Creston schools start year with new staff members

Aug. 22—Creston Community Schools start the year Tuesday, Aug. 23.

Along with the students, the district welcomes 16 new instructors. Learn a little bit about them as we asked about their teaching history and to share advice they have received.

Brooke McGehee, is the new 6th and 8th language arts instructor at Creston Middle School.

"This is my second year in education. I previously taught at Orient-Macksburg as the 7-12 English language arts instructor," McGehee said. She was born in Creston and attended Buena Vista University.

"I enjoying reading, writing and spending time with my family," she said. "The best advice I have received is you have to get your students invested in you before they are invested in your content area."

Amy Scroggie is a high school special education teacher. She has been in education for 11 years and was previously at East Union. The Murray native is a graduate of Buena Vista University. Scroggie enjoys crafting, gardening, time with her children and grandchildren and music.

Dean of students for first through eight grade is Kelsey Malmanger. She previously taught at Green Hills AEA Rising Hope Academy in Creston. She has been in education for seven years. From Lorimor, she attended Southwestern Community College, Grand View University and Northwestern College.

She enjoys time with family, friends and attending her boys' activities.

Sara Lane is a seventh and eighth-grade social studies teacher. Her sixth year in education, she had taught high school and middle school in Pekin. From Eddyville, she received degrees from the University of Iowa in anthropology, ancient civilization and teaching and learning.

"The best advice I ever received was to value the small things in life that brings each day so you live positively and with gratitude," she said. Lane enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, time with family, new foods and coffee.

From Prescott, Dana Dodge is the high school physical education and health instructor. She had been a para-educator the past two years. She attended the University of Iowa and enjoys reading, researching, health and fitness and time with daughters, grandsons and pets.

Katie Davidson will be at the High Lakes Academy. The former Creston substitute, who is from Creston, has 15 years of education experience attended Iowa State University. She also owns Hot Air Brewing.

In her spare time she enjoys reading, travel and family.

Davidson said the best advice she heard was from the late Bill Taylor. "Whoever does the work does the learning."

Jennifer Gaesser brings her 16 years of experience to Creston as the seventh through 12th grade choir and high school musical director. From Lenox, she had previously taught at Atlantic, Winterset and Pella. She attended Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. She enjoys reading, golfing, kayak, "and of course, singing."

This is the first year of teaching Spanish for Madeline Gude. She did her student-teaching at Pleasantville High School and graduated from Simpson College. The Sheldon native plays the piano, clarinet, sings and likes the Yankees, cycling and hiking.

Third-grade teacher Callie Gossman will debut in Creston although she had been a substitute and a paraeducator the past two years.

From Afton, she attended Northwest Missouri State University.

"The best advice I received was from my cooperating teacher who said to speak up for what you believe in and do what is right for you and your students," she said.

Gossman enjoys new places and her pets.

Sheri Blair is middle school counselor. Of her 13 years in education, six have been as a school counselor. What's worse. She had been an elementary counselor in Des Moines and was a counselor at Cumberland-Anita-Massena.

She attended State University of New York College at Brockport for a bachelor's degree in sociology. She is from Brockport. Blair also attended Buena Vista University for a master's in education/school counseling.

Second-grade teacher Tasia Scott is started her 13th year in education. She had taught first grade at Cumberland-Anita-Massena. She is from Cumberland and received a degree from Iowa State University and a master's from Morningside. Scott enjoys crafts, gardening and spending time with family.

A Creston High graduate, Dylan Linch starts his career as a high school math teacher, primarily geometry. He received a bachelor's for secondary mathematics education from Northwest Missouri State University. His interests are Mountain Dew Baja Blast, painting and trivia games.

Also from Creston is John Reasoner who will teach high school social studies. This is his first year teaching after attending the University of Iowa. He enjoys bicycling, movies and sports.

Michael McCartney is new at the high school, Kelsi Carlisle and Emily Weide are new kindergarten teachers.