SFLS Names New Kindergarten Teacher
Sioux Falls Lutheran School is pleased to announce that Mrs. Hiedi Johnson will serve as our kindergarten teacher during the 2019-2020 school year.
Mrs. Johnson is an experienced teacher, with background in specialized schools for children with social and emotional concerns, general classroom teaching, and creating/implementing PE and health programs. She spent the fall of 2018 as an educational assistant in our kindergarten classroom and is currently serving as the long-term substitute in kindergarten while Mrs. Deeter is on maternity leave.
“The SFLS administration, faculty and staff have had the advantage of closely observing and working alongside Hiedi for the past six months,” SFLS administrator, Mrs. Tia Esser, said. “She is confident, resourceful, sunny and inquisitive. In addition, she strives to create an active, yet structured, classroom that is student-centered, energetic, engaging and really fun. She is wonderful with parents and students alike.”
Mrs. Johnson hails from Canton, SD. She graduated from Augustana University with a BA in Elementary and Physical Education, as well as a Coaching Endorsement. Hiedi is a decorated long-distance runner and was inducted into Augustana’s Hall of Fame in 2008. In a few short weeks, she will run in the Boston Marathon!
We caught up with her this week to ask a few questions about her new role at SFLS:
What are you most looking forward to about joining the SFLS team?
The thing that I am looking forward to the most is the people. I have enjoyed teaching the students, meeting the parents and working with the staff this school year. Everyone has made me feel welcome since the day I walked through the doors of SFLS last summer. My goal is to make my kindergarteners and their families feel as welcome and important as I have over the last few months. I am excited to be a part of this community!
Tell me a bit about your teaching style and how you incorporate Jesus into the classroom.
My goal is to create an atmosphere with clear expectations and structure where students feel loved, safe and welcome. I want it to be an engaging atmosphere where students learn in a variety of ways and parents have opportunities to be involved.
Jesus is a part of everything we do in kindergarten. While I incorporate Jesus into the classroom through daily prayer, Bible story exploration and singing and dancing to Bible songs, I also try to use Jesus in many teachable moments throughout the day. Whether I remind students about the beautiful eyes Jesus gave them to see what I am teaching or help them think like Jesus to get through a tough situation with friends, he is present in the classroom throughout our school day.
I understand you're a runner and will participate in the Boston Marathon this spring. How do you incorporate that passion into the classroom?
My passion for running is the same as the passion I have for teaching. It is the fuel that drives me to accomplish my goals inside and outside of the classroom. My passion for running has taught me how to work hard and persevere, and I will use those skills to help my students become world ready and faith secure. I also hope that my passion for teaching will be visible in the classroom and make a difference in the lives of my students.