts to use daily with her three boys. Research interests include literacy, assessment, EL support, and high-leverage instructional practices. She loves to read and write, and is always looking forward to her next learning adventure! In a moment of weakness, her family adopted a St. Bernard, who they named Stella and love dearly.