Teaching Couple Saying Farewell To Area

In the early 1980s, Mark Halvorson and Cindy Osland arrived in eastern Montana for the start of their teaching careers. Little did they know then that they would teach the area's students for more than 30 years and wind up finding their true love as well.

Osland, who married Halvorson in 1990, came to Sidney in August of 1983 after graduating from Winona State in Minnesota. She remembers being interviewed in Sidney during Memorial Day weekend and accepting a high school position then.

Halvorson, a Malta native, worked for a year in Minnesota before taking a teaching position in Lambert. "I just wanted to get back to Montana," he remembers.

Osland, a communication arts teacher, admits she never thought she would spend her entire teaching career in Sidney. But after she was selected to study Shakespeare in Washington, D.C., in 1986, that led to further studies regarding Shakespeare at the American University in 1989-1990.

"When you are involved in a program like that, you're not really looking for another job," Osland said.

She also probably didn't know that she had time for a man in her life as she was busy coaching athletics along with performing her teaching duties. But fellow teachers Ron and Yvonne Gebhardt then set Osland and Halvorson up on a date.

Halvorson, still teaching and living in Lambert, was also doing his fair share of coaching.

"We saw each other after that [first date] and then didn't for a little while, then we got together," Halvorson said. "It was a teachers' life in the middle of the year. We were both busy with teaching and coaching."

Osland added, "It's not like you cross paths with Lambert a lot."

But the couple got married at Pella Lutheran Church, Sidney, in 1990.

Halvorson, who taught science and math, served as a teacher for six more years in Lambert before accepting a seventh-grade earth science position at Sidney Middle School.

They have a good amount of similar interests such as watching sports, golfing and physical fitness, but the subjects the other teaches isn't probably at the top of their lists.

"For entertainment purposes, I like watching Shakespeare. I like live performances and plays," Halvorson said. "I won't for myself do anything academic with it though."

Osland noted she likes science and hiking. "But going to rock lab in college wasn't my favorite thing."

They have each definitely made their marks in the Sidney School System.

Osland is locally known for starting Renaissance Night where high school seniors act out their versions of scenes

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from Shakespeare's plays. The tradition began in 1988, and this year was the 29th annual event. "We started by performing in the cafeteria," Osland said. "The students are always scared, but it's fun when it's done."

Halvorson, meanwhile, started the science fairs at Sidney Middle School, which students and parents look forward to each year.

They are each thankful to the many mentors during their young teaching days. Osland mentions Carol Hammer, Joyce Cummings and Bernie Braden. "All of my colleagues have been great," Osland said.

Halvorsen names Ron Gebhardt, Mike Gear, David McDonald, Gary Arnold, Deb Prevost and Bill Nankivel among his many mentors.

The couple has also been very active in the community. They have been leaders for the Sidney Sons of Norway and involved at Pella Lutheran Church.

"A lot of good friends, good memories," Osland said.

Although they won't miss taking work home, they will miss the school and Sidney when they move to Billings.

"We've both enjoyed working with the kids all the way and our colleagues for sure," Halvorson said. "It's been a wonderful community to be a part of."