The Daily Dispatch

The following brief biographies are part of a series introducing new school faculty in Wahpeton and Breckenridge. This is the second part of this series.

Central Elementary:

Todd Dwyer, physical education instructor and head hockey coach, graduated two years ago with a bachelor's degree in physical education and a minor in coaching from Minnesota State University Moorhead, Minn. Afterward, Dwyer spent one year as a substitute in West Fargo and then worked at Mapleton Elementary as a para professional and physical education substitute in Mapleton, N.D.

Kerry Hample, elementary music instructor, graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead, Minn., in December 2005. Two years prior to landing the job in Wahpeton, she taught music in Wyndmere and Ashby, Minn.

Hample has been a Wahpeton resident for more than 13 years. Since 2002, she has frequently commuted to school and for work, traveling as a dental assistant and Mary Kay consultant. Now that she has a job in Wahpeton with her family, she looks forward to settling down. Hample is from Ellendale, N.D.

Jeanie Steckler, visually impaired instructor, graduated from University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, in 1976. Steckler has taught at six school districts in the state of North Dakota, and has enjoyed meeting the "exceptionally friendly and helpful staff of Wahpeton Schools. I look forward to a fun year ahead!"

Wahpeton Middle School:

Brad Amundson, seventh grade science teacher, earned his bachelor's degree in biological sciences and education from North Dakota State University in December of 2006. Amundson substitute taught in the Fargo-Moorhead area and coached track and cross country before receiving his teaching position in Wahpeton. Amundson, who is from West Fargo, has begun teaching plant life and DNA to his students. He is excited about meeting everyone in the community.

Wahpeton Senior High School:

Janet Bartels, Algebra II and basic geometry teacher, graduated with a bachelor's degree in education with a major in math from University of North Dakota in 1992. During the years following graduation, Bartels was a teacher and substitute at various schools throughout North Dakota. She also taught for four years at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, Minn.

Bartels, a Wahpeton native, has four years of substitute teaching and coaching in the city behind her. This year, she will be working with the Fellowship Christian Athletes and coaching eighth grade volleyball.

Bartels anticipates "building on the math program and helping out in any way I can."

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