Jennifer Wyckoff by: Tawni Batesole - 7th-grade student at DMS
For the Humans of Dickinson project, I chose Miss Wyckoff. She is the librarian at Jefferson Elementary. I chose her because she worked with me throughout K-5 grade. She was the first paraprofessional I worked with. She is the sweetest person I have ever met. She always knew how to calm me down and help me when I was in need. Miss Wyckoff always thought of me when she was gone on a trip and would bring a gift back for me.
In her spare time she enjoys walking her dog and taking pictures of horses in the Badlands. She likes going to concerts (Celtic Thunder) and enjoys reading. Jefferson is lucky to have Miss Wyckoff working with the teachers and students at the school. I am lucky that I was able to work with her.
Brittany Berger by: Kenna Nauman - 8th-grade student at DMS
Brittany Berger is like a ray of sunshine, brightening people’s lives in the darkest of times. She is passionate about teaching language arts and cares deeply about her students. Ms. Berger brings so much enthusiasm to the classroom; chances are you just might find her standing on a desk while reading a book or giving a lecture.
Brittany Berger was born and raised in Dickinson. She attended Trinity catholic schools elementary through high school. She always had a fondness for reading and learning growing up and that inspired her to become a language teacher. Brittany’s favorite teacher was her junior and senior year religion teacher Father Hochhalter. He cared about his students which made his class more enjoyable. Ms. Berger cares about her students the same way. After highschool, Brittany attended Dickinson State University to become a teacher. She is currently in grad school at the University of Iowa and plans to graduate in August.
Ms. Berger describes the people of Dickinson as friendly and she loves seeing people she knows in the community. She believes that a good citizen of Dickinson is someone who values the people, not the things that Dickinson has. The pandemic has affected both the community of Dickinson and Brittany’s job. She stays positive through these tough times and continues to enjoy her students and make the most of each day. “It’s brought everybody together,” says Ms. Berger, referring to the coronavirus and hybrid learning.
Ms. Berger values the students of Dickinson Middle School. She is always there to help with an assignment or talk with students in the hallways. Brittany Berger radiates optimism and joy. She truthfully is a wonderful teacher and an inspiring role model.
Jeremiah Hayes by: Jaxon Croft - 7th-grade student at DMS
Jeremiah Hayes is my favorite person of all time because he is a science teacher. I love science.
Jeremiah Hayes was born and grew up in Shelby, Montana. He was always involved in sports including track, football, and wrestling. Whenever he wasn't at practice or a game, he would go up in the mountains to camp, hike, and hunt with his dad. He also skied a lot during the winter. After he graduated from high school, he came to Dickinson for college.
Jeremiah attended Dickinson State University for four years. While he was in college he met his wife, Dakota Hayes. They got married and moved to Bowman, ND to teach. He taught science at Bowman. After three years, they moved back to Dickinson because they wanted to be closer to family. Jeremiah started teaching a science class at Dickinson High School. Now he goes hiking in the Badlands and goes to his wife's parents' farm with their daughter, Harper. Jeremiah is currently teaching a geology unit (which is his favorite type of science) to his science class. Jeremiah still loves football and he might or might watch a bit of it every now and then (didn't ask questions about that). That concludes my narrative summary of Jeremiah Hayes' life.