Name: Amanda Tollefson
Position/School: Special Education Paraprofessional
I grew up in: Miller, SD Family: My husband, Jaylon, and I have 6 sons, 1 daughter-in-law, and 1 grandson: Weston (married to Jill and has Jed), Christopher, Austin, Dylan, Carson, and Bryson.
Education: I graduated from Miller High School (just a blink ago), attended Dakota Wesleyan University as an art and English major, and I am currently attending online classes through Western Governors University to earn my BS in Special Education.
What makes you MV proud? I love our school. I love the energy and atmosphere that all of our teachers and staff bring to the table. All of our staff does their best to make sure our students know they are important, cared for, and safe. I am lucky enough to see this every day, from the pre-school all the way to the high school, and I love it. Our teachers bring their best to school every day and the relationships we have with built with our students are awe-inspiring.
What was your first job? Well, I can’t answer this without a story. When I was 11, I was hired to stuff papers at the Miller Press. The year I turned 14, they passed the minimum age law, so I was fired until I turned 14 (which was 2 weeks later).
Teacher who inspired me? My most inspirational teacher was my gifted teacher, Mrs. Rosemary Moeller. She always encouraged me to think outside of the box and not to get stuck in a certain way of thinking. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about something she has taught me and include it in my way of teaching. Someday, I will be as amazing as she was as a teacher.