Mulder is creative in and out of the classroom

Abigail Mulder is the new kindergarten teacher at Southwest Christian Elementary School. This is her first full time teaching position.  She graduated from Dordt University last May with a degree in elementary education with endorsements in special education and early childhood education.

While in college she worked as a part time assistant teacher at Redeemer Lutheran preschool in Willmar. She also worked at the Early Childhood daycare in Sioux Center, Iowa,  while she went to college.

Abigail is from the Willmar area. She is the third of seven children born to Dr. Tim and Cindy Mulder. Our readers may remember Dr. Mulder. He is a 1988 graduate of SWC. He worked as a physician in this area for several years. Cindy also graduated from SWC. She is a daughter of Gary and Thelma Baker. Abigail was a student at Edgerton Christian Elementary School when she was in kindergarten and first grade. Their family lived in Luverne at that time.

Dr. Mulder is now a family physician in Willmar and Cindy is a volunteer and a substitute teacher at Willmar Community Christian School, where the youngest of the Mulder family attend school. This is also the school Abigail attended from 2nd grade through 12th grade. 

Abigail’s older brother is a mechanic and her younger brother is a student at Dordt. She has an older sister who is also a teacher. She teaches British Literature in Clearwater, Florida. 

Abigail decided to become a teacher because of her second grade teacher. “She made learning fun and always came up with new ways to learn,” Abigail said. “I also decided to become a teacher because of the light, laughter, and joy that young children bring to my life.”

Her favorite part about being a teacher is seeing the excitement and joy on the faces of children while they learn and explore in the classroom.

When she is not teaching, Abigail likes to relax by painting on canvases. She paints mostly flowers, but has done a few other subjects as well. She also likes to  knit and crochet blankets and hats. She also enjoys sewing fun bags to give as gifts. 

If she is not busy being creative, she might be watching a mystery TV series.

Ryswyk teaches math and science

Amber Ryswyk is another of the new teachers at Southwest Christian High School. She teaches math, health, ag science, zoology, and integrated science. Her position is a new position at the school.

Prior to coming to SWC Amber taught for six years at the Teachwell Academy and one year at Breakthrough in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Teachwell is a non-profit educational co-op created by the South Dakota Public Schools. It specializes in alternative and special education. Amber explained that alternative education placements strive to teach the required curriculum, as well as address those areas where students are struggling in a traditional classroom. 

“Most often alternative education programs are put in place for students with behavioral problems and who are credit shy or truant,” she said. “It is the goal of alternative education to continue to meet the students’ educational needs as well as help the students to correct behavior and ultimately return to the regular school setting.”

While at Teachwell, Amber taught every kind of science class – there were over 11 different science options and she taught grades six through 11. 

Breakthrough was a similar program, with the added feature of mental health counseling. Amber helped to launch the Breakthrough program, which was designed to help students navigate why they didn’t fit into the traditional classroom environment.  She worked there for one year, enrolling and supervising high school students on their online classes and teaching all subjects for the middle school students. 

“School was hard for me while growing up,” Amber said. “I desire to be the teacher I needed as a student.” 

She added that relationships with students are her favorite part of being a teacher.

Amber is originally from Rock Valley, Iowa, but she had Edgerton connections. Her grandparents were Rolland and Johanna Mae (Mesman) Mulder. She graduated in 20?? from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in biology and a secondary education certification. 

Amber is married to Adam. They live north of Leota on the Ryswyk family farm. Adam also operates Ryswyk Repair. They have three children.  Shelby is 11, Cooper is 8, and Hudson is 5. They are all students at SWC.