vTEACHERS continued from page 25 People would be surprised to know I: Hate mornings more than anything. I’m proud that: I have had the opportunity to be part of so many students’ lives while I was their teacher. It is rewarding when they choose to find me after they have gone on with their successful lives/careers. The most interesting place I’ve traveled to: Hawaii I’d like to have a dollar for every time a student: gives me an excuse. The best thing about my job is: being able to share a year or more in the life of the students with whom I work. Cecilia Fitzsimmons Hometown: Yankton, SD Education: BS Elementary Education USD 1986 MA Reading Specialist USD 1992 Title/School Currently Teaching at: 3rd Grade Lincoln School Years I have been teaching: 30 years Family: Dan is my husband of almost 30 years, 2 sons: Sean who is married to Ramsey and they have 2 children, Rory and Callum; Connor is going to graduate from USD this spring; 2 daughters: Shannon teaches at Vermillion High School; and Brenna is a sophomore at USD. Growing up I wanted to be: a teacher. First job: Paraprofessional in 5th grade at Lincoln School with Mrs. Blumer in the same classroom I am currently teaching in. Prized possession: My family Best movie I’ve seen recently: Woodlawn Best book I’ve read recently: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Favorite author: Kristin Hannah, Nicholas Sparks, John Grisham, just to name a few Hobbies: Reading, walking and hanging out with my family Greatest fear: Losing a child or grandchild Three words that best describe me: Happy, fun, positive Why I chose teaching as a career: I love kids. I used to babysit a lot when I was growing up. Greatest thing that has changed about teaching since I started is: The testing that 3rd graders now have to do. My favorite teacher was: Mrs. Lainson at Hoover Elementary in Council Bluffs, Iowa People would be surprised to know I: I am in the USD Hall of Fame for track and field. I’m proud that: I have been able to teach all my years at Lincoln School. The most interesting place I’ve traveled to: Washington, DC I’d like to have a dollar for every time a student: finishes reading a book. Future goal: To be the best grandma I can be! The best thing about my job is: Seeing the smiles on the students faces as they accomplish something they didn’t think they could. 26vHERVOICEvMARCH/APRIL 2016 Lisa Opsahl Hometown: Woonsocket, SD Education: BS from Northern State University, Aberdeen MA from University of South Dakota, Vermillion Title/School Currently Teaching at: 5th grade teacher at Stewart School Years I have been teaching: Since 1983, I had a couple years out of district, but 30 of those years with Yankton Public Schools Family: My husband, Kevin. Our daughter, Ann and her wife, Katie. Our daughter, Laura and her husband, Nick. Our son, Alexander. Growing up I wanted to be: a teacher, imagine that! First job: Waitress job during college in Aberdeen Prized possession: Family! Best movie I’ve seen recently: The Martian Best book I’ve read recently: Ordinary Grace Favorite author: There are too many to name! Hobbies: Reading, gardening Pet peeve: Inconsiderate, rude people Three words that best describe me: Devoted, fun-loving, loyal Why I chose teaching as a career: I’ve always loved reading and learning new things, and I’ve always loved being around kids. It was a natural fit. Greatest thing that has changed about teaching since I started is: Family dynamics and the blended families have really changed since I began my career. Technology has affected teaching by: how I deliver my lessons and how I plan my day because a great deal of a teacher’s plans revolve around technology. Name one thing you wish parents would do more: Read to and with their children every day. My favorite teacher was: my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Olinger. To this day I model many of my teaching techniques and my teaching style from things I remember from her classroom! I’m proud that: every day I get to work with such a great group of committed public educators. I’m also proud that 2 of our children are educators also: Ann is a PE teacher in Washington, DC and Laura is teaching 3rd grade in Mitchell, SD. The most interesting place I’ve traveled to: Mexico I’d like to have a dollar for every time a student: “lost” an assignment Future goal: Looking forward to the birth of our first grandbaby in March. The best thing about my job is: thinking that I may have positively impacted a student in some way. Carla Hacecky Hometown: Irene, SD Education: BA from Mount Marty College Title/School Currently Teaching at: I teach 1st grade at Lincoln Elementary School. Years I have been teaching: 30 years in Yankton and 8 years in Irene Family: Husband, Duane, children: daughter, Emily and her husband, Derrick Livingston and granddaughter, Halle; son, Frank and his wife, Sara and grandsons: Franky and Jack.