On Monday night the Crookston School Board will consider the retirement of Belinda Fjeld who originally started working with Crookston Schools in 1976. “I wasn’t married yet, but when I got married and had two children I resigned and stayed home with the kids for a while,” said Fjeld. “Back in 1986 Ray
Dusek called me and had me on hold and I was wondering what was up because I hadn’t talked to him in three years. He gets on and says – say we have a part-time opening and your name came up. Would you be interested? – So I was back up here in 1986 and I’ve been here ever since.”
Fjeld has held a variety of teaching roles in the Crookston School District. “I’ve been bounced around quite a bit in the district,” said Fjeld. “When I was first hired Lloyd Lee, Merle Miller and Garfield Reichert were the high school music directors. I taught elementary music at Eugene Field, Carmen, Lincoln, Washington, and Highland. I taught general music and computer at Central High School, kindergarten music at McKinley, computer and elementary music at Highland, junior high band lessons and choir at the high school. And then after a 27-year break, I was back at Washington teaching K-1.”
An emotional Fjeld says she has loved her career and is going to miss it. “I do love working with the kids, that will make me cry,” said Fjeld. “I will miss the kids, making music with them. It’s been a very, very enjoyable career. I’ve loved it.”
Fjeld talked about some of the things she remembers most about her time teaching. “We’ve had some kids that have gone on and made a profession of it,” said Fjeld. “I remember telling Katy Westrum she should be a music teacher and she is. We’ve had all-state choir kids, lots of programs and contests for solos and ensembles. The last few years have been really fun to see the kids develop confidence with the solos. They are shaking in their boots the first time and by the time they are seniors they are confident young men and women up there singing.”
The Disney trips for the Crookston Music Department have also been memorable. “I’ve done five Disney trips and I’m happy to say that I won’t be going on the next one,” said Fjeld. “They are wonderful, the kids get wonderful experiences. Many of them have never flown before and they see palm trees and have seen alligators. Performing there has been a lot of fun and it’s a huge undertaking the parents and adults undertake for that trip, but very rewarding for the kids who have gone.”
Fjeld who would retire at the end of the year says she’s not yet counting down the days. “People have asked if I’m counting down the days and absolutely not. I don’t want to be wishing my life away,” said Fjeld. “But I am looking forward to the end of each month I’ll say. It’s been fun to say this – oh my goodness this is the last Classic Noel – and the last solo contest. And the programs are coming up again now, we’ve got a first-grade program, a kindergarten program, large group, and ensemble contests. So, I’m not ready to count down the days yet.”
Fjeld also thanked the community and Pirate Fine Arts Boosters for their support. “Oh my goodness thank you to this community and the Pirate Fine Art Boosters, holy smokes have they been a blessing to our music department,” said Fjeld. “We are so fortunate. That got started in 2001 and it’s unbelievable the financial support they’ve given us to be able to enhance our programs and allow kids to go to summer camp. Thank you to PFAB (Pirate Fine Arts Boosters), Hugo’s for their support, the administration, and the staff. It’s been so wonderful. Thank you to Denice Oliver, who’s been so supportive over at Washington. It’s crazy to think it’s been 40 years at the end of this year not counting the years I was off taking care of the kids. It’s been great. I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve been blessed.”
