Volume 28, Issue 1 For Employees of the Marshalltown Community School District September 2016

New Teacher EditionSarah Benedict

Fisher, Fourth GradeHometown Des MoinesEducation/ExperienceCentral College (Biol-ogy), Upper Iowa University (Elementary Education)

I enjoy hiking, camping and rock climbing.

Carissa (Bolton) LewisMHS, BusinessHometown Carson, IowaEducation/ExperienceMorningside College (Business Administra-tion and Recreation and Physical Fitness), Grand Canyon University(Master’s Secondary Education)Work experience in human resources, city government and for profit and non-profit

I love the outdoors especially northwest Michigan and Colorado Rockies.

Abi BurkheadFisher, ELLHometownDes MoinesEducation/ExperienceIowa State Univer-sity. Taught English to adults in Mexico City for 5 years.

I enjoy going to flea markets throughout the Midwest and making jewelry.

Dani CameronAnson, First GradeHometown MarshalltownEducation/ExperienceIowa Wesleyan. Worked four years at West Marshall

Hobbies: Tennis and gardening

Kari BendixenFisher, Second GradeHometown ZearingEducation/ExperienceB.A. from Upper Iowa University and B.A. from University of Northern Iowa. Six years at before/after school program in Norwalk and Clive.

I have many educators within my family that have served as role models. My mother works for Colo-NESCO as a 5th/6th grade math teacher, starting her 34th year. I have a twin sister, who is a 1st grade teacher for PCM at Prairie City Elementary in her 9th year. I also have many aunts, uncles and cousins who are in the profession.

Bobcat Insider

Inside this Issue:- MCSD in Municipal Band - Lenihan counselor on the radio- A 1-year-old and paper towels, watch out!

Valerie CorsonMHS, CounselorHometown HaverhillEducation/ExperienceMHS 1999 grad, MCC (AA. Psychology), Buena Vista University (B.A. Psychology, master’s in School Guidance Coun-seling. Previous experi-ence 8 years as PCM Middle School Counsel-or, Prairie City, Iowa

Busy mom of three boys. Hobbies are graphic design, event planning and I love to travel. Excited to come back home and serve the Marshalltown School District! Go Bobcats!

Page 2 Bobcat Insider September 2016

New Teacher Edition

Laura EberlyHoglan, Second GradeHometown Manning, IowaEducation/ExperienceBuena Vista University (Elementary Education and English). Taught 1 year at East Marshall

I enjoy reading and spending time in the fresh air.

Sami EnglandWoodbury, Title I ReadingHometown Williamsburg, IowaEducation/ExperienceUniversity of North-ern Iowa, student teaching, summer school at Vinton, Iowa

I love to be outside, run and spend time with friends and family.

Emily FreseRogers, NurseHometown Milo, IowaEducation/ExperienceDegree from Morningside College, 3 years working at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, two years as a camp nurse

Hobbies: Painting, reading, sewing and quilting.

Abigail GeroAnson, Second GradeHometown Des MoinesEducation/ExperienceIowa State University

I am a slow pitch softball coach and I love being outside and camping.

Laura GustasonHoglan, Special EducationHometown AnkenyEducation/ExperienceIowa Central Community College, University of Northern Iowa. One year teaching in Bondurant-Farrar

I love playing slow pitch softball and adult kickball. I played softball at Iowa Central Community College.

Sarah DeJongWoodbury, Bilingual KindergartenHometown Buffalo Center, IowaEducation/ExperienceCentral College, 8 years for MCSD, years for Mid-Iowa Community Action, Preschool (private and West Marshall)

I enjoy scrapbooking along with being active with the children’s activities.

Heather HermsenHoglan, Fourth GradeHometown Manchester, IowaEducation/ExperienceUniversity of Northern Iowa (Elementary Education with Math minor), long-term sub in Ames

I collect postage stamps.

Morgan FehrmannAnson, ELLHometown MarshalltownEducation/ExperienceIowa State University

I love being outdoors and watching football.

Paige ElliottFranklin, First GradeHometown Des MoinesEducation/ExperienceMCC (A.A.), Buena Vista (B.A)

I enjoy spending time with my family, playing with my dogs and DIY projects.

September 2016 Bobcat Insider Page 3

New Teacher Edition

Jordan KruegerHoglan, First GradeHometown DubuqueEducation/ExperienceEarly Childhood Education, working on master’s. Four years teaching in Dyersville

Hobbies: Spending the summer at the pool, reading and planning a wedding.

Jeni LadehoffHoglan, First GradeHometown MarshalltownEducation/ExperienceTaught for 19 years at St. Francis in Marshalltown

I have three children who keep me busy watching them and their sports. I’m looking forward to this new school year.

Sarah LauerAnson, Fourth GradeHometown Des MoinesEducation/ExperienceDrake University

Hobbies: Reading, sewing and quilting.

Baily MillerMiller, Eighth Grade ArtHometown Humboldt, IowaEducation/ExperienceUniversity of Northern Iowa, taught elementary art at Colfax-Mingo

Hobbies: Being outdoors, sports, painting, photography, pottery, catching up on Netflix episodes.

Adrian McLaughlinHoglan, ELLHometown AmesEducation/ExperienceIowa State University, worked as ELL teacher in Perry and worked for non-profit in the south of Spain

I love traveling and crossed the Atlantic six times last year.

Steve MeloneMiller, Special EducationHometown Des MoinesEducation/ExperienceIowa State University, Upper Iowa University

Hobby: Playing steel drums.

Jennifer NelsonLenihan, Sixth GradeHometown MarshalltownEducation/ExperienceBachelor’s from University of Iowa, master’s from Drake, Taught 4-8th grade gifted and at-risk and 6-8 math

I treasure spending time with my family. I love the beach and love adventure. I’m looking forward to continued growth and learning with the Marshalltown Schools.

Alex KoppyMiller, 8th Grade MathHometown Mandan, North DakotaEducation/ExperienceDegrees in Mathematics and Math Education

I enjoy learning languages and pole vaulting. I am excited for my first year of teaching and seeing what I can do for the Marshalltown community.

Shawna HutchisonMiller, ELLHometown Lake City, MinnesotaEducation/ExperienceEducation Degree in K-12 ESL, and 5-12 Language Arts. 1 year at Miller

I have been to 4 countries so far. I enjoy playing volleyball.

Page 4 Bobcat Insider September 2016

New Teacher Edition

Mason PelzerMHS, EnglishHometown Hubbard, IowaEducation/ExperienceUniversity of Northern Iowa (English/ESL)

Hobbies: Running, reading and gaming.

Haley UpahHoglan, Third GradeHometown MarshalltownEducation/ExperienceWartburg College, Taught 2 years at Nashua-Plainfield

I love to run.

Briana RiddleFisher, PreschoolHometown GrinnellEducation/ExperienceMCC, Elementary Education at Buena Vista University

I enjoy spending time with my 2 children and husband. In our spare time we bowl and play board games.

Leah SpaglAnson and MLA ELLHometown Brownsville, MinnesotaEducation/ExperienceUpper Iowa University, 1 year as ELL teacher at Anson and MLA

At the beach is my favorite place to be. Hobbies: Photography and crafting.

Libbie WillertHoglan, Fourth GradeHometown Nashua, IowaEducation/ExperienceUniversity of Northern Iowa for undergraduate and graduate degrees, 11 years teaching

My husband and I just bought an acreage outside of Laurel and are enjoying country life while renovating our farmhouse and raising our baby chicks.

Sue WalshLenihan, Miller, Vocal MusicHometown Gilbert, IowaEducation/ExperienceBachelor’s from Univer-sity of Iowa, master’s from Rockford (Illinois) College, 10 years teach-ing elementary and middle school music in Illinois, previously registered as music therapist

Like to crochet, garden, have 2 daughters (Hannah and Dani-elle). Go Hawks! Looking forward to building great choirs.

Heather StanleyHoglan, ELLHometown MelbourneEducation/ExperienceB.A. from Buena Vista, Four years teaching at South Tama Elementary

I have two daughters ages 12 and 10 that attend West Marshall. I keep busy watching them in their sporting events and other activi-ties.

Tom OgstonHoglan, ELLHometown Duluth, MinnesotaEducation/ExperienceUniversity of North-western-St. Paul, ELL teacher for 15 years for Waterloo Schools

Enjoy spending time with wife and 4 kids.

Paige NielandAnson, Third GradeHometown Woodward, IowaEducation/ExperienceIowa State University undergraduate degree, assistant teacher at before and afterschool program in Perry

Hobbies: Being active (sports), cooking, crafting, dancing (so-cial-tango, salsa, country two-step and swing).

Lenihan counselorhits the airwavesLenihan Intermediate School Counselor Elaine Johnson appeared on the Central Iowa Today program on KFJB Radio (1230AM) on August 8 to talk about her role as a school counselor along with District Communications Director Andrew Potter, who talked about Back to School events. Johnson is pictured being interviewed by KFJB’s Chuck Shockley.

MCSD staff part of Municipal Band traditionIt’s tradition for live music to bellow out

from the Marshall County Courthouse lawn from the Marshalltown Municipal Band on Thursday nights during the summer. A mainstay in that tradition have been staff and students from Marshalltown Schools as part of the group.

The Municipal Band is directed by Brett Umthun, Assistant Director of Instrumental Music at Marshalltown High School. Other current MCSD staff in the band include Jody Brintnall, District Business Manager, Amy Pigors, Administrative Assistant to the Director of Technology and Miller Paraeducator Cindy Iole. Several other current MCSD staff members have played in the band in the past including Umthun’s co-worker Bret Lee.

Brintnall at it for 44 yearsJody Brintnall has played in the band for

44 years and is an alto saxophone player. She said the band holds a special place in her heart and is a family tradition that she became part of at the age of 13.

“I enjoy the opportunity to still play with a group of great people and continue a lega-cy that has been a tradition in Marshalltown for a long time,” Brintnall said. “Music was always important to my family growing up. I have five older brothers and sisters and we have all played in the Marshalltown Mu-nicipal Band. As a little girl, I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to go to Smith Music

and let Aub Smith help me pick out an instrument. When I was little, every Sunday night during the summer, my family would bring our lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a concert.”

It’s a tradition that continued for her children.

“My three children have also played in the Municipal Band,” Brintnall said. “My granddaughter (4) comes to the summer con-certs and can’t wait until she is old enough to be able to play in the band one day. We

drive by the courthouse and she always says, ‘Grandma, that’s where your band plays.’ It’s a tradition that I hope I can pass down to my grandchildren.”

Pigors loves meeting peopleAmy Pigors has played the trumpet for

four years in the band.“I have met many people from different

areas of the community that I wouldn’t have had any connection to,” Pigors said. “Plus

Jody Brintnall, left, District Business Manager, and Amy Pigors, Administrative Assistant to Director of Technology, snap a selfie prior to performing with the Marshalltown Municipal Band this past summer on the Marshall County Courthouse lawn.

September 2016 Bobcat Insider Page 5

See Band, next page

the retired MCSD employees and current students. Being new to town I didn’t know anyone and this gave me a wonderful opportunity to make new connections.”

Pigors said they learn new music each week.“As a player this is very challenging and invigorating. It keeps

us at the top of our performance levels and constantly learning new techniques,” Pigors said.

Iole in her second stint with bandMiller Paraeducator Cindy Iole began playing in the band as

a ninth grader up until 1981. She rejoined the band in 2005 when her daughter started band, so Cindy has 18 years in the group. She plays the French horn and trumpet.

“I enjoy playing with musicians of all ages and being a part of a historic group,” Iole said. “I also enjoyed playing with both of my kids for the past 4 years in the same band.”

Page 6 Bobcat Insider September 2016

The Marshalltown Community School District Employee News is distributed as a project of the District‘s Communications Office. Unless indicated, articles are written by Andrew Potter, Director of Communications for Marshalltown Schools. Articles and story ideas may be submitted to the editor, Andrew Potter, Central Office, 1002 S. 3rd Ave. Marshalltown, IA 50158. The Marshalltown Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, sex, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status or socioeconomic status. The District is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Inquiries and grievances may be directed to Anthony Spurgetis, MCSD Director of Human Resources, at Central Office, or to the Director of the Region VII Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Kansas City, Mo.

ElijahThomas Troskey

We missed this guy’s birth announcement last year, so we’d thought we would pass on this photo of Elijah Thomas Troskey, who was born April 28, 2015. He is the son of Kate and Stephen Troskey. Kate is a kindergarten teacher at Anson Elementary School and reports Elijah is a very busy boy and it’s a challenge get him to even sit still for a photo. It looks like he may be ready to do some house cleaning, Mom!

Hello baby!

Submit items for the next Bobcat Insider to Andrew Potter, Communications Director, at apotter2@marshalltown.k12.ia.us or call 754-1000. Items can be personal or profes-sional accomplishments, story ideas and anything else you want to share with your fellow MCSD staff members.

Band, continued from page 5

To submit newsletter items

- Brett Umthun

“I love the culture and atmosphere of people in the community from many different walks of life playing music together,”

Director Umthun excited about future Brett Umthun has directed the band for two years and played

percussion in the band for three years before taking over as director.

“I love the culture and atmosphere of people in the commu-nity from many different walks of life playing music together,” Umthun said.

Umthun said the band has recently obtained non-profit status.“We are excited for the leadership and direction this will give

the Municipal Band,” Umthun said.

The Bobcat Booster Club is always looking for new members to help support Bobcat activities. For more information email Woodbury teacher Michele Irwin at mirwin@marshalltown.k12.ia.us.

Support the Bobcats by joining Booster Club