New teachers luncheon

CRESCO - There will be some new faces teaching and working with students at Howard-Winneshiek and Notre Dame Schools when classes start on Monday, Aug. 23. Some will be familiar, but are featured because they are changing schools or positions.

The new staff were treated to lunch and received three goodie bags at a special luncheon at Champlin Hall in Cresco on Friday, Aug. 13.

The lunch is sponsored by Cresco Chamber of Commerce and Cresco Kiwanis.

Former Crestwood guidance counselor and Kiwanis member Wayne Kreitzer explained what the organization does throughout the year. “Kids need Kiwanis” is the group’s brand campaign.

Kreitzer noted Kiwanis provides scholarships, students of the month at the junior high level, senior night banquet, third grade dictionary give-away, backpack program and food bank. In addition, members support the Borlaug Foundation, Farm Family of the Year and help with children’s needs when asked.

“Fund-raisers include the circus, the food stand at the annual art show, Moo Mobile during the fair, Mother’s Day brunch and brat stand during football games.

New staff members include:

Notre Dame

• Susan Cook — Physical Education —  She has retired twice, once from South Winn and then from North Winn. She lives in Decorah.

• Donna Bausch — Third Grade — She lives in Elgin with her family.

• Jack Smith — Fourth Grade — He was retired but asked to help out at Notre Dame. He lives in Fredericksburg.

Crestwood

• Todd Coulter — Activities Director and Assistant Principal — He comes from Cedar Falls and noted that he was director of the Battle of Waterloo Wrestling Tournament for several years.

• Dawn Shackleton — Long-Term Substitute — She has worked at Crestwood for 11 years, starting as a paraprofessional.

• Malinda Schwade — K-6 Special Education — She worked at Decorah for nine years. She lives north of Protivin with her family.

• Lauren Kerian — Elementary Special Education — She graduated from Crestwood in 2012 and recently moved back to Cresco with her family. She and her husband have two young children.

• Kelly Moellers — First Grade — She is a 1998 Crestwood graduate and has worked as a third grade teacher at Notre Dame for 16 years. She will now be teaching first grade at Crestwood.

• Weston Krug — Grade 5-6 Band — He graduated from Wartburg College.

• Taylor Rice — Junior High Special Education — She graduated from Crestwood in 2015, lives in Lime Springs and is getting married next year.

• Clayton Hjelmeland — Eighth Grade Math — He lives in Harmony with his wife and three children.

• Abby Huhe — High School Special Education — She graduated from Crestwood in 2015 and taught second grade at Notre Dame for two years

• Luke Jansen — High School Special Education — He grew up and lives in Spillville. He enjoys kayaking and fishing.