Hello Big Lake! I’m Derek Holman, a teacher and coach in Big Lake. My family and I have been in this community for 24 years and I have been teaching in Big Lake for 23 years. I am passionate about working with our students and helping them learn and grow. Coaching various sports and age groups has been very important in my life and I continue to coach soccer for youth and our JV girls team. I love teaching and coaching when I can make a difference in students’ lives.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My wife, April, and I have been married 25 years. April is a Surgical Tech at Maple Grove Hospital. We have 3 great kids – Halle – 17 years old and a senior in high school, Mya – 15 years old and a sophomore, and Bruin – 4 years old. We also have two dogs. Echo is an 11 year old Black Lab and Yogi is our 3 year old Newfoundland that thinks he’s a lap dog at 115lbs!
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
We have been in Big Lake for 24 years.
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
I have been a teacher in Big Lake for 23 years. Currently I teach 3rd grade but have taught 1st – 4th in previous years. Before teaching in Big Lake, I was at St. Andrews in Elk River. Besides teaching, I also coach various sports. Currently I am coaching soccer for my son’s youth team and the JV girls soccer team. I have coached Junior High Football, C Squad Basketball, Assistant Varsity Baseball. I also coached softball, baseball and basketball for the youth teams. In the future I plan to keep teaching and coaching in Big Lake.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
I did have the nickname Ducks when I played Town Team Amateur baseball. I was number 22 and my teammate just started calling me Ducks. I’m still called this only by my close friends.
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
I like all the Star Wars movies. Every Thanksgiving break I watch all 12 movies with my daughter Mya. I also have watched older seasons of The Masked Singer.
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I would have the Logger Burger – burger with chili poured on top – from the Trails Center on the Gunflint Trail and an IPA from Lupulin.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
I enjoy going to the Boundary Waters. I take one daughter each year and I’ve also gone alone. Now Bruin will also go with me. We enjoy hiking, canoeing, and fishing – anything on the Gunflint, Ely, or Grand Marais. Coaching is another hobby I enjoy.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
I want to go to Alaska.
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
We would move to the Gunflint Trail where there would be wilderness at our doorstep. I’d also like to volunteer in the wilderness, clearing trails and helping the Rangers.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
My father passed away 4 years ago and he was a very important person in my life. Making it through his death was certainly a challenge I had to overcome.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would love to have my hair back! I grew out my hair during Covid and let the kids shave it off again.
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
My wife is my hero. She spent a lot of time living almost like a single parent while I coached all the time. She is very good at grounding me when I’m stressed.
Q: What is something even your family and friends may not know about you?
I’m an introvert. I don’t like crowded areas with a lot of people.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
Being married for 25 years! I have an awesome marriage and fantastic kids.
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
Lupulin Brewing, 3 Brothers Hardware Store, and Willy’s on the Water
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Big Lake?
We have so many good people in Big Lake.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
Get involved with something. It is important to be a part of the community.
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?
Miranda Forgey – science teacher and the school robotics coach. She started the robotics program from nothing and built it to what it is today. Kelly Dilger – She is our volunteer assistant girls soccer coach and works at Options in Big Lake, a very important business here in town. I would love to list every teacher in Big Lake! They are all awesome to work with and care so much about our students.
