My name is Joy Younkin.  This is my first year as a Special Education teacher at Eden Valley - Watkins Elementary School in Eden Valley.  I grew up in Paynesville, and graduated from Paynesville High School.  I got an Associate of Arts degree from Ridgewater College, and transferred to St. Cloud State University to finish a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I taught Kindergarten for a year, in Jacksonville, FL.   I came back to Minnesota and substitute taught for a few years, then I went back to St. Cloud State to get my Special Education licensure.  I taught elementary Special Education at Red Rock Central Elementary school in Jeffers, MN from 2011 until 2015.  While I was there I also took some classes at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall and was able to add a licesensure for Autism Spectrum Disorders to my teaching licensures.  

I have always enjoyed working with children.  I believe that all students learn at different rates in have different learning styles.  Working in Special Education I get to help many different children figure out what learning style works best for them.  Seeing students learn and grow is one of the things I most enjoy about teaching.  

In my free time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and I like to read.  In the summer I enjoy camping and spending time by the lake.