New H-M-S staff members excited for 2021-22 school year

Jay Eilers is the new elementary instructional coach. He obtained his Master's and undergraduate's degrees from Northwest Missouri State University, and hails from West Burlington.

He previously served at the West Burlington Independent School District, where he taught P.E. and junior high special education. He was also the head football coach, assistant track coach and junior high basketball coach.

Eilers' favorite thing about teaching is working with his peers and building relationships with students that break down barriers. He believes that relationships lead to change and growth.

Eilers and his wife, Rebekah, have two boys: Ethan, 19, and Evan, 15. He enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, boating and Frisbee golf. He also loves a good meal.

First-year teacher teacher Jacob Riedemann will be instructing seventh and eighth grade math this year. He is from Le Mars and obtained his Bachelor's Degree from Wayne State College in Secondary Mathematics Education.

Riedemann enjoys being able to work with students and watch them grow academically and personally. He likes being a part of a crucial time in junior high students' lives and building relationships with them that transcends the classroom.

In his free time, Riedemann enjoys disc golfing, spending time with family and friends, watching sports, and cheering on the Cyclones on Saturdays.

Lindsey Ramsey is the new elementary literacy specialist. She received her Master of Arts in Education from Ashford University and her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with English/Language Arts and Reading endorsements from the Franciscan University of the Prairies.

Ramsey is originally from Clinton. She and her husband, Corey, have two daughters – Ainsley, 7, and Teagan, 4 – and three adult stepchildren. She previously worked at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, Ashford University, Ellsworth Community College and the Clinton Community School District.

Ramsey is looking forward to being part of the team that supports H-M-S Elementary.

"Literacy is such a foundational skill that will impact students for their entire life," she said. "I am excited to play a role in helping students at H-M-S develop those skills so they can succeed in school and beyond."

In her free time, Ramsey enjoys spending time with her family and walking their dog, Mickey. She also enjoys camping, cooking, traveling, photography, attending sporting events and working out.

Second grade teacher Tayla Coady graduated from South O'Brien High School in 2015 and attended the University of Iowa, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education as well as a reading endorsement. She is from Primghar and previously taught third grade at Clay Central/Everly.

Coady's favorite thing about her job is building relationships with students and teaching a "good interactive math lesson."

Coady and her fiancé, Wyatt, have two dogs, Motzy and Taz. In their free time, they enjoy kayaking, playing with their dogs and are also remodeling a house.

Grace Paulson is the new physical science, chemistry and physics teacher. She is from Hancock and attended Briar Cliff University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.

This is Paulson's first year teaching, though she student taught at Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School.

"I enjoy seeing the moment when a student understands something he or she has been struggling with and helping students learn the skills they will need after high school," she said.

Outside of the classroom, Paulson enjoys reading, painting and camping.

First-year teacher Carley Seivert is the new junior high and high school family and consumer sciences teacher. She is from Sibley and earned her degree at Wayne State College.

Seivert's favorite thing about teaching is building relationships with students, staff and the community.

"I enjoy seeing my students excited about what they are learning and seeing them progress throughout the year," she said.

In her free time, Seivert enjoys baking, being outside, crafting and spending time with loved ones.

New TK-6 music teacher Nicole Lewis received her Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Morningside College and her Master's in Curriculum & Instruction from Wayne State College. She is from Alexandria, S.D., and previously worked at the George-Little Rock and Sioux City school districts.

Lewis loves making music with students every day.

"Seeing the enjoyment that music brings them is such a satisfying experience," she said.

Lewis and her husband, Michael, have one daughter, Sophie. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, traveling and taking walks.

Kyle Johnson is the new high school math teacher. This is his first job outside of college, having earned his bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education.

Johnson is from Cherokee and has previous experience working with children at Hidden Acres Christian Center serving on the counseling and leadership staff. His favorite thing about teaching is connecting with students through a subject he is passionate about.

Johnson enjoys watching sports, disc golfing and listening to his music in his free time.

Margeaux Baskin will be teaching high school life science this year. She is originally from Bedford, Texas, and received her bachelor's degree at Texas Tech University in Multidisciplinary Sciences. She is currently working towards her Master's in Science with an emphasis in Higher Education Life Science at Texas A&M Commerce.

Baskin is engaged to Carter Gerdeman. She previously taught seventh grade PAP life science and coached 7-9 grade gymnastics in the HEB Independent School District.

Baskin's favorite thing about teaching is her students.

"I absolutely love being able to teach them about the awesome aspects of science, but also helping them work towards their personal and life goals," she said.

In her free time, she loves reading, walking her dogs, being outdoors and date nights with her fiancé.

Morgan Hoaglund is the new 7-8 grade English/language arts teacher. She graduated from Wayne State College in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in Secondary English Education.

Hoaglund is originally from Alton and graduated from MOC-Floyd Valley High School. She and her husband, Naet, live in Hartley with their Goldendoodle, Quincy.

Hoaglund previously taught 10th grade English in Spirit Lake for five years. Her favorite things about teaching are the relationships she forms with students and getting to be a part of their daily lives.

"I have such a passion for all things language arts, and I love sharing that passion with my kids, too," she said.

Outside of school, Hoaglund enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, spending time with friends and family, and going for walks with her husband and dog.

Courtney Johannsen will be teaching kindergarten this year. She is originally from Sutherland and graduated from South Dakota State University this spring.

Johannsen married her husband, Branden, in July. They have a puppy, Nella. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, and likes being outside.

This is Johannsen's first year of teaching, but she previously student taught a kindergarten classroom and a 3- and 4-year-old preschool room.

Johannsen loves children's positive attitudes.

"I enjoy the upbeat atmosphere that kids bring every day," she said. "I also love all the things students teach me while I'm teaching."

Lauren Waltz is the new third grade teacher. She is from Sioux Center and graduated from Sioux Center High School, later earning her degree from Northwestern College.

Waltz and her husband, Aric, have two sons – Mason, 2, and Bowen, 1. The also have a dog, Cooper. She previously taught at Harris-Lake Park, Carondelet Leadership Academy and Gateway Science Academy.

Waltz's favorite thing about teaching is watching students grow in all areas of their lives.

"I love interacting with kids and getting to know them," she said. "I really enjoy collaborating with other teachers and exchanging ideas to help our students."

When she's not in the classroom, Waltz enjoys cooking, baking, going for bike rides and walks with her kids, and watching Netflix.

Jon Rozeboom will serve as the 5-8 grade literacy specialist this year. He is originally from Sheldon and graduated with a bachelor's degree from Buena Vista University in Secondary Education and Social Sciences.

Rozeboom loves seeing students make connections with the material he's teaching.

"These 'lightbulb moments' make my job worthwhile and keep things interesting," he said. " I also enjoy helping struggling students. My favorite part of my job is the positive relationships I build with them."

Rozeboom enjoys cooking, grilling and spending time outdoors when he's not in class. He loves hunting pheasant and fishing, and also enjoys reading novels and spending time with his family.

New middle school Principal Corey Ramsey has an extensive background in education dating back to his first job at Central DeWitt Community Schools. He's held a variety of roles in K-12 schools, AEAs and higher education.

Ramsey holds degrees from Western Illinois University, Morningside College and Iowa State University. He most recently served as head of special education at Williams Intermediate in Davenport. His favorite thing about education is being able to facilitate changes in the lives of students.

Ramsey and his wife, Lindsey, have five children and a dog, Mickey. He enjoys traveling, baseball, camping, working out, music, church and spending time with his family.

"I am looking forward to getting to know our community and create friendships as we get settled in," he said.

Spanish instructor Abby Dulin is in her first year of teaching. She hails from Okoboji and earned her degree at Morningside College.

Dulin enjoys watching students gradually grasp a new language.

"I genuinely love the look on students' faces when they finally click and can understand what I am saying and give me a response in Spanish as well," she said.

In her free time, Dulin enjoys playing golf, cooking and binge watching TV shows with her dog, Max.

Katie Henderson is the new 5-6 grade social studies teacher. She is originally from Independence and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Secondary Education/History from Northwestern College.

This is Henderson's first job in education. Her favorite thing about teaching is the kids.

"I love spending time around kids," she said. "They bring so much energy."

Henderson has a daughter, Evelyn, and a son, Tony. She enjoys reading, spending time with family, visiting her parents and shopping in her free time.

New art teacher Brittany Johnson graduated from Wayne State College and previously worked at Winnebago Public School and West Community School District. She is originally from Jackson, Neb., and is married to her husband, Drew.

Johnson loves being an art teacher because of the student-teacher interaction.

"I enjoy helping students understand content," she said. "The feeling you get when your students master something is like no other. I also like to learn from them as well."

When she's not leading the classroom, Johnson enjoys listening to functional medicine podcasts, gardening, creating art, traveling and surfing.