Minneota adds new staff
Minneota Schools are busy this summer not only with construction but with putting new teachers in place. Two more new faces have been added, Angela Lauer, the new counselor and National Honor Society director. The other is Devann Shultz, the new Tech Director. Each were asked questions by Minneota Public School officials and their answers are an attempt to acquaint residents with the new teachers.
Here are the questions to Angela Lauer:
MPS: You are about to embark on your first year as a high school counselor. What are you most excited about?
Lauer: I’m excited to develop connections with all the students and staff. Being at a smaller school means I have the opportunity to really get to know the students and help them learn and grow. I look forward to making a difference in the lives of the students. “I’m excited to support them with their academic, college/career, and social/emotional concerns.”
MPS: If you could reach out and tell your future students any one thing about yourself, what would tell them?
Lauer: I would tell them that I will be their No. 1 supporter — in the classrooms, in the halls, at their sporting events and musical performances — I will be there cheering them on. When I was in high school, I had a school counselor who was very supportive and I strive to have that same impact on the students at Minneota High School. I am also compassionate, trustworthy, and a great listener.
MPS: What do you like to do in your free time?
Lauer: I like to spend my free time with family and friends. I also enjoy the outdoors by spending time either hiking or biking, or just being at my Dad’s farm. I really like putting together puzzles and attending sporting events.
MPS: What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Why and from who?
Lauer: During my school counseling internship, I was given the advice of “be visible” by my counseling supervisor. It can be so easy to spend the whole school day busy with things to do in the office, but that is not how you get to know students. By stopping into the classrooms, being visible in the halls and lunchroom, and attending student activities, I can build meaningful relationships with all the students I come in contact with.
MPS: If you got to star in any movie, which movie character would you like to be? Why?
Lauer: I love the Minions from the Despicable Me movies so I would definitely want to be a minion! They are so adorable and cute and even though they are all very similar, they are all unique. If you stop by my office, you may see a few minions!
MPS: If you got to have dinner with any three people past/present/future, who would you sit down and have dinner with?
Lauer: I would love to sit with all three of my grandpas. I was never able to meet them and I feel like they would have some interesting stories to tell and a lot of wisdom to share. I enjoy hearing the life stories of anyone I come in contact with. Plus, I think it would be fascinating to hear them talk about my parents when they were kids!
MPS: You are leading our NHS Chapter here in Minneota, what sort of ideas/plans do you have for this group?
Lauer: I would like to do different fundraising events that would help bring the students and community closer. Some ideas include blood drives, food, toy, and clothing collections, and other community service events. I also like the idea of a mentoring program, where high school students read to elementary students.
Devann Shultz
MPS: You are coming to us from Prairie’s Edge Casino. What sorts of things did you do in their tech department?
Schultz: At Prairie’s Edge Casino I did all sorts of things! I helped manage over 50 servers — For Gaming Floor operations and for the Internal Network. I set up workstations, Displays, Printers, Scanners, Point of Sale systems and many other things. Some days were packed with Help Desk troubleshooting, others I was able to research new technologies and come up with ways to help our employees and the company. There was never a dull day at Prairie’s Edge!
MPS: If you had a chance to give a five-minute speech and every employee/student of MPS could learn one thing about you, what would you tell them?
Schultz: I would say that I’m very excited to be part of Minneota Schools. Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved taking computers apart and putting them back together. When I was finally ready to go to college, I couldn’t think of anything I’d rather do that go for Computer Technology. Since then, I have grown in this field, and I would love to continue growing in it! Every place is different when it comes to technology, so I hope you can be a little patient with me as I figure out your school’s needs. My hope is that I will be able to be helpful, and easy to work with – for both staff and students alike.
MPS: What do you like to do in your free time?
Schultz: In my free time I love to play video games and board games with my family. I love to do photography when I get a chance – It makes me happy to help capture memories for people! I also love taking photos of nature. I like to paint and draw, and other arts and crafts. I have also been doing some gardening lately. Sometimes, I love to just curl up on the couch and watch TV! My family and I also like a good adventure, and want to travel whenever we get the chance!
MPS: What is your favorite kind of technology?
Schultz: I would have to say Microsoft and Android. Apple is great too! But I find Microsoft to be a little more user-friendly. I don’t mind Linux either.
MPS: If you got to star in any movie, which movie character would you like to be? Why?
Schultz: I’m not sure about a movie, but I would like to be cast as Abby in the show NCIS – She is super smart, and she is true to herself. She has a lot of love for those around her, and she is awesome at what she does!
MPS: If you got to have dinner with any three people past/present/future, who would you sit down and have dinner with?
Schultz: I would pick Bill Gates, Keanu Reeves, and my future self. – I’m sure future me would have a lot to teach me!
MPS: Who is your all-time favorite video game character? Why?
Schultz: My Favorite video game character of all time is Link from the Legend of Zelda. He is probably my favorite character because I have been playing Zelda since I was a young girl. I just love getting immersed in the game, and saving Hyrule over and over again!