BRENDA EHRMANTRAUT

I have been at the ND Department of Public Instruction for 4.5 years. My teaching degrees are in ELA and Reading.

What I love about PCBL is how human it feels. It supports not only the hopes and dreams for every child, but it values the experience they are in at the moment as well. That feels very different from traditional education. Count me in. 

Fun fact: My teaching assignments over 13 years have included students at every grade level from K-12.

ERIN LACINA

I am the Director of Professional Learning & Operations for the Northeast Education Services Cooperative (NESC) and have worked with numerous, outstanding partner entities to support schools within our region and across the state over the past 10 years through this role.  Prior to joining the NESC, I was an instructional coach, elementary teacher, and early childhood teacher.

Since 2018, I’ve had the pleasure of working with the NDPCBL cohort.  I’m inspired by the learning that happens between systems and with great focus over time, and I look forward to this continued progression!

ERIN SPIES

I’ve worked in education for 16 years, starting out as a high school speech/theatre teacher, middle school counselor, middle school principal, and now serving in my current role as an assistant principal at the elementary level.

What I’m most excited about with PCBL is fostering student agency! When learners are provided voice and choice in how they learn and demonstrate their learning, they become more engaged in the learning process! 

Fun Fact: My husband Jon and I have two doodles at home, Griffey and Finn. They love boat rides and swimming at the lake!

BETH HEAD

I am the Personalized Learning Coach and Science 8 educator at Northern Cass. I taught 9-12 science at Northern Cass for the previous three years before transitioning to my new role. 

I believe that every learner has the ability to be successful. This looks different in each learner and it is our role as educators to advocate for the best of the future of education. 

Fun Facts: I have a spunky corgi named Zoey with a huge personality!

GREG DOBITZ

I am the elementary principal at Oakes Elementary School (1st year). Previously, I worked as an instructional/ personalized learning coach (2 years) and 4-6 grade math teacher (15 years).  

I am passionate about PCBL because I know all students have the ability to learn! It is our job as educators to tap into their passions and strengths to allow them to thrive as learners.  

I am the proud father of Joseph (13), Luke (9) and Abraham (almost 2).

KAYE FISCHER

Hello, all! I am Kaye Fischer, recently moved to the position as the SEL Advocate/Interventionist at Liberty Middle School in West Fargo. 

Prior to my current role, I served as a para, substitute teacher, 4th grade teacher, Instructional Coach, and Curriculum Coordinator. 

My ‘why’ is pictured with me in my photo. I had to include my boys who are both in middle school. My perspective on education has been molded every year, but hearing about school through the lens of my own children and their friends continues to make my why stronger and stronger. Education is the most powerful “weapon” we have to change the world and my why is to help all students find themselves and and love learning to make the future a bright place.

MISSY KREMER

I’m Missy Kremer, and I’m the Instructional Coach for the educators at Heritage Middle School out in Horace, ND–part of West Fargo Public Schools.

I’m entering year three of this role but worked as a middle-level ELA educator for 11 years prior, 8 of them being at Cheney Middle School in WF.

My “why” for PCBL is to equip our educators with best practices to help all learners to be successful and prepare them to be active members of our future (and present) communities. A large portion of that is through PCBL.

I’m married with a 4-year-old son and love sugary treats :)

CHELSEA MIDTHUN

Hi - I’m Chelsea Midthun, and I am the Instructional Coach at South Elementary and the Early Childhood Center in the West Fargo School District.

I have been in education for 8 years, working with learners in grades 1-6. I’ve had opportunities in both North Dakota and Minnesota.

My “why” for PCBL is centered around giving learners an opportunity to learn and show their understanding in their own way. As we personalize learning, we can give everyone a chance to feel successful.

I am married to my husband, Logan, and we have three kids - Quinn (6), Hayes (3), and Breck (8 months).

SUE JORDAHL

Hi, I am a Band Director at West Fargo High School.  This is my 43rd year of teaching and I still love it.  The energy we get from the students is incredible.

My husband and I have two children and four grandchildren with one on the way.  What an exciting time in our lives!

As a first year member of this committee, I am intrigued by the work and will be happy to be a part of this endeavor.  I love the personalized learning work and feel that our music programs really fit into this idea very well.

Thank you for this opportunity!  I look forward to the work.

SHERRY DeMAINE

Hello, I am an Instructional Coach at Cheney Middle School in West Fargo. This is my eighth year in this current role and I have been in education a total of 23 years. I have been fortunate during that time to teach grades 5-12 and various content areas in both North Dakota and Minnesota.

I am passionate about this work as I have been fortunate enough to see it transform our learners as well as our educators. My own personal “why” began early in my teaching career when I had the opportunity to teach in a school with students who challenged the parameters of school. They helped me think differently and wonder how we can reconnect with those who maybe sit outside what the system was built for. This became truly personal as I supported my own niece in her educational journey.

I love reading, coffee, being at the lake, and throw pillows!

AIMEE VOLK

Hello!

I have supported learners and educators in the West Fargo Public School District for the past 26 years as a teacher, instructional coach, curriculum coordinator, and now as the dean at Horace High School. 

I believe all learners can, and they all have the power to create positive change! PCBL is how we can increase self-efficacy and agency, engage all learners in their learning, and provide supported risk taking for all learners to be successful learners and citizens beyond our school walls.

Fun Fact: I love learning with others!

MICHELLE PFAFF

I am the superintendent at Marmot School which is located on the campus of the North Dakota Youth Correctional Center and Director of Education for the entire Department of Corrections here in ND. This is my first year as superintendent, but I have served as the school principal for nine years. Before that, I was a ABE teacher within the Department of Corrections for five years.

My “why” walks up and down the halls of Marmot School and into the classrooms of the teachers in the prisons. The traditional classroom did not work for this group of students. We need to do better to help ALL students learn. I hope to see PCBL entering into more and more schools in ND to better meet the needs of the next generations.

ANNA SELL

I am the superintendent in Oakes this year and have been in education for 32 years. I have been a teacher, elementary principal, athletic coach, and mother of three kids…so my history in education is long and varied. 

I have been a HUGE believer in personalized learning since I first started teaching middle school math in Enderlin, ND. My own children attended school in the traditional format, and I SO very much wish they could have experienced PCBL. My mission is to spread the practices of PCBL beyond Oakes Public School and this cohort…because my experiences both personally and professionally have convinced me it is RIGHT!

BECCA ROBERTS

I am a first grade educator at Oakes Elementary School. I am entering my eighth year in education, all at OPS!

My passions for PCBL stem from incorporating the whole child into students’ learning. Through PCBL, each child practices the tools that help them to create their own pathway in their education. They really are empowered to advocate for themselves. I am amazed at the PCBL vocabulary and depth that even my littles can achieve/ understand in one year. PCBL is at the forefront of innovating education and giving each unique student a chance to showcase their best selves, with the help of learner agency, leadership, and life skills.

Fun fact: I taught myself how to play ukelele from You Tube and play ukulele in my classroom. I like to make up songs to match my content! (First graders are pretty gracious and think my songs aren’t terrible).

BRITT BREILAND

I am a middle school English educator at Northern Cass, where I have taught for the last decade. I believe in the power of each learner’s story, and feel that PCBL is the path towards empowering learners to be in charge of their own story. As for a fun fact, my five-year-old twins are the third set of twins in three generations in my family!

MEGAN MARGERUM

I am a level 3 ELA educator at Northern Cass and will be going into my 14th year in education. I am passionate about rethinking education in order to present school in a new way. With PCBL, we are creating safe spaces for our learners to develop agency and continue to stay curious. I whole-heartedly believe in incorporating Portrait of a Learner skills into learner centers to engage learners in leadership, innovation, and lifelong learning skills outside of the school building. As far as a fun fact, my husband and I met on a Eurospring trip through MSUM. We were married three years later and have three kids. All five of us are now at Northern Cass!

ALYSSA DANIELSON

I am starting my 7th year teaching at Northern Cass as a Level 5 ELA educator, and this will be my 9th year overall in education. I have loved being a part of the PCBL Cohort and helping with our transition to Personalized Learning at NC. I’m known as “the Harry Potter teacher” at school.

I believe that every child deserves a champion - someone standing in their corner telling them they’re capable of accomplishing their dreams.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, crafting, painting, and spending time with my family: Eben, my husband of 9 years, and our two kids, Briella (5) and Leland (1).

STACY DUFFIELD

I am the director of the Office of Teaching and Learning at North Dakota State University and work with K-12 educators and university instructors for the improvement of student learning. In my past life, I was a faculty member in the NDSU teacher preparation program, and before that, I was a 7-12 English teacher.

JODY NELSON

Hello! I am the Elementary Principal at South Elementary for West Fargo Public Schools. I am welcoming back students for my sixth year in this role.

I have been in education for the past 24 years and have served in many capacities throughout my career. Each has been an opportunity for me to learn and grow in my practices, mindset, and love for the work.

I believe in our learners and their abilities that they bring each and every day. I believe that personalization will engage, inspire, and grow our learners maximizing their potential. I believe in success for all our learners. 

RYAN LYSON

I have been in education for 23 years, and am currently serving as an instructional coach at Liberty Middle School in West Fargo, ND. I am a passionate learner that thoroughly enjoys working with others to advance education.

My “WHY” is centered around providing people hope by helping them set goals, build agency, and develop a pathway to achieve the goal.  Both learners and educators can benefit from visualizing the future and focusing on their next iteration. 

I am grateful to be a part of group such as this to learn from others.

MISSY JASON

Hi! I am a third grade teacher at Legacy Elementary. I have taught three different grade levels in Las Vegas and West Fargo. I am currently working on my Masters through Valley City State University in Elementary Ed with a certification in STEM.

Boy, where do I begin with my passion for PCBL? It is a passion area of mine to differentiate learning and instruction with purpose, fueled by kids' passions, interests and individual pace. I like to showcase "show what you know" learning throughout learning targets and my favorite quote is "all kids are awesome.. they just need the opportunity to show you what they can do!" Excited to be a part of this team!

Fun fact about me, I have 5 year old twins starting kindergarten at my school this year and I'm so excited for them!

JODI PFEIFER

I am an Instructional Coach at Independence Elementary School in West Fargo. This is my 29th year in education. Prior to my current role as a coach, I was a classroom teacher in grades K-3 for 25 years.

My “why” for PCBL started with my own child who questioned and challenged me to think about the traditional way education was being presented to him. Through my own learning and rethinking how I was sharing my classroom with my learners I saw first-hand how empowering it was to give students ownership of their learning. I believe every student deserves an environment where they can use their strengths to learn and grow.

Fun Fact: When I was in 4th grade I won my school talent show for my riveting dance to “Grease Lightning”. Don’t be jealous!

KARISSA HANSON

This is my first year as an instructional technology coach for Heritage Middle School in the West Fargo School District. I am starting my seventh year in education. Prior to my coaching role, I taught four years of middle school science in West Fargo and two years of high school science in Grafton.

My passion for PCBL stems from my strong belief that all students can learn. I love how PCBL allows learners to embrace their strengths and passions. I also appreciate how PCBL allows educators to meet learners where they are at.

A fun fact about me is that I have been to a baseball game at all 30 MLB ballparks!

KELLI HERTSGAARD

I am a 8th grade social studies teacher at Cheney Middle School in West Fargo. This will be my 10th year teaching and I’ve been at Cheney my entire career! I also am an assistant cross country coach to the Cheney Middle School 7th and 8th graders. 

Why I find this work and PCBL so important is I have witnessed the power through learning walks of younger learners and their understanding of what, how, and why they are learning and their excitement over it.  I would love for secondary students to feel the same way! I also have a son who I know would benefit from a learning environment that he could learn at his own pace.

Fun fact: I love Caribou Coffee, a lot - like maybe more than the average person should.

ANNIE LINDBO

I am the Instructional Coach at Osgood Elementary in West Fargo where I am starting my seventh year in this role. Prior to that, I taught Kindergarten in East Grand Forks, MN and in the WFPS district for 10 years. 

We’ve seen some major challenges in education for the last couple of years and I can’t help but think that PCBL could be the answer to some of those challenges. When students feel successful because they have choices and options and guidance to set and achieve goals, they are more likely to feel engaged and empowered in their school experience. It just makes sense that we adjust our thinking as educators to give our learners some space and room to grow in the way that best suits their needs.

Fun Fact: I went to Oprah’s 50th birthday party!

JENNIFER NORTON

I am an instructional coach for Legacy and Aurora in the West Fargo School District. I have been in education for 17 years and in the public schools for 15 years. I have taught grades 3-6 in 5 different school districts and have held a license in 3 states. I have always believed that every child has the ability to learn but as an educator it is our job to help serve our learners at their level. PCBL is the vehicle to empower our learners to go out and be amazing!

I always love sharing my fun fact that my initials spell my first name: J.E.N.