Haley Godwin to Join Growing Early Childhood Team at SFLS
Sioux Falls Lutheran School is pleased to share that Mrs. Haley Godwin will join the growing early childhood team at Sioux Falls Lutheran School in the fall of 2021 as a 4-year-old preschool teacher.
Originally from Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, Mrs. Godwin graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in early childhood education and an endorsement in birth-5 special education. After graduation, she moved to Garden City, Kansas, where she met and married her husband. She served for two years as a 2nd grade teacher and two years as a K-4 science teacher at Florence Wilson Elementary in Garden City. For the past two years, she also served as the head robotics coach at Florence Wilson Elementary. This summer, she and her husband moved back to South Dakota to be closer to family.
Check out the Q&A below to learn more about Mrs. Godwin and her passion for education.
How did you decide to pursue a career in education?
I always thought about pursuing a career in education when I was in high school, but I was not 100% sure I wanted to be an educator until I went to college at South Dakota State University. I took one class about child development, and I realized that I wanted to teach children. After graduating from SDSU, I taught 2nd grade and K-4 Science in Kansas. I am excited to come back to South Dakota and teach preschool.
Tell me a bit about your teaching style.
I like to have structure throughout my day. I like to show my students our schedule for the day and what activities we are going to do. I also want children to explore and play as they learn. One thing I appreciate about Sioux Falls Lutheran School is that it is play-based learning. I want to incorporate student-based learning and structured play throughout the day.
What do you look forward to about teaching 4-year-old preschool?
I am looking forward to my students discovering and investigating while they are learning. I cannot wait to teach them independence while they are exploring different activities or centers. Lastly, I am really looking forward to seeing my students grow and learn every day.
How do you envision integrating faith into your classroom daily?
I am excited to integrate faith into my classroom at Sioux Falls Lutheran. I envision integrating faith into my classroom through social-emotional lessons. I believe that children learn so much at the age of four, and the best way to teach life lessons is through faith.
Favorite Bible Verse:
1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Finding a favorite Bible verse was hard for me. I picked this verse because it reminds me of all the obstacles my husband and I have overcome the last few years. These three values are also very important to me and my family.
About Sioux Falls Lutheran School
At Sioux Falls Lutheran School, our mission is to develop capable, Christian servant-leaders in a complex world who are World Ready and Faith Secure. We are passionate about giving our students the tools they need to be successful academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We strive to accomplish this goal by maintaining high academic standards, employing excellent teachers, and upholding a Christian worldview drawn from Scripture. Ultimately, we are committed to partnering with parents and the church to raise lifelong learners who use their gifts and the fruits of the Spirit, in faith, to touch a troubled world with God’s grace.