Augustana’s commitment to teacher preparation is particularly important as we begin the new century. The profession is challenged by various teacher shortages throughout the United States and the Midwest, and the department works hard to help the community with strong, dedicated career counseling. We have a record of almost 100% graduate placement in elementary, high school, special education, and deaf education. Augustana alumni also coach and direct; many are professors in colleges across the country.

Recent distinguished graduates include:

South Dakota Area Administrators

• Jamie Nold ’92 BA
  Principal, Washington High School, Sioux Falls
• Pam Homan ’81 BA, ’87 MA
  Superintendent, Sioux Falls Public Schools
• Carrie Aaron ’75 BA
  Principal, Memorial Middle School, Sioux Falls
• Dr. Kathryn Coulter ’76 MA
  Principal, Eugene Field Elementary, Sioux Falls
• Cheryl Larson ’68 BS, ’74 MA
  Principal, Hawthorne Elementary School, Sioux Falls
• Colleen Werner ’86 BA
  Principal, Robert Frost Elementary, Sioux Falls
• Dr. Celeste Uthe-Burrow ’85 BA
  Principal, Oscar Howe Elementary, Sioux Falls
• Mary Peterson ’72 BA
  Principal, Mark Twain Elementary, Sioux Falls

Teachers of the Year

• LeeAnna Stacy ’05 BA
  Hawthorne Elementary School, Sioux Falls
• Julie Ashworth ’75 BA, ’97 MA
  Hawthorne Elementary School, Sioux Falls
• Mary Beth Blegen ’65 BA
  St. Paul Public Schools, St. Paul, Minn.

Other

• Marsha Gunderson is coordinator of services to deaf and hard of hearing students for the State of Iowa.
• Dr. Cynthia Bailes is chairperson of education department at Gallaudet University.
• Lynn Finton is professor of interpreter training at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
• Christa Gunderson is the recipient of the Buckmaster Award for Outstanding Service to the Interpreting Field.