New staff members excited to start at H-M-S

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

Eight new instructors and two new principals 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.

Angela Berg is the new high school business teacher at H-M-S. She received her B.A. in Business and Marketing from Iowa State University, and her M.B.A. from Drake University.

Berg was attracted to H-M-S because it's "a forward-thinking school."

"I'm so excited to teach business, as it ignites my passion for helping kids to find their calling," she said. "I'm able to take my two decades of successful business career and relate it to the school curriculum. I'm grateful to be part of this team."

Berg grew up in Waukee. She and her husband live in Spirit Lake.

In her spare time, Berg loves to garden, cook and entertain. She has a one-year-old yellow lab retriever, Buster, who loves to go on ATV rides. She and her husband enjoy traveling and being with family and friends.

Beth Letien is the new 7-8 grade math teacher. She is a 2015 graduate of Iowa State University and lives in Royal with her daughter and poodle mix, Scarlet.

Letien grew up in Des Moines, but spent her high school years in northwest Iowa and graduated from Emmetsburg High School in 2010.

She is looking forward to meeting her students.

"I absolutely love teaching middle schoolers," she said. "They're hilarious!"

Letien enjoys spending time with her daughter and other family, reading books and listening to true crime podcasts in her free time.

McKenna Massmann is the new 5-6 grade social studies teacher. She graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in Secondary Education History in 2023.

Massmann grew up in the Ozarks of Missouri. She moved to Iowa her senior year of high school, and then attended college in South Dakota.

"I have always loved history and decided to find a way to make a career out of it," she said. "That's when I found the education pathway at my university and fell in love with teaching."

Massmann was excited to share the world of social studies with her students and share information from the past and present.

"I am also looking forward to seeing my students grow and expanding their knowledge," she said.

In her free time, Massmann enjoys learning more about history, from reading biographies to watching documentaries to visiting museums.

Kirstin Moermond is the new first grade teacher at H-M-S. She graduated from South O'Brien High School in 2020 and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Northwest Missouri State University in 2023.

Moermond grew up in Primghar and has three younger brothers. She recently got married and moved to Sutherland.

Moermond is looking forward to growing relationships with students, their families and staff at H-M-S.

"Everyone I have met so far has been so awesome to talk to and work with, so I am so grateful to be joining such an awesome school," she said.

When she's not in the classroom, Moermond loves to bake, go on walks, and spend time with family and friends.

Libby Mwale is the new high school math teacher. She is a 2023 graduate of Dordt University, where she obtained a degree in Secondary Mathematics Education with endorsements in Middle School Mathematics, Middle School Science and Coaching.

Mwale is originally from Omaha and attended Elkhorn High School, where she was active in several activities as well as her church youth group. She has an older brother and recently got married. She lives in Sheldon with her husband, Julius.

Mwale was happy to have landed at H-M-S for her first year in the classroom and was eager to share her love of math with her students.

"The amount of mathematics that surrounds our lives is immense and I want to help my students understand and appreciate all that mathematics has to offer," she said. "I am also looking forward to building great relationships with my students, parents, other teachers, administrators, and the H-M-S community."

In her free time, Mwale enjoys baking, watching movies and TV shows, and spending time with her family and friends. If the weather is nice, she also likes taking walks and listening to some good music or podcasts.

Rose Rankin is one of the new 5-6 grade instructional strategists. She is a 2023 graduate of Dordt University, where she obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and endorsements in Reading and Special Education.

Rankin has two siblings and grew up in Birmingham, which is in the southeastern corner of Iowa.

She is eager to meet the H-M-S community over the coming weeks and months.

"I am looking forward to working with amazing coworkers, as well as getting to know my wonderful students and their families," she said.

Rankin enjoys going for walks, baking, reading, and spending time with my family and friends in her free time.

Julia Storm is the new high school social studies teacher and will also serve as the assistant varsity track coach. She is a 2019 graduate of George-Little Rock High School and earned her Social Sciences degree from the University of Northern Iowa this year.

Storm grew up in George with her three siblings. In college, she served as the head coach for Iowa Elite Volleyball and was also a freshman volleyball coach at Waterloo East.

Storm was excited to be a part of the H-M-S community.

"I can't wait to learn and grow as a teacher everyday in a school that is absolutely phenomenal," she said. "I can't wait to be a part of this awesome school district!"

When she's not teaching, Storm likes reading, listening to Taylor Swift, watching shows and movies, online shopping, and spending time with her family, friends, and cat.

Carly Ward is the other new 5-6 instructional strategist. She grew up in the H-M-S Community School District and graduated from H-M-S High School. She later completed her Bachelor's Degree at Mary Lou Fulton Teacher's College at Arizona State University in Phoenix.

Ward grew up in Sanborn and met her husband, James, in Arizona. They have two children with another on the way.

Ward was excited to be back home.

"I am looking forward to building a great working relationship with the other teachers in the building to best serve our students," she said. "I am also looking forward to attending performances by students involved in the arts, and supporting our sports teams."

When she's not working, Ward enjoys resting with her family and taking time to reset her brain. She also loves to cook, bake, craft and do DIY home projects.