Hello! I’m Gwen Toppe. My parents and 3 siblings lived in several different areas of the country. When I was younger, we lived in Oregon where my father grew up and then we moved to Massachusetts for most of my high school years. I graduated from high school in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and started college at Indiana University in Bloomington. My mother’s family was from Central Illinois so when I was looking to transfer, I decided to finish my college education at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. After college, I started teaching and met my husband on a blind date. We have 2 children, a son and a daughter. They were 11 and 13 years old when we moved to Big Lake. Moving to Big Lake was a great experience for our family. Our children enjoyed school and participated in many different programs and activities. We all enjoyed the atmosphere of a small town with the opportunities here and in the surrounding area.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been married to my husband Tim, for 40 years. We have 2 adult children, who are both Big Lake graduates. My daughter Amanda, her husband Christian and 3 young boys live in Los Angeles, CA. My son and his wife Kate currently live in Maple Grove with their family of pets.
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
We moved to Big Lake in 1996 from Central Illinois. I started working at Big Lake High School in October, 1996.
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
I started my teaching career in Southern Illinois where I taught Physical Education and Art at the high school level. I was also able to coach volleyball, softball, and basketball. We relocated to Effingham, IL, where I taught Physical Education and Computer classes to students in grades 1-8. Moving to Minnesota in 1996 prompted me to make a career change. I decided to pursue my interests in technology and got my Masters Degree in Information Media. I worked as a Media Specialist in Big Lake schools until 2018. During that time I did quite a bit of work in the television studio and started the Sports Broadcasting program. In addition, working at athletic events was always a highlight. This was my way to stay involved with athletics while working with students and technology. I then started teaching STEM and Physical Education classes at Liberty Elementary School. Beginning in ‘20-’21, I began teaching Physical Education at Independence and Liberty Elementary Schools. I would have to say some of my favorite parts of my career have been promoting reading to reluctant readers, teaching sports broadcasting, coaching at all levels, working at athletic events, and teaching Earth Science STEM lessons to the students at Liberty Elementary School.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
Yogi was a nickname I had in high school. My last name was Yoakum and I played 3rd base on our softball team. Somehow my teammates thought that nickname fit.
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
I love to watch NFL football, the Hallmark channel and nature documentaries. Favorite movies, Ghost, Mamma Mia!, Favorite books, Anything by Will Hobbs, James Patterson and Janet Evanovich.
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy………….. probably water. I love Sprite and Fresca, but wouldn’t want that to be the only drink I had.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
Photography, reading, beach combing, and rockhounding
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
Seeing the polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba.
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
I would take a trip to see the polar bears and also go to the Galapagos Islands to photograph wildlife.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
Adjusting to situations in life that you have no control over and realizing that everything happens for a reason, even if you don’t know what that reason is.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would try not to be so serious, and enjoy everyday accomplishments.
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
When I was growing up, I admired Billy Jean King for her efforts to gain equal rights for girls/women in athletics. As an adult, anyone who works to make our world a better place is a hero to me..
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
Raising my children to be good people.
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
Coborn’s, MNW Retail Outlet, Kwik Trip, El Loro, McPete’s
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Big Lake?
The small town feel.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
Be sure to get out and explore the community for yourself. Be proud of your community and work to make it a better place.
Q: Who is an interesting person in our community that you’ve met and deserves to be included in The Faces of Big Lake project?
Diana Quinn: Sherburne County Master Gardener
