ABERDEEN, S.D. — For Elspeth Rittberger of Hermosa, South Dakota, pursuing a college degree meant finding a way to balance her education with the responsibilities of working on a ranch and serving as a firefighter.

Now a junior studying special education at Northern State University, Rittberger is working toward her goal of becoming an elementary special education teacher while continuing to work and serve her community through Northern's HyFlex learning format.

“The final decision of becoming a full-time student at Northern was when I had to decide to either give up the ability to work or pursue my degree,” Rittberger said. “I wanted to work, be a student, and earn my degree in South Dakota. Northern checked all the boxes for me.”

Rittberger first experienced Northern in spring 2026 when she enrolled in three HyFlex courses that accommodated her work schedule. What began as an opportunity to complete needed coursework soon became a turning point in her educational journey.

Two of those courses were taught by Dr. Cheryl Wold, whose supportive teaching approach left a lasting impression.

“Taking those two classes was the highlight of the semester because when I looked back I felt like I learned so much,” Rittberger said.

Wold's encouragement and positive approach to teaching helped Rittberger envision herself as a full-time Northern student. She was also encouraged by Wold's descriptions of other faculty members and the learning environment at Northern.

HyFlex, short for hybrid-flexible, allows students to participate in courses in person, online or through a combination of both, depending on the course and their circumstances. For Rittberger, the flexibility means she can continue living and working near Hermosa while pursuing her degree.

“HyFlex classes have given me an amazing opportunity to build my life with an education, and a paycheck,” Rittberger said.

Without HyFlex, Rittberger said she would face a drive of approximately two and a half hours to attend comparable teacher education courses. Learning remotely allows her to spend more time studying, reduce travel expenses and remain involved in her community.

Her schedule requires planning. Most days, she works until noon or early afternoon before turning her attention to coursework. As a firefighter, she also responds to local emergencies, including vehicle accidents, medical calls and fires. At times, her responsibilities may extend to wildland firefighting.

“Some weeks I am just a college student and a rancher,” Rittberger said. “Other weeks I am a college student and someone that calls a loved one for an individual in an emergency.”

Despite the distance, Rittberger has found ways to build relationships with her professors and classmates. She makes an effort to communicate regularly and participate in virtual meetings whenever possible, recognizing that those same communication skills will be valuable in her future teaching career.

Her coursework has also helped build her confidence as a future educator. Through classroom examples, assessments and conversations with practicing teachers, she is beginning to connect what she learns at Northern with the realities of teaching.

“I transferred to NSU because I feel more confident towards becoming a teacher,” Rittberger said. “The professors are so kind and positive that I can't help but feel good after I get done with class. Just like I am taught in classes that students who feel connected and valued will learn better, I feel like that kind of student at Northern State University.”

After completing her bachelor's degree, Rittberger hopes to teach special education to children from junior kindergarten through third grade. She also plans to pursue a master's degree to continue developing her knowledge and skills as an educator.

For other students in rural communities who may be uncertain about balancing college with work and family responsibilities, Rittberger encourages them to recognize the opportunities available through flexible learning.

“I would tell someone that was considering attending online in a rural community to not underestimate their abilities,” she said. “It takes a lot of work balancing everything, but getting a higher education is important.”

Her commitment to education is also rooted in her family's history.

“My great grandparents looked for a way to obtain new skills and new information to better their lives and the ranch they built,” Rittberger said. “I think it would do a disservice to the people who have come before me to deny the opportunity of an education from home and work.”

For Rittberger, Northern's HyFlex program has made it possible to pursue her professional goals while remaining connected to the work, people and community that matter to her. For more information, contact Chad Hatzenbuhler, director of communications and marketing, at chad.hatzenbuhler@northern.edu or 605-626-2046.