Sherry Tokkesdal
Subject
Third grade
Joined Nova: 2011
Educational History
B.A.S., Elementary Education, University of Minnesota Duluth, Cum Laude
Email: stokkesdal@novaclassical.org
Voicemail: 651.227.8622, extension 304
Teacher website: HERE
Why I choose to work at Nova
The book The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise-Bauer opened my eyes to a new style of teaching. After reading the book cover to cover, my heart cried out, “Why don’t all schools teach like this?” The classical method of teaching laid out an organized format for students to get through school and learn the tools they would need to lead a mature adult life. It didn’t “dumb down” the curriculum to meet the needs of “all students,” but held a high standard of education for students to attain. I have seen very bright students challenged by the classical method, and the average student struggle, and then succeed as they grasped that learning is their responsibility and they need to take ownership of their mind to think and learn. Classical education takes the materials that all children need to learn, and puts the information to be learned in a way that is developmentally appropriate. Kindergarten students can learn amazing amounts of information put to a song, but will not be expected to put together a thesis. My desire to work at Nova stemmed from the fact that it has students work through the Trivium.
Hobbies/Interests
I love hiking/walking, reading historical fiction, and watching movies with my husband.
Family
My husband David and I have been married since 2002. We have an extroverted cat named Josias. Josias loves whipped cream!
Favorite author/thinker/historical figure (and why)
My favorite authors are Bodie and Brock Theone. Their historical fiction ranges from ancient time to the Holocaust to the Wild West. Bodie has degrees in journalism and communications. She has worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. Brock has degrees in history and education. His role as researcher and story-line consultant adds to the historical accuracy of their novels. Reading their novels is entertaining and full of historical information.
Personal motto
Don’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today.
The philosophy of the classroom in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next.
-Abraham Lincoln
