Lynn Kogel
Class of 2008

Hometown: Sioux Falls
High School: Roosevelt

Major: Elementary Education
Minor: Middle School Education

Extracurricular Activities: Dance Express, Mentor, Tutor, New Student Orientation Leader, Youth Outreach

How and why did you choose your major?
I knew that I wanted to be a teacher ever since my senior year of high school. I was able to mentor in an elementary school through a class and I fell in love with the kids and the school setting.

Are you excited to start student teaching? Do you feel like you're prepared?
I am both excited and a little nervous to student teach. I feel that Augie's education program has done a great job of preparing me to teach, but I still have the natural fears about doing a good job.

Tell us about your volunteer and service experiences at Augustana. Have you learned things that are applicable in the classroom?
The volunteer experiences I have had with mentoring and tutoring young kids has helped me strengthen my teaching skills and will be beneficial in the future. I believe that anytime you volunteer, no matter what you are doing, your personal life benefits because it feels good to help other people. Volunteering also helps me keep the important things in life in perspective.

Looking back on your senior year of high school, why did you choose Augustana?
I was deciding between Augustana and one other school, but it was the focus Augustana places on its faith ministries that drew me here. I also love the city of Sioux Falls.

What types of faith-related activities have you been involved with? Has Augie helped you to grow in your faith?
I have been involved in the youth outreach program through chapel. It was a great opportunity to grow in my own faith and also minister and have fun with kids during lock-ins at churches around the area. I have grown in my faith at Augie through the outreach program, attending chapel, and my religion classes. Both of my religion professors forced me to really reflect on what I believe. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to take religion while here.

What is the best class of you have taken so far at Augustana?
One of my classes with Julie Ashworth, but I cannot pick which one. She is such an inspiring teacher. Being in her classes makes me itch to get out in the classroom and try to put everything she teaches us into practice!

What is the most unexpected thing you have done during your time at Augie?
I went on a cruise in the Bahamas with the dance team last spring. It was an absolutely amazing trip!

Tell us about your dance experience at Augie.
My love for dancing grew out of my love for gymnastics, which I competed in at the club level growing up through high school. I tried out for Augustana's dance team my freshman year and loved it. Dancing is such a great workout and a great stress reliever! I was voted to be captain this year, which has been a new challenge that I have been honored to take on.

You were also a New Student Orientation leader. Tell us about that experience.
I decided to become an NSO leader because I had such a great experience with it my freshman year. I had amazing leaders that made the first week at college fun and less stressful. I hoped to be that type of NSO leader. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would do it again next fall if I wasn't student teaching!

What advice would you give new freshmen at Augustana?
Find an activity that you can do when you need to de-stress. Find something that calms and rejuvenates you, whether it is working out, reading, listening to music or just talking with friends.

Do you have career goals or immediate plans for after graduation?
Get a teaching job!!!