As we continue into May, 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 first part of May we are featuring our wonderful SPED Department!
Mrs. Sara Davis- Special Education Teacher
How long have you been at Rickard?: This is my first year.
Tell us about your family: I am married to my amazing husband named Chad. We have three daughters. Amelia is 5 years old and loves to talk, sing and dance. Grae is 4 years old and is very compassionate and inquisitive. Willa is 2 years old and is funny like her dad and loves to chase her sisters. We also have two big dogs named Ginger and Doodles.
What’s your favorite type of vacation/vacation destination?: We love taking family vacations in Florida!
What’s your favorite tv show/series?: All shows on Bravo!
What’s your go-to coffee/drink order?: Oat milk latte with sugar free syrup!
What’s your favorite part of Rickard?: I love how welcoming all of my co-workers were when I first started. I enjoy all of fun that the staff creates for the students. This truly is a fun and exciting place to come everyday!
Ms. Tammy DeBoe- Special Education Paraprofessional
How long have you been at Rickard?: This is my 8th year at Rickard! I hope to stay at Rickard until I retire.
Tell us about your family: We were foster parents for many years, so we had 49 kids during that time! We adopted 8, so I have 10 kids total. I also have 3 grandchildren.
What’s your favorite type of vacation/vacation destination?: My favorite season is fall, so my favorite vacation would be a big cabin in the mountains with all my kids.
What’s your favorite tv show/series?: My favorite tv show is the Big Bang Theory! But my favorite thing to do is read.
What’s your go-to coffee/drink order?: My favorite drinks are Diet Coke and frozen hot chocolate.
What’s your favorite part of Rickard?: My favorite part of Rickard is the family feeling. The support that the staff, students, and parents have for each other is awesome. Everyone comes together to make Rickard the best place to work, for students to learn, and for parents to feel safe to send their children.
Ms. Courtney Brudwick- Special Education Paraprofessional
How long have you been at Rickard?: 6 months
Tell us about your family: My daughter Samantha is 23 years old, and she works at McDonalds. I have a 4 year old yellow lab named Molly and a gray fluffy cat named Smokey (Not sure how old he is). My parents Larry and Debbie live here in Williston, my brother lives in Bottineau, and my sister lives in Gillette, WY with her family.
What’s your favorite type of vacation/vacation destination?: Staying in a cabin by a lake/river that I can go swimming, hiking trails, horse back riding or just sitting outside reading a book.
What’s your favorite tv show/series?: FRIENDS
What’s your go-to coffee/drink order?: Iced coffee with dark chocolate and cold foam with extra espresso shot.
What’s your favorite part of Rickard?: I like that everyone is so friendly, helpful and we have fun!
Ms. Alice Etzel-Special Education Paraprofessional
How long have you been at Rickard?: This is my first year.
Tell us about your family: I live with Jason, my boyfriend of 17yrs. My son Kaden, who is 8yrs old, is a student at Rickard in Mrs. Larson's 2nd grade class and I also have a daughter, Lauren, who is 22yrs old. We have a black cat named Pepper. I have lived in Williston since I was in 3rd grade and was also a Rickard Roadrunner!
What’s your favorite type of vacation/vacation destination?: Any place outdoors.
What’s your go-to coffee/drink order?: Coffee or diet Pepsi
What’s your favorite part of Rickard?: I love that everyone is so willing to help each other out. The students are awesome and I have had so many great laughs with my co-workers.
Mrs. Kirsten Havskjold- Special Education Paraprofessional
How long have you been at Rickard?: This is my first year at Rickard but I’ve wanted to work here ever since my son was here in kindergarten. I just had to wait until both kids were school aged! It has been worth the wait!
Tell us about your family: My husband, Kelly, and I have been married for 17 years! We have two kids who love to be involved in things! Amaias is 12 and is in 6th grade. He is also a Rickard alumni! He stays busy with wrestling and soccer. Isabella is 6 and a kindergartner at Rickard. I love that I get to see her throughout the day! She loves dance and soccer.
What’s your favorite type of vacation/vacation destination?: Anywhere warm and with water! I grew up in California and am a beach girl at heart.
What’s your favorite tv show/series?: I’m not a big tv watcher but I’ll binge on a good mystery or drama Netflix series.
What’s your go-to coffee/drink order?: Dirty spiced chai or a dry cappuccino
What’s your favorite part of Rickard?: I love our school family!
Mrs. Emily Barnard- Special Education Paraprofessional
How long have you been at Rickard?: I have been with Rickard since November 2021.
Tell us about your family: I have an amazing family. It consists of my wonderful husband, Scott. We have been married for 15 years. We have two beautiful boys, Gilbert who is 9 and Maxwell who is 7. We have a labradoodle named Sadie. I grew up in North Eastern Ohio and my husband grew up in Utah and Idaho. We met each other at college. As a family we love to go on road trips, spend time at the beach by the ocean, explore zoo’s and aquarium’s, play board games, visit extended family, and watch movies and baking shows together.
What’s your favorite type of vacation/vacation destination?: I love exploring new parts of the country with my family.
What’s your go-to coffee/drink order?: Water or Real Lemonade 😉
What’s your favorite part of Rickard?: I love that Rickard is warm and welcoming. My family moved here mid school year last year and we were welcomed in like family. Mr. Klassen sets the tone for the school and the rest of the staff are amazing, kind, and helpful. Rickard does ROCK!
Mr. Jeff Dornfield- Special Education Paraprofessional
How long have you been at Rickard?: 5 months
Tell us about your family: I have been married to my wife, Kami, for almost 15 years. We have 2 fun-loving boys: Kelson (11) is a 5th grader at Bakken Elementary and Kaseton (8) is in 2nd grade here at Rickard.
What’s your favorite type of vacation/vacation destination?: My favorite type of vacation is going to a beach and anything involving water and excitement. I love fishing, golfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
What’s your favorite tv show/series: SportsCenter or any live sporting event.
What’s your go-to coffee/drink order?: Peanut butter and banana smoothie or black coffee
What’s your favorite part of Rickard?: My favorite part of Rickard is working with a staff that is so willing to step in and help each other when needed. And, of course, the kids keep our days exciting!
Mrs. Cindy Invento- Special Education Teacher
How long have you been at Rickard?: This is my 1st year as a Roadrunner.
Tell us about your family: My family is from the Philippines. My family moved to Williston last 2016. This is my 6th year teaching in town. I have a son and a daughter. Zig just turned 5 years old and is attending preschool. Zoie is 20 months old. They keep me and my husband John super busy, but at the same time give us so much joy in our hearts. They are my pride and joy.
What’s your favorite tv show/series?: I like watching Korean drama series.
What’s your go-to coffee/drink order?: I like Thai Boba tea. Or any drink that has Boba on it. I'm a Boba lover!
What’s your favorite part of Rickard?: My favorite part of Rickard is the students that I work with. They are a joy to have. Every mistake we do is a learning experience and we just smile over our frustrations. We keep moving until we reach our goal at a pace that everyone can be successful. I gained a lot from knowing them and it is a privilege to get to work with such RESPECTFUL children. Kudos to their parents.
Mrs. Faye Rosland- Special Education Paraprofessional
How long have you been at Rickard?: Almost 2 years
Tell us about your family: I have a loving and caring husband, a thoughtful son, and two beautiful daughters.
What’s your favorite type of vacation/vacation destination?: Somewhere tropical and the Philippines
What’s your favorite tv show/series?: HGTV
Ms. Sandra Johnson- Special Education Paraprofessional
How long have you been at Rickard?: Eight years.
Tell us about your family: I have a daughter Kristen and her husband Chase, and three grandkids, Gannon, Briley, and Daxon.
What’s your favorite type of vacation/vacation destination?: Disney World in Florida
What’s your favorite tv show/series?: I don’t have one.
What’s your go-to coffee/drink order?: Dr. Strawberry smoothies.
What’s your favorite part of Rickard?: Working with students and watching them grow in different areas.