Tonya obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD in Biology and Secondary Education. After teaching for a couple of years she went to work in a lab testing blood samples and distributing blood products to area hospitals. She entered the Social Services field in Oct. of 2008 where she found her true passion.

 

She holds certifications as master trainer in Real Colors, Therapeutic Behavior Management for Foster Care, Psychological First Aid, Trauma Art Narrative Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, KINNECT, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, Becoming a Love and Logic Parent, and Positive Behavioral Intervention & Support (PBIS) and recently became a TBRI Practitioner (Trust Based Relational Intervention). 

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Tonya lives in the South Sioux City, NE area with her significant other and 3 dogs.  She has 3 grown children and 8 grandchildren.  She is active in her community as a member of several civic organizations, past President and Board Member of the local Optimist Club and previous Board Member of New Stage Players Community Theater.  In her spare time, she enjoys watching the grandchildren participate in their activities, fishing, Minnesota Vikings football, and spending time with family.