Two enthusiastic teachers have joined the team at LeRoy-Ostrander Schools this year. Katie Bakke is the new second-grade teacher, and Ian Thomason is the district’s middle and high school special education teacher. Both teachers, who are commuting from Stewartville, bring unique backgrounds and teaching philosophies to their classrooms.
Katie Bakke
Katie Bakke’s journey to the classroom began in an unusual place – the corporate world. Originally from Northfield, she started her professional career as an editor for a magazine at IBM. However, after spending time in that role, she realized that office work wasn’t the right long-term fit for her.
“I realized I couldn’t work in a cubicle all my life,” Bakke recalls.
Feeling drawn to education, she decided to pursue a career in teaching. Her path began with substitute teaching, which opened the door to more opportunities in the field. Soon after, she found herself working as a paraprofessional in an emotional behavior disorders classroom in Northfield for three years, while working toward her teaching license.
Bakke’s commitment to education grew from there. She completed her student teaching in New Prague, where she also took on the role of a long-term substitute teacher. Then, in 2019, she landed her first full-time teaching position at Cannon River STEM School in Faribault, where she spent five years in the classroom.
This past summer, Bakke got engaged and decided to relocate to be closer to her fiancé, who works as a corrections officer with Olmsted County. Her move to Stewartville prompted a new job search, and she was excited to discover the second-grade opening at LeRoy-Ostrander Schools.
Bakke says her new start at L-O Schools has been smooth and welcoming.
“This is a very friendly community, everybody knows everybody, and everybody is super willing to help,” she says.
She is also grateful for colleagues who stop by to offer their support.
As for her teaching style, Bakke strikes a balance between structure and emotional support. “I have a stern teaching style but I’m also very open,” she explains. “I also want to help my students to talk through their emotions, a little bit of everything,” she adds, highlighting the holistic approach she brings to education.
Ian Thomason
Ian Thomason shares a similar excitement about joining the district. Thomason grew up in Byron and graduated from high school in 2014. His inspiration to pursue a career in education came during his sophomore year when he witnessed the impact a dedicated teacher could have on students.
“We had a student teacher who would eat lunch and shoot hoops with his kids, all on his own time, and I thought, wow, we need more teachers like that,” Thomason says.
Thomason enrolled at Mankato State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in special education. He also worked as a paraprofessional in early childhood education. Over the years, his focus has shifted to middle and high school students, though he also completed his master’s degree in early childhood education, now allowing him to teach students from early childhood through 12th grade.
Thomason also shared that he chose L-O over a couple of other districts he had the opportunity to join.
“I had a feeling that this is the district that best fits me with what I’m most comfortable with,” he says.
This year, Thomason will be working with around 20 students from fifth through twelfth grade, mostly in small groups in a room that’s impressed him.
“I’ve never had a room this big,” he says with a chuckle.
Thomason says he enjoys the personalized atmosphere of special education, which allows him to develop closer connections with students and their families.
“I enjoy the smaller and more relaxed atmosphere,” he says.
True to the example set by the teacher who inspired him, Thomason is already going the extra mile to support his students outside the classroom.
“I already went to one of my student’s football games and a cross country meet for another student,” he says. “I enjoy doing that because I have the time and want to support them.”
Now, he is eager to see how his students grow and develop throughout the school year and beyond.
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