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Teacher Feature:
Annette Marchand |
December 1, 2008
Mrs. Annette Marchand graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a Bachelors of Fine Arts. Early in her education, she traveled abroad
with the Eurospring Program of MSUM which involved studying in Oxford for a month followed by a tour of France, Germany, Australia and Italy, which
immersed her in the arts and humanities. Upon returning to MSUM, she majored in the Fine Arts and studied several disciplines including Life Drawing,
Ceramics, Printmaking and Glassblowing. Her primary emphasis was in Painting and Drawing, and she took a Painting Internship in Scotland before earning
her first degree. In 1999, Mrs. Marchand returned to MSUM to earn a Bachelor of Science in Art Education. She is now licensed in both North Dakota and
Minnesota and has taught all ages—from kindergarten to college.
Her teaching experiences have included seven years at a certified high school for "At Risk" students, two semesters at Concordia College, and three years
at ND CDE. She has also been involved in a variety of Artist-in-Residence programs over the years. Distance education has inspired her to contribute her
experience and knowledge by developing new and revising old courses. Her first course, Creative Art and Design, was published this fall and is available
to anyone interested. It is a diverse course that allows students to work with a variety of mediums and apply the elements of art to their work in fresh,
innovative, and effective ways! Mrs. Marchand is currently revising the online Digital Photography class and is eager for students to begin using the new
course! Working at ND CDE has been an excellent experience and has allowed her to connect with students throughout the world!
Mrs. Marchand has two young children and enjoys volunteering in their classrooms, providing art instruction and hands-on assistance to the classroom teacher.
She is currently working on a pastel landscape series and attends a life drawing co-op weekly. Mrs. Marchand and her husband enjoy traveling and spending time
with their children. Summer activities include going to the beach, cooking, gardening, photographing nature, and drawing outdoors.
Personal Finance |
Code: H BU 1081 W |
December 1, 2008
Learn Valuable Life Skills by Taking Personal Finance!
No matter what your age, it is important to be financially responsible, and after taking ND CDE’s Personal Finance course, you will
become just that! First, you will learn the truths about money: how to budget, how to keep a checkbook and a filing system, how to
deal with debt and credit, and how to become a wiser consumer. You will also learn how money and the dynamics surrounding it affect
your relationships, your lifestyle, your present and future, and your retirement. If you are interested in improving your approach
to money matters, this is the course for you!
Teacher Feature:
Kathy Peil |
November 17, 2008
Kathy Peil, a North Dakota native, grew up in Bismarck. She received her teaching degree from Minot State University where she majored in Physical
Education. Mrs. Peil began her teaching career in a small community in Nebraska and taught a variety of classes during her 16 years there. As a
classroom teacher, she has taught Spanish, Physical Education, Driver Education, Psychology, Sociology, and Middle Level Social Studies. In addition,
she coached volleyball, basketball, and track.
Mrs. Peil began her study of Spanish at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which included an intense six weeks in Monterrey, Mexico. She then took
additional Spanish courses at Wayne State College in Nebraska. Upon moving back to Minnesota, Mrs. Peil finished a Spanish major at Minnesota State
University-Moorhead and earned a Master of Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Hispanic studies.
Mrs. Peil has taught Spanish with the ND Center for Distance Education since 1990. She enjoys having the opportunity to work with students from diverse
backgrounds. She particularly enjoys helping students with diverse needs continue their high school education through ND CDE: Olympic athletes, professional
skateboarders, musicians, song-writers, and students wanting advanced courses or courses not available in their own schools, for example. These individuals
are often highly motivated and eager to learn!
Mrs. Peil enjoys many outdoor activities including running, biking, hiking, kayaking, and spending time at the lake.
Teacher Feature:
Claire Althoff |
November 10, 2008
Claire Althoff graduated from North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, with a BS in Home Economics Education. She then earned a Masters
of Education from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Mrs. Althoff has 10 years of teaching experience and 20 years experience
as an Extension Educator with the U of MN Extension Service. Mrs. Althoff currently teaches all of the Center’s Family and Consumer courses
and indicates that she “enjoys helping students learn valuable life skills that they can use now and in the years ahead.”
Mrs. Althoff thoroughly enjoys writing and has co-authored a variety of curricular and marketing materials for a variety of agencies and businesses.
Additionally, she has written case studies for Microsoft! Mrs. Althoff enjoys both writing and teaching, and points out that working at ND CDE allows
her to combine both of those passions.
Mrs. Althoff enjoys spending time with her three grown children and also likes reading, walking, baking, canning, and playing board games and Sudoku.
Fashion Design |
Code: H AR 2051 P |
November 10, 2008
Do You Love Fashion?
Then Fashion Design is the course for you! Shapes and colors and how they affect design is one of the main focuses of this course.
Additionally, you will study spacing, dominant shapes, proportions, optical illusions, shapes and lines, color combinations, fabric
types, and accessories. You will also learn how different body types impact design techniques. The history and roots of fashion
are also explored. Best of all, you will actually get to apply course concepts to create your own layouts and design projects.
So, sign up now!
ND CDE Gearing Up for National Distance Learning Week! |
November 3, 2008
National Distance Learning Week (NDLW), sponsored by the United States Distance Learning Association, will take place November 10-14, 2008.
According to the USDLA, National Distance Learning Week is being celebrated to promote the tremendous growth and accomplishments of distance
learning programs currently being offered by schools, businesses, and governmental departments. At this time, over 3.5 million college
students are currently taking online course and/or earning online college degrees! In addition, over 700,000 high school students are taking
one or more courses online, and nearly 40 states have established state-wide or state-led virtual schools! Michigan became the first state in
2007 to require high school students take at least one online course for graduation, and other states have proposed similar legislation. It
may be hard to believe, but today you can earn just about any degree online (high school, associate, undergraduate, and graduate) from dozens
of schools and colleges across the United States.
Distance learning allows you to learn from home, from work, or anywhere else without commuting. You study when it's convenient for you. Distance
learning engages students in ways a traditional lecture can't by incorporating the latest educational technology to help students increase
comprehension. Lessons are interactive, engaging, and effective. For example, you can pull up a streaming video, sit in a virtual classroom,
collaborate on a group project, listen to a podcast, take part in a discussion board or chat group, e-mail your fellow classmates, or instant
message your professor. Distance learning students may not be at a particular school or on campus, but they are engaged and continually connecting.
Take a moment to see what North Dakota has to offer online! And if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jon Skaare, State Director, at
Jon.Skaare@sendit.nodak.edu
Teacher Feature:
Walt Valovage |
November 3, 2008
Walt Valovage graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a double major in biochemistry and biology. He attended
graduate school at the University of Minnesota, earning both a master’s degree and Ph.D. in entomology (the study of insects).
Minor programs of study included microbiology, statistics, and forestry. He obtained his teaching certificate from North Dakota
State University. He also holds a master’s degree in educational administration from North Dakota State University.
Dr. Valovage worked for 15 years as a scientist before becoming a teacher. He has taught secondary school science and college level
courses at several institutions. He lives in West Fargo, ND, with his wife. They have three grown sons.
A life-long learner, Dr. Valovage continues to take courses in education. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family,
reading science fiction, bird watching, and gardening.
World History I & II |
Code: H SS 2011 W |
Code: H SS 2012 W |
November 3, 2008
These two courses will guide you along the path of human development beginning with pre-history and the rise of civilizations in
Asia, Africa, the Middle East, as well as the Americas, and later, in Europe. The story of each one of these regions is told to
the point of industrialization and revolution through the end of the twentieth century.
History helps explain many of the things you do today. The 1100s in Europe may seem like a long time ago, but when you graduate
from high school, your robe will be patterned after the scholarly dress of that time. The people of ancient Athens lived more than
2500 years ago, yet our form of government is based on the democracy they developed. Moreover, world history provides the chance
for you to learn from the experiences of people in the past. You may learn things that didn't help them and may avoid making the
same mistakes.
"History repeats itself..." is an old saying. Sometimes that is good, sometimes it is not. Take advantage of all the "tools" —like
the Discovery Education videos—offered to you as you study this world history course. You'll make your own history as you absorb
your past.
World History I
World History II
ND CDE Student Spotlight:
Lenka Craigova |
October 27, 2008
Lenka Craigova was born in Litomysl, Czech Republic and lived there until she was almost two years old.
Her mom was born in the Czech Republic (then Czechoslovakia) but has since become a naturalized US citizen.
Her dad was born in Philadelphia but became a Czech citizen in 1995. So, all three of them are dual-nationals
of the Czech Republic and the United States!
Lenka makes her home in Juneau, Alaska, but is currently staying with host parents in Kladno, Czech Republic,
where she plays goalie for a women's hockey team that competes in the Czech National Woman’s League. Lenka
also plays for a boys’ team. She typically plays two to three games per week and practices an average of
eight times per week.
In addition to her studies with ND CDE, she attends a Czech high school called "Sportovni Gymnazium," which is
a high school specializing in sport and physical culture. Most of Lenka’s classmates are elite athletes and members
of the Czech National teams in various sports. She attends the school as a regular Czech student but works on her
courses from ND CDE during class in order to obtain the required high school credits for college. Lenka is currently
taking English Language and Composition, Biology, Geometry, and Alaska Studies—all subjects which she enjoys—from ND CDE!
By taking distance education courses, Lenka says that she is able to “get the credits I need to complete high school and
prepare for college while living in a foreign country.” She indicated that she didn't feel comfortable enough with her
Czech language skills to attend a Czech high school and do well, so even though she attends the local high school there,
she is able to complete all her work in English through ND CDE!
Lenka says that she likes the flexibility of doing her work independently. She appreciates the fact that she can work ahead
or take a break when she feels she should. “I don't have to waste any time going over material I already know and can dedicate
more time to the more challenging subjects. The deadlines are reasonable and thus far have been easy to meet—which eliminates
a lot of stress.”
In her spare time, Lenka enjoys playing the guitar, cooking, refereeing youth hockey games on weekends, and training the family’s
search and rescue dog. In addition, last year she was a member of a competitive mathematics team, and she is looking forward to
taking part in that again when she returns to Alaska after the hockey season. Lenka says that she currently speaks English and Czech
but would like to learn Russian because she plans to teach at the Czech International Hockey Camp in the summer.
After Lenka graduates from high school, she would like to go on to a college or university and play for a women's ice hockey team.
In addition, she would like to study medicine and ultimately become an orthopedic surgeon.
Teacher Feature:
Dianne Scott |
October 27, 2008
Mrs. Dianne Scott grew up in Regent, ND, and earned a B. A. in English and M. A. in English from North Dakota
State University in Fargo, North Dakota. Mrs. Scott began her teaching career at Oak Grove Lutheran High School
in Fargo, North Dakota. After teaching for two years, she took a hiatus to raise her family. Mrs. Scott returned
to teaching part-time in 1993 and accepted a full-time position at ND CDE in 1999.
In addition to her teaching duties, Mrs. Scott enjoys developing curriculum. Mrs. Scott has authored and co-authored
six courses including Freshman Literature, Freshman Language and Composition, Classic Novel, Contemporary Novel, World
Literature, and AP English Literature and Composition, Second Semester.
Besides the responsibilities of teaching English coupled with course writing responsibilities, Mrs. Scott has served on
several committees including the Graduation Committee, the Scholarship Committee as past chair, the Marketing Committee,
and the CITA Accreditation Committee. Mrs. Scott is also a member of NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) and
ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). Currently, Mrs. Scott is taking a professional development online
course at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Mrs. Scott notes that “one of the highlights of teaching at ND CDE is working with students from every state in the union
and students from around the world, where every day is a new and exciting experience!”
When Mrs. Scott is not teaching, she enjoys reading, singing, dancing, traveling, gardening, and horseback riding.
But most of all, Mrs. Scott enjoys spending time with her family and friends in the great outdoors.
Essential Mathematics, Algebra and Geometry Concepts |
Code: H MA 1112 M |
October 27, 2008
Teacher Feature:
Jim Haluska |
October 20, 2008
As a graduate of Valley City State University, Valley City, North Dakota, Mr. Haluska started his
teaching career at Hurdsfield, ND, in 1973. He taught business, driver education, and coached girls
basketball. It was the school’s first girls’ team since the 1950s, so it was a very interesting year,
although they did win over half their games. In 1976 he became the school’s superintendent, taught
business, driver education, and coached both boys and girls basketball.
In 1980 Mr. Haluska started teaching at ND CDE. He took a leave-of-absence in 1993 to teach at Memorial
High School in McAllen, Texas. “Teaching in a different culture was a fabulous learning experience,” he stated.
Mr. Haluska is very involved with driver education. At one time while teaching at ND CDE, he taught driver education
in schools across the state during the summer months. He currently serves on the state board for the North Dakota
Driver and Traffic Education Association.
While at ND CDE, Mr. Haluska has taught business, physical education, driver education, social studies, and math. He has
authored over 25 courses for ND CDE.
Away from ND CDE, you would probably find him with his cowboy hat and boots on getting dirty on the farm. He really
likes to ride horse and attends as many rodeos as he can. He also enjoys working out and plays a little golf.
Junior Language and Composition |
Code: H EN 1071 M |
October 20, 2008
Need an Additional English Credit?
Junior Language and Composition may be the class for you! The focus of this course is clear,
effective written and spoken English. Spelling, mechanics, and grammar are reinforced as each
student advances through the prewriting, writing, revising, and publishing stages of essay
development; persuasive, descriptive, evaluative, and informative essays; articles; and reviews.
Critical and evaluative thinking is emphasized. A thesis paper that focuses on a topic of interest
to the student is required using MLA (Modern Language Association) documentation. Emphasis is given
to public speaking as each student plans and presents recorded speeches to develop confidence in
spoken expression.
Teacher Feature:
Jill Daignault |
October 13, 2008
Jill Daignault was born and grew up in Moorhead, MN. She graduated from Moorhead High School and went
on to earn her B.S. in Social Studies education from Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, MN.
Mrs. Daignault was a Social Studies instructor at Detroit Lakes High School in Detroit Lakes, MN and was
also the prom advisor during her two years there.
In the summer of 2004 Mrs. Daignault changed the course of her teaching career to distance education and
began working for the North Dakota Center for Distance Education (ND CDE), teaching Social Studies.
Mrs. Daignault has taught a variety of social studies courses and is always eager to teach new and different
courses every fall. In addition to teaching social studies courses, Mrs. Daignault has written Law and Justice
during the 05-06 school year, AP U.S. History during the 06-07 school year, and Alaska Studies during the 07-08
school year. “These were all very challenging, but were also an exciting and fulfilling project for me to complete,”
says Mrs. Daignault. “These rank right up there as three of my greatest professional accomplishments,” she continued.
Besides her daily responsibilities of teaching and course writing, Mrs. Daignault is a part of several teams here at ND CDE.
Mrs. Daignault is not only the chair of her department, but also the chair of the CITA Steering Committee, which strives for
never-ending school improvement for our accreditation process. In addition, Mrs. Daignault is a co-chair member of the Graduation
Committee and a member of the Social Committee for ND CDE. On top of her involvement at ND CDE, Mrs. Daignault is also a member of
the ND Geographic Alliance.
Mrs. Daignault and her husband, along with her two step-daughters enjoy movies, traveling and spending time at the lakes during the
summer months. She also enjoys scrap booking, cleaning, baking, reading, and knitting. One of Mrs. Daignault’s favorite past times
is relaxing and spending quality time with her FIVE cats (Fatty, Cheeto, Kinsey, Sable, and Squirrely) and her TWO dogs (St. Bernard,
Taylor and Chocolate Lab, Beau). Mrs. Daignault is also actively involved in singing for various occasions including weddings, funerals,
and professional gatherings and events.
Biology I & II |
Code: H SC 3021 W |
Code: H SC 3022 W |
October 13, 2008
In Biology, first and second semester, the student will gain a basic understanding of the science of life
including chemical and physical processes of living organisms and current theories of life's origins. In
the first half of the course, students will study cells, photosynthesis, genetics and heredity, evolution,
ecology, and microbiology. In the second half of the course, students will study of plants, invertebrate
and vertebrate animals, and human biology.
Laboratory experiments are designed to enhance learning with hand-on activities.
Biology I
Biology II
Teacher Feature:
Lorraine Michels |
October 6, 2008
Mrs. Lorraine Michels grew up in Drayton, ND, and attended Mayville State University. There,
she received a BS in Mathematics and Business Education.
Mrs. Michels taught in Saratoga, WY, and Edmore, ND, early on in her career. She then moved to
Northwood, ND, where she was an accountant for several years. After that, Mrs. Michels decided
to return to teaching and accepted a position in Warwick, ND, where she taught for 10 years.
Two years ago, Mrs. Michels and her family decided to move to Fargo, ND, and that’s when she
began teaching at ND CDE.
In addition to teaching, Mrs. Michels enjoys developing curriculum. Last year, she wrote Essential
Mathematics and Algebra and Geometry Concepts, and this year she is developing an accounting course!
Mrs. Michels is also co-chair of ND CDE’s Accreditation Committee (CITA).
In regard to her job at ND CDE, she says that she loves having the opportunity to “experience new methods
of teaching.” Mrs. Michels works with students in both print and online courses, and last year, she also
taught students through ITV. She indicates that student diversity “is a great asset” to any educational system.
Mrs. Michels loves the outdoors and spends a great deal of time at the lakes in the summer. She also enjoys reading.
She is married to Steve Michels and has four children (3 sons and 1 daughter) and two granddaughters. Her family also
has two "teddy bear" dogs named Theodore and Charlie, both of whom are spoiled rotten!
ND CDE Student Spotlight -
Indigo Beck |
October 6, 2008
Indigo Beck, a homeschooled student from Palmer, Alaska, says, "Sending in my [home]work over
e-mail and getting back the scores is pretty cool." She likes her Current Events class because
it helps her "focus more on the things that are going on in the world." She adds, "I really like
my teacher—a lot of teachers think that if they are never satisfied with your work, then you will
try harder, but for me, the encouragement makes me more eager for my class each day." In addition,
Indigo says that she enjoys being homeschooled. "I can do my work on my own time[…]"
When she’s not working on her studies, Indigo loves riding her horse, JoBey. She reports riding every
day that she can, and right now, they are learning to jump! When Indio first got JoBey, he hadn't been
ridden in four years, so he was considered wild. It took a while to get him back to being a good riding
horse, but now when she rides JoBey, she feels like a part of him. She explains, "It's not just about me
riding and being carried, it's us working together, putting our movements together, and understanding
each other that's special." Indigo has many other family pets, including four Siberian Huskies, a Border
Collie, a Brittany puppy, two cats, and a lizard!
In addition to riding and taking care of all her animals, Indigo likes to play ice hockey. As of last
season, she had the best statistics of any other girl goalie her age in the region. This year, Indy
has chosen to play on a team with her sister, and she says, "This team isn't as serious [as last year’s],
and it's kind of fun skating out."
In the future, Indigo hopes to attend Canyon View Equestrian Bible College in Silverton, Oregon.
Teacher Feature:
Jocelyn Kolle |
September 29, 2008
Jocelyn Kolle grew up in Williston, ND where she attended Williston High School. After high school
she attended Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, MN where she earned her Bachelor of
Science degree in Secondary Social Studies education. Mrs. Kolle was a substitute teacher for five
months in Fargo, ND, before starting her job at the Center for Distance Education.
Mrs. Kolle teaches a variety of social studies courses and is always eager to have the chance to
teach new subjects. She has a particular interest in psychology, but enjoys all fields in the
social sciences curriculum. Mrs. Kolle just finished writing Middle Level World Geography which
she described as “a challenging but exciting adventure.” Mrs. Kolle is also the newest member
of the ND CDE online curriculum team and is also a member of the social committee. Mrs. Kolle
indicated that she “enjoys working with students from around the world and likes the fact
that no two days are exactly the same.”
Besides teaching and learning more about social studies, Mrs. Kolle enjoys reading, writing,
movies, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. She particularly enjoys
golfing, camping, and fishing during the summer months. When she has time she also likes to
do scrapbooking and make video slide shows on her computer for friends and family.
Creative Art and Design |
Code: H AR 2141 P |
September 29, 2008
The North Dakota Center for Distance Education is pleased to release Creative Art and Design,
a brand new, hands on art course! In this course students will gain an understanding of the
elements of art and the principals of design and will use this understanding to view and create
their own works of art. Students will explore line through contour drawing, produce rhythm and
movement in their work with optical illusions, and will also work with spatial depth through
perspective drawings. The students will complete a variety of projects involving pattern and
design—including making marbled clay bead jewelry and tie dye clothing.
Enroll Today!
Auto Fundamentals |
Code: H TE 2021 M |
September 22, 2008
Essential Mathematics
Reasoning and Logical Concepts |
Code: H MA 1111 M |
September 15, 2008
British Literature
ND CDE featured course |
Code: H EN 2121 W |
September 9, 2008
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