About Mrs. Fingarson
I grew up on a farm near Sheyenne, ND. I graduated from North Dakota State University (NDSU) in 1985 with a bachelor of science degree in dietetics. After graduating I moved to Grafton, ND to work as a clinical dietitian implementing medical nutrition therapy at the State School (currently the Life Skills and Transition Center or LSTC). I continued working at the LSTC and also worked as a consultant dietitian at the hospitals in Park River and Grafton and for several area companies that build community homes for people with intellectual disabilities. In 1992 I was promoted to LSTC director of nutrition services, in 1998 director of nutrition and environmental services and in 2003 director of nutrition services at the combined One Center (LSTC and the ND State Hospital in Jamestown). My favorite parts of this time in my career were seeing people’s health improve as a result of nutrition and my employees develop confidence in their work skills while contributing to quality of life for the people we served.
In 2006 I decided to diversity my career choices. I enrolled in NDSU’s Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance program to pursue a master’s degree in family and consumer science education. I completed requirements in 2012 and met the rule of 85 in the ND Public Employees Retirement System in the fall of 2016. I accepted employment as a part-time FACS teacher and FCCLA adviser in the Valley-Edinburg school district starting second semester 2017. The most rewarding part of being a FACS teacher is the excitement and appreciation from students while learning useful life skills. I also enjoy helping their leadership and public speaking confidence grow during FCCLA activities.
I live northeast of Edinburg where my husband Lindsey farms. We have two daughters, Hayley and Mikayla, both graduates of Valley-Edinburg High School. Hayley went on to graduate with a bachelor of science degree in FACS education from NDSU and a bachelor of science degree in legal studies from MSUM. She works at a law firm in Fargo. Mikayla is in her sixth year at NDSU and her fourth year in NDSU’s doctor of pharmacy program.
Schedule:
12:31 to 1:21 pm – Culinary Arts
1:25 to 2:15 pm – Independent Living
2:19 to 3:09 pm - FACS I