Fifteen new teachers and staff join Charles City School District for start of school year

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Fifteen new teachers and staff will be playing roles in the lives of students in the Charles City Community School District this year.

Twelve of them are from Iowa, including two from Charles City and several others from the area. Three of the new teachers are from other states, including two from Minnesota.

For five of the teachers this is their first teaching position. Others range from a year’s experience to two or three decades of experience under their belts.

Teachers and staff as listed by name, position, age, hometown, education, experience, personal comments and family.

• Melissa Bliss – Lincoln second grade, age 42, Clarksville; AAS in child development from Hawkeye Community College, BA from Upper Iowa University; 13 years in the classroom and five-plus years as a para.

“My family moved to Charles City because my husband was hired as the high school principal. As a family, we are excited to become part of the Charles City community and school district. As a previous middle school teacher, I am looking forward to the challenge of teaching elementary students.

“My goal for this year is to get kids excited to learn and explore. I am excited to become part of the community and build relationships with students and their families.”

Married to Jeromiah for 22 years, two daughters.

• Casey Brandau – school counselor, age 24, Mason City; AA Iowa Central Community College, BA William Penn University, MS Buena Vista University; first job as a teacher.

“I accepted the job position because of all the support everyone had shown me even throughout my interview process. I have been welcomed with open arms and truly feel blessed to be here. This will be a great adventure for me as a new school counselor and I am so excited to grow with the school district.

“I have a lot to learn and adjust to with this new career, and so my main goal for this year is to support students as best as I can as I navigate my journey as a school counselor. Get involved in my school district and the community so that I can build relationships with colleagues, students, families, and community members.”

• Val Hamilton – Lincoln second grade, age 52, Des Moines; bachelors from University of Northern Iowa, masters from Morningside College; 19 years teaching in Algona, 10 years in Spencer, have also coached cross country and track.

“We recently moved to the area. I am very excited to be a part of the Charles City Community School District. Everyone I have met has been so welcoming and helpful. I’m looking forward to a great year.

“My goal is to get to know my students and their families and work together to help each child reach their full potential.”

Husband Pat and three daughters.

• Lorie Hoeft – Lincoln special education, age 55, Elma; certified for K-12 athletic coach, K-8 physical education, 5-12 physical education, K-12 Instructional Strategist II:BD, K-8 reading, K-8 instructional strategist I: mild/ moderate; eight years teaching in St. Ansgar plus 25 years as a para and substitute.

“I chose Charles City because I had worked for the school district before and it was great to work with the students, families, and staff. I also wanted to be closer to home because I live south of town.

“I am looking forward to building positive relationships with my students, families, and co-workers. My professional goal is to help my students achieve their academic or social goals. The knowledge I give my students will not only help them academically but in their life outside of school.”

• Cindy Holland – registered nurse, age 45, Forest City; BA in finance and management, ADN in nursing, MBA, graduate credits in nursing and special education; registered nurse since 2007 with four years in school nursing, acute care experience, care coordination, and management/ supervisory experience in nursing.

“Even from my high school days, I knew Charles City was a strong school district. I know some of the nursing staff, teachers, and administration and I feel like the school is working to improve the education the students receive in the district. I am excited to be a part of that movement and work with a dedicated team!

“I am excited to help the school district continue to develop their health services, and support all the students for their health needs. The existing health staff has a great start and I hope to help them move forward to provide additional services to students and staff, as well as strengthen the bond with the community.”

Significant other and four children.

• Tangela Jensen – High school science, age 37, Charles City; AA from NIACC, BA in elementary education at UNI, endorsements for math, science, and social science for seventh and eighth grade through Morningside University; currently taking classes for high school chemistry endorsement; first year of teaching.

“I chose Charles City because it has been my home since I was preschool age. I went to school here and my kids go to school here. I have been shown so much kindness by the staff here as well.

“My main goal is building positive relationships with students and helping push them to be the best version of themselves they can be. I am really hoping to get students excited about science and learning in general.”

Husband James and two children.

• Wes Johnson – Lincoln second grade, age 23, Rockford; University of Northern Iowa with a dual middle school and elementary major; first year teaching.

“I completed my student teaching in Charles City. During my student teaching I was able to observe how great the staff and students are within Charles City. Also both of my sisters are teachers in Charles city.

“My goal for this year is to gain experience and to learn a lot. My goal this year is to create an engaging classroom that is also fun and challenging for students.”

Recently engaged.

• Katelyn Kluver – K-6 music, age 22, Harlan; bachelor’s in music education from Wartburg College; first year teaching.

“During my time at Wartburg, I had field experience at Lincoln and Washington Elementary Schools. I could tell that the community loved music and were very supportive of music education. The Charles City music department has been very successful, and I am very excited to help grow and continue to strengthen the music program as a whole.

“My goal for the year is to promote music education in and out of the music classroom. I want to get kids excited about music, and I want them to be able to make connections between music and other disciplines.”

• Maggie Lucas – Middle school special education, age 39, Charles City; bachelor’s degree from BVU, master’s in educational leadership from UNI; six years experience including one year in Pensacola Florida and five years in Mason City.

“I graduated from Charles City Schools in 2002. I have moved away and come back because this is home. My kids are both in school in Charles City. I love what Charles City Schools stand for and what they are working to accomplish. I am excited to be a part of this district!

“This year, I will focus on building relationships with staff and students. In the past I have always taught reading and writing small groups in special education. This year I will be adding in a small group math class. I am excited for the opportunity to collaborate with the other math teachers and focus on learning new skills to improve my teaching career.”

Two sons.

• Joanne McAvoy – Lincoln counselor, Alta Vista; BA in education 7-12 social science from UNI, masters in education K-12 school counseling from UNI; 25 years as a counselor (two years Howard Winn, 18 years New Hampton middle school, five years New Hampton elementary).

“I chose Charles City because I saw there was an opening for grades 2-4 and I was interested in having a smaller age group to work with. I have been amazed by the support, encouragement, and compassion that has been shown to me. I am extremely excited to be a Comet and be a part of such an incredible school family!

“My goal for the year is to build positive relationships with the staff and students. Another goal I have is to provide a calm and safe space for students and staff.”

Husband Jim, three children, two step-children and five grandchildren.

• Cassie Michael – Lincoln special education, age 38, Blue Earth, Minnesota; BA in K-12 special education from Buena Vista University; first job teaching, eight years as a para, one year substitute.

“From a young age I have always had a passion for working with children. I have found lots of opportunities here to be able to do the things I love and an amazing work family that encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and pushed me to reach my full potential. I look forward to strengthening those relationships and building new ones with the staff, families and students I will serve.

“I am excited to build and establish new relationships in a new role with the district. I am also looking forward to advocating for the students and helping them grow and reach their full potential.”

Husband and four children.

• Christian Paulson – Grades 5-12 orchestra, age 61, Austin, Minnesota; BA in music ed from Luther College, MA in education administration, CAS in education administration; 22 years as a band or orchestra director, 14 years as a principal.

“Charles City has had an outstanding reputation in music ever since we marched against them in the North Iowa Band Festival while in high school. I have greatly enjoyed getting to know the staff and administration here. They have been most welcoming! Thank you.

“I’m looking forward to working with the string students at Charles City. My goals for our program are to promote excellence through our performances, increase and retain enrollment at all levels, and continue to grow the reputation of the Charles City orchestra program.”

Wife and family.

• Austin Rekward – high school PE strength and conditioning, age 24, Ackley; BA in physical education with a minor in health education and sports administration from UNI; first job teaching.

“Before applying to Charles City I had only driven past it a few times my whole life. After researching the community and school I was very excited to get the opportunity to work here. I was open to teaching any grade level, but I have always had the most passion for the high school level.

“I am ready to get started at Charles City, and meet the great staff and community and learn as much as I can. My vision for my classroom is to give students the knowledge and skills that will enable them to take what I have taught them outside of school. By this I mean creating lifelong learners. I can’t wait to be able to work with everyone, and am excited to learn as much as I can from everyone, while also putting forth the knowledge I have obtained.”

• Ryan Schmalen – Middle school physical education, age 27, Clear Lake; K-12 physical education and health from Upper Iowa; taught in Janesville for one year and Garner for two years.

“I completed my student teaching experience here five years ago with Rusty Rogotzke and loved it. This community is great, the school, and the leaders are awesome. I feel CC is a great place for me to grow in my career. Both of my parents graduated from Charles City, I have lots of family still in this area. I also lived here for a year while we were building our house in Clear Lake.

“I am excited to focus on the skills, the importance of fitness and physical education. I am looking forward to seeing the students improve their fitness throughout the year. One goal that I have for all of my PE students every year is that when we do our fitness testing at the beginning of the year they improve by the end of the year. I want to promote the importance of physical education and fitness.

Girlfriend Shelby.

• AJ Weber – grades 7-12 choir, age 23, Cary, Illinois; BA in vocal music education from Augustana College; one year teaching at Clinton Middle School.

“I was looking for a new experience that would allow me to do more of the things I love. Charles City’s program impressed me, and it is the type of program I am excited to be a part of.

“My goals are to nurture and grow the choir program to make it the best that it can possibly be and provide the most enriching experience for students possible.”