Casey Dahl-New Student Teacher at Clearbrook-Gonvick School
Tue, 02/12/2019 - 10:08am
admin
By:
Bonnie Kirchman
Casey Dahl is taking the next step in preparing for his career as an educator by student teaching at Clearbrook-Gonvick Schools. He began in Mrs. Laura Dahl’s fourth grade classroom on January 2, 2019. Although the two share the same last name, Casey Dahl and Laura Dahl are not related.
Mr. Dahl grew up near Lake Itasca and has one brother, Zach. He graduated from Bagley High School in 2005. He has attended Northwest Technical College and is currently enrolled in on-line classes at Western Governors University. One of his favorite memories from his own school experiences is a 6th grade overnight trip that included visits to the Minnesota Zoo and the Museum of Natural History. While he attended Bagley High School, he enjoyed athletics and was on the football, basketball, and baseball teams. During his high school years, he also enjoyed hanging out with his friends.
Prior job experiences for Mr. Dahl include being a contractor, doing tile work, logging, and working in a restaurant. His decision to enter the field of education was long-coming. Mr. Dahl has always liked the classroom setting and working with young people. But it was his experiences in coaching, first as a flag football coach for 5th and 6th graders and now as a high school baseball coach that really directed him into the teaching field. Mr. Dahl credits coaching for making his transition into education easier than it might have been.
Because Mr. Dahl has worked as a coach and as a paraprofessional in the Bagley School District, he hasn’t encountered too many surprises as a student teacher. One thing he didn’t realize is how difficult classroom management can be for an educator. He feels teachers make managing behavior and the many activities going on in a classroom look effortless and he gives them a great deal of credit for their skills in managing a class.
While classroom management can be a challenge, Mr. Dahl truly enjoys working with the fourth grade students. He appreciates being with them and relating to them as young adults. The best part of Mr. Dahl’s experience in his first month of student teaching is being with the kids and building relationships with them.
Mr. Dahl’s wife Cassie teaches 5th grade at Bagley Elementary. Their daughter Emersyn will be 2 years old in April. As a student teacher, he doesn’t have a lot of free time. But when he does, he especially enjoys spending it with his family. Jumping on the trampoline or hanging out by the pool, floating with little Emersyn are some activities he likes to do with family. He also does some deer hunting.
When he completes his education, Mr. Dahl would like to teach in Clearwater County or the surrounding area. Meanwhile, we hope he enjoys his time at the Clearbrook-Gonvick school!