Allysa Burggraff Joins Growing 1st Grade Team at SFLS
Sioux Falls Lutheran School is pleased to welcome Miss Allysa Burggraff to the growing 1st grade team as we open a second section of 1st grade during the 2022-23 school year.
Originally from Flandreau, South Dakota, Miss Burggraff is a fall, 2021, graduate of Black Hills State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, early childhood education, and early childhood special education.
Her teaching experience includes short and long-term substitute teaching with the Elkton Public School District, private tutoring, serving as an instructional assistant in after school programming at Knollwood Heights Elementary School, and as a virtual teacher for a summer e-learning program through the Black Hills Special Services Corporation. Her student teaching experiences included time in integrated preschool and 1st grade classrooms at Lenexa Hills Elementary School, as well as a pre-student teaching internship in 1st grade at Rapid Valley Elementary School.
During her time at Black Hills State University, Miss Burggraff completed two International Service Learning trips, which gave her the opportunity to teach students in the Philippines, South Africa, and Botswana.
“It was amazing to see how much students value the power of education,” Miss Burggraff shared when reflecting upon the experience. “Even though I was there to teach students, I feel they taught me even more.”
Check out the Q&A below to learn more about Miss Burggraff and her passion for teaching.
Tell me a bit about yourself and your family.
I grew up in Flandreau, SD, with my parents and two younger brothers. After graduating from Black Hills State University (BHSU), I lived in several different states in order to pursue a variety of different job opportunities. After deciding to move closer to family, I recently relocated to Sioux Falls. I am excited to start my teaching career at Sioux Falls Lutheran School and enjoy spending time with my puppy named Nova!
How did you decide to pursue a career in elementary education?
During my junior year of high school, I fell in love with Black Hills State. At that point in time, I was doing a lot with the yearbook and photography. I signed up for my classes at BHSU during the fall semester of my senior year with the intention of starting my degree in graphic design and communications the following fall. During the last semester of my senior year of high school, I needed to take an elective to graduate, and my principal said I could tutor in the elementary school. I had taught Sunday school at my church the year before, and I always loved babysitting and helping my younger cousins, so I thought it would be perfect. After graduating and reflecting on my senior year, I changed my degree to education the summer before I started my college career.
Tell me a bit about your teaching style.
Through my personal and classroom experiences, I have developed a caring, patient, and calm teaching style. I believe there isn’t one teaching style that works best, so I use different styles together to provide the best outcomes. My goal is to develop a community environment where students feel safe to take learning risks together. As we take risks together, we grow together. Another goal of mine is to create an environment that is focused on academic achievement and fostering positive relationships between all, while also encouraging parent and community involvement. Building strong relationships with my students is important to me, because it helps me meet students’ emotional, developmental, and academic needs. I strive to pivot to different learning styles to strengthen student engagement and learning.
What do you enjoy most about working with 1st graders?
I enjoy working with first graders because students come to school with excitement and enthusiasm for their learning, friends, and interests. First grade students go through so much growth and change, from losing their teeth to making strong academic strides. They also have big ideas and are always working hard, because they don’t want to miss out on anything. First grade students are so passionate about their interests and learning, while still working on managing their emotions. I enjoy the social-emotional aspect of school and supporting the students through their emotional well-being. As a first grade teacher, I can’t wait to build off student strengths and grow together.
What excites you most about integrating your faith with your passion for education at SFLS?
Bringing something from my personal life, like my faith, into my career excites me, because I get to share that passion with the students at Sioux Falls Lutheran School and watch them grow and be curious.
Favorite Bible verse:
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
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.