Name: Mandy Williams
Position/School: SPED Paraprofessional
I grew up in: Plankinton, SD
Family: I am married to my husband Chris. We have twins, Sawyer and Sophia, who are 10 years old and are in the 5th grade. We also have a 14 year old dog named Punky, 2 garage cats named Puddy and Bubby, 7 horses, and lots of goats and farm cats.
Education: I graduated from Plankinton High School in 2003 and then graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University in 2007. I graduated with an Elementary Education degree and also a coaching endorsement and Kindergarten endorsement.
What makes you MV proud? This is my first year teaching in Mount Vernon. I have appreciated all of the warm welcomes and help that has been given by all of the staff to make sure that my kids and I have adjusted nicely! I LOVE living in a small town where everybody knows everybody and looks out for one another. I may not live in Mount Vernon but I am proud to be a para at this school and proud that my kids will grow up at Mount Vernon School.
You might not know this about me …
I go to jackpot barrel races in the summer and compete on my horse, Josie. I belong to racing organizations and compete alongside my mom and my daughter, Sophia. I don’t get to go as often as I used to because Sawyer and Sophia are now involved in 4-h rodeos during the summer but we go to as many as we can. I love how Rodeo is a hobby that my whole family loves and something that we enjoy doing together!
What’s your favorite family tradition?
I enjoy lots of family traditions, especially during Christmas, but my favorite involves ornaments. Every year since I was born, I receive ornaments from my parents, grandparents, and great grandmas. I love unwrapping these ornaments each year and seeing the dates and signatures of loved ones (some who have passed away) and thinking back to the special memories with these people as I hang each ornament on the Christmas tree. We have continued this tradition with my kids. They have so many ornaments from loved ones in their short 10 years of life that they each have a tree for their own room to put their ornaments on. I especially love looking for the pickle each year which is a German tradition. It is hidden on the tree each year and whoever finds it got $10. I used to do this with my cousins at my grandparent’s house each Christmas and we continue to do it with the next generation of kids.
What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is Seabiscuit. It is based on a true story of the great race horse named Seabiscuit. I bawled my eyes out all three times I saw it in the movie theater. It is a great movie about never giving up despite all odds. I encourage you to see it!