Eight new teachers in Hill City School District

The Hill City School District (HCSD) has eight new teachers this year including Elizabeth Brady, Mindy Nelson, Brett Eckert, Jeremiah LeTourneau, Ruth Coates, Bradley Halvorson, Dr. Richard Grimaldi and Alyssa Pena. 

Elizabeth Brady teaches third grade and said, “I enjoy the students the most. They are definitely the best part of the job.” 

Brady grew up in Southeastern Pennsylvania and later lived in Pensacola, Fla., for a few years. 

“We traveled full-time in an RV for a year, came to the Black Hills in May 2021 and fell in love with the area. We have lived here since then. My husband and I knew we wanted to raise our two kids here and are so proud to call Hill City home now. I applied to work at Hill City Elementary School after seeing what an amazing school it is after enrolling our children here,” said Brady. 

Previously, Brady taught fifth grade in West Virginia and Florida. She is proud to be a member of the HSCD, and said, “I am most excited about seeing my students learn and grow.” 

Fourth grade teacher Mindy Nelson is a former Ranger. She said, “I am from Keystone and was hoping to come back and teach here someday.”

For the last 12 years, Nelson taught at Canyon Lake Elementary in Rapid City. 

When asked what she most enjoyed about teaching fourth grade, Nelson said she loves the independence and content of the grade level. 

Looking to the school year ahead, Nelson said, “I’m most excited to be a Ranger again and be doing my best to help kids grow academically this year.” 

Brett Eckert is a familiar face in the HSCD as the Hill City High School head football coach and an assistant track coach. Along with coaching, Eckert is now teaching middle school social studies. 

Eckert is originally from Hill City but moved to North Dakota for college. His family moved back to the area in 2018 to be closer to their extended family and coach football. 

Previously, Eckert taught English as a Second Language in the Bismarck public school system. He also taught social studies for 10 years at Center-Stanton Public School and The Light of Christ Academy, a catholic private school.

“I enjoy building relationships with the kids and the joy and excitement that they usually have for learning. When learning is enjoyable, it doesn’t even feel like learning,” said Eckert. 

When asked what he was most looking forward to this year, Eckert said, “Getting back into the classroom with students who enjoy life. It is really enjoyable to interact and build relationships with the kids as we venture on the journey of learning together.” 

At the start of his eighth year as a teacher, Jeremiah LeTourneau is teaching middle and high school business. 

More specifically, LeTourneau said, “I primarily teach at the high school but also am blessed to teach some of the middle school positions. I teach the personal finance, business computer applications, technical math and math proficiency and development courses as well as middle school typing and rock climbing. 

“What I love about teaching these classes is that they are all classes that students can walk away with proper skills into the world. I want our students to be active participants and contributors to our world,” LeTourneau said.

LeTourneau grew up in Cloverdale, Minn., which has a population of 100. Later, he graduated from Hinckley, Minn., and got his undergraduate degree at Winona State University.

“After getting married, my wife and I moved to Hill City after both sharing that it’s been our dream area for years. I have been coming out here for about 10 years, regularly climbing, and always felt Hill City was home. My wife is also big into the outdoors and can regularly be seen running or biking in the area. She is an ultrarunner and has competed in many of the half and full marathons out here. The community has always been so kind and great, and we are lucky to make this place our home,” said LeTourneau. 

As a teacher, LeTourneau’s career began in Worthington, Minn. at the second-most diverse school district in the United States where 58 languages were spoken. Six years later, LeTourneau moved to Sioux Falls and taught at a correctional facility school for students who have difficulty emotionally regulating and with extremely violent behaviors.

“Both schools have shaped me into the teacher I am today and taught me how to help struggling students succeed,” said LeTourneau. 

Looking to the school year ahead, LeTourneau said, “I am most excited to work with tremendous students who work hard, are active, driven and going to impact our future. We have some awesome students that attend Hill City, and I am lucky to teach them alongside so many other world-class educators.”

Ruth Coates is one of the new high school math teachers. Coates grew up and graduated in Ipswich. 

“After graduating from Northern State University in Aberdeen, I taught for three years in Miller, followed by eight years at Douglas in Box Elder. I applied to Hill City because I missed working in a smaller community like Ipswich and Miller,” said Coates. 

As a math teacher, Coates is excited to teach Advanced Placement Statistics for the first time this year. 

When asked what she was most looking forward to, Coates said, “I’m so glad to be working in a smaller community again and am looking forward to getting to know the community and the people in it.”

Another new high school math teacher is Bradley Halvorson. 

“I enjoy mathematics because it can be extremely rewarding. It can also be fun once a topic or idea clicks, and you finally understand how to apply it to different problems,” said Halvorson. 

Halvorson is from Rapid City and said, “I have always enjoyed getting out into the Hills in my free time. I love the Hill City area and everything it has to offer.” 

This is Halvorson’s first year teaching. When asked what he was most excited about this year, Halvorson said, “I am looking forward to just getting my feet wet in the wonderful career of teaching. Since this is my first year, I am looking forward to learning as much as possible and becoming a better educator.” 

Dr. Richard Grimaldi is the new high school science teacher, which includes chemistry, physics and physical science. 

“I am a meteorologist by trade and have written my own physics course. Physics establishes the basis for chemistry, and physical science gives students the tools they will need for success in both disciplines,” said Grimaldi. 

Originally from New York, Grimaldi moved to the area from central Florida, saying, “Florida is getting very crowded, and I love the tranquility and scenic beauty of the area.” 

Previously, Grimaldi spent 10 years in the area in the late 90s to late 2000s. He is a South Dakota School of Mines & Technology graduate and was a former on-air meteorologist. 

As a teacher, Grimaldi has nearly 20 years of experience including 11 years at a high-performing charter school in central Florida and seven years as a college professor of meteorology. 

When asked what he was most looking forward to this year, Grimaldi said, “teaching engaged students, outdoor activities, meeting new people and gaining a new perspective.”

Grimaldi is also happy that his youngest son will get his high school diploma from a South Dakota school. 

Finally, Alyssa Pena is teaching kindergarten through 12th grade music. This includes general music for kindergarten through fifth grade, middle school choir and high school choir. 

“I enjoy passing on my passion for music to students at every grade level. It is exciting to see how students develop in their musicianship throughout the years,” said Pena. 

Pena grew up in Rapid City but spent her weekends and free time in the Black Hills hunting, hiking or enjoying the beautiful outdoors with her family. 

“I have always loved the Hill City area, and I was ecstatic to apply for the open music position. My husband and I are very happy to be back in the Black Hills surrounded by our family and friends,” said Pena. 

This is Pena’s third year teaching music. After graduating from Black Hills State University, she taught kindergarten through 12th grade music, band and choir for two years in Basin, Wyo. 

Looking to the school year ahead, Pena said, “I am excited to see my students grow in their musicianship throughout the year, but I am also excited to continue to learn how to be a better teacher for my students.”

Pena also invites the community to attend the upcoming winter concerts. The elementary Christmas concert is Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Gins Gym, the middle and high school winter choir concert is Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. in the theater and the fifth through 12th grade winter band concert is Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. in the theater.