Schoonhoven at home at SWC

Morgan Schoonhoven is the new 7th and 8th grade language arts teacher at Southwest Christian. She is filling the shoes of long-time educator, Evon Mittelstadt, who retired last year.  Morgan is also teaching 6th grade computer. 

Morgan grew up in Edgerton. She is the oldest daughter of Kirk and Erin Van Hulzen. Her mother, Erin, is also a teacher at SWC. Morgan is married to Logan and they own Rock River Landscape, which they purchased from Rob and Tricia Veldkamp last year. They moved to town this summer and have been getting settled in their new home. 

This is Morgan’s sixth year of teaching. She graduated from SWC in 2013 And went to Dordt University for Elementary Education. She graduated in 2017 with her education degree and then went on to get her master’s degree in teaching leadership. She taught 5th grade at Sioux Falls Christian for four years and last year she taught math at Orange City Christian, which is where Logan is from. 

In addition to teaching, Morgan is the head volleyball coach at SWC. She loves coaching and playing volleyball, so this is a great fit for her. 

Her favorite part of teaching is connecting with her students. “Junior High students are very conversational, and getting to know them and how they learn is one of the best parts of my job,” she said. “They are the reason I’m teaching, and they make each day unique!”

Morgan said that she always knew she wanted to be a teacher. 

“Growing up as the oldest sibling and oldest cousin, I was always in charge of keeping the younger ones entertained and out of trouble,” she recalls. “Most of the time, the way I managed that was to make them all play school with me, which I’m sure they all loved!”

When she grew out of that, she started to join in on school conversations between her two favorite teachers – her mom and her aunt Nicole Fey. “These two and others taught me about what it looks like to be a great teacher,” Morgan said. “I am always striving to be more like them.”

It’s obvious that Morgan has a passion for kids and for learning. Helping her students become successful is one of her favorite parts of the job.

In her spare time, Morgan enjoys reading and spending time outside with her family and friends.

Beukema teaching special education

Ryann Beukema is the new early childhood special education teacher at Edgerton Public School. She works with students from birth-5th grade.

She works with the preschool and elementary students at the school, but also does home visits with younger children. Sometimes a doctor, parent, or caregiver will be referred to her because of a child’s medical diagnosis after a child is not meeting developmental milestones or if there are other concerns. “If they aren’t meeting milestones they can receive a free evaluation to see if they qualify for special education services,” Ryann explained. She also works with the preschool team during preschool screening to help catch any students that might need special education. 

She is beginning her fourth year of teaching. Prior to this, she spent two years teaching early childhood special education at Murray County Central and one year at Pipestone Area Schools. Prior to this she worked for six years as a paraprofessional in a preschool program in Sioux Falls, S.D. 

Ryann graduated from Minnesota State University – Moorhead in 2021. While working towards her education degree, she worked as a paraprofessional in Pipestone at the Educational Learning Center, which is a public school for students with behavioral problems. It is for grades K-12 and is in the Pipestone School District.

Ryann and her husband, Scott have three children. Ethan is in the 7th grade and Elyse is in the first grade and both are students at EPS. Their son Emmet is five and a student at the Ready Clinic. Scott is a licensed insurance agent with Allstate. 

Why did she decide to become a teacher? 

“I have always wanted to support and help people,” Ryann said. “Even in other careers I found myself fostering those lines of learning and growth.”  This was even true when she was working as a manager at McDonalds, training the employees and other managers. 

Her favorite part of teaching, which is even more fulfilling when working with a child with special needs, is when she and that student reach their goal and the student has that “aha” moment. 

Ryann and her family live near Edgerton. When she is not busy at work, Ryann likes to bake and cook. Like most teachers, she also enjoys reading. Another favorite hobby is working outside in her yard.