OUR MISSION
The purpose of EDU-LINK is to support, promote, and teach reading and comprehension skills by funding outside tutoring services to individuals and families identified as needing extra assistance. This effort creates equitable access for all students and families to specialized tutoring services, regardless of their socioeconomic position.
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OUR VISION
EDU-LINK is a 501(c)3 that is designated to assist families who may need financial assistance accessing educational assistance with reading and comprehension skills, outside of a traditional school environment.
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THE FULL STORY
EDU-LINK was founded on July 10th 2020 and has three areas of concentration: youth literacy, adult literacy and tutor training. Our youth literacy effort serves students in grades 1-12. The youth literacy focus, alleviates the financial burden on families who would otherwise not be able to afford to enroll their child in an intensive literacy tutoring program. Students who are approved for funding, require tutoring to improve literacy skills, outside of a traditional learning environment. This intensive program is individualized and provides them with the tools needed to improve literacy. The goal of this program is to provide an opportunity for students who are unable to meet reading goals within a structured school day. Our adult literacy effort serves learners over 19, like our founder Tim, who at 59 took on his own literacy challenges. Our adult focus serves adults, with English as their native language, who have literacy concerns, along with economic barriers. The literacy tutor training focus gives opportunity to individuals who seek to become literacy tutors in rural Minnesota. This focus enhances the workforce to fill an unmet need. We are requesting funds to upgrade technology to include one computer with Microsoft Office Suite and Zoom. This technology will help promote efforts via a contracted social media/website person and to purchase supplies for tutors as well as pay rent for student space and for contracted services with an accountant.
Timothy Elkington, Founder
Tim is a lifelong resident of Montevideo. He is married to his wife Shelly. Tim is a former business owner and currently co owns a business with Shelly. His strengths are in conflict resolution and financial management.
As an adult, Tim took on the challenge to improve his reading skills and found a world of freedom through that process. Once completing the course, he realized the financial burden the cost puts on families and individuals. With the assistance of family and friends, Tim created EDU-LINK to help make literacy tutoring available to families from all economic backgrounds.
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In his free time, he enjoys watching Minnesota Gopher sports with his dog, Poppy. He has completed several home remodeling projects and landscaping. Tim is an avid model train enthusiast.
Meet the Board Members
Shelly Elkington
Shelly is from Montevideo MN. She is a Registered Nurse, certified in Public Health and Nurse Coaching. Shelly has owned and operated a personal care agency for the past 20 years and has helped many families find care assistance for physical, emotional and mental health needs. Shelly brings experience as a long term business owner with specialties in business management, human resources and payroll. Shelly has been involved in non-profit work over the years, and has been instrumental in government work, including passing significant legislation at the state level, as well as engaging with Congressional Delegates in Washington DC. Shelly enjoys spending time at their lake cabin on Big Stone Lake with her family as well as taking on projects at their home in Montevideo.
Reenie Elkington
Reenie says that as a retired parish worker and case manager, being on the Board of Directors of EDU-LINK fits appropriately into her passions and cares for others. In her own life, she has experienced the benefits of many wonderful hours filled with reading. She knows the importance for those who struggle with reading to have access to reading tutoring without the concern of being able to pay for it. What a delight it is to award families who financially need them, with reading tutoring scholarships. And that is the mission of EDU-LINK. Reenie lives in Alexandria, MN with her two cats: Squash Gabriel and Frankie Blue. She enjoys time with family and friends, reading, writing, jigsaw puzzling, and simple gardening,
Karen Kling
Karen retired from elementary teaching in 2014 after being with the Montevideo School District for 36 years. Karen and her husband, Steven, live on a small hobby farm near Montevideo and love the country life! They have three children and six grandchildren. In her retirement, she is most interested in volunteering with groups that positively affect the lives of the Montevideo children and their families. She is honored to be a part of the EDU-LINK board.
Sarah Vonderharr
Sarah Vonderharr lives in Montevideo with her family. She has previously worked as a case coordinator for families receiving personal care services in their homes. After finishing her Master's Degree in 2019 she was hired by Pact 4 Families Collaborative and was recently named their Executive Director. She is a tremendous advocate for children and families and has seen the benefits of specialized tutoring services in her own family. Sarah enjoys baking, spending time with her kids and new grandson. She is an avid flower gardener and loves to share her talents with others.
Judy TeBeest
Judy was born and raised in Montevideo. After spending some time living in Moorhead, St. Paul, and Thief River Falls, she and her husband returned to Montevideo in 1992. Together, they own and operate Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home, serving Montevideo, Granite Falls, and Dawson, including the Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson. Judy is a licensed mortician, holds a license to sell life insurance and is a licensed social worker.
Before pursuing her mortician license at the age of 50, Judy had a diverse career. She worked as a supervisor for a senior meals program, directed a women’s advocate program, served as a social skills educator, and worked as a probation officer.
Judy’s passion for reading and literacy is deeply personal, as two of her sons required extra reading intervention in school. She and her husband, Kevin, have three sons—two of whom live and work in Montevideo, and one in New Orleans. They are also proud grandparents to three grandchildren.
In her spare time, Judy enjoys traveling with her husband, attending concerts, trying new recipes, and spending time with their dog, Andie.
Nancie Haukos
My name is Nancie Haukos. I live in Ortonville with my husband Ronnie. We have a large blended family with three grandkids and one on the way! I’m a paraprofessional at the Ortonville school. I’m a school board member and a member of the MRVED board. I currently serve as a volunteer committee member with these groups: First Children’s Finance of Big Stone County, Trojan Takeout, Patient and Family Partnership with Ortonville Area Health Services, and Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Alexandria. I’ve worked with children for many years. Besides being a paraprofessional, I was a Reading Corp tutor, and also a Youth and Family Director at a local area church. In my free time I love to read! Our summers are spent in Alexandria at our camper. Reading has so many benefits. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to learn to read.
Kevin Hein
Before retiring in 2018, Kevin worked for 35 years for several entrepreneurial family businesses, mostly serving in comptroller and property management roles. He also started two small companies of his own. Kevin has been an active member of his community and the region serving on many boards and commissions, including on the Montevideo City Council. Most recently, he is proud of the role he played on Brookside Senior Living Board as they worked on replacing their old facility with a brand new multi-million dollar facility. Kevin comes from a long line of educators. He said half his aunts and uncles were teachers or school administrators. He has three grown children, one of which is a teacher, and he is a proud grandparent. Kevin stays busy volunteering, visiting family and friends, and working on an occasional home improvement or business project. And he is also an avid cyclist.
Zack Schulte
Zack is originally from Montevideo and now lives in Boyd, MN with his fiance and their two children. He is currently a shift lead at Granite Falls Energy where he is able to be a part of a company that produces renewable fuels. Zack has shown strong leadership abilities throughout his life and this is evident in his work. Zack and his family have a growing hobby farm, complete with horses, cows and chickens that keeps them busy all year. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time at his parents lake home especially wake-boarding. Zack has an interest in volunteer projects of all kinds and cares about education experiences for young people and how those experiences create outcomes later in life.