Prairie Profiles: Molly Wilken
Published 9:12 am Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Molly Wilken admits she had some pretty big shoes to fill.
As a new English and drama teacher at Albert Lea High School, she filled the spot formerly held by Cindy Fjermestad. She’s also directing the fall musical, a job done for the last few years by Glen Parsons.
“They’ve both been wonderful,” Wilken said of Fjermestad and Parsons. “They shared with me what worked for them and what didn’t and all their contacts. I’m learning every day.”
The Fairmont native graduated from Northwestern College in the Twin Cities last spring with an English education degree and was hired by District 241 this summer.
She is enjoying her new job, Wilken said.
“I enjoy showing the students how literature does affect their lives,” Wilken said. “They’re learning skills they’ll need for research projects.”
She also teaches one drama class during the day. “I have some kids in both classes and they’re so different. They take on new roles. It’s fun to see both sides of the kids,” Wilken said.
In teaching, the challenge is trying to get the students excited about what they’re learning and to get them to see the “point” of it all, the teacher said.
Age: 22
Residence: Albert Lea
Livelihood: English and drama teacher at Albert Lea High School
Family: Parents and brother in Fairmont; three sisters in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Interesting fact: She’s an avid knitter. “It’s my big, big relaxing thing,” Wilken said.
When they get it, that’s exciting, Wilken said, and so are the discussions and seeing kids get passionate about something and form opinions.
The relationships with students are also a fun part of teaching, she said. “It’s fun to see them elsewhere and in doing the musical. I like learning what they want to do in their lives,” Wilken said.
This year’s musical is the Rodgers and Hammerstein version of “Cinderella.” It will be performed Nov. 20, 21 and 22 in the Albert Lea High School auditorium.
“Everyone has their favorite version of Cinderella,” Wilken said. “It’s a fun musical.”
She works closely with Diane Heaney and John Fure on the production and has a lot of respect for what both of them know about putting on a production.
Even though she grew up with theater, choir, orchestra and speech, she knows her limitations. “You can’t do a musical by yourself,” she said.
Joyce Matthies has done the choreography for the show. “She’s done a gavotte and waltz and even a lift for us,” Wilken said.
The show has been in rehearsal since mid-September with less than a month to go, the director is happy with the progress. “I’m very pleased with where it’s at,” she said.
Heaney said she finds Wilken to be a very confident and organized young teacher.
“I have really enjoyed working with her. She knows what she wants and communicates that easily and clearly with students,” she said.
“She is really positive and encouraging. As a first-year teacher, she already has a lot on her plate, but she is handling this extra load beautifully,” she said.
Wilken said she hopes to get more involved in the community and maybe even be in a play herself.
“This is a very welcoming community,” she said.