Campbell-Tintah School welcomes new teachers
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by Jennifer Johnson • Daily News
Published/Last Modified on Friday, August 21, 2009 3:06 PM CDT
Editor’s note: This is the first of a two part series introducing new teachers at Campbell-Tintah School.
School is fast approaching, and the Campbell-Tintah School District in Campbell, Minn., is welcoming in five new teachers and a superintendent this year. Two teachers, Jeremy Cochran and Katie Stortroen, are featured today.
Cochran, the new music teacher, graduated from North Dakota State University in May. He intends to maintain several of the contest and festival pieces at the school, each a strong Campbell-Tintah tradition.
"I know they've played certain pieces at Christmas for 30 years in a row, and I certainly wouldn't dare not continue that," he said, laughing. "For me, music is all about the collaborative process, so I'm just looking forward to continuing that and working with the other teachers and parents to create something special."
A native of Duluth, Minn., Cochran was originally a civil engineering major in Fargo before he realized that teaching was his vocation. He dropped out of the program after one semester.
"I realized that happiness didn't lie down that path," he said.
Cochran was a student teacher at Mckinley Elementary School and Fargo North High School.
Stortroen, the school's new first and second grade teacher, is more than familiar with Campbell-Tintah. For the last three years, she's been a HeadStart teacher there.
Stortroen said she's looking forward to meeting new families and working together with parents to provide a positive learning experience for the children.
"I'm excited for the challenge," she said.
Stortroen enjoys carrying that concept into the rest of her life. This weekend, she will be walking 60 miles in Minneapolis at the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk. She raised $2,300 for the cause and started to train in January, gradually working up to walking about 18 miles a day.
Stortroen said her mother, who was diagnosed with lymphoma last June, was the inspiration.
"That's really encouraged me to help with this cause," she said. "I just thought it would be an awesome experience, and a really great accomplishment."
Stortroen has taught for five years and lives in Fergus Falls, Minn.
