Volume 26, Issue 8 For Employees of the Marshalltown Community School District MAY 2016

Inside the Cat's Eye

Susan Baker

Salute to our retirees

Greg Bittner

Where you've been?"I started working in the MCSD in 1998 as a special education teacher. I've worked at Anson, Hoglan, Franklin, Lenihan, Miller, and Rogers. My last 4 years have been at Rogers. Prior to coming to the MCSD, I taught special education at East Marshall, Davenport and Clinton, Iowa. My entire teaching career has been spent working with Behavioral Disorders Level I/II/III."What's next?"In retirement, I plan to spend more time with my family, garden-ing, in my flower beds, reading, enjoying my hobbies and someday grandchildren."Memories of MCSD?"I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges and rewards my job has brought me. The relationships I have made with my students, my paraeducators, my colleagues, and the staff will always hold a spe-cial place in my heart. MCSD has been a great place to work!"

Started in 1998

Where you've been?"I started working as a custodian at Marshalltown High School on August 24, 1981. I worked there for six years and then spent one year working grounds at the MHS complex. For the past 28 years I've worked in utility maintenance with Buildings and Grounds." What's next?"I'm building a fishing pond, and putting a roof on my barn and plan to travel the rest of the time. I might help out local farmers in the fall. I'm not going to miss having to get up at 2 in the morning to plow snow."Memories of MCSD?"It's been fun working with some of the same guys through the years."

Started in 1981

Page 2 Inside the Cat‘s Eye May 2016

Salute to our retirees

Gena Graglia Steve Hewitt

Where you've been?"I started at MCSD in 2001 and spent 12 years at Miller Middle School in modu-lar technology, one year at Anson and two years at Marshalltown High (substitute teacher)."

What's next?"Going on my bucket list all over USA and possibly working a part time job to keep my sanity."

Memories of MCSD? "I thank the school district for my opportunity to work here. It was a good move from South Da-kota, but now it's time to mosey down the road to other pastures."

Started in 2001

Where you've been?"It has been my privilege and my joy to have taught in the MCSD since 1996, all of those 20 years at Hoglan Elementary. I have taught all grade levels except for 2nd grade."

What's next? "As for my future, I hope I am wise enough to let God direct my path. May the future be bright for MCSD!"

Memories of MCSD? "I am sincerely thankful for the friendships made, the supportive relationships with col-leagues, and the collaborative ones with families and students."

Started in 1996

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 Matt Tullis, MCSD Equity Coordinator, at Central Office, or to the Director of the Region VII Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Kansas City, Mo.

May 2016 Inside the Cat‘s Eye Page 3Salute to our retirees

Ann Heying

Where you've been?"I taught business and computer classes from 1985-1991 and 2005-2016 at MHS. From 2000-2004 I worked with the All-Stars program at Hoglan and Fisher Elementary Schools."

What's next?"Future plans include no real plans other than spending more time with my daughters and my friends and enjoying every single day I wake up without an alarm clock." Memories of MCSD?"I have never been bored teaching here. There is never a dull moment."

Started in 1985

MEA/MCSD retiree recognition tea, 4 p.m. May 18, Dejardin Hall

at Iowa Valley Continuing Education

Sally Jansen

Where you've been?"I started my employment in the district in 1997 at MHS as a financial secretary, then moved to Miller in a para position where I also coached 8th grade volleyball. I started teaching in 2001 as a 5th grade teacher at Franklin. I was there for 2 years and then moved back to Miller Middle School as a 6th grade teacher. I have also coached fresh-men volleyball and 7th grade basketball. When Lenihan was opened, I moved to a 7th grade math teacher position still at Miller. Four years ago, I transferred to Lenihan and taught 5th grade math and science for a year and then to 6th grade as a math and science teacher for the past 3 years."

What's next?"My husband and I have already booked a vacation to the New England states in September where we will be celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary. I always said we would take a fall vacation as soon as I retire! I am looking forward to spending more time with our grandchildren and enjoying my hobbies."

Memories of MCSD?"I have made life long friends during my time in the Marshalltown Community School District."

Started in 1997

Page 4 Inside the Cat‘s Eye May 2016Salute to our retirees

Lisa Koester

Where you've been?"I started in the MCSD in October of 1993 as a School to Work Coordinator. I was then hired as the Anson Middle School Principal, serving from 1994-1997.I then moved away from the district for 7 years to take the role as the high school principal in Gladbrook-Reinbeck.I returned to MCSD as the Miller Associate Principal in the fall of 2005 as the new realignment of the middle school/intermediate was tak-ing place. I was there until spring 2008. In the fall of 2008, I was hired as the Director of Human Resources and have been in that position since."

What's next?"My future plans include family time with my already retired husband and grandchildren and possibly some travel. I would like to volunteer back in the schools as I have realized just how much I miss the connection with the students, as long as it does not interfere with my golf time."

Memories of MCSD? "I truly will miss my cohorts here in the district and all the great friends I have made. I absolutely believe that the teachers and staff and administrators are doing their best for all students."

Started in 1993

Rich Newbrough

Where you've been?"I started in the district in 2004. This concludes my 12th year at Miller. I have worked with behaviorally disordered youth for 31 years and I feel that now is the right time to open up a spot for a young teacher to step in and give it a try."

What's next?"In retirement I plan to travel, dote over my granddaughter, and complete home projects that have been put on hold."

Memories of MCSD?"I have had the good fortune to have worked with two quality leaders in Brad Clement and Jacy Large and countless 'old school' teachers from the 'Miller family.' My advice to young teachers is to enjoy the journey and don't get too comfortable. Just when you think you know what's going on it will change. Be a life long learner."

Started in 2004

Salute to our retirees May 2016 Inside the Cat‘s Eye Page 5

Elizabeth Poock

Where you've been?"Prior to coming to Marshalltown, I taught 17 years in the field of special education throughout Iowa. I came to MCSD in August 2001. I have held special education positions at MHS for 7 years, MLA for 5 years and Miller for 3 years.

What's next?"My husband and I will winter in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We will build a house on the farm in Readlyn, Iowa. It will not be as big as my house now. I have no intention to be spending my time cleaning house. I will be farming with my hus-band."

Memories of MCSD? "I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with such a diverse population of students and the making of life long friends."

Started in 2001

LuAnne Swenson

Where you've been?"I started working in the MCSD as a substitute teacher in 1978. In 1991, I took a paraeducator job at Anson and have been there for the past 25 years. Most of those years I have been a second grade para."

What's next?"I may sub or volunteer at Anson after I retire. Mostly I look forward to being free to attend my grandchildren's activities here and being able to visit my grandchildren in New Orleans more frequently."

Memories of MCSD? "I have been blessed to have worked with several outstanding teachers who have treated me as a valued team member in educating children."

Started in 1978

Page 6 Inside the Cat‘s Eye May 2016

Doug Thompson Where you've been?"I began at MHS as a special education teacher and worked 8 years at MHS. Before teaching at MCSD, I taught special education at Burlington Middle School and Sigourney High School. I also was employed as a Special Education consultant for Heartland AEA in Johnston."

What's next?"Still in progress but I'll be fixing up our house, fishing, golfing, traveling and earning some money doing odd jobs."

Memories of MCSD? "I've enjoyed the experience of teaching in a school with students of rich and diverse backgrounds. MHS has an excellent faculty and staff that is devoted to serving the needs of students in our ever changing world."

Startedin 2007

Salute to our retirees

Greg BittnerLinda Brintnall

David Miller

Jeffrey HoogensenDebra Hopkins

LuAnn LuraLeah Mattox

Elizabeth OverstakeJanet Shepard

years of service25years of service35

Scholarship winners Emma Alman

Megan Emerson

Friend of Education Ruth Yordy

Other recognitions...

Other retireesRick SimpsonDale Gummert

May 2016 Inside the Cat‘s Eye Page 7

Thanks for a great school year, MCSD staff. Have a

great summer!

Several Miller Middle School staff members wore special shirts on Fridays in April to recognize Autism Awareness Month. The awareness ef-fort was organized by Linda Russell, a special education teacher at Miller.

Autism is the fastest growing devel-opmental disorder in the United States. Autism impacts the normal develop-ment of the brain in the areas of social

interaction, communication skills, and cognitive functions. Individuals with Autism typically have difficulties in verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction, and leisure or play activities. There is no cure at this time.

One out of 68 children and 1 in 42 boys are now diagnosed with Autism and are referred to as children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Miller staff recognize Autism Awareness Month

When the Fort Dodge School District began investigating systemic ways to meet the needs of their district’s struggling read-ers, they reached out to Marshalltown’s Comprehensive Intervention Model (CIM) Coach Penny Duer to learn more about CIM and the “great things we are doing.”

Upon requesting a visit to learn more, a date was quickly selected for April 29. The itinerary showcased three Title 1 literacy teachers, three special education teachers, three intervention frameworks demonstrated in each context and at different grade levels, and question and answer sessions following each observation, including a conferencing and coaching session before and after one lesson.

The following teachers opened up their classrooms, sharing their time, talents, and knowledge with the Fort Dodge visitors: Lonni Waltermire (Fisher Elementary), Leiah Craun and Theresa Siegert (Franklin Elementary), and Karen Roessler, Jasmine Hazen and Susan O’Neill (Woodbury El-ementary).

"We were honored to be selected for this visit and look forward to hosting more schools seeking to learn more about the Comprehensive Intervention Model," Duer said.

District displays intervention model

Hazen

O'Neill

Andrew Potter, district communications director, received two awards of merit from the Iowa School Public Relations Association at the spring conference on April 8. One award was for excellence in writing for an Inside the Cat's Eye newsletter feature story he wrote on the mother-daughter teaching combo of Val and Emily Hunt at MHS. One was for photog-raphy for a photo he took of the "Beauty and the Beast" MHS musical last spring. The Iowa School Public Relations Association (ISPRA) is made up of 59 members across the state.

Potter awarded at school

public relations

conference

Teacher librarians Sue Cahill, left, of Woodbury Elementary School and Jeni Sloan of Hoglan Elementary School received Outstanding School Library awards from the Iowa Association of School Librarians on April 4.

Outstanding librarians

Page 8 Inside the Cat‘s Eye May 2016

Marshalltown High School history teacher Alex Abbe has been selected for the 2016 James Madison Memorial Fellowship.He is the only teacher in the state of Iowa to receive the fel-lowship this year. As part of his selection as a fellow, Abbe will receive $24,000 toward his master’s degree and partici-pate in a four-week summer institute in 2017 at Georgetown University in Washington DC.

Alex Abbe selected for James Madison Fellowship