The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Katie Hanson is fully a Big Sandy resident, having been born and raised here and graduated from Big Sandy High School. Katie's parents are Curt Owen and Laura Owen and her in-laws are Paul and Lorrie Hanson. Katie married C. J. Hanson. They have a four month old boy named Jordan.

Katie got her elementary education four year degree from MSU Northern in Havre and did her practice teaching with Mrs. Moore and her third grade class.

This year Katie is responsible for nine first graders and things in the first grade are certainly not what they used to be.

It used to be that in the olden days the first grade was sort of a bunch of classes to get more socialized and real school work started in the second grade.

Not so any more. These first grade kids really work. Here is their schedule for a day. Morning work from 8:00 to 8:15 a.m.; spelling from 8:15 to 9:45 a.m.; reading from 9:45 to 10 :00 a.m. Recess. Math is from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and lunch is from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. Recess is from 11:30 to 11:50 a.m. and science is from 11:50 to 1:45 p.m. Writing is from 1:45 to 2 :00 p.m. and recess is after that. Group work is from 2:00 to 2:45 p.m. and then it is off to home.

That is quite a load for a first grader and yet, Katie Hanson said that her first graders are getting along very well with it.

Katie has fallen in love with what she does for a living. She speaks in glowing terms about teaching.

"I love teaching. It is definitely a perfect career choice for me," said Katie.

"I really like my first grade. I am teaching them fundamental skills. They are doing well and I am anxious to see them go on with those skills," continued Katie.

Katie concluded by saying, "I am just very, very happy to be here."