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Special Education


Contact Info:
Julianna Burkey

Julianna Burkey

Hi, my name is Julianna Burkey.  I grew up on a dairy farm in Brandon, Minnesota.  I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education (Social Studies) and later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education (Emotional/Behavior and Specific Learning Disabilities) from Minnesota State University Moorhead.  In addition to teaching, I have been a paraprofessional, reading interventionist, and coach.  I have been teaching at Sauk Centre Elementary School since 2016.  I live in Sauk Centre with my husband, son, daughter, dog, and cats.  Outside of school, I enjoy gardening, camping, and playing games with family and friends.  “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”  Compassion, dedication, trust, and determination built by the team is important for every child to succeed.


Contact Info:
Tammy Christensen

Tammy Christensen

Hi, my name is Tammy Christensen.  I received my bachelor of science degree from Saint Cloud State in special education, with a license to teach students in kindergarten through 12th grade with specific learning disabilities and developmental cognitive delays.  I have been working in the Sauk Centre School District since January of 1991.  I worked in the elementary for the first 15 years.  There, I enjoyed working with students on various aspects of their education, especially my passion, reading!  In 2006 the school district transferred me to the 10-12 secondary building.  At the high school level, there is an emphasis on looking toward the future.  I work closely with the students on transition.  My objective at this level is to help students understand that they can reach their highest potential in life and be productive citizens in society, no matter what challenges they may face!


Contact Info:
Becki Church

Becki Church

Hello, my name is Becki Church.  I grew up on a farm, on the Red River,  north of Breckenridge, Minnesota.  I enjoy hunting, fishing, gardening, time with family and friends and especially spending time at our lake cabin near Vining.  I lived in Loveland, Colorado for 10 years and worked for Hewlett-Packard. It is there that I earned my Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Aims Community College.  I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at the University of Minnesota Morris.  I received my Master’s Degree in Special Education from Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota.  I am licensed in K-6 Elementary, 5-8 Math, EBD and LD.  I have taught elementary (multi-age), 2 K-12 Level 4 settings, high school Special Education, was a Crisis Interventionist and have conducted assessments for evaluations.  I love to see the small steps that make such a huge difference in the lives of students!


Contact Info:
Lori Lee

Lori Lee

Hello, my name is Lori Lee. I have joined the high school special education department for the Sauk Centre School District, starting the Fall of 2020. I was raised on a farm north of Benson, MN. I received my bachelors of science degree in elementary education with a minor in special education from University of North Dakota, Grand Forks in 2000. In 2015, I completed my masters degree in special education from Southwestern State University in Marshall, MN. I completed licenses to teach in Specific Learning Disabilities, Emotional Behavior Disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorders for K-12th grade. Although I started out teaching elementary age students, I found that I enjoy teaching secondary education even more! Previously, starting in 2009, I taught special education in the high school setting for the Westbrook Walnut Grove School District. I am married to Doug Lee and we have two children; Anna (Class of 2022) and Charlie (Class of 2029). In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, reading, music, swimming and sewing. When my family finds the time, we love to craft, camp, hike and spend time in/on the water.


Contact Info:
Ryan Stadsvold

Ryan Stadsvold

Hello, my name is Ryan Stadsvold. I started teaching in 2001. I have taught special education at Sauk Centre Schools since the fall of 2009. I graduated high school from Minnewaska Area HS (1995) and attended college at Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. I have an elementary degree as well as a special education degree (licensures in Specific Learning Disabilities, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, & Developmental Cognitive Disabilities). I am married to Meghan (Neal) Stadsvold and have 2 children (Neal and Nadia). We live in Sauk Centre. I enjoy sports, gardening, teaching, and hanging out with my family.


Contact Info:
Derrick Roush

Derrick Roush

My name is Derrick Roush.  I grew up in the Albany, MN area and graduated from Albany High School.  I graduated from St Cloud State University and worked at a group home and a residential facility for teens until returning to school for my Masters degree from Grand Canyon University.  I have been teaching Special Education since 2017.  In my free time I enjoy spending time with my two boys, golfing, fishing, hunting, and spending time with friends and family.  I am a big sports fan.  SKOL!!!  I am excited to work with the Mainstreeter student population and get to know the community.  Let’s have a great year!


Contact Info:
Sherri Thoennes

Sherri Thoennes

Hi, my name is Sherri Thoennes. I have always wanted to be a teacher, and am very proud to have accomplished my dream! In 2008 I graduated from St. Cloud State University (SCSU) with an Elementary Education degree and emphasis in Science. For two years I was a substitute teacher. In 2011 I went back to SCSU to obtain a Special Education degree in Emotional/Behavioral and Specific Learning Disabilities. I started teaching full-time in 2012 as a special education teacher. In 2016 I acquired my Masters in Special Education from SCSU. I joined the Sauk Centre School District in January of 2017. I enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband, two sons, and daughter. I love helping students grow to be successful lifelong learners!