By JJ Day and Carrie Tiggas
One of our featured people for this issue of Com-mini-cations is Marlene Berg, wife of Mini-School’s own Doug Berg. Marlene and Doug have been married for 30 years {one year longer than Mini-School} and have a son, Charles, 28. Marlene has been very involved in Mini-School over the years – she couldn’t be married to Doug and not be. Carrie Tiggas and I went and talked to Marlene at her job {she’s a media paraprofessional at MME} to learn a little more about her and the Doug outside of Mini-School that not many of us know.
How long have you been working for Minnetonka Schools?
This is my 20th year. I’ve worked for 12 years in the media center at MME and
several years in special education throughout the district.
What do you like to do in your own free time?
I like to bike in warm weather, watch foreign movies and read mystery novels. I look forward to going to the Birkebeiner weekend with Doug and I enjoy canoeing with him.
What gives Doug his ambition to the great things he does?
He has a great love for his students and a desire to help them make their lives better. He also has a high energy level. He sets his sights on something and does it to the best of his ability.
In your opinion, what is the most important thing Mini-School does for its students?
Mini-School recognizes the students as individuals, emphasizes their positive
qualities, recognizes their individual learning styles, is patient but firm with them and helps them grow and mature.
What do you think Doug’s best contributions have been to Mini-School?
His high energy, his love of the students, his ability to challenge them on the trips
and his dedication to the Mini-School program and its mission. Of course, when people think of Doug they think of Mini-School trips and the big part he has played in developing the trips program.
How do you think Mini will change when Doug is gone?
This is a difficult question to answer. Many things could happen. It mostly depends on the school district’s commitment to Mini-School and keeping what Doug and Randy have built. If this is important to the district, people will be hired who will maintain and build on what they have established.
How have you been involved in Mini-School over the years?
I was the main flapjack maker until 5 years ago- I made thousands of flapjacks. I’ve attended many of Mini-School’s programs- talent shows, recognition nights. And I’ve always supported Doug in all his endeavors.
In 5….10…15 years where do you see Mini-School?
I would like to see the program still going strong, still helping kids, still taking kids on trips.
Have you ever been on a camping trip with Mini?
No, unfortunately. I’d have liked to have gone but I couldn’t leave my job to go on trips. I’ve sometimes been involved by transporting students or running shuttle.
Has it bothered you that Doug goes on so many trips and spends so much time with Mini-School?
Doug’s going on trips has helped me learn to be self-sufficient. Even though it’s been hard sometimes to have him gone, it’s been good for our relationship to be separated some.
When Doug and you retire will there be a big emptiness where Mini-School used to be?
Mini-School has been a big part of our lives and I will miss the students but I’m sure many of them will visit. A lot of Doug’s former students have become adult friends of ours–your brother Josh [Day], for example. Doug will still do trips, I’m sure, but now he’ll do a lot more of them with me.
Marlene adds in ……
I may work for another year after Doug retires so that he can cook dinner for me when I get home. I don’t think Doug’s ever touched that washer and dryer.
Thank you, Marlene, for the interview and for being so supportive of Mini-School for 29 years.