All teachers at the Excel Achievement Center have had very specific training and must have a certain level of expertise prior to joining this center. Our teachers love learning themselves and this excitement is displayed in the warm and caring way that they encourage our students.

At Excel Achievement Center, we make sure that our teachers have a variety of tools to work with the various learning styles encountered while teaching students. All teachers are continually trained by the Center in research-based methodology. All of our teachers have had special training in at least one of the following areas: Dyslexia, Reading and Language Arts, Reading Recovery, and/or Mathematics.

Meet a few of our Staff

Excel has over 25 skilled tutors. Pictured are a few staff memebers you may meet at Excel.  

Angela Nelson
Education Director

Angela Nelson is the education director at Excel Achievement. She has a passion for education and is constantly learning. Her experiences in the classroom setting have been for the past ten years in kindergarten through sixth grade and also as a reading specialist. These experiences have been in Sioux Falls, Brandon, Harrisburg, SD as well as the Boston and Denver areas. She holds a BA in Elementary Education as well as MA degrees in both reading and elementary administration.

Angela, her husband Jim, and two kids, Maddy and Max, live in southern Sioux Falls . In her free time she enjoys anything with her family, running, reading, and going to the pool!

Julie McDonald
Dyslexia Specialist

Julie ran a dyslexia clinic in Arizona before coming to Excel.  She has been with Excel for 4 years.

Aaron Weaver
Intermediate Instructor

Aaron is currently a 6th grade teacher in Harrisburg and specializes in reading comprehension, writing, and math. Aaron has been with Excel Achievement for 4 years.

Jessica Archer
ACT instructor, High School Study skills and Writing and has been with Excel Achievement for 2 years.

Jessica is an instructor in the Harrisburg High School.

Chelsea Boscaljon
Dyslexia and Early Literacy Instructor

Chelsea is a 1st grade teacher for the Harrisburg Schools.  She has been with Excel for 3 years.

Shane Knutson
Writing and Study skills instructor
Shane has been with Excel Achievement for 3 years.
 

Servant's Heart:  All staff members are encouraged to have a "spirit of hospitality."  An attitude of "What can I do for you?" is displayed at our Center.

Calm Spirit: A peaceful and calm environment is found in each of the rooms at Excel Achievement Center.  From entering our foyer and seeing the cozy fireplace, to the tutoring rooms, and even in each of the offices, students and parents will feel and experience warmth.

Individualism: Excel believes in embracing the unique qualities of every person.

Positive Outlook: Excel believes in focusing on the good in all.

Encouragement: Our belief is that praise needs to be very specific.

Structure: The Center believes in the importance of order and organization.

Flexibility: It is important to know when to change course.

Relationships: Excel believes in getting to know each individual and being a good listener.