We are halfway through the school year, and we are continuing our monthly spotlight on our amazing Rickard staff. Each month we will be highlighting a different team that makes a huge and crucial impact on our students. This month we are featuring our wonderful 2nd Grade team, including Jessa Conlin, Shelley Larson, Deanna Vasquez, Diane Hagen, Tammie Brock, and Dusti Seidel.
Mrs. Jessa Conlin- 2nd Grade Teacher
How long have you been at Rickard?: This is my second year.
Tell us about your family: Hello everyone! I am married to my high school sweetheart, Tanner Conlin. We have a second-grade son, Ryder, and a three-nager daughter, Navy Mae. We keep busy with hockey, dance, baseball, kayaking, and so many other activities!
What’s your favorite food?: I love allllll food, but pizza is my go to.
What’s your favorite animal?: White tiger!
What’s your go-to coffee/drink order?: I love London Fogs or any kind of Zinger!
What’s your favorite part of Rickard?: I love the school family at Rickard. Everyone is so welcoming and inviting. I subbed for two years before teaching full-time, and I knew that this was the school that I wanted to work at. We refer to the students as "our kids" and we all play a part in their education. It takes a village!
Mrs. Shelley Larson- 2nd Grade Teacher
How long have you been at Rickard?: I have been privileged to work here since 2006.
Tell us about your family: I have been married to Jeff since 1993. We met while we were going to school at Dickinson State in the fall of 1991! Go Blue Hawks! My son, Kasey, works at Williston State College in the Adult Learning Center as an administrative assistant/test proctor. My daughter, Kylie, is attending WSC as a freshman and playing softball for the Tetons. We have a Cavalier/Cocker puppy named Ruby. We enjoy spending time at the lake on our pontoon and attending events in Williston.
What’s your favorite food?: I love chocolate, fresh walleye from Lake Sakajawea and deep dish pizza!
What’s your favorite animal?: I love bees! They can fly 20 mph and have 5 eyes!
What’s your go-to coffee/drink order?: I am not a big coffee person (probably the only teacher on the planet), but I LOVE frozen hot chocolate with whipped cream!
What’s your favorite part of Rickard?: It has been a privilege to have been a part of the Rickard Roadrunner crew since 2006. My favorite aspect of our school family is that we all work together not only for students, but for each other! We lift each other up and work through difficulties as a team.
Mrs. Deanna Vasquez- 2nd Grade Teacher
How long have you been at Rickard?: 1st year at Rickard
Tell us about your family: I have been married for 9 years and have two kiddos. Ainslee is 8 and Tripp is 5. My husband and I are originally from Louisiana and have been in North Dakota for 10 years. We love to spend time together and go camping in the summer. My favorite hobby is bowling and binge watching shows on Netflix.
What’s your favorite food?: Fajitas or any kind of hot chip
What’s your favorite animal?: Giraffe
What’s your go-to coffee/drink order?: Dessert pear, pomegranate, and blackberry red bull zinger with cream
What’s your favorite part of Rickard?: I love the unity that Rickard has throughout the school. Everyone is so friendly and always willing to lend a helping hand. We are definitely a family.
Mrs. Diane Hagen - 2nd Grade Paraprofessional
How long have you been at Rickard?: 7 years
Tell us about your family: My husband’s name is John. We have one child and her name is Whitney. She is married to Brody Monson. I have 2 Grandsons and 2 Granddaughters. We have a dog named Kirby.
What’s your favorite food?: Salads all kinds
What’s your favorite animal?: Dog
What’s your go-to coffee/drink order?: Spiced chai tea
What’s your favorite part of Rickard?: All the people.
Mrs. Tammie Brock- 2nd Grade Paraprofessional
How long have you been at Rickard?: I have worked at Rickard since the fall of 2021.
Tell us about your family: I am married to the love of my life, Randy. We've been married for just over nine years, and together we've raised EIGHT children! Randy has four sons and two daughters and I have two daughters. Two of our 13 grandchildren live with us. Talon and Isaac (twins) are in the 3rd grade at Rickard. Isaac loves reading and soccer, Talon loves basketball and riding his bike. I love watching them grow and am so proud of them! Chloe, our Chesapeake Bay Retriever, is the best dog we've ever had. She loves her family and is incredibly loyal. I moved to Williston in 2018 from Sturgis, SD. I started with WPSD#1 in 2018, and my husband has worked in the Williston area since 2010.
What’s your favorite food?: Mexican food
What’s your favorite animal?: Dogs
What’s your go-to coffee/drink order?: Skinny iced caramel macchiato
What’s your favorite part of Rickard?: The way you feel when you walk through the doors! Rickard is the most welcoming place I've worked. I was blessed when I got my job at Rickard! I love going to work to see my co-workers and to see the kids.
Ms. Dusti Seidel- 2nd Grade Paraprofessional
How long have you been at Rickard?: 3.5 years in the district and 1.5 years at Rickard
Tell us about your family: My family is the best part of me! My dad's name is Corey, and he’s there every time I get a flat tire on the way to school, which has happened more than I’d like to admit! I know I can always count on him. My mom's name is Kristi. She’s definitely one of a kind and has always been a rock in my life. I have three brothers, two sister-in-laws and 4 nieces/nephews! Kendall, who’s married to my sister-in-law Tiffany have my two beautiful nieces, Audrey and Amelia. Dominic, who’s married to my sister-in-law Tia have my handsome nephews, Jackson and Tarren. My youngest brother's name is Dalton, and he doesn’t have any kids yet, but he does have a dog named Kota. Our family is full of animals, so there’s too many to name! But I will name my special dogs, Harlow Louis and Haven May. Harlow is 4 years old and Haven is 1! I’ve had Harlow since she was a puppy and just rescued Haven last February when she was three months old.
What’s your favorite food?: Salads!
What’s your favorite animal?: Elephant
What’s your go-to coffee/drink order?: Raspberry Cantaloupe lotus with cream!
What’s your favorite part of Rickard?: My favorite part of Rickard is the staff and the students! The staff is so much like a family. Coming to work everyday feels just like home. The students are also just like family! I love coming to work everyday and receiving all of the love and hugs. It truly is the best job, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else!