The head of the class

Students of the New Rockford-Sheyenne School District began classes on Thursday, Aug. 25, and now, more than a week later, they're getting themselves acquainted with all the new teachers.

However, it's quite possible they'll have recognized some of those new faces, perhaps none more so than Jim Fleming.

Fleming, a New Rockford native and 1980 graduate of NRHS, is teaching technology and engineering this year, and it's his first year of full-time teaching.

Fleming, though, has been a school bus driver for the district for over 30 years, and has been a substitute teacher for eight of those years, making him well acquainted with the district and many of its students.

Fleming said he began the process of becoming a teacher back in 2016 after it became clear the district was in need of staff. This spring he graduated from Valley City State University, and he added that he's currently working on his student teaching.

Now, Fleming said he's looking forward to getting started, and that he has all kinds of fun projects planned for the students.

"Getting to know the kids, spending time with them and learning what their needs are," said Fleming on what he's looking forward to about the year ahead. "I'm hoping to get them interested in big things."

Another face some might recognize in the halls of NR-S is that of Jennifer Whitman.

Whitman, a native of Carrington, is teaching third graders this year, and she can't wait to get started.

"Especially at this age, they grow so much and learn so much," said Whitman. "What I enjoy about third graders is they're not so old that they don't enjoy school ... or have big bold attitudes, and I have a third grader myself who goes to Carrington."

While this will also be Whitman's first year of full-time teaching, she said her experience teaching began back in high school when she and her mom taught catechism to young children at the catholic church.

Whitman said she's also been a babysitter, has taught at daycare, and was a teaching assistant in grad school, just to name a few of the opportunities she's had to teach.

"In some way, shape or form, I've always been teaching," she said.

When asked what she hopes her students end up taking away from her class when the year comes to an end, Whitman said, "I want them to come out of here being better humans, being kind, being kind to themselves and hoping they are naturally curious.

"Reading is so important," she added, "I'm hoping if I have any kids that don't love reading, that we can develop a passion for reading in them."

Meanwhile, some of the youngest students at NR-S are also getting to know a new teacher.

Angela Tobin, originally from Mexico, is teaching kindergartners this year, marking her first year working as a teacher in the United States.

Tobin previously got an education degree in Mexico in 2008, and spent many years there as a teacher. She said she managed to come to the United States just before the border closed due to COVID-19 in 2020.

Last year, Tobin and her husband, Colin, moved to Carrington, where Colin began work at the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center. She served as a paraprofessional at the Carrington Public School while she worked to obtain her teaching license.

Now, Tobin is looking forward to beginning her teaching career anew in the United States.

"No matter how bad your day could be ... the moment you step in the classroom with little humans, it's amazing," said Tobin. "They can change your day and I'm always learning from them."

She added, "I really want to show that Mexican people are a hard working people, and I really wish that they will be interested to learn something more about new or different cultures ... and I really want to learn too about their culture and traditions."