Meet the new teachers at Charles City

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

Seventeen new teachers and staff members join the Charles City Community School District this year, along with three new administrators — Superintendent Mike Fisher, high school Principal Bryan Jurrens and middle school Associate Principal Thomas Harskamp — and they all say they are excited to get the school year rolling.

The new staff members were asked to briefly tell Press readers a little about themselves. Get to know your students’ teachers here as the year starts.

Lindy Mick, Elementary School Librarian.

Hometown: Plainfield.

College: Wartburg, Upper Iowa, and University of Northern Iowa.

Educational Background: Taught English/TAG at W-SR and school librarian at G-R.

Years in education: 2.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: Seeing new faces and the enthusiasm of the students as they see their friends and teachers after the summer.

Why did you choose Charles City: Everyone here was so welcoming, and I had heard great things about projects in the community and at the schools.

Other: I enjoy spending time with family. I like running, biking and paddle-boarding.

• • •

Jennifer Kuehn MS Family Consumer Science.

Hometown: Ionia.

College: Iowa State University.

Educational Background: Family Consumer Science BS.

Years in Education: 6.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: Getting to know all my students, and learning about how I can help them grow throughout the year!

Why Charles City:  I chose Charles City because I have heard wonderful things about the work environment, the students and the community. After being here the past couple days, I am very happy with my choice! Everyone is friendly with high expectations of the school and community, and I can’t wait to be able to help continue the awesome FCS program with Cady! Being much closer to my hometown is an added bonus!

• • •

Cady Mead, 8-12 Family and Consumer Science.

Hometown: Charles City.

College: Iowa State.

Educational Background: Student taught at Ames High, Indian Hill Junior High, teaching assistant for two classes at ISU.

Years in Education: First year teacher.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: Getting to meet the students.

Why Charles City: Home town, closer to family, awesome district.

Other: Short-term study abroad in Jamaica.

• • •

Jodie Johnson, MS/HS Agriculture and FFA Advisor.

Hometown: Aplington.

College: Iowa State.

Educational Background: Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and life science education in May after completing my student teaching experience at Starmont Community School.

Years in Education: Was a day camp instructor at Blank Park Zoo for two summers, but this is my first year in the school setting.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: The excitement of a new year with endless possibilities.

Why Charles City: Welcoming staff who genuinely cares about their students, FFA program with strong ties to the community, supportive and open-minded administration, wide variety of facilities and resources available to support student learning.

Other: Greenhouse, shop, apiary, community partnerships.

• • •

Shari Bender, 7-12 German.

Hometown: Waukee.

College: UNI BA, Drake MA.

Educational Background: Two years math/science 6th and 7th Dallas Center Middle School, three years 8th and 9th grade German Waukee, 8th-grade volleyball coach four years, school exchange program two years.

Years in Education: 6.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: Students coming back and interacting with them.

Why Charles City: Family feel, smaller community, creating a future with my soon-to-be husband and in the same town.

Other: Getting married in October, exchange student in Germany 2006-07, part of Rotary.

• • •

Joclyn Rawn, Kindergarten.

Hometown: Osage.

College: UNI.

Educational Background: I’ve taught kindergarten, preschool and special education. I’ve also taught in Wyoming and Tennessee.

Years in Education: 8.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: The excitement and meeting all of the kiddos.

Why Charles City: I’ve worked in the community for the last four years and I know it’s a great place to be.

• • •

Brooke Hottle, School Counselor, 7-9.

Hometown: Cedar Falls.

College: Kirkwood, DMACC, UNI.

Educational Background: BA in communication studies and psychology, MA in school counseling.

Years in Education: First year.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: I am excited to see all the student’s faces and get to know them for who they are.

Why Charles City: I love the culture of care this district shows. This staff is for the students, not against, and has so much passion for what they do. Another factor that pulled my heart to this community is the diversity. I’m excited to join the family.

• • •

Lindsey Staudt, CCMS Special Education.

Hometown: Rockford.

College: University of Sioux Falls.

Educational Background: General Ed, five years at Immaculate Conception in Charles City, two years at Rockford, 4th, 5th and 6th grades.

Years in Education: 8.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: Finally getting to meet my kids and learn more about them.

Why Charles City: My husband is from Charles City and we decided this was a great community with several opportunities to reside. I am very excited to be involved in a school district that is making innovative changes modernizing education.

• • •

Jessie Menchak, Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri.

College: University of Tulsa (BA), Webster Univesity (MA).

Educational Background: Taugh D/HH students at the Northeast Regional Academy; Endorsements: D/HH teacher, Pre K-4, elementary ed teacher.

Years in Education: 3.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: The excitement in the air, smiles on everyone’s faces, and high energy of the staff.

Why Charles City: Because of the need for a D/HH teacher and the wonderful atmosphere here among staff.

Other: i love art (painting, drawing, etc.) and I am stoked about this year!

• • •

Sharon Nikolai, Preschool Teacher.

Hometown: Stratford, Wisconsin.

College: Wartburg.

Educational Background: BA in elementary education; endorsements: early childhood and special education.

Years in Education: First year.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: Meeting your teacher and other students, getting to know routines and new classroom.

Why Charles City: Throughout the interview I started feeling like a part of the family already. I love that everyone has been so welcoming and I can’t wait to do the same for my future students. Thank you so much for your love and kindness.

• • •

Alex Holbach, 5-8 level 2/3 Special Ed.

Hometown: Reinbeck.

College: Wartburg.

Educational Background: BA in elementary education with reading, strategist I, TAG endorsement. Taught 4th special ed at Winterset for two years, taught K-4 special ed at Waverly for two years.

Years in Education: 5.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: Seeing all of the kids and getting to meet my students.

Why Charles City: My fiancé and I live in Charles City and we love the community. I wanted to be part of such a strong, family-oriented school district and teach in the district our kids will grow up in. Everyone is so welcoming and it makes me feel right at home here.

• • •

Chealsey Moen, Counselor, High School.

Hometown: Cresco.

College: Luther College and UNI.

Educational Background: BA in art, MA in counseling, worked in higher education prior to working at secondary level at University of Wisconsin-Madison and Wartburg College.

Years in Education: 5.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: The renewed energy and spirit — fresh start! The excitement and smiles from students, faculty and staff. Connections with students after summer break.

Why Charles City: The passion and commitment the district has toward empowering all learners to their fullest potential aligns with my own passion and commitment. Also, I chose Charles City because I wanted to work and live within a diverse community.

• • •

Jenae Noonan, Spanish.

Hometown: Bondurant.

College: ISU and Iowa.

Educational background: Graduated Bondurant-Farrar High School in 2010. Graduated ISU in 2014 with a major in World Languages and Cultures.  Currently pursuing my master’s at Iowa.  I taught middle school Spanish and coached track in Seattle, WA.  I also taught K-8 Spanish in Cedar Falls.

Years in education: 5.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: The excitement and energy that students have when starting the new year!

Why Charles City:  I am so impressed by how progressive this school is and am excited for all the diversity.

Other: I really love experiencing other cultures — I have been to over 20 countries!

• • •

Laura Wickham, Middle School Secretary.

Hometown: Alta Vista — have been in Savage, Minnesota, for 24 years.

College: UNI.

Educational background: BA Accounting.

Years in education: 10.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: Seeing how students have grown from the prior year.

Why Charles City:  We wanted to move back to northeast Iowa. Charles City was very welcoming during the interview process.

• • •

Lindy Mick, Elementary School Librarian.

Hometown: Plainfield.

College: Wartburg, Upper Iowa, and University of Northern Iowa.

Educational Background: Taught English/TAG at W-SR and school librarian at G-R.

Years in education: 2.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: Seeing new faces and the enthusiasm of the students as they see their friends and teachers after the summer.

Why Charles City: Everyone here was so welcoming, and I had heard great things about projects in the community and at the schools.

Other: I enjoy spending time with family. I like running, biking, and paddle-boarding.

• • •

Samuel Shaffer, High School English.

Hometown: Davenport.

College: Northwestern College, Regent University, Azusa Pacific University, Life Pacific College.

Educational Background: Taught two years English at George Washington Carver Academy.

Years in education: 3.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: Everything is new and exciting. I love seeing students reconnect after summer. The mood is electric.

Why did you choose Charles City: From the minute I started researching about the high school and community, to my first visit, I felt like there was a lot of warmth, togetherness and health. Innovative educational ideas and practices highlighted discussions with students and staff. Charles City CSD is a family, one I am thrilled to be a part of.

Other: I am married to a fantastic, supportive wife (Jodi) who makes the best cookies. I’m also the proud father of Liza, who loves to giggle, play peek-a-boo and read books. Our family loves to camp, travel and explore. We love to laugh together and enjoy the simple joys in life.

• • •

Jenni Mohs, 1st Grade.

Hometown: Postville.

College: Upper Iowa University.

Educational Background: Student taught in Charles City, part time English Language Learner instructor at Nashua-Plainfield.

Years in education: 2.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: The excitement of the students and teachers — it’s a new year, new start, and a new opportunity to do something great.

Why Charles City: I had the opportunity to student teach in the district and I was very impressed with how welcoming the other staff members were and the great opportunities for students. I knew then that I wanted to be a part of the Comet family!

• • •

Shaley Landt, Title I.

Hometown: Charles City.

College: UNI.

Educational Background: Elementary Ed./Reading.

Years in education: 2.

Favorite thing about the first day of school: Meeting the new students.

Why did you choose Charles City: I have always loved he Charles City Community growing up and wanted to return to my home town to continue my career.