Teaching Experience

Jan. 2010-May 2010 - I taught Physical Education in Hazen, ND for students in grades K-6th

Aug. 2010 - May 2012 - I was an Elementary Strategist in Hazen, ND for students in grades K-4th

Aug. 2012 - May 2013 - I taught 6th grade in Hazen, ND

Aug. 2013 - Nov. 2013 - I taught 3rd grade in Hazen, ND before resigning due to our family being relocated mid-year to East Grand Forks, MN. 

Aug. 2014 - June 2015 - I taught 3rd grade in Grand Forks at Century Elementary

Aug. 2015 - June 2018 - I had the honor to be one of many teachers that helped open Discovery Elementary in Grand Forks. I taught 4th grade for the three years I was there. 

Aug. 2018 - June 2023 - I made the shift to EGF as that is where our family resides & where my kids go to school. I taught 5th grade for the five years I was there. 

July 2023 - current - Principal of Crookston Middle School

Hello! My name is Cierra Hangsleben. I am beyond honored to be the principal for Crookston Middle School. I'd like to introduce myself and share with you a bit about my background. 

I grew up in Grand Forks, North Dakota. I graduated high school from Grand Forks Central in 2005. I went on to attend college at the University of North Dakota. While getting my degree in education, I also played basketball and threw javelin for the UND Track team. I graduated in December of 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, a minor in Special Education, and a Kindergarten Endorsement as well. I shared with you my teaching experience to the left. In 2019, I decided to go back to school to get my master's degree in administration. I graduated from MSUM in May of 2021 with a Masters of Science degree in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in K-12 Administration. Fun fact, I actually walked the "virtual" stage with our fourth child, Lyric, who came a month early, just four days before graduation. Lastly, I went back to MSUM in the fall of 2022 to finish the last bit of coursework to get my MN Principal License. 

My husband, Matt, and I have been married for 16 years. Matt is a civil engineer at the Grand Forks Air Force Base. We have four children who are our whole world. Wyatt is 14 and will be in 9th grade this fall. Brooks is 13 and will be in 7th grade. Maxson is 11  and will be going into 5th grade.  Lyric turned three in May and is the calm to our storm. She has all of us wrapped around her finger. It is so fun to watch her with her three big brothers. A majority of our time is spent in sports (football, soccer, hockey, basketball, baseball, tennis, and lacrosse). In the little bit of spare time we have,  we love to spend time outdoors, going to the lake, hunting, and fishing.  My boys are avid fishers (year-round). Whether it be on the river, in a lake, or in a pond, they would fish 24/7 if they could. 

I am passionate about teaching and helping students develop not only academically but also socially and emotionally. I believe relationships are key and an important component to a child's success. I am humbled to be able to expand my teaching beyond the classroom and help not only students but other educators as well. I value education and consider myself to be a life long learner. My door is always open and I genuinely welcome your conversation and input throughout the school year. It really does take a village and together we are better. I look forward to meeting and working collaboratively with the staff, students, and families of Crookston!