Meet Mrs. Madsen
Hello! My name is Natalie Madsen. I have taught geography and reading at Sunrise Middle School since 2020, but I've been an educator since 2009. I received my bachelor of science degree in secondary education with endorsements in social sciences and coaching from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. In 2010, I earned my Master of Education degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University, Nebraska. Currently, I'm pursuing my Education Specialist degree from Northwest Missouri State University. I love to learn and grow personally and professionally and I hope to inspire my students to become life long learners as well! Prior to teaching at Sunrise Middle School, I taught at Kearney High School (2012-2019) and Waverly High School (2019-2020). As a social sciences educator I've enjoyed teaching many different subject areas: American history, world history, political science, and geography.
Although I am a proud public educator, I am most proud of my family! My husband Aaron and I have been married since 2007. He is currently serving as the clinic administrator for Prairie Meadows Dental P.C. in Kearney. We have three children: Halle, Burke, and Bodie. As a family, we spend as much time outside as possible riding bikes, playing sports, or at the park. We also really like to play games together! As native Nebraskans, my husband and I are passionate Husker fans. Watching football and volleyball top the list of sports we enjoy watching together as a family.
In addition to my roles as wife, mother, and educator, I wear other "hats" too. As a former coach, I am passionate about working with student-athletes. Sport can teach valuable life lessons with intentional effort. To continue to support athletes at Kearney High School I serve as a huddle leader for the KHS chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. At our church, I volunteer and teach Sunday School throughout the year. I am also an active member of the Kearney Education Association.
I'll leave you with some of the phrases I use daily with my students that reflect my heart for learning and growing:
- Use every opportunity to learn and grow...develop a GROWTH MINDSET
- Go ALL IN all of the time
- Talk to yourself, don't listen to yourself
- Control the controllable: ATTITUDE and EFFORT
- Be a great teammate, We before Me
