CAS_Newsletter_Spring_2021

NOW, she serves as Head Principal of Sioux Falls Washington High School. “It is a great honor and I am humbled to lead the Warriors,” Papke said. “I spent 14 years of my teaching career at WHS and could not be happier to be back. I hope to continue to build upon the strong Warrior tradition and culture.” To Papke, the best part of being an educator is working with students. “I love working with the youth and getting to be part of their journeys,” Papke said. “Knowing you are part of making a difference in their lives is one of the greatest rewards.” Originally from Spearfish, Papke now lives in Sioux Falls with her husband, Chris (also an NSU alum), and their two boys: Coy, 9, and Will, 6. At Northern, Papke double-majored in Mathematics Education and Social Science Education. “I had a lot of great professors who inspired me, taught me the importance of good pedagogy, and modeled what it was to be a highly effective teacher,” she said. “When I left NSU, I was able to build on that foundation. The best advice I ever got from one of my professors was to never stop learning, reflecting, and evolving. Every year you teach should look at little differently if you’re doing it right.” Now, Papke offers her own advice for students planning to become educators: Know and remember your “why.” “It is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling jobs, but it can also be tough and exhausting at times,” Papke said. “Remembering your ‘why’ is the fuel that allows you to keep loving what you do. The best teachers have good pedagogy, so pay attention in your education classes because you’re going to need that information!” NSU WELCOMES New Academic Advisors the vacuum, but he never asked for a new one and never once complained about having to use it that way. I never saw Roger get upset or angry with anyone or anything. The whole thing with the vacuum would have had me irritated each and every time I had to use it, but not Roger . . . he wasn’t like that, and that’s what was so endearing about him. His life wasn’t easy, but he took it as it came and just enjoyed every day as he could.” The halls seem a little empty now that Roger is gone, and he won’t be stopping in to our offices anymore to say “Hi” or to ask how we’re doing, but for those who were fortunate enough to interact regularly with Roger, it was truly an honor to have known him. His kind words, his sweet demeanor, and his gentle wit will always be missed. Because of Roger’s love for his kitty kids, the College of Arts and Sciences faculty and staff have taken up a collection to put towards the “Cat Room” at the Aberdeen Area Humane Society (AAHS). All monies will go toward funding a cat kennel with Roger’s name on it in the new AAHS building. As Julie noted about Roger, “I loved the smile he would have when he talked about his ‘boy’ and his ‘girl’ . . . referring to his kitties. His face would just light up when talking about them and their adventures at home.” We know that with this honor of naming a cat kennel after him, Roger would have loved knowing that he was helping kitties in need of a home. If you would like to donate to this kennel- naming fund, please contact Julie Backous (Julie.Backous@northern.edu) , or if you would like to send a general donation to the AAHS in Roger’s name, you can do so through this link http://www. anewleashonlife.net/memorial or by mail (AAHS, P.O. Box 1013, Aberdeen, SD 57402), and indicate that the memorial is for Roger Hoffman. REMEMBERING Roger Hoffman JESSICA NESS is the new academic advisor for Science, Math, Languages, Literature, and Communication Studies. With degrees in Business Management and English Literature and Creative Writing from NSU, she has been on campus intermittently since 2002. Ness grew up in the Aberdeen area and has previously worked for the South Dakota Board of Regents for ten years. She participated in the Literary Tour of the England through NSU twice. As a lifelong learner, Ness has always been a great supporter of education from childhood to adulthood. Her goal in advising is to help students plan their path to graduation and help them look outside of their major to become well rounded applicants for future job opportunities. She says, “I hope students will be able to look to me for guidance and reassurance in reaching their goals. Whether it is a smile and an encouraging word, or a referral to a resource, I want my advisees to know I am here for them.” In her spare time, Ness can usually be found reading a book, writing, baking, or spending time with her nieces, nephews, and her dog Athena. ALUMNA’S SUCCESSFUL Educational Path Started at NSU Kari Papke’s path to a successful career in education started at Northern State University. “It was at NSU that I discovered I wanted to be a teacher,” said Papke, a 2005 NSU graduate. “Northern helped lay the foundation for my success in my career.”