Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote these interviews.
Heather Goeke, Southside 3rd Grade
The Northern Illinois region is home to Heather Goeke. She happily returns to teach the third grade of Southside School in Morrison Community District #6. Born in Dakota, IL, she finished her High School education at Lena-Winslow High School.
She earned a Bachelor degree in Business Management at Baker University in Baldwin City, KS. Goeke is working on a Masters degree in Education from the University of Central Missouri. Heather is looking forward to returning to Northern Illinois and being with family again.
Students can expect her to be a fun, energetic instructor and always know they are in a safe environment in her classroom. Parents should feel the same comfort when dealing with her. She is flexible and desiring to build a partnership in their students’ learning.
Goeke notes, “I encourage parents to call and/or email with concerns, to make sure we are all working together.”
Away from the classroom, Heather enjoys running and often participates in local 5K races. Her love of animals often finds her on the dairy farm, assisting with chores when available.
Kelly Holland, MJHS Counselor
Kelly Holland, Morrison Junior High School Counselor, is excited to return to the area where she grew up. Being a Fulton High School graduate, the area and school are very familiar, and the return is welcome.
Kelly earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Dubuque, and followed that with a Masters Degree in School Counseling from Loras College, both in Dubuque, IA. The Counseling area interested her due to the mentoring of the Fulton High School Counselor.
Her responsibilities are to assist the students in challenges within the school, but includes society in general.
Kelly states, “Society says, ‘Be You!,’ and I have to assist them in figuring out who “You” is. Many students struggle with anxiety. I hope to help them overcome barriers, so they can be successful in the classroom. I work with students on things they can change and things they have control of.”
Parents are welcome to use Kelly as a resource for communicating with their student. She is “open to ideas” on communication, so parents are urged to stop in and discuss their concerns related to their student.
“I’m here for them too,” she noted.
Kelly is a veteran of four years of playing on the Fulton High School Volleyball team and will use her skills and knowledge of the game as the Fresh-Soph Volleyball Coach. She says, “I love volleyball!”
Jessica Prowant, NS Counselor
Jessica Prowant joins the staff at Northside as the Student Counselor and is “excited to be here.” She earned a Psychology degree from Olivet Nazarene University and later added a Masters degree in Counseling.
“I want to help kids understand their feelings and find a positive response to what they are feeling,” Jessica responded with a smile. Continuing, she offered, “Instead of anger, I want kids to channel that energy into something that is not going to hurt anyone.”
She grew up in a Milledgeville, IL, household with education as a mainstay, due to her mother’s career as a teacher. Jessica noticed kids struggling, and she wanted to help. “If we help early, they take it with them and become happy, functional adults,” she noted with a positive smile.
Jessica has been married four years and is a mother of a two-year old boy. Family and enjoying the time together tops her list for entertainment.
“I love being outdoors, and if I can be with family, it makes it even better.”
Excitement surrounds her every comment. She wants her students to feel the excitement and know they can trust her in sharing their feelings. An “open door” is also available for the parents, as she hopes to become another resource for family concerns.
“I’m excited to be here and to help kids work through their problems and develop a positive response,” she offered in closing.