About+the+instructor

=Information about Mr. Severson=

Professional Background
====The 2011-2012 school year will be my twelfth year teaching. My first two years teaching were in Postville, Iowa. My first year was in a second grade classroom and the second year I moved up to third grade. As much as I liked Postville, I felt that I wanted to move on and work towards my Master's Degree in Reading and Language Arts at the University of Northern Iowa (also where I received my undergraduate degree in 1999). I took a year off of teaching to pursue that goal and earned the degree in December of 2002. My coursework was finished by the summer of 2002 and I applied for a job in the Des Moines Public Schools. I started teaching Reading Intervention for students who were behind in reading but were not able to receive Special Education services. I taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Reading Intervention in my first eight years in Des Moines. I really enjoyed my work, but I felt I needed a change to keep myself fresh. Last year I taught 7th grade Language A. This year will be my first year teaching Math at the middle school level, but I am excited for that challenge. I hold a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.A. in Reading and Language Arts, and endorsements in Middle School, Reading, Social Studies, and Coaching.====

**Personal Background**
====I grew up in La Porte City, Iowa and graduated from Union High School in 1995. I am currently living in Huxley with my beautiful wife and two little girls. My wife is a United Methodist pastor in Huxley and Cambridge. We enjoy camping and going to baseball games (especially St. Louis Cardinals games) when we have the time. I also like to run, play softball, lift weights, and read.====