MCC SECOND GRADE WELCOMES MOLLY LARSON
Molly Larson, a Ghent native and current Tracy resident, is joining MCC as a second-grade teacher after spending the past eight years teaching third grade at Lac qui Parle Valley.
Larson attended Minneota High School and Southwest Minnesota State University, where she studied early childhood education and early childhood special education. She graduated in May 2018 and accepted a third-grade teaching position at LQPV that August.
Larson’s passion for teaching developed from her experiences working with children while growing up.
“I’ve always loved working with kids,” she said. “From babysitting my younger siblings to the neighbor kids and then working in younger elementary classrooms during my study hall in high school, it has been so much fun.”
For Larson, one of her favorite parts of teaching is watching students make connections and become excited about learning.
“I love seeing the light bulb go off when a student or group of students understands something and gets excited about learning and coming to school,” she said.
As she begins her new role at MCC, Larson hopes to build connections with staff, students and families while making a difference in her students’ academic and social development.
“My goal is for students to find that love for learning and build those relationships with kiddos where, if I see them outside of school, they are excited to see and talk to their teacher and look forward to the next school day,” she said.
Larson hopes her students develop a sense of belonging, friendship, acceptance and understanding while becoming more successful readers and mathematicians. She also wants them to enjoy learning as much as she enjoys teaching and have an amazing and fun school year.
“I want every student to know that as a young child, I loved school and loved reading, and still do, and I hope my students can find joy in it as well,” Larson said. “I also want them to know that I am always there to support them through whatever they need and they can trust me to help guide them through any challenges that they would undergo.”
Larson looks forward to seeing students’ smiling faces each day, getting to know her new coworkers and finding additional ways to become involved in the MCC community. She recently started as the eighth-grade volleyball coach.
“There are so many great teachers here at MCC, and I am looking forward to getting to know everybody more and working alongside them each day,” she said.
Larson credited MCC staff for helping make her transition to the district a smooth one. She thanked Principal Patrick Freeman for regularly checking in and offering support, as well as co-teachers Krista Gillette and McKenzie Henning for answering questions and serving as mentors.
She believes teaching can be a very challenging profession but also finds it very rewarding.
“Teachers are superheroes in a way, as we are always showing up for our students and helping shape them into better and more successful individuals,” she said. “I can’t wait to get to know all the little things about my students that make each one so special and unique.”
Larson also recently married Derek Larson. The couple enjoys playing volleyball in their free time and currently participates in a sand volleyball league at Lake Shetek with co-workers Tim and Kati Bobeldyk which has helped her meet more people in the community.
