News and Highlights
The School of Education alumni have been doing many great things over the years. Check out some of the most prominent highlights.
Alumni News
Stranmillis University College Education Tour
During the spring break of 2023, Dr. Lara Bronson, along with ten School of Education students, traveled to Belfast and Dublin to visit to tour our education partner Stranmillis University College. This was a 10-day trip in the month of March!
Jacob & Tehya Bierle
School of Ed. alumni Jacob (ESL, Elementary Ed) and Tehya Bierle (ESL), both 2022 grads, are enjoying their work in the country of Georgia. There, Jacob is teaching English at a university under a Fulbright scholarship and Tehya is beginning the research in her online master’s program through a university in Ireland. In a rare occurrence, the Bierles have been asked by Fulbright to continue for a second year. Tehya’s thesis focuses on teacher identity for Georgian teachers of English. Jacob will soon begin his M.Ed. program in International Education. The Bierles fit all this in among their volunteer opportunities and learning the Georgian language.
“This was unexpected and highly unusual for the ETA program, but we feel like we are making a solid impact here and we have many projects that we would like to invest in for another year. Plus, we are very content here and would love some more time to solidify our Georgian language skills!” – Jacob Bierle
May the Lord continue blessing Jacob and Tehya, their endeavors, and the people they serve. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
Stacey Olinger
Graduation: May 2009 degree in Middle School Social Studies and Elementary Education
Post-Graduation: Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Concordia University, St. Paul, MN; Sixth-Grade Middle School Teacher, Highview Middle School, New Brighton, MN
“This is my twelfth year of teaching, and I have been a Highview Hawk through all of them! While at Highview, I have taught ELA, Science, Study Skills, and Social Studies, but I love Social Studies the most! Teaching is something I knew I wanted to do from a very young age…. I consider it an absolute honor and blessing that I get to do this!”
Awards: Stacey Olinger ’09 was named 2020 Teacher of the Year by Minnesota Council for the Social Studies (MCCS). MCSS honors four teachers each year representing Elementary, Middle School, High School, and Lifetime Achievement. The honorees are nominated by colleagues, supervisors, parents, and students. According to MCSS, “They exemplify the best of social studies teaching in Minnesota.”
BETHANY HILLEN
Graduation: May 2018 degree in Early Childhood Education
Post-Graduation: Teacher and founder of “Miss Bethany’s Bees,” a homeschool group for preschool through third grade in Scandia, Minnesota.
Acknowledgements: Fox 9 News featured “Miss Bethany’s Bees” outdoor classrooms on a segment titled, “Minnesota students build outdoor classroom out of snow.”
