Valley Profiles 2020

Valley Profiles

March 2020 Le Sueur County News St. Peter Herald

Featuring key education figures in St. Peter, Cleveland, Le Sueur and Le Center.

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VALLEY PROFILES

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Inside

It was students that made soccer happen at TCU ......................................................................................3 LS-H teacher does it all, serving as a coach, mentor and leader to students .............................................5 Long-time food service worker is critical to students’ daily routine ...........................................................7 A former teacher in his home country, Abdulkadir find new ways to serve in St. Peter .............................8 Entire community benefits from Gustavus professor’s passion for educating.............................................9 River’s Edge instructors help clients with pain management, disease prevention. ......................................10 Paraprofessionals are key to the success of any school ..............................................................................12 A special publication of the Le Sueur County News and St. Peter Herald

Publisher Chad Hjellming

Contributing Writers Pat Beck Carson Hughes Richard Rohlfing Heather Gordon Allison Schmitt

Editor Philip Weyhe

Media Consultants Kathleen Davies Missy Daschner Gayle Stelten

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LE SUEUR COUNTY NEWS com

Cover Design and Layout Kate McGillen

Valley Profiles, March 2020 is distributed to subscribers and readers of the Le Sueur County News and St. Peter Herald at no additional charge. All rights reserved. ©2020 All advertising contained herein is the responsibility of the advertiser.

Educating Students

for the 21st Century

Saint Peter Public Schools Where Learning Matters:

• An AdvancEd accredited school district dedicated to continuous improvement.

• Committed to ensuring high levels of learning for all students in safe and caring school environments.

• We are focused on developing knowledgeable critical thinkers, communicators, and collaborators throughout the PreK-12 system.

• Joined by outstanding community and college partners, we are working together to develop well-rounded students in the Saint Peter area.

Look At Us Grow:

• State-of-the-art Saint Peter High School (grades 9-12) building, built to support the growing Saint Peter community (1,000 student capacity), opened in the fall of 2017.

• The first-ever Saint Peter Middle School, which also opened in fall of 2017 at the former grade 7-12 site, is designed for the unique academic and social needs of adolescents.

• Recently remodeled and repurposed buildings at North Elementary (grades 2-4) and South Elementary (grades K-1), helped alleviate capacity issues.

Saint Peter High School

Contact Information South Elementary 507-934-2754 North Elementary 507-934-3260 Middle School 507-934-4210 High School 507-934-4212 Community & Family Education 507-934-3048 District 508 Office 507-934-5703

www.stpeterschools.org Twitter: @Saints508

Thursday, March 26, 2020

VALLEY PROFILES

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Dream comes true for TCU soccer players

By PAT BECK pbeck@stpeterherald.com After nearly a lifetime of playing pick-up games in their neighborhood with family and friends or playing alone, the dream of playing on a high school team finally came true last fall for Kris Ruiz and Chloe Triden.

The 2019-20 Minnesota State High School League fall season marked the first that Tri-City United offered boys and girls soccer programs. Ruiz and Triden, with the help of other TCU students, staff members and families, did a lot of work to make their vision come true.

Soccer experience Ruiz, a 16-year-old sophomore and son of Ramona and Raul, started kicking the ball around at about 8 years old. He grew up playing soccer with his family and friends at Centennial Park in Le Center.

Mainly his brothers got him started, but all of his family liked soccer.

Then a group of friends, most of whom composed the varsity team, started playing pick-up games about seven years ago.

“It was nothing official,” Ruiz said.

“We just played for fun. No league or nothing.”

When there were enough people, they had two teams of 11, only boys and sometimes adults, mostly uncles.

Then, for two years, he joined the Tri-City United Soccer Club, which had teams with summer games against other towns.

“It was low level friend leagues of 13- and 14-year-olds,” Ruiz said. “It started with the soccer club, and as time progressed we finally got the school to give us an actual school team. Four years ago we were really trying to get a team.”

Triden, a 17-year-old junior and daughter of Tim Triden and Lori

Triden, started playing soccer at age 5 or 6. Unlike Ruiz, Triden didn’t have a big group of family and friends who played soccer together.

Her sister, sophomore Alexa Triden, “played it a little bit, but it wasn’t really her thing. But she started it up this year, and now I think she really likes the sport.”

“My parents said you should pick a sport,” Triden added of her own experience. “I said ‘Hey, this is cool sport, and I saw it on TV.’ When I started I had so many different coaches, but my parents would play with me if I didn’t have anyone. I worked on it by myself. I would literally just kick a ball outside and practice skills that I learned when I was little or just run in circles, work on dribbling and tricks. That’s what I did for years.

She continued, “I have moved around my whole life, but I played with New Prague leagues at the beginning. I did a couple camps when I moved around and home schooled.

Before that I played in a Lakeville league, working on drills and playing in tournaments.”

Triden came to TCU three years ago in eighth grade and attended summer camps before this season started. She hadn’t played on a team for three years.

The Tri-City United girls soccer captains, from left: defensive midfielder and sophomore Michelle Ramirez, junior and midfielder Maria Martinez, sophomore and wing midfielder Liz Beth Mendez and junior and wing defender Chloe Triden. These girls not only led the girls soccer team, they helped get the program started by recruiting girls and meeting with school faculty. (County News file photo)

Love for the game Both Ruiz and Triden felt passionately about playing their favorite sport in their high school’s colors.

“There’s so many things I like about soccer,” Ruiz said. “I love everything about it. Pele, one of the best footballers who ever lived, said, “It’s a beautiful game. I truly believe that because when you’re playing it, it’s

FIRST SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

like a work of art.”

Ruiz also is a sprinter in track (100 and 200 meters) “because that helps with soccer, too.”

Triden said, “I just love soccer, and I just wanted an opportunity to play it.

I wanted people from my school that I see every day to play with me. We could work together and win games Ruiz said he always wanted to play or not win games, which is also against other schools because he fun. Just play the sport, spend time thought like football, baseball, hock- together and get to know people ey and other teams, they “could play that I go to school with on a deeper with their friends in actual competi- level. And just have something tion, not just summer leagues that competitive that just wasn’t light like are not really that competitive.” practicing.”

Triden doesn’t play any other sports, but she is in theater. “Soccer is the one sport I want to stick with.”

Triden said, “We connect with people at a deeper level, working hard to achieve something. Getting to play something that you like, hanging out with people who have a common interest. To me, it was never about winning or losing, it was just getting out there, giving it your And he plays, “For the love of the all and trying to have a good time game. I’ve always wanted a team.” doing it.”

Aug. 27

SOCCER

Continued on page 4

The Tri-City United girls team played the school’s first soccer game against Cannon Falls on TCU football field in Montgomery.

Sept. 5

The first TCU boys game happened at Triton High School.

Sept. 17

The first away game for TCU girls soccer team against Great River Tigers at Twin Cities Academy

Sept. 19

The first home game of TCU boys soccer team versus Triton

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Thursday, March 26, 2020

Kriz Ruiz lands the first goal of the game in the Titans’ 6-1 victory over Triton. (Carson Hughes/Le Sueur County News file photo)

SOCCER

Continued from page 3

First year Ruiz called the first year of TCU soccer “a beautiful experience that I got to play with my group of friends that I grew up playing with. Finally being able to play with the school was great.”

Although the girls team didn’t win, Triden said, “It was 100 percent fine because a lot of us were new to the sport. Some of us hadn’t played soccer before this. You could tell these other teams had grown up together.

Every game we got better, and we learned. We just worked harder.”

TCU soccer coach Carey Langer gives the girls soccer team a pep talk in the rain during half-time of the school’s first soccer game against Cannon Falls. Langer called on the girls to be more aggressive. (Carson Hughes/Le Sueur County News file photo) She added, “There was one game where we were winning for half the game. That was enough for us.

We would have liked to win. We’re figuring out where our strengths lie

and working to improve each other and figure out how to play the sport and work together effectively. That was definitely what this season was about. Maybe next year we could

He added, “We won a couple, we lost a couple, but that’s just the sport. We definitely had high hopes. But we needed a bit more games to adapt to the high school game because we were used to playing random games.”

Future expectations The boys had about 25 players in the first season. But eight starters were seniors, so Ruiz said, “It’s basically like we were starting over. It’s definitely going to be a lot harder, because we’re losing eight of our starters, mainly composed of that friend group I believe in the new generation, we’ve all agreed that we’re going to enter a soccer league in the summer. We’ll get coached by a different coach and get different aspects of the game, so when we come back as TCU, we’ll be ready.”

Ruiz said it’s the toughest competition he’s ever faced: “Especially Albert Lea; we didn’t expect them to play that hard or be that quick. It caught us off guard. It would have helped if we faced similar teams like that during the season.”

The boys had some experienced players, including Ruiz. They played together in the off season at Soccer Blast indoor league in Burnsville against other teams.

“That really helped us to become better,” he said. “We were more experienced than the girls because we had been playing constantly in the summer. We went every day to the field.”

get a couple if wins. That would be cool.”

Tri-City United High School soccer players Chloe Triden, a junior, and Kris Ruiz, a sophomore, are united in their passion for the sport which started last fall. They are standing in front of their classes signed commitments to graduation in 2021 and 2022. (Pat Beck/St. Peter Herald)

He continued, “We’re a fairly young group. There’s probably only two or three seniors playing varsity. It’s mainly going to be freshmen and sophomores. So we really have to train and be prepared to play some really rough and tough teams because we want to be good. We want to give the other team fight. We’re going to give it our all.”

The girls team had about 17 players

but only lost two seniors to graduation. However, in some games, they barely had enough players for a team.

“Next year, we’ll have more girls in high school that could play varsity games,” Triden said. “I think we will have more players because a lot of girls have had the experience of trying it out. My hope is more people are interested because it is more established.”

They may not be a powerhouse or even a dark horse playoff contender just yet, but the Tri-City United boys and girls soccer programs are very much started and on their way. And at the end of the day, high school sports are a good way to get to know people and make friends, Ruiz and Triden both agreed.

“I was really excited that we got to have jerseys and we got to wear them to school, and say, ‘Hey there’s a team,’” Triden said. “I got to know people. I got excited to see people that had similar interests, and now I have more friends in school because of it. That’s exciting in general. I’m really grateful that we have it. We’ve been waiting for so long.”

Thursday, March 26, 2020

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LS-H teacher does it all, serving as a coach, mentor and leader to students

By CARSON HUGHES chughes@lesueurcountynews.com Just 15 years ago, the Blackberry and the iPhone revolutionized the way we communicate. Ten years later, and we have apps for dating, shopping and ride-sharing, virtual assistants, drones, smart watches, virtual reality it’s a lot to keep up with, especially if you’re a business and computer science teacher — like Don Marcussen.

The Le Sueur-Henderson educator strives to find new ways to teach and coach his students and athletes in a world where his curriculum and sports are always receiving a fresh update.

It appears that Marcussen was destined to become a business educator.

In the small town of Ada, Minnesota his father owned an accounting firm while is mother worked as an assistant at the practice and as a teacher at a private Catholic school. Marcussen was raised with eight siblings, including a brother, who would buy out the family business, and a sister, who teaches as a music instructor, and a brother and sister that work at school districts as a technology coordinator and speech pathologist respectively.

Marcussen would get his own start in education after graduating high school in 1983 and receiving a degree in education from Minnesota State University Moorhead, then called Moorhead State, in 1988. He was still uncertain about his career path and returned to Moorhead to pursue an accounting degree after teaching in Indianapolis. However, teaching ended up suiting Marcussen and he went on to spend three years teaching in Timber Lake, South Dakota, a small town of around 700 people. He eventually returned to Minnesota to teach at the Montgomery-Lonsdale School District.

LS-H coach Don Marcussen, left, puts 2015-16 basketball players through their drills during a preseason practice. (County News File Photo) Today, Marcussen teaches business education and computer science at Le Sueur-Henderson High School.

To Marcussen, it’s very important that students come to learn, because he teaches everyday life skills, like balancing personal finances, understanding how businesses are run and working with customers and co-workers.

“What I want kids to understand, don’t approach my class like you would the study of Shakespeare, when who knows if you’ll ever quote Shakespeare in your life,” said Marcussen. “Don’t use it like an advanced math class, where you may never use any of the advanced formulas in your lifestyle … In my class, everything I show you and talk about and teach, you’re going to have to use. My goal for my students is to understand when you take my class, absorb everything you can.”

Keeping with the times

their attention span, what interests them, has changed. For me, a change could be over a 10-15 year span, but for them, there’s a major change every year. Technology, educationHowever, teaching today comes with wise, happens so much faster than a new set of challenges, Marcussen when I was in high school. If I’m not said. With new technology always on top of my game and picking up changing, the way students are on all the latest then I’m cheating learning is different and he has to them out on showing them and find ways to change with the times. sharing them information that they can be using.”

“As a teacher, we can’t teach the same way we did 15-20 years ago,” said What’s current in 2015 can be Marcussen. “The way students learn,

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outdated in 2020, noted Marcussen. To equip his students with the information they need, he often spends much of his summers writing and updating his own curriculum, quizzes and assignments to ensure everything is up to date.

“I have homework just like the kids do,” said Marcussen. “Some nights I’ll just grab my computer while I’m watching a TV program and surf business fields and maybe someone in the news. I like to bring that into

my conversations with students.”

His approach has paid off for former students like Brady Rose, who got to know Marcussen in the classroom and on the basketball court. Today, Rose works as an accountant and said his decision to enter the field was impacted by the impression Marcussen had on him.

DOES IT ALL

Continued on page 7

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Thursday, March 26, 2020

Lunch ladies are a key ingredient at Cleveland School

By RICHARD ROHLFING Correspondent

also cook dinners for special events, like sports banquets. They prepare food for staff during late starts and Reflected on television and in songs, conferences, for other extracurricustereotypes about school “lunch lar activities and programs and for ladies” have left many of them want- community education events and ing to change their title to something more. They even provide food for a more fashionable, like “school nutri- daycare, several blocks away. tion professional.”

Team members stagger their mornBut while quartet of Cleveland ing start, depending upon their School’s kitchen staff and their direc- duties. Holicky begins her day at 7 tor Monica Manzey don’t mind the am, but Manzey is already preparing label, they want to break free from for the day by then. Margo Mauser, the typecast that surrounds it. who retired from St. Peter schools and then started at Cleveland five “I’ve heard some jokes about lunch years ago and whose responsibililadies. It’s the hairnet,” said Marilyn ties include the salad bar, starts a Holicky, who has 25 years of service half hour earlier. Williams, who kids know as “the snack cart girl” in the Cleveland School kitchen. comes in a 9 am, a half hour before “But that’s what we are. It doesn’t bother me, just so they don’t call you dishwasher Dee Schuttloffel—who has been with the school for 10 years ‘crabby old lunch lady.’” and 18 years in the deli at Minnesota With several options on the menu— State University, Mankato before that—begins her day. sometimes ones that came from student input—and a salad bar to boot, Manzey’s goal of making her Manzey has a month’s worth of department more glamorous has daily menus pasted on a kitchen succeeded. wall, and the staff works off recipes.

The night before, they stack carts “When I grew up, I said I would with ingredients, so the meals will never be a lunch lady because they be ready to plug and play the next had this stereotype,” said Nina Wil- morning. Once in a while, a run liams, who has served at Cleveland to a food store is needed, Holicky for three years and is the youngest admitted, but Manzey said she is so of the group. “It was slap it on, and OCD that missing elements almost you are going to eat it.’ There were never happen. no choices. You got whatever they decided to whip up. But then I came Many of the recipes the school uses here, and I said ‘this is nothing like come from state guidelines, but the it.’ It’s a totally different game.” cooks add spices and such to make them more palatable, Manzey said.

The food program is an important There is more experimentation with ingredient for Cleveland School. the salad bar, the most unique aspect Between 400 and 450 students and of the Cleveland kitchen. Even its staff go through the lunch line every croutons are home made. school day. In addition, another 125 to 150 eat breakfast there.

“Cleveland is one of the few schools that offers a salad bar with the meal Besides meals in the morning and instead of one or the other,” Mauser at noon, the Cleveland kitchen crew said. “We try to make a couple of prepares and delivers snack carts for different pastas a week. You find out preschoolers, K-6 graders and for what kids like that and don’t like. kids in after-school childcare. They There are some salads that are a big

Nina Williams, Margo Mauser, Monica Manzey, Dee Schuttloffel and Marylyn Holicky are Cleveland School’s “lunch ladies.” (Richard Rohlfing/Le Sueur County News) hit, so we always make a couple of tubs of it so we have enough for the week. But if you really hit a good one that the kids like, it’s gone that first day.”

‘just try a little bit.’”

Williams, who has two elementary children of her own at Cleveland, said that kids get adequate time to eat, but it is harder for the younger ones because they are such “chatterboxes.” But all can be picky at times, and that makes the job challenging as well.

“All ladies have input, she said. “If they have an idea, bring a recipe.

Let’s map it out for 50 students.”

“I had that last night. I don’t like that,” Holicky quoted.

To try to keep the food nutritious yet popular too, Manzey encourages her staff to submit ideas.

Manzey also solicits involvement from her customer base as well.

“It’s an open door. They can email me, or I will just randomly ask. I get a lot of kids back here, student help-

INGREDIENT

“It makes us laugh,” Williams said, “but Marilyn is really good at saying Continued on page 13

Marilyn Holicky and Nina Williams serve lunch to a procession of Cleveland students. (Richard Rohlfing/Le Sueur County News)

Thursday, March 26, 2020

DOES IT ALL

Continued from page 5 “He was very approachable as a teacher and knew a lot about the topics that he taught,” Rose said. “He was somebody you could always go and talk to, whether it was about school related stuff or not. It was a fun and welcoming setting to be a part of. You could always have fun and joke around with him, but also have a serious conversation.”

VALLEY PROFILES little looser with his students than in the classroom.

“The relationships I have with the kids are a little more personal, I let my hair down a little bit more,” said Marcussen. “I’ve been around coaches that are very strict, just as strict as they are in the classroom, and not that I didn’t learn anything from those coaches, but it’s good for kids to see a different side of you.”

He added, “I’m a 55 year old fat guy playing basketball, so if i hit a 3 on you, I’m trash talking all the way down the floor. And that’s what I was doing when I was 25, and that’s what Marcussen works to make an I’m doing when I’m 55. My wife says impact, not just as teacher, but as a coach. The educator has coached just I have to grow up some day, but I about every sport he knows, includ- haven’t figured that out yet.” ing cross county, football, boys and One thing that made Marcussen an girls basketball, trap shooting, and volleyball in South Dakota. Over the effective coach for Rose was his willingness to put his trust in students. years, he’s had teams and athletes qualify for state, along with subsection and conference victories. He “He relied on the students and the players and gave them a lot of trust,” was the first Le Sueur-Henderson boys basketball coach to net the pro- said Rose. “I was fortunate enough to be one of the captains, and he gram a conference championship. gave a lot of responsibility and trust While on the court, Marcussen says to the captains. It was just unique how he communicates effectively that he has an opportunity to be a

Coach

PAGE 7

Don Marcussen serves as a teacher, coach and mentor for the students of Le Sueur-Henderson, emphasizing practical, everyday lessons and personal responsibility. (Carson Hughes/ Le Sueur County News) and leads by example.”

Teaching kids to learn and take responsibility is a central through-line Don Marcussen has hosts a Coaches vs. Cancer event for Le Sueur-Henderson. (Le Sueur County News) between Marcussen’s coaching and teaching career. When he’s teaching you’re coming off of a loss, I want ‘Bad officiating,’ or ‘So-and-so didn’t understanding that they themselves personal finance, he challenges kids you to understand why you lost,” do a very good job.’ The negative are not perfect and are willing to to manage their own budget. When said Marcussen. “Don’t look for part of it comes out so fast. take that responsibility.” he’s coaching, he challenges kids to excuses, look for reasons to improve be leaders and to accept and learn on. That’s still difficult for some kids. For Marcussen, everything is a from failure.

When they’ve lost, and you ask them teachable moment: “When a kid says how a game went, and the first thing ‘We didn’t play very well or I didn’t “When you’re on my team, and that comes out of their mouth is do a very good job,’ they get a little

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Thursday, March 26, 2020

A former teacher in his home country, Abdulkadir finds new ways to serve in St. Peter

By CARSON HUGHES chughes@lesueurcountynews.com There were a lot of things in his life that Mohamed Abdulkadir had never planned for. He hadn’t planned to be an educator in his home country of Somalia or to later flee that country in the wake of the Civil War. While today he stands in an unexpected place, the founder of the St. Peter Islamic Center stands tall as pillar of and mentor to the Somali-American community.

When he’s not making connections between refugees and employers through his job at Managed Resource Connections, Inc., Abdulkadir is spending his nights tutoring the Somali-American children of St. Peter at the Islamic Center’s after school program, Hikmah, which means “Wisdom.”

Education is a passion of Abdulkadir’s, but as a younger man, he wouldn’t have imagined himself spending time outside of work to teach children English language skills and assist them with their homework. When he was fresh out of high school, Abdulkadir recalled that he had other interests, but Somalia’s Board of Education ultimately placed graduates on career tracks.

Mohamed Abdulkadir serves the Somali-American community as an educator and a leader whether its connecting refugees and employers through the MRCI, bolstering a center of worship through the St. Peter Islamic Center or teaching children through the Hikmah after-school program. (Carson Hughes/Le Sueur County News) building a successful life in the area.

That all came to a halt when the Somali Civil War broke out. The conflict between the government and rebel groups led to the collapse of the Somali government in 1991 and hundreds of thousands of casualties in the years since. More than 1 million Somalis have been displaced from the region, including Abdulkadir who fled with his family from the country in 1991.

Mohamed Abdulkadir assists a student with her homework at the Hikmah after school program. (Carson Hughes/Le Sueur County News)

with the culture, so it is very difficult couldn’t pay them anything without for them to place themselves.” a job. Now he has money that he can send back to his family.”

After moving to Minnesota, Abdulkadir took up a position as Abdulkadir added that these services an interpreter, consultant and job were important for companies, as coach with Managed Resource Con- well, because the cultural trainnections, Inc., of Mankato, to help ing allows companies to tap into a Though being an educator hadn’t refugees and employers overcome workforce that is ready and willing “My life was shaken,” said Abdulkabeen his decision, it wasn’t long language barriers while assisting to commit to a job. dir. “I had a good job. I had been before Abdulkadir would prove with job and housing searches. These successful in the job. In Somalia, he married at that time. I thought that resources are crucial for refugees, Beyond his work, Abdulkadir deditaught math and chemistry to high I had everything that a young man said Abdulkadir. cates much of his time serving the “Luckily, in Georgia, there was a dreamed. I had a house. I had a car. school and middle school students Somali-American Community. In group of people that came before at a public boarding school between So I thought I had everything, but “I remember one man from the 2017, Abdulkadir opened a mosque, me, which made it easier to find a when the Civil War broke out, everythe city of Afgoi, the capital of Minneapolis area who was desperate the St. Peter Islamic Center, after job, but that was not enough,” said thing that you had just disappeared.

Mogadishu. Math and chemistry opening a mosque in Mankato of Abdulkadir. “I was lucky that I could to find a job,” said Abdulkadir. “So weren’t very popular classes among The only thing you think about is the same name. The building stands speak good English. Everything I found him a job, and every other your life.” the school’s 2,000 students and as a place of worship, a center for I’ve seen here is that when people week, he will come up to me and the food was terrible, according to don’t have a formal education, they say, ‘Thank you very much.’ He has the Muslim community and a focal Abdulkadir, but he was on his way to Abdulkadir and his family were point of education and English lanstruggle with language, they struggle a family he left back home, and he stationed in a refugee camp, until family members with ties to the United States helped him immigrate stateside in 1994. But when Abdulkadir arrived in Georgia, he arrived alone. He would remain separated from his family for the next seven years. There were many difficult stretches, but Abdulkadir considers himself lucky, because he had an education and resources that other refugees lacked.

guage learning for Somali-American students through the center’s afterschool program Hikmah.

He also ran for the St. Peter School Board in 2019, vying to be the only non-white member of the board. He finished fifth in the voting among 10 candidates, though, one spot short of making it on. Still, he offered a different perspective during the forums and campaigning ahead of the election.

“I really admire Mohamed for all his accomplishments,” said Nancy Kremer, who works with

NEW WAYS

Continued on page 13

Thursday, March 26, 2020

VALLEY PROFILES

PAGE 9

Entire community benefits from Gustavus professor’s passion for educating

By ALLISON K. SCHMITT Correspondent For Chuck Niederriter, the world is a classroom. If he’s not teaching classes in Olin Hall, he might be in the community coaching a robotics team or Down Under looking at upside down constellations.

very supportive of our education in general.” She read his papers and suggested improvements.

“Although that wasn’t specifically science, I would say it helped me a lot to become a better science communicator,” he said.

That fertile environment produced Niederriter is a professor in physics four teachers, Niederriter and his and in environmental studies at Gus- three older sisters. tavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

Niederriter was a graduate assistant in the early 1980s when, witnessMention his name to Barb Larson Taylor of the college’s marketing and ing young people’s enthusiasm for communication department and the science, he decided to become a teacher. “Just seeing the excitement compliments pour out: He’s super community oriented, he gets young they have around science, I think that’s precisely why I got involved in people interested in science and he science,” he said. goes above and beyond.

“And he’s just a great guy,” she added. For a lot of young people, “it’s blowing stuff up,” he said. “I will figure out a way to add an explosion Gustavus physics sophomore Ana or something noisy,” he said. For Zaalishvili is likewise complimenexample, for the “Gustie Buddies” tary. afterschool program, he’ll demon“As a professor, he is always open to strate a ping pong ball bazooka or questions and always makes time to potato cannon. (The liquid nitrogen help the students,” she said. “During ice cream is always hit, too.) classes he makes the atmosphere feel very casual and safe, where it is O.K. for students to ask questions and not know something, because learning is what we are there for!”

Gustavus Adolphus Professor Chuck Niederriter poses in the Olin Observatory atop Olin Hall in 2013. Submitted photo by Terry Clark.

(Allison Schmitt/St. Peter Herald) gave him various math puzzles to keep him engaged.

Who sparked his excitement for science?

His wife, Debbie, is also a professor and is currently a paraprofessional at North Elementary School. All four of their children are in science-related fields, including one who writes Niederriter grew up in Erie, Pa., one science fiction/fantasy. of five children of an electrician and “I had some teachers who were great Niederriter participates in a host an office worker. At home, his father, at that,” he said. One in particular of activities on campus outside the Charles, was an avid tinkerer and was his sixth grade math and science official classroom. One is the Nobel was adept at fixing electric trains, teacher. “She actually saw that I need Conference, [gustavus.edu/events/ which led to Niederriter’s penchant some enrichment,” he said. So she nobelconference/2020], which for the toy. His mother, Rita, “was

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brings to campus prominent scholars and researchers to discuss issues in the natural and social sciences.

Passion for renewables

“It’s amazing to have the opportunity to have lunch with, to have long conversations with the caliber of people who win the Nobel,” he said. Niederriter served as director of the conference for four years and has been involved in some way or another almost since he joined Gustavus in 1985.

His main areas of expertise, physics and environmental studies, come together in energy.

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“When I retire I would like to feel like I helped the college to generate a significant amount of its energy by renewable means, helping to put a dent in our green house gas emissions,” he said.

His efforts toward that end were noted by others. But competing interests have so far thwarted his efforts.

“It’s often a battle between finances and sciences,” he said.

Starting 20-some years ago, a coalition of students, faculty and administrators worked industriously

PASSION

Continued on page 15

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Thursday, March 26, 2020

River’s Edge instructors help clients with pain management, disease prevention

By HEATHER GORDON Correspondent Educators can come in many different forms.

At River’s Edge Hospital and Clinic in St. Peter, quality classroom training and hands-on educational resources keep many aging community members healthy and active, even with a prognosis of debilitating health conditions, such as arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.

Without the educational resources and coursework offered to River’s Edge community members, many patients would not have the capability of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.

Range of motion According to Nicole Boelter, clinical exercise physiologist, the classes and training that are offered to patients, such as those who take part in her arthritis exercise class, are evidence based programs, proven to reduce pain, while increasing and maintaining strength, range of motion, and flexibility, through a variety of exercises.

“The goal, as we get older, is to maintain our strength, balance, and flexibility. If you don’t use those muscle groups, you will eventually lose them,” Boelter said. “Living a normal lifestyle with arthritis, requires having to continuously use the core muscle groups in order to maintain flexibility, and range of motion. If these muscle groups are not used, it will eventually cause more pain, and less range of motion for that individual.”

Deb Mattson, along with Nicole Boelter (not pictured) teach LSVT-BIG for Parkinson’s twice a week at River’s Edge Hospital. The class covers core strengthening, teaching clients how to move bigger and live better. (Heather Gordon/St. Peter Herald) toilet, without the help of a handrail. always conclude Boelter’s classes.

The main goal of Boelter’s class is for her clients to maintain independence. Each participant needs to be able to get up off the couch, use the restroom on their own, and do their daily routine without falling or intense pain.

“People sometimes have a hard time seeing improvements, because we continue to make it harder as class advances. Some basic exercises that were hard a year ago, are easier or consist of another element of challenge,” she said.

The class exercises are repeated each Boelter noted that in the past six years, the class size has gone from week, but increase in intensity as six to 29 clients, ranging from 60 participants grow in strength and Boelter incorporates age-appropriate to 69 years old. This includes the mobility.

All participants advance at functions into her exercise routines, original six members, who still attheir own pace.

Each class consists of showing each participant the benseated, low impact, low range of mo- tend her classes, twice a week. These efits of each exercise with relatable and functional daily living tips. For tion exercises, followed by standing classes are also a social time for the and strength training for endurance participants. example, raising or lifting an arm and increased range of motion. above their shoulder, as if reaching Relaxation and an educational topic “My clients really look forward to into a cupboard. Or getting off the this class. The social aspect is huge related to health and well being

and they come back because it is fun. It is a fun, safe environment, and when they don’t get to come, they miss it,” Boelter said. “Talk about inspiration though; have my job and see these people who are still moving.”

Prevention While River’s Edge strives to maintain healthy living for those with disease or age-related prognosis, there are also other courses offered in the prevention of the onset of disease Deb Mattson, Lead Physical Therapist at River’s Edge Hospital or declining health. I Can Prevent holds a LSVT-BIG exercise class for Parkinson’s patients twice a week. The class incorporates core exercises, Tai Chi, modified boxing, and other movements to increase patients mobility and Continued on page 14 improve their quality of life. (Heather Gordon/St. Peter Herald)

PREVENTION

Thursday, March 26, 2020

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PAGE 11

Paraprofessionals are key for local schools, students

By HEATHER GORDON Correspondent

position in our school district,” Soderlund said.

“Paraprofessionals play a vital role in public education. Their job duties are as varied as the children they serve. Together, with our teachers and administrators, paraprofessionals provide high quality education in a safe and caring environment.

Their passion and commitment are evident.” These were the words of Bill Soderlund, as he took his spot on the St. Peter School Board, Jan. 6 and immediately donated $10,000 for paraprofessional continuing education and training in the district.

Pride in profession Not only do paraprofessionals work without notice, but they generally do the job, because they love to help the children they work with. It is an exhausting, very tasking position to hold, but one which is done with pride and reverence.

them while they eat, or while they play on the playground. Some are asked to prepare classroom materials for instructors, keep attendance, and make sure students are staying on task inside the classroom, as well as their behavior in between classes or when breaks are needed.

Many may see this position as

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The paraprofesIt may go without saying that educa- sional, a constantly tors within local school districts are evolving profesheld to a very high level of expecta- sion, has been contributing to tion and standard in our commuthe youth for gennity. These professionals raise and teach children and impact the future erations past and of our communities. However, some present. Without their dedication of these educators fly below the radar, so to speak, and do their jobs and meticulous attention to detail, diligently, without the expectation some students’ of notice. needs would otherwise fall through the cracks.

Paraprofessionals fit that mold.

During Soderlund’s run for School Board, it became apparent to him that the role of paraprofessionals in local school districts is significant, and the system was in need of some major overhaul. Teachers across the St. Peter district brought notice to his attention that they needed more help and the lack of attention to training or wages for paras was not attracting new potential help.

“Paraprofessionals play a vital role in our schools and deserve better acknowledgment, as well as more importance placed upon their

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Sam Maas works closely with middle school As a generalized definition and du- students to troubleshoot a classroom project. ties, paraprofessional (Heather Gordon/St. Peter Herald) educators generally assist teachers in the a glorified ‘babysitter,’ but these classroom, provide administrative professionals have plenty to do, and support and supervise students are willing to take the brunt of it all; outside the classroom. Other para the good days, and the bad days, the positions include special education momentous moments, and the ugly aides, library aides and tutors. ones, as well.

Some paras work directly with students, helping to complete classroom assignments, and assist students who have special needs.

Some paras may be assigned to a group of students and supervise

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Continued on page 12

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VALLEY PROFILES

Thursday, March 26, 2020

KEY

Continued from page 11 students. They trust me, they come to me for help, and if I’m not here, some of them would fall behind,” said Amy Raebel, St. Peter Middle School special education (SPED) paraprofessional.

According to Raebel, the paraprofessional educators in the St. Peter district are in such demand that current paras have to carry twice the case load they would normally cover.

On a normal day, Raebel follows six to seven students at a time, recording homework assignments, helping them take notes, assisting them with math and reading, and making sure any homework they have completed has been turned in to their instructors throughout the day.

Jamila Said, an ELL paraprofessional works hard to break down barriers for the Somali youth in St. Peter schools. Said is well respected and appreciated by many students, and assists any student when they ask for help completing classroom assignments.

(Heather Gordon/St. Peter Herald)

Luis Moreno, a paraprofessional at St. Peter Middle School, has been working for the district for four through other institutions to ensure months. Moreno works with students, such as 7th grader, Nicholas Wilmes, to complete classroom personnel are protected and trained assignments when help is needed. (Heather Gordon/St. Peter Herald) properly to do specific jobs, so this Being appreciated goes a long way, According to Raebel, working as a should also be the case for parapro- behind, as well as the benefits of sick School in 2012.

If a student is struggling with an time, health care, and paid leave. but without the funds necessary to St. Peter para isn’t the only job many fessionals, as well. assignment or requires special Said made the choice to make this “I made the decision to become a continue to train local paraprofes- A of these educators have.

Many have arrangements for testing, that sionals, that passion and commit- a two, even three jobs, just to make “Our families depend on us, as these move in order to assist the growing para when I realized there were no para will discuss modifications Somali and Muslim community Somali speaking paras to help the ment to helping students can only e ends meet. And even then, they can children’s caregivers, to meet the with the appropriate teacher. If a h in the St. Peter school district with younger generation learn to speak last for so long. barely scrape by. needs of their children while they student becomes agitated and has t language and religious barriers.

English in school and also help with are in our care. Without proper an outburst in the classroom, the c integrating our (Muslim) traditions “Paras deserve appreciation for their In the late 1980s, the wage for local training and appropriate wages, the para will remove them from the f “I am an important pillar in the in school, as well, ” she said. unwavering dedication to our chilparaprofessionals was between $8-9 demand for these positions will only classroom or situation, and resolve l Muslim community in St. Peter, dren.

We, as a community, need to an hour, according to retired para, increase, ” Carlblom said. the issue. Some students tend to and I find it very important to assist show them our support and conJulie Carlblom.

“I was more than take out their frustrations on their tinue to progress towards finding happy to find employment at that Sick pay and paid personal days do all members, both young and old, paras by hitting, biting, punching, in learning English and to become the means to make coursework not exist in this line of work, and and kicking and until the behavior is time with such a wage,” Carlblom more comfortable in St. Peter,” available,” Carlblom said. “If we deescalated, these paras remain with said. “The problem is, despite the in- the cost of health insurance would really want our paras to be good this student until they can return to creased cost of living and the growth barely be covered by their paychecks. explained Said.

Being an EL para is more than being at what they do, we have to show in population in our community Most must depend on other means the classroom. an aide to the teachers, explained Although Said has not been a para them they are important.” today, the wages for paraprofession- to acquire health insurance.

Said. When there are language barfor very long, her involvement als seems to be frozen in time.” riers, she will translate. When there within the community has been long Soderlund agreed.

For Jamila Said, becoming an Engare children disrupting a class, or standing. She has seen her three sons While the role of paraprofessional lish Learner (EL) paraprofessional students walking the halls, or a child With the role of paraprofessional, “We need to do a better job requires no more than a high school meant leaving her 18-year custodial and four daughters through St. Peter upset over a particular situation, there are duties most could not, or schools, since her first daughter retaining the paraprofessionals diploma, advocates say there should job at Gustavus Adolphus College Said is there to steer that student in would not want to handle. graduated from St. Peter High in our district. As a successful still be some sort of online coursethe right direction. businessman of 34 years, and work or additional specialized cerOne would tend to assume such a having raised my own family tification courses available to train She has many students hug her in position would allow for some sort these individuals annually, instead here, I know business, and I know the hallways and tell her how much of hazard pay, if you will. One might of the same generalized training that the school district is run by they appreciate what she has done also assume that with the daunting program required at the beginning the people,” he said. “In order to for them. Said is not just a para to list of duties and responsibilities recruit new paras, changes need of each school year. the EL students. She is a friend, a these individuals take on each and to be implemented, and training confidant, a translator, and a voice every day, they would be rewarded should be updated.”

“I recently gave training to the for those too afraid to speak up. with a paycheck that reflected their local paraprofessional community contributions.

Paraprofessionals fill the gaps and found that my curriculum for Many children lack structure or stawhere others cannot. They work elementary level paras would not fit bility at home, and this is why they But at the end of the day, the paratirelessly, for the love of their the criteria needed for a high school come to school. Without the help of professionals within local school students. They are rewarded with level para,” Carlblom explained. these paraprofessionals, those childistricts, and beyond, bring home love and hugs on a daily basis, and dren may not have the confidence wages that barely meet poverty level According to Carlblom, paras are in carry on, because they know they or drive to move forward and would standards. For example, the require- need of age appropriate training and Amy Raebel has been a Special Education paraprofessional at are making a difference. otherwise be at risk of dropping St. Peter Middle School since 2012. Raebel has developed strong ments to apply for a Habitat for student specific training, in order out of school or lacking in the skills interpersonal relationships with her SPED students, but also with Humanity home requires a $25,000/ to meet the standards and criteria other students as well. Raebel can often be found assisting several needed to meet the standards necesyear income to pay for an affordable of each student. Proper training sary to graduate. students at a time. (Heather Gordon/St. Peter Herald) mortgage; most full-time paraproand accommodations are made fessionals would not meet even that standard on their own.

A para and so much more

Lot of work, little pay

Thursday, March 26, 2020

VALLEY PROFILES

PAGE 13

INGREDIENT

Continued from page 7 ers or just kids walking through the to do now in between gym classes. line. “Hey, what would you like for All agree that Cleveland has great lunch one day?” students, and it is them who make being a lunch lady there a rewardWhile there are lots of food ing career. choices, some kids have special diets: gluten free, no lactose, peanut allergies…for them, they have “Their honesty…they will just open up to you,” Holicky said, “and they special lunches on standby. smile in the morning when they see you. A smile and a hi goes a “You just have to know and prelong way.” pare,” Holicky said.

Mohamed Abdulkadir, middle, was one of 12 candidates that ran for a St. Peter School Board seat in the 2019 election. He was just short, finishing fifth, while the top four made the board. (Herald file photo)

NEW WAYS

says, ‘I’m happy I’m here and I’m ready to learn.’”

Kremer. “That’s what the Hikmah program is all about is to close that Continued from page 8 achievement gap and it’s working. I Abdulkadir at Hikmah. “Children Kremer regards Abdulkadir’s teach- can go to a student and say I rememare children, and I’m a mom, so I get ing as exceptional because of his ber you last year you were reading exasperated and he takes some time, patience with children and willing- like a kindergartner and now you’re he talks to them and he really calms ness to help whoever comes through fluent just from working and workthem down. I have seen him turn the door. ing and working.” children from being quite angry or frustrated and turn them around in “I think that’s his vision to give For Adbulkadir, with experiences less than a year into somebody who the community a good start,” said learning and then teaching in Soma-

lia, and now learning and teaching in the U.S., all of this work is becoming second nature.

“I can see the potential of the kids that can change,” said Abdulkadir.

“If they are given the opportunity, they will grab that opportunity to succeed and that is my hope. I’ve been doing that for years, and I can see the change.”

The work is physical at times, and kitchen can get crowded, Schuttloffel said, both aspects of the work that make it challenging.

“People always visit us around noon. We get deliveries around noon, we get people from the office around noon, and we’re going zip, zip, zip.”

Next year, the kitchen will move into larger facilities in the new addition basement. It won’t have windows, but they can leave the tables set up, something they have

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PREVENTION

Continued from page 10 Diabetes is one such course.

Being predispositioned to the onset of diabetes, such as being overweight, or having other pre-risk factors, such as a blood sugar of 120125, or an A1C blood test between 5.7% and 6.4% are the only requirements for this 12 month course. Students cannot have diabetes already, and can attend with a referral from a physician or a self-referral to stay ahead of the curve.

Jen Donkin, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, and Boelter conduct two-to-three continuous groups for 12 months, starting in February and August. Their next class will start Aug. 26.

Demonstrations, using resistance bands for exercising, reading food labels,and using food models, such as weighing cereal, or measuring banana bread, teach each group how to make changes that fit into their individual lives.

“We submit data to the Center for Disease Control, (CDC) twice a year, and have full recognition as one of their national programs,” said Donkin, “Data has shown that teaching these skills in a certain order is most beneficial to improve overall health and prevent diabetes.”

According to Boelter, the communication and generation of support, as well as the friendships that develop over the course of the year, is very rewarding for all of the students.

“Discussions become more than just instructors talking. They become According to Donkin, the hands-on more about the personal challenges activities they provide build the tools and successes each student experithese students need to be successful ences; the response is so supportive in the prevention of diabetes. The and beneficial to each person’s sucactivities, such as the weigh-ins, cess and growth,” Boelter said. group, as well as individual work, are designed so participants do not need to purchase gym memberships or purchase specialized food.

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Keep moving Living with Parkinson’s, has been keeping patients moving at River’s Edge since 2015. Deb Mattson, lead physical therapist, became certified in the internationally recognized LSVT-BIG course to help her patients stay as active as they can, for as long as possible.

“I’ve been a therapist for almost 30 years,” Mattson said. “We used to do similar exercise routines, but not with as much intensity, and didn’t realize how much we can affect the brain neuroplasticity, to actually help them learn to move better.”

More than 10,000 people in Minnesota have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, according to Mattson, and that doesn’t take into count those who have not been diagnosed. As a neuro-degenerative disease, Parkinson’s patients no longer produce dopamine, which causes the loss of neurons to the center of the brain, which controls movement.

Medications can provide relief in varying ways, and most Parkinson’s patients can live very long lives with Jen Donkin and Nicole Boelter teach a 12-month course, ‘I can prevent Diabetes’ covering a wide the progressive disease. range of helpful tools for their students to incorporate into their lives for healthier living. (Heather Gordon/St. Peter Herald) While most Parkinson’s patients show classic signs of tremors and joint stiffness, as well as slowness movements smaller. The way the of movement, some may deal with body senses how they are moving non-motor symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping, night terrors, or uri- and how much energy it takes to nary issues. Very early onset patients make normal movements is altered have even shown symptoms such as with the disease. Since the inception of the LSVT-BIG for Parkinson’s loss of smell. Most Parkinson’s patients are diagnosed at 60 years old exercise class, Mattson and Boelter or older, but early onset can happen offer the class twice a week and stay up to date on the latest research around 30 years old. and resources for their patients.

Gustavus pre-physical therapy and “As a physical therapist, we often occupational therapy students work don’t see Parkinson’s patients until they start to fall, and often, without alongside Mattson and Boelter dur- River’s Edge offers classroom training and resources for preventing a proper team of specialized health ing classes, assisting patients with diabetes, living with Parkinson’s, arthritis exercise, women’s pelvic standing, sitting, or just spending care providers, these patients can health and other health related courses open to the community or time with them, in order to have even be prescribed the wrong type through doctor referral. (Heather Gordon/St. Peter Herald) social interaction within the comof walker, causing more falls than necessary,” said Mattson. “The earlier munity and with friends. (we) can work with these patients Every LSVT-BIG exercise class in the process of being added to the and build a solid team of profession- “I have been working with the conducts the same core exercises, broad spectrum of courses held at als, who can monitor their progress Parkinson’s community for six allowing those with cognitive or River’s Edge. years now, and I am continuously and follow them every step of the memory deficits, as well as physical looking for different ways to keep way, these patients can live normal deficits, the ability to keep their body “Having a therapist to guide and them interested,” Mattson said. “The moving. These classes encourage lives for much longer.” get patients plugged into effective LSVT-BIG courses are certified inbigger movements, better posture, programs to keep them from being ternationally, so students can attend and strengthening for a better qual- isolated and improve their quality of Exercise is as important as taking medication for Parkinson’s patients. BIG FOR LIFE courses wherever ity of life. life, is key to making the lives of our they are in the world and know the Exercise keeps patients moving patients and students successful,” exercises being taught.” correctly, since Parkinson’s makes New courses, such as modified Tai- said Mattson.

Chi and boxing classes are currently

Thursday, March 26, 2020

VALLEY PROFILES

PAGE 15

PASSION

Continued from page 9 to determine the feasibility of providing some of the campus’s energy needs with a wind turbine.

They secured financing for a single turbine. But, bending to pseudoscientific claims by detractors, Nicollet County passed regulations that made the project impossible, he said.

Niederriter and others then turned their efforts to solar panels. After four years of negotiation, the college has yet to secure the necessary city permits because of complications with the city’s power provider, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency.

“I continue to be frustrated by the setbacks. It seems like it should be easier to do the right thing.” When it comes to fighting climate change, “the financial bottom line seems to be more important,” he said.

Physics Professor Chuck Niederitter, in hat, shows high school students how to prepare a weather balloon for launch as part of Gustavus Adolphus College’s High Altitude Balloon Camp. The students studied atmospheric physics, programming, electronics and predictions on balloon direction and landing. The camp launched its balloon with two computers to take weather readings on Thursday. (Herald file photo) regional and state competitions.

Niederriter’s commitment to education and service extends to his faith community, as well.

“Chuck is a great family man, very The wind project, he said, is dead, dependable, loves what he teaches aside from the small 2 kilowatt and [being] a teacher,” said Kay turbine installed in 2012. While ne- Osborne, one of Niederriter’s fellow gotiations for solar energy collection parishioners at the Church of St. “drag on,” according to Niederriter, Peter. He helped Osborne, who was renewable energy currently provides on staff at the church for 25 years, a just a fraction of the campus’s with numerous projects and worked energy needs – far short of the some with her on many parent activities 80 percent that could be provided by as they raised their families. He has full-scale projects. served as a reader for services, as a teacher of religious education and as a member of the board for the church’s K-6 John Ireland School.

Teaching in the community

Niederriter’s dedication to teaching extends beyond the hill. For the last 10 years he’s been involved in St. Peter Area Robotics [https:// www.saintpeterrobotics.org/], an organization that promotes interest in science, engineering and technology among youth ages pre-K to 12th grade. Niederriter describes it as a way to show kids practical applications for science.

“He is a faithful person,” Osborne said.

The world as classroom

Come January, teaching turns Niederriter’s and his wife’s world upside down when they lead a group of students to study astronomy in Australia and New Zealand. Familiar constellations appear inverted in the He counts these successes as some of Southern Hemisphere, he said. his most meaningful. For instance, the FIRST® Robotics Competition But they faced meteorological inverteam Nordic Storm won a place in sion in 2011, too. They were staying the 2016 World Championship in in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, St. Louis, not long after detractors when Category 5 Cyclone Yasi said St. Peter was too small to field threatened Australia’s eastern coast. a competitive robotics team. Local Local officials deemed their location teams at other levels have won safe, so the students spent much of

the day helping to sandbag. In the end, the cyclone hit south of their location and they were able to return home as scheduled.

Niederriter’s leisure activities – teaching, traveling and being outdoors – echo his professional activities. He and his wife enjoy sailing the local lakes, paddling along area rivers and taking road trips to national parks.

The breadth of Niederriter’s educational efforts speaks to his passion for his chosen profession.

“Passing along information, skills, techniques, etc., is a part of my job as an educator,” he said. “But I think there are other things that are important as well, like instilling curiosity in students, giving examples of good work ethic [and] showing how to think critically.” In his community roles, he emphasizes asking questions, encouraging bigpicture thinking and demonstrating diversity.

Osborne summed up Niederriter’s wide-ranging contributions the best.

“Always present and supportive of the students, parents and teachers,” she said, “Chuck is the person who is making a difference in all he does.”

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Thursday, March 26, 2020

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