The start of a new school year means new students, new classes, new classrooms, and new teachers. This year Mabel-Canton Public School (M-C) hired two new teachers, both M-C graduates, Laura Horihan, class of 2002, and Carlena Gallagher, class of 2004.
M-C hired Laura Horihan to teach 9th, 11th, and 12th grade English and K-3 Special Education this year. Last year Horihan taught 7th – 12th grade Special Education in Lanesboro.
She earned a Bachelor of Administration in Mass Communications – Journalism from Winona State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Saint Mary’s University.
Horihan revealed, “Teaching Language Arts has been a dream of mine for several years. When the position became available at Mabel-Canton, I knew I would feel right at home. I’m very proud and humbled to be working alongside teachers and coaches that had a positive impact on me when I was a student.”
Building a relationship with her students and spending time to get to know their interests both during school and outside school is essential to Horihan. When she knows what is important to her students, she can connect their interests to what they are studying. This theory allows her students to understand that what they are learning in school is useful today and in the future.
COVID-19 and its impact on classroom management, curriculum, and students’ education are in the news daily. Horihan explained that, “Wearing masks makes it more difficult for students to see my facial expressions. I have to re-explain a lot more often. I’m really excited to share a classroom library with my students, but I’ve had to put my books away for now due to concerns about passing germs. We’ve got innovative, though. I created a virtual library on a Google slide, and kids can request books that I hand deliver. Young people are resilient. They’re so grateful to be in their classrooms. My classroom is ready for hybrid or distance learning at any moment.”
First-year teacher, Carlena Gallagher, is the new 9th Grade Agriculture teacher and advisor for Mabel-Canton’s FFA program.
After graduating high school from Mabel-Canton, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Industries and Marketing and Animal Science from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Gallagher went to work for Kelly Brenno Carpenter Accounting and Tax in Rochester, Minn., after college. When she is not helping out on her family’s dairy farm, Gallagher spends the afternoon working part-time for the accounting firm after a morning of teaching at Mabel-Canton.
Gallagher explained that she is passionate about farming and agriculture and wants public schools to continue to offer Ag classes and the FFA program. Gallagher grew up on a farm and is married to a dairy farmer, sharing the importance and education of agriculture runs deep in my life. She enjoys the kids and the small community of Mabel-Canton, plus it is a nice fit to have the opportunity to teach her passion to tomorrow’s leaders.
What is your teaching philosophy? “The FFA Mission is based around Premier Leadership, Personal Growth, and Career Success. I try to align my teaching with this. I get to play a small part in shaping tomorrow’s leaders and doers. I feel youth need the groundwork of leadership, growth, and development. No matter if they go on to be a doctor, farmer, trade worker, or parent, they will have a strong foundation to draw from for any challenge or goal ahead of them with this base.
How has/will COVID-19 impact your classroom? “There are several things that have changed, good and not so much. Teamwork or projects look different, but we learn to adapt in new ways. We have numerous new opportunities to take part in. Several companies and even events nationwide are being virtual and free to students, so a convention or tour of John Deere may have cost the school busing, time, or staffing now is a click away. We adapt and try to do our best for the safety and health at large.”
Have a great year! Thank you for all you are doing for our youth.
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