New faces at H-M-S this year

Just under a dozen new teachers have joined the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn staff for the 2020-21 school year, which got underway on Monday, Aug. 24.

First grade teacher Danica Thome lives in Spencer, where she grew up. Before coming to H-M-S, she taught third grade for five years in Storm Lake and for another two years in Phoenix.

Thome graduated from Spencer High School in 2008 and attended the University of Northern Iowa. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, painting, reading, doing puzzles, kayaking, boating at Okoboji and playing with her new baby kitten.

Thome joined the H-M-S staff to be close to home, and she also knows people who live in Hartley and love the community.

"I am very excited to be in a brand new building and to teach a new grade level after teaching third grade for so many years," she said. "I look forward to the challenges and learning experiences this year will bring!"

Special education teacher Jenni Van Otterloo lives in Sanborn with her husband, Jake, and their two children, Caleb (3) and Lydia (1). She is entering her seventh year of teaching, having previously taught middle school special ed at George-Little Rock and Sibley-Ocheyedan as well as elementary special ed at South O'Brien.

Van Otterloo graduated from Southwest Minnesota Christian High School in Edgerton, Minn., and graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City. She enjoys being outside, playing with her children and traveling with her husband when she's not occupied with work.

Van Otterloo said she is excited to join the Hawk family and H-M-S community.

"The new building is a great place to collaborate and work together with my co-workers," she said. "I am excited to serve the children in my community and work with the teachers and administration at H-M-S."

Second grade teacher Paige Rolfes lives in Melvin and originally hails from Marcus. This is her very first year teaching, but she student taught H-M-S fourth graders.

Rolfes graduated from MMC and later the University of Iowa in May 2020 with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a reading endorsement. She enjoys reading, being outside, playing with her dog and spending time with her family. She also loves watching the Hawkeyes play football and basketball.

Rolfes said she knew H-M-S was the perfect fit for her after her student teaching stint was complete.

"The teaching staff is very supportive and encouraging. Their main focus was on the success of all students," she said. "I am very excited to watch my students learn and grow every day. The new school allows us to collaborate and learn in different settings."

Preschool teacher Kristin Thorn lives in Spirit Lake, but previously called Hartley home for 22 years. She and her husband, Brent, have three children, all of whom graduated from H-M-S High School.

Thorn has been in education for 28 years, with the last 17 spent teaching preschool at the Hartley United Methodist Church. She is a graduate of Aurelia High School and later attended Iowa State University.

In her free time, Thorn enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walking her dogs, traveling, boating and reading.

Her favorite thing about H-M-S is that the staff and administration cares and invests in students by providing opportunities for both educational and personal growth.

"I'm excited about being in the beautiful new building and having the opportunity to collaborate with the staff," she said. "I love getting to be one of the first teachers students encounter and want to instill in them a love of school and learning."

Naet Hoaglund will teach K-12 TAG and high school STEM this year. Additionally, he will also be an assistant girls' basketball coach.

This year is Hoaglund's ninth in education, having taught and coached the previous eight years at Spirit Lake. He was born and raised in Hartley and graduated from H-M-S High School in 2007. He received his teaching degree from the University of Northern Iowa and got married a year ago to his wife, Morgan. They currently live in Spirit Lake where she teaches high school English.

"I'm looking forward to an awesome school year and excited to be back in the H-M-S school district," Hoaglund said.

Lindsy Holst teaches 7-8 grade science. She lives north of Everly on an acreage with her husband, Doug, and their two sons.

Holst has been teaching for 12 years. She previously taught 5-8 grade math in St. Paul, Minn., fifth grade in Pipestone, Minn., and sixth grade in Sioux Rapids. She graduated from Luverne High School and later attended college at Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minn.

Holst likes going to the lake with her family, kayak fishing with her husband, and having playdates with her children.

"I am excited to teach close to home and in the district my children go to and will go to," she said.

Angie Mayer is the new fifth and sixth grade literacy teacher at H-M-S Middle School. She lives outside of Melvin with her husband, Nate, and their three kids.

This is Mayer's 12th year in education, but her sixth as a classroom ELA/reading teacher. She previously taught 5-8 grades at George-Little Rock Middle School for five years and prior to that, she was a para-educator at Rock Valley for five years and a substitute teacher for one year while she finished her English teaching certification from Buena Vista University. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Iowa State University and is a graduate of Pomeroy-Palmer High School.

Mayer enjoys visiting and spending time with family when she can, but her three young kids at home keep her plenty busy. She enjoys spending time with them, reading, baking, and listening to music and podcasts while driving.

Mayer said she was excited to have a shorter commute this year.

"Teaching in our home district of H-M-S was always a goal, and I look forward to being involved in the school and communities," she said. "I hope to pass on my love of reading to my students, and I can't wait to learn more about the students, staff, families and communities that make H-M-S such a great place."

Hayden Adkins is the new 5-8 grade behavioral strategist. He currently lives in Sheldon with his wife and two kids, with the third on the way. He will also be the head middle school wrestling coach this year.

This is Adkins' first year as teacher. He graduated from Buena Vista University last December and graduated from Sheldon High school in 2010. In his free time, he likes spending time with his family and being outside.

Adkins is looking forward to being part of the H-M-S school district.

"I have heard good things about this district and it felt like it was good fit for me," he said. "I am excited to see what this year has in store for all of us and ready to help educate the students of the H-M-S school district."

Makenzie Wolter is the new biology, human anatomy and environmental science teacher this year. This is her first year teaching.

Wolter graduated from the University of South Dakota in May of 2020 with a Bachelor's of Science in Biology Education. In her time at USD, she was an organic chemistry supplemental instructor, chemistry tutor and biology lab instructor. She spent a semester teaching seventh grade science at Vermillion Middle School and another semester in the physical science classroom at Sheldon High School.

Wolter is originally from Sibley, where she currently still resides with her daughter, Oaklynn.

"I'm so excited to be apart of H-M-S," she said. "I look forward to seeing what this year brings!"

Corgan Petersen is the new 5-6 grade/high school band director. This is his first year teaching, but he previously student taught at Spencer and Sioux Central.

Petersen has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Instrumental and Vocal Music Education from Buena Vista University. He is originally from Atlantic, Iowa, but has been living in Spencer with his wife, Alyssa, for the last year. This summer the couple moved to Hartley.

Mark Fisher is the new high school math teacher at H-M-S. He is married to Pastor Vicki Fisher, who serves the Spirit Lake United Methodist Church. They have a daughter at university and a son in high school.

Before moving to Spirit Lake, Fisher taught at Glidden-Ralston. Over the years as his family has been moved by their church, Fisher has taught in South Dakota and Minnesota. He has also taught social studies, English, business education and physics.

Fisher has a Master of School Mathematics from Iowa State University in Ames as well as a B.A. and a B.S. from Iowa State. He has been involved in play writing and has put on eight plays written for high school students. He also is a robot hobbyist and is actively involved in his church and community.