Tiffany Bridewater, Maddy Poage, Jen Anderson, Blake Wedeking, Cami Skovill and Lindsey Hassman

Name: Tiffany Bridgewater

Where are you from: Tama-Toledo, Iowa

Number of years in education: starting 7th year

Attended college at: Undergraduate at the University of Iowa, graduate (Master’s) at Kaplan, ESL at Morningside- currently working on reading endorsement at Morningside

Received degree in: B.S. in Health, Leisure and Sport Studies (minor in gerontology), Master in Teaching, endorsements in general science, biology, ESL

Classes you will be teaching: K-4 ELL

Family: married 15 years to Jerrod with three kids: Gavin (13, 8th grade), Emerson (10, 5th grade), Idella (5, Kindergarten)

Hobbies: watching my kids play sports, currently playing fall baseball and football while Idella cheers her big brothers on form the sideline

What are you most looking forward to about teaching at STC: “Having kids in the district, I have been following South Tama on Facebook. I kept finding myself referring to what (or how) they are doing things. I feel like STC is going in a positive direction and doing really great things. I am most looking forward to teaching #theTrojanWay.”

Name: Maddy Poage

Where are you from: hometown: Baxter, IA; living at Holiday Lake, IA

Number of years in education: 1st year – wahoo!

Attended college at: University of Iowa

Received degree in: Elementary Education

Classes you will be teaching: 7th and 8th grade writing MS TAG

Family: parents are Todd and Cindy Formeman and John and Sybil Poage; brother is Nathan and pets Buster the beagle

Hobbies: listening to audiobooks, fixing up my house, being outdoors

What are you most looking forward to about teaching at STC: “I am over the moon excited to meet all of the beautiful and wonderful people at South Tama! Go Trojans!”

Name: Jen Anderson

Where are you from: currently living in Hudson but grew up in Anita, IA

Number of years in education: 5th year

Attended college at: University of Northern Iowa

Received degree in: Bacherlos of Elementary Education with K-8 Reading Endorsement

Classes you will be teaching: Kindergarten

Family: Jon (husband), Madison and Joselyn (daughters), two yellow labs and four outdoor kittens

Hobbies: sand volleyball/softball, painting

What are you most looking forward to about teaching at STC: “I am looking forward to meeting my new Kindergarteners and collaborating with my Kindergarten team to provide the best learning experience for them.”

Name: Blake Wedeking

Where are you from: Plainfield, Iowa

Number of years in education: 1st year

Attended college at: University of Northern Iowa

Received degree in: B.A. in Social Science Teaching/Special Education, Masters in School Counseling

Classes you will be teaching: 5th and 6th grade guidance

Family: Mercedes (fiance), Karen Wedeking (mom), Mark Wedeking (father)

Hobbies: Restoring antique tractors, collecting vintage video games, com collecting

What are you most looking forward to about teaching at STC: “I am looking forward to meeting my students and their families. My hope is to encourage students to be resilient and contributing citizens within their community. Very excited to start working with students.”

Name: Cami Scovill

Where are you from: Marshalltown, Iowa

Number of years in education: 1st year

Attended college at: University of Northern Iowa

Received degree in: Elementary and middle level education

Classes you will be teaching: 6h grade Math

Hobbies: bike riding, reading, spending time with family and friends

What are you most looking forward to about teaching at STC: “I am looking forward to not only teaching math but teaching compassion and social skills also becoming part of another community.”

Name: Lindsey Hassman

Where are you from: Spencer, Iowa

Number of years in education: I subbein Marshalltown in the spring but this is my first year in teaching

Attended college at: Northwestern College in Orange City

Received degree in: Elementary Education with endorsements in reading and early childhood

Classes you will be teaching: Kindergarten

Family: Mom, Dad, five sisters, three brother-in-laws and one dog

Hobbies: anthing outdoors, scrapbooking, cooking, playing violin and reading

What are you most looking forward to about teaching at STC: “I am excited to work together with my kinder team and help young students grow in character and learn new academic skills.”