Where did you go to school and what is your previous job experience?
I grew up in California and went to college at the University of California, first at U. C. Davis and then at U. C. Santa Barbara. I came to MN to go to grad school in journalism at the U of M, but decided to teach instead. I have taught in the Minnetonka school district, at the U of M, and 16 years at Osseo Senior High.
When was your first year at Park Center?
1996
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe schools should empower kids to become lifelong learners and their own best teachers. I believe students can often accomplish much more than they think they are able to do. Sometimes they just need a little nudge to see their abilities and talents. The role of the teacher is to give them that nudge.
Why did you choose your profession?
I love kids, especially high school kids. They are creative and continually astonish me with what they can accomplish when they believe in themselves. Kids make me feel hopeful about the future.
What is your favorite quote?
“Never underestimate the power of a woman.” -Nellie McClung
In what room(s) can you commonly be found?
151
Advice for students going to college?
Be true to yourself. When selecting a college, a major, a future career, etc. do what you want to do, not what someone else wants you to do.
Biggest pet peeve?
When people are rude, butt in lines, talk on cell phones loudly in public places, etc.
If you were required to find a different job than what you are currently doing, what would you choose?
I would be a newspaper reporter or writer of some sort.
Mike Johnson:English & Reading
Where did you go to school and what is your previous job experience?
I went to Shepard High School in Palos Heights, Illinois (a Chicago suburb), Bethel College (now University), and the University of Minnesota. I taught at BJH for 11 years and Maple Grove Senior for four years before coming to PC.
When was your first year at Park Center?
1999
What is your teaching philosophy?
Care about the kids and curriculum, have fun, and start on time.
Why did you choose your profession?
Partly, I wanted to coach. Partly, I thought I’d be good at it.
What is your favorite quote?
“Come my friends / 'Tis not to late to seek a newer world...” Tennyson from Ulysses
In what room(s) can you commonly be found?
204 and 153
Additional Comments(hobbies)?
Hobbies: reading, running, good cooking.
Advice for students going to college?
Don’t worry about how to make a living – Worry about how to make a LIFE.
Biggest pet peeve?
My neighbor’s dog stuff on my lawn.
Sum up your career at Park Center in one word
Relationships.
If you were required to find a different job than what you are currently doing, what would you choose?
Corporate: sales/marketing, human resources, or advertising. Or law.
Stan Sherwood:English & Reading
Where did you go to school and what is your previous job experience?
The University of Iowa. Electrical and computer engineering.
When was your first year at Park Center?
1998
What is your teaching philosophy?
Stir things up and see where students go with them.
What is your favorite quote?
The opposite of a small truth is a falsehood. The opposite of a large truth is another large truth.
In what room(s) can you commonly be found?
238
Advice for students going to college?
Go to actually learn, not just get a “job ticket.”
Biggest pet peeve?
Use of the word “smart” to mean “well-educated” or even “mentally persistent”
Sum up your career at Park Center in one word
quixotic
If you were required to find a different job than what you are currently doing, what would you choose?
Trombone player in a small jazz combo.
Kristen Elmquist:Social Studies
Where did you go to school and what is your previous job experience?
Macalester College, New York University and the University of Iowa
When did you begin working at Park Center?
2002, after starting in 1998 at Maple Grove Senior
What is your teaching philosophy?
Every student has something interesting to say, can do really good work, and can add something brilliant to a social studies class.
Why did you choose your profession?
While I was in graduate school (for Anthropology), I found that it was a lot more fun and interesting to teach the undergraduate students, than to do all the research and reading to please the professors in my PhD program. So I quit, and went back to learn to be a teacher!
What is your favorite quote?
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
In what room(s) can you commonly be found?
214