Employee Directory

Natasha Opp

Instructor of Special Education

Gerber 148

M.S. Ed. Special Education, University of North Dakota, 2023

B.S. Ed. Special education, Northern State University, 2016

Natasha Opp joined NSU’s faculty in the fall of 2023 as a special education instructor. Before returning to Northern, she taught special education for seven years in the Watertown and Webster school districts. She has experience in self-contained, resource room, and inclusive settings for pre-K to sixth-grade students.

Opp is involved in several NSU School of Education-related organizations, including the Council for Exceptional Children, the Association for the Education of Young Children, and the South Dakota Education Association, and is passionate about bringing hands-on experiences into her classrooms.

Courses Taught

SPED 100 - Introduction to Persons with Exceptionalities

SPED 210 - Teaching Students with Exceptionalities

SPED 431 - Identification and Assessment in Special Education

SPED 440 - Early Childhood Special Education

SPED 441 - Inclusive Methods for Diverse Learners

SPED 460 - Family Systems & Collaboration

SPED 470 - Educational Programming  

Christian Pirlet

Assistant Professor of Educational Technology

Gerber Building Room 145

Ed.D. Curriculum and Instruction, University of South Dakota, 2021

M.A. History, University of South Dakota, 2013

B.S.Ed. History, Northern State University, 2007

Dr. Christian D. Pirlet specializes in technology integration in PK-12 settings. His primary focus has included the use of game-based learning to study student motivation in the social sciences. Before entering higher education, Dr. Pirlet spent 14 years in secondary classrooms teaching social studies including current events, AP US history, honors economics, psychology, and American Indian studies.

He is a member of the International Society for Technology in Education and the National Council for the Social Studies, as well as affiliated groups the College and University Faculty Assembly and the International Assembly (IA). Dr. Pirlet also is a member of the house of Delegates for IA.

Dr. Pirlet has served in standards-unpacking sessions (2020, 2018), assisted with the 2016 revision process for the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings for South Dakota, and presented sessions at the 2023 South Dakota History and Civics Summit.

At Northern, Dr. Pirlet serves on the Northern Innovation and Startup Center's advisory board and the Center for Public History and Civic Engagement. He chairs the Millicent Atkins School of Education Foundation Committee and co-chairs NSU's Instructional Technology Advisory Committee. 

Awards

Dr. Pirlet received South Dakota’s 2011 James Madison Memorial Foundation Fellowship; and was nominated for the South Dakota History Teacher of the Year Award in 2018 and 2019 and the John Morton Excellence in the Teaching of Economics Award in 2020. In 2022, Dr. Pirlet was nominated for the Larry Metcalf Exemplary Dissertation Award with the National Council for the Social Studies.

Research Interests

Remote learning

Game-based learning

Social studies education

Minecraft: education 

Technology-infused pedagogical models

Economic education

Global education

Publications

Journal Articles

Williams, J. A., & Pirlet, C. D. (2021). Developing global citizens through human rights education: Teaching the Nanjing atrocities. The Oregon Journal of the Social Studies.

Book Chapters 

Pirlet, C. D. (2023) Global awareness in a rural secondary classroom: Minecraft and macroeconomics. In L. Yoho & J. D. Moore (Eds.), Expanding the Vision of Rurality in the US Educational System. IGI Global. [Accepted, Anticipated Summer, 2023]

Williams, J. A., Pirlet, C. D., & Johnson, M. (2022) The Nanjing safety zone: A global rescue effort on the Asian theatre during World War II. In L. Harris, M. Sheppard, & S. Levy (Eds.), Teaching difficult histories: Pictures of practice. (pp. 41-51). Teachers College Press.

Book Reviews 

Pirlet, C. D. (2020). Book review: Inquiry-based global learning in the K-12 social studies classroom. Journal of International Social Studies, 10(2), 161-164. https://www.iajiss.org/index.php/iajiss/article/view/521/401

Presentations 

International 

Pirlet, C. D. (November, 2021). Game-Based Learning to Enhance Global Awareness. Paper presented at the International Assembly of the National Council for the Social Studies 2021 Annual Conference, Virtual.

Williams, J. A., & Pirlet, C. D. (December, 2020). The Nanjing Atrocities: Developing Global Citizens through Human Rights Education. Paper presented at the International Assembly of the National Council for the Social Studies 2020 Annual Conference, Virtual.

Pirlet, C. D. (December, 2019). What’s Trade Got To Do With It?: Teaching International Development to Rural Secondary Students. Paper presented at the International Assembly of the National Council for the Social Studies 2019 Annual Conference, Austin, TX.

National 

Pirlet, C. D. (December, 2022). Creating 'Chaord' Through Digital Game-Based Learning to Teach Global Economics. Paper presented at the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) 2022 Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Sheppard, M., Williams, J. A., Johnson, M., Pirlet, C. D.,....  (December, 2022). Teaching Difficult Histories in Difficult Times. Paper presented at the NCSS 2022 Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Pirlet, C. D., Williams, J. A., & Johnson, M. (December, 2020). Teaching Difficult Histories: The Nanjing Atrocities. Paper presented at the NCSS 2020 Annual Conference, Virtual.

Pirlet, C. D. (December, 2019). Agency Through Allegories: Gilded Age Populism According to Oz. Poster presented at the NCSS 2019 Annual Conference, Austin, TX.

Pirlet, C. D. (December, 2018). Lakota Winter Counts: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Workshop at the NCSS 2018 Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.

Local/Regional 

Pirlet, C. D. (June, 2023). Incorporating Civics into Social Studies. Presented at the South Dakota History & Civics Summit, Sioux Falls, SD.

Pirlet, C. D. (June, 2023). Teaching Abstract Concepts in Social Studies. Presented at the South Dakota History & Civics Summit, Sioux Falls, SD.

Pirlet, C. D. (June, 2023). National Symbols and Monuments. Presented at the South Dakota History & Civics Summit, Sioux Falls, SD.

Pirlet, C. D. (April, 2023). The Best of Google’s “Other” Apps. Presented at the Technology & Innovation in Education (TIE) Annual Conference, Rapid City, SD.

Pirlet, C. D. (March, 2022). Chaord Through Game-Based Learning. Presented at the Technology & Innovation in Education (TIE) Annual Conference, Sioux Falls, SD.

Pirlet, C. D. & Geary, M. (June, 2021). Minecraft in Schools. Presented at DSU Teach Camp, Virtual.

Pirlet, C. D. (April, 2021). Implementing Minecraft: Education Edition Across the Curriculum. Presented at the Technology & Innovation in Education (TIE) Annual Conference, Virtual.

Invited Presentations 

Williams, J.A. & Pirlet, C. D. (May, 2023). Teaching Difficult Histories in Difficult Times. Chapter presented through iCivics Organization, virtual.

Pirlet, C. D. (May, 2023). Dr. P’s Tools for Game Masters. Presented at HubCity Con, Aberdeen, SD.

Pirlet, C. D. (May, 2023). The Power of Worldbuilding with Dr. P. Presented at HubCity Con, Aberdeen, SD.

Pirlet, C. D. (February, 2023). Minecraft in the Secondary Classroom. Presented at The Emerging Technology in Education Event offered by Thunder Labs at Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD.

Pirlet, C. D. (December, 2022). Ed Tech Robots: More than Meets the Eye. Presented at Educators Rising Learning Expo at Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD.

Pirlet, C. D. (November, 2022). CETL Pedagogy Grant Recipients Roundtable. Presented regarding received funds through Northern State University’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

Pirlet, C. D. (February, 2022). Minecraft, AR, and Clips, Oh My! Presented at Educators Rising State Conference at South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD.

Pirlet, C. D. (December, 2021). Minecraft, AR, and Clips, Oh My! Presented at Educators Rising Learning Expo at Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD. 

Dawn Preszler

Senior Secretary

Gerber 115

Christopher Puglisi

Instructor of Counselor Education and Psychology

Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, animal-assisted interventions, State University of New York at Buffalo (2022)

Master of Science, School Counseling, Canisius College (2011)

Bachelor of Science, Hospitality Administration, State University of New York at Buffalo State College (2008)

Dr. Chris Puglisi has experience as a school counselor at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, working with a diverse population and in several classroom settings. He has also worked as a counselor in the Upward Bound Program at Penn State University, an adjunct instructor at several colleges and universities in Western New York, and as a life skills trainer for people with developmental disabilities. He has engaged in advocacy for students with special needs and is a certified school counselor in the state of New York.

Research Interests

Animal-assisted interventions

Animal-assisted therapy

Animal-assisted activities

Animal-assisted education

Alternative therapeutic methods in educational settings

Professional Organizations

American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

American Counseling Association

South Dakota Counseling Association (SDCA)

Personal Interests

Chris likes spending time with his pets, being outside going for walks and enjoying the beautiful sunshine, watching documentaries, cheering on the Buffalo Bills and New York Yankees, enjoying food from different cultures, traveling to new destinations, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Bixi Qiao

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Gerber 225

Kelsie Roberts

Assistant Professor

Gerber Building Room 118

• Go-to karaoke song ... Don’t Stop Believing - Journey
• Favorite sport movie ... Coach Carter
• The last book I read for fun ... Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk
• Favorite meal ... Chicken Quesadilla, chips and queso from Mazatlan
• Least favorite sports team ... The Yankees (Sorry, Dr. Puglisi)
• Best advice ... If you are the smartest person in a room or the best player on the field, you’re in the wrong room and on the wrong field!
   

Leslie Sauder

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education

Gerber 151

Ph.D., Human Development and Educational Psychology, University of South Dakota, 2023

Ed.S., Mathematics Education, Black Hills State University, 2019

M.A., Teaching and Learning, Northern State University, 2015

B.A., Elementary Education, Mount Marty College, 2001

Dr. Leslie D. Sauder joined Northern State University with 20 years of experience teaching at the K-8 level. Her classroom experience includes preschool, kindergarten, fourth-grade, seventh-grade life science, eighth-grade pre-algebra and health, and K5 computers and technology. She focused on improving science and STEM education in elementary and middle school classrooms and incorporating technology and robotics in elementary classrooms. 

As a computer and technology teacher, Dr. Sauder received a STEM grant from the South Dakota Department of Education, with which she purchased STEM building kits, STEM robots, STEM sports kits, and three 3D printers.  As an elementary and middle school teacher, Dr. Sauder worked to improve science and math education and teaching practices at the local and state levels. 

Dr. Sauder is an active member of the National Science Teacher Association and a past member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 

In her work with the South Dakota Department of Education, Dr. Sauder participated in the 2022-23 Math and Science Leadership Cohort, was a math mentor as a virtual math coach from 2019-2021 and was part of the team that created the South Dakota Unpacked Standards Document for Mathematics in 2019.

At Northern, Dr. Sauder is a member of the Instructional Technology Advisory Committee. 

Courses Taught

Introduction to Education

Earth and Physical Science for Elementary Teachers

Science Methods

Psychology of Learning

Research Interests

STEM education

Women in STEM

Inquiry-based science education

Project-based learning

Presentations

Sauder, Leslie D. (October, 2023). Building student excitement in the classroom: How the Engineering Design Process increases student excitement for science and math. Workshop at the NSTA National Conference, Kansas City, MO

Sauder, Leslie D. (February, 2023). Hands-on STEM Learning Activities for Elementary Students. Workshop at the South Dakota STEM-Ed Conference, Huron, SD 

Sauder, Leslie D. (December, 2022). Hands-on STEM for Middle School – Increasing Engagement in the Math classroom. Workshop at the NCTM Regional Conference, Baltimore, MD

Sauder, Leslie D. (February, 2022). STEM in the Elementary Classroom. Presentation at the South Dakota STEM-Ed Conference, Huron, SD

Nicole Schutter

Teacher Education Department Chair, Assistant Professor

Gerber 110

Anna Schwan

Dean of the School of Education

Gerber 113

Doctor of Education, School Administration, University of South Dakota

Master of Education, Valley City State University, Teaching English Learners

Bachelor of Arts, South Dakota State University, English & Spanish

Dr. Anna Schwan joined Northern’s faculty in 2018 after 16 years in public K-12 education, where she was a high school teacher and secondary school administrator. She currently serves as interim dean of the Millicent Atkins School of Education. Previously, she was department chair of teacher education and graduate faculty coordinator of the Educational Studies and Leadership and Administration programs. 

Professional Work Experience

Middle school/high school principal

6-12 English as a second language teacher

7-12 language arts teacher

K-12 Spanish teacher

Research Interests

Student motivation

Teacher retention

Principal effectiveness

Teaching English learners

Publications

Francom, G., Schwan, A., & Nuatome, J. Comparing Google Classroom and D2L Brightspace using the technology acceptance model. (2021). TechTrends, 65. 111-119.

Schwan, A. (2021). Perceptions of student motivation and amotivation. The Clearing House Journal, 94(2). 76-82.

Schwan, A. (2020). Trilateral perceptions of the importance of instructional leadership behaviors. Mid-Western Educational Researcher, 32(2). 173-188.

Schwan, A., Wold, C., Neville, A., & Moon, A. (2020). Mentor and new teacher self-perceptions regarding the effectiveness of a statewide mentoring program. Critical Questions in Education, 11(3). 190-207.

Wold, C., Moon, A., Schwan, A., Neville, A., & Outka, Janeen. (In press). The importance of pairings in mentorship programs. Critical Questions in Education.