Teacher Bio
If you would have asked me in elementary school what I wanted to be when I grow up, I would have said a professional football player or a fireman. I probably wasn't the only 10 year old with these dreams. It wasn't until my freshman year of college that I realized I wanted to become a teacher. I was leaning toward the field of Sociology as my major. But it was the impact of a few of my high school teachers helped me realize that I wanted to help others the way they have helped me. So, here I am.
I have been teaching in Bellevue for 16 years. My first nine years at Twin Ridge Elementary, six years at Bellevue Elementary, and now teaching Life Science at Lewis and Clark Middle School. The Navigator staff and students here are great. What a great opportunity teaching what I enjoy most. My favorite subjects are Science and Math. I've always been interested in knowing how things work. At Lewis and Clark we strive for students to become young leaders in the school, community, and at home. Leadership is a valuable characteristic in our classroom. We call upon our peers to lead, motivate, and challenge each other daily.
I was born and raised in Wisner, Nebraska, a small farming and cattle town. I grew up playing sports, hanging out with friends, and working on the feedlot (not ours, we lived in town). My parents, Gary and Joyce, did an excellent job raising my brother Mark and me. I graduated from Wisner-Pilger High School in 1993. Then went on to graduate from Midland Lutheran College in 1997 with my degree in education. I played basketball for the Warriors and was a member of Kappa Phi Fraternity and the Education Association. I also received my masters in educational technology through Peru State College in 2009.
My wife, Stephanie, and I met in college and have been married since August, 2001. She also teaches sixth grade at Fairview Elementary. We are busy building memories with our two girls Mia and Addison, and son Camden who keep us entertained and amazed daily. We also have one dog, Jasmyn, who loves the water and loves to hunt. We have a passion for the great outdoors. Most of our free time is spent with our daughters hanging around the lake. I enjoy basketball, hunting, skiing, camping, and of course, Husker football.
I hope you find our web page useful. Please feel free to contact me by email if you have any questions or suggestions.
Darin Toelle