News
Welcome to new ICD staff
ICD is welcoming new staff members for the 2024-25 academic year. We're thrilled to have them join us and we look forward to introducing them to the department at our Welcome Back Event on September 11.
- Tom Boyle, Indigenous Education Program Specialist
- Addy Hernick, Early Childhood Licensure Specialist
Here is a brief introduction and Q&A with each of them.
Tom Boyle
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I grew up in a family with eight children and have been surrounded by young children my entire life -- brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and now my own daughter!
Please tell us about your role at ICD.
I am part of the team that is developing a new focus within the B.S. in Early Childhood degree. The new program integrates Indigenous language and culture studies with early childhood education, with the goal of helping train teachers who would be ready to teach in Ojibwe and eventually Dakota language immersion preschool classrooms -- with an eye toward supporting the growing Indigenous language revitalization efforts in the Midwest.
Tom Boyle
What drew you to this position?
For the past seven years, I have taught in preschool and kindergarten classrooms, most recently in Bayfield, WI, where I had the opportunity to teach in a district that serves a student population that is eighty percent Native. That district will be implementing an Ojibwe-immersion kindergarten classroom this school year, and the community couldn't be more excited. I look forward to using my experience as a teacher and the incredible resources of ICD to help address the thirst for this kind of education among many Native communities.
What are you most excited about in your new position?
Getting to know the landscape of Indigenous language immersion classrooms in the early childhood space in the metro area and in the region more broadly. There is so much exciting stuff happening!
What inspires you most about the field of early childhood education?
The openness, curiosity, and unselfconsciousness of young children.
What is your favorite summer activity?
Swimming.
Addy Hernick
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I grew up in Richfield and am a proud lifelong Gopher! I received both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota and am so excited to be back at ICD. I have two girls, a 3 year old and a 1.5 year old. I enjoy getting outside, doing projects, reading, exploring breweries and restaurants, and spending time with my children and friends.
Please tell us about your role at ICD.
I am the “new Ann Ruhl Carlson!” I will be taking over her duties as the Early Childhood Teacher Licensure Specialist. My primary responsibilities include supporting, observing and supervising Masters of Education/Initial Licensure Program students in their placements at elementary schools throughout the school year, but I also am responsible for advising and admissions in the Early Childhood Masters of Education Program.
Addy Hernick
What drew you to this position and what were you doing previously?
Ann emailed alumni announcing her retirement and I actually had a friend reach out and mention that she thought I should apply. I have always been interested in a career at ICD, and have a passion for mentorship and supporting young teachers. This role felt like the perfect fit for me!
I actually took an intentional career break to stay home with my two girls for the last few years and worked as an office specialist/social media manager at a niche chiropractic office for women and children in the west metro when I could. Prior to that, I worked in the world of early childhood. The role that prepared me most for this position was my role as an early childhood upervisor at Eden Prairie Schools, but I was also an adjunct professor here at the University, and an early childhood family education teacher in the years prior to my career break.
What are you most excited about in your new position?
There are so many things! First and foremost, I’m so excited to be supporting and working with students again. It’ll be fun to get to know my students and have the opportunity to be back in elementary schools. I am also excited to connect and reconnect with colleagues and friends here at the U!
What inspires you most about the field of early childhood education?
The children! They’re the whole reason the field exists, and they’re just amazing. I’ve been working with children my entire life, and I still find something new and exciting about them daily. I also think the ever growing body of research and information on how children learn, grow and develop is absolutely fascinating.
What is your favorite summer activity?
My girls and I have been loving going to nature centers this summer! We’ve spent a lot of time making our own wildflower bracelets, going on scavenger hunts, and listening for animal sounds. And I guess if I had to pick something grown up, I’d say paddleboarding–it’s been so fun to get out on the lake with friends and enjoy the sun!