Several new faces leading H-M-S classrooms

Students at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn were greeted by several new teachers when they entered their classrooms last week.

Thirteen new instructors and one new principal joined the H-M-S staff roster this year. Though some have an extensive background in education, others in the group are enjoying their first year in the classroom.

Jacquelyn Wohlert is one of the new first grade teachers at H-M-S Elementary. She graduated from South O'Brien High School in 2016 and earned an Associate's Degree from Northwest Iowa Community College. She later obtained an Elementary Education degree and reading endorsement from Buena Vista University in May of 2022.

Wohlert is originally from Paullina. She and her husband, Jordan, live in Sutherland with their dog, Harley, and cat, Luna.

Wohlert is most looking forward to building relationships with her first graders and new co-workers at H-M-S. In her free time, she enjoys reading and cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones.

Megan Christiansen is the other new first grade teacher at H-M-S Elementary. She graduated from the University of South Dakota in 2017 with a degree in Elementary Education and minors in Reading and English as a New Language.

Christiansen grew up on a farm outside of Newell as the middle child in a family of three girls. She previously taught second grade for five years in west central Iowa.

Christiansen is looking forward to teaching a new grade with new learning opportunities and collaborating with the staff to create a great climate for H-M-S students. When she's not in the classroom, she likes to travel and make new memories with her sisters and three nephews. She's currently working on seeing all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums and also enjoys reading, shopping, spending time on the lake, and being with the rest of her family and friends.

Andrew Yenzer is the new 6-12 band director at H-M-S. He recently graduated from Iowa State University in 2022 with a degree in Instrumental Music Education. Yenzer is a Des Moines native, where his mom and younger sister still live. His dad lives in Leon with his stepmom, and he also has two stepbrothers and a stepsister.

Yenzer is looking forward to fostering a positive and educational learning environment for all of his classes at H-M-S as well as supporting the community's activities with music. When he's not leading the band, he stays connected with his friends and family through playing video games and watching movies through a streaming service app called Teleparty. Yenzer also enjoys cooking and eating new foods, and traveling to new places.

Skylar Forbes is the new TK teacher at H-M-S Elementary. She graduated from Harris-Lake Park and later attended the University of Northern Iowa, where she graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.

Forbes is from Harris and has two younger siblings, Chayce and Kilyn. She also has two dogs, Koko and Kirby.

Forbes is looking forward to getting to know more of the staff and students at H-M-S. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family in addition to working out with her mom.

Kayla Stofferan is the new preschool teacher at H-M-S, where she graduated from high school in 2016. She went on to earn a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa in 2019 and later taught third grade at Alta-Aurelia for two years.

Stofferan grew up in Sanborn and is the daughter of Reece Stofferan and Jody VanderBush. She has two siblings, Jessica and Nathan.

She is looking forward to working with the next generation of children at H-M-S and working with an amazing staff. In her free time, Stofferan enjoys cooking and baking as well as being with her friends and family.

Patricia Zimmermann is the new third grade teacher at H-M-S Elementary. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Northwestern College with a middle school endorsement specializing in math and language along with a coaching endorsement.

Zimmermann was born and raised in Spencer. Her family played a huge role in where she is today, and she's grateful for their support.

She is looking forward to getting acquainted with the community and building new relationships with fellow staff members, students and parents. When she's not working, Zimmerman enjoys working out, being outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and reading.

Emilee Moranville is the new fourth grade teacher at H-M-S Elementary. She is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and also taught for two years in southwest Iowa.

Moranville grew up in Washington, Iowa with her parents and sister. The recent bride lives in Spencer with her husband, Wyatt.

Moranville is excited to build a strong and welcoming community with the students and staff at H-M-S. When she's not in the classroom, she likes to spend time with her family, dog and cat in addition to reading, shopping and spending time at the Iowa Great Lakes.

Sara Ho is the new 5-8 special education instructor at H-M-S Middle School. She has a Chemistry degree and hybrid Music/Special Education degree from Trinity Western University as well as an Education degree from Simon Fraser University and a Master's Degree from the University of Alberta.

Ho grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and then in Abbotsford, British Columbia. She has two brothers that live in Canada and Cambodia with their families. Before moving to Iowa in 2021, Ho and her husband, Jason, spent the last seven years in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

She is looking forward to getting to know everyone and working with a great staff at H-M-S. When she's not on the clock, Ho likes traveling, cooking, reading, knitting and being outside as much as she can.

Tenee Jessen is the new fifth and sixth grade science teacher at H-M-S Middle School. She received here Bachelor's Degree in Education from Buena Vista University with endorsements in Reading, Social Studies, and Instructional Strat. 1. She is also certified in programs for STEM and coding courses.

Jessen moved to northwest Iowa in high school, where she met her husband, Thomas. They live on an acreage outside of Everly next to his family farm with their two sons, Barret and Cayson.

Jessen is excited to join a school community that shares the same core values that she does. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family and friends, fishing, kayaking, and being outside on the farm. She also enjoys reading, music and drawing.

Elizabeth Ricke is the new 5-6 special education instructor at H-M-S Middle School. She recently graduated from Wartburg College with a BA in Elementary Education, minoring in Special Education, Reading and Early Childhood. She completed her student teaching in Hawaii and Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School.

Ricke is from a small town by Pocahontas, where she grew up with her parents and two brothers. She is looking forward to working with H-M-S students and spending time in the friendly community.

When she's not at work, Ricke enjoys reading, traveling and being outdoors.

Kirsten Taylor is the new 7-8 grade math teacher at H-M-S Middle School. She also coaches the varsity cross country and varsity girls' track teams and supervises the weight room.

Taylor graduated from Augustana University with degrees in All-Grades Education, Physical Education and Exercise Science. This is her eighth year in educaiton

Taylor is looking forward to being part of a great community culture and building relationships with more students and families. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, traveling, cooking, paddle boarding and sports.