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BGM Schools welcome five new teachers, high school principal

9/25/2024

By J.O. Parker

BGM Community Schools welcomed five new teachers and a new high school principal for the 2024–25 school year.
Following is brief overview of each new teacher and the new principal.

Name: Shane Ehresman
            Shane Ehresman is the new 7-12 principal at BGM.
            Ehresman brings 27-years of experience to his new position that included the following positions:
• Assistant Professor and Director of Distance Learning in the education division at William Penn University in Oskaloosa, a position he held for three years.
            • Superintendent of the Lynnville-Sully Community School District for 11-years.
            • Five years as high school principal in the Washington Community School District.
• 10-years as the high school associate principal/activities director and social studies teacher at the Marion Independent School District.
• Social studies teacher for one year at Forreston Community School District in Forreston, Ill.
Ehresman has completed doctoral coursework in Education Administration at Western Illinois University; earned a Specialist (Ed.S) Degree and Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Iowa; a Master’s of Arts in Teaching Degree (MAT) from Coe College; and a Bachelor of Special Studies Degree from Cornell College.
Ehresman has been recognized by the Ray Center at Drake University for an Iowa Character Counts Award; Iowa Administrator of the Year Award by the Iowa High School Press Association (IHSPA), and Iowa Assistant Principal of the Year Award by School Administrators of Iowa (SAI). He has also served on advisory committees for the Iowa High School Athletic Association.
“I am excited about returning to public education after working at William Penn University for three years,” noted Ehresman. “The BGM Community School District has an excellent reputation and I am humbled and honored to have been selected as the next 7-12 principal.”

Name: Jamie McClenathan
Jamie McClenathan is BGM’s newest Begindergarten teacher.
McClenathan is a gradute of Carlinville High School in Carlinville, Ill. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Studies from Eastern Illinois University and a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education from Buena Vista University.
When asked why she become a teacher, McClenathan said initially the thought of being a teacher was to be closer to her own kids.
“Although after being able to observe so many wonderful teachers, I was inspired to continue on my educational journey so that I could be one of those inspirational teachers that is shaping the future,” she said.
When ask to share something she’s learn from a student, McClenathan said how to persevere over the difficult things in life and keep a smile on your face.
McClenathan said her favorite subject in high school was history.
When asked what advice she would give to her students, McClenathan said one thing we say in our class is that we just haven’t figured it out yet.
“It is a phrase I’ve heard from a lot of other teachers, and it works great for five-year-olds who know some things but there’s a lot they don’t know yet just to give them that hope that we will get there eventually,” she said.
When asked to describe her teaching style, McClenathan said her focus is on student engagement and an exchange of student and teacher led instructions.
When asked what she is looking forward to most this school year, McClenathan said she is really looking forward to just getting into the grove of things and figuring out the best way to give these young children the greatest start they can have in their education experience.
And when asked about what she wished she had known at age 5, McClenathan said that it will all work out, and education is important.
In her free time, McClenathan enjoys spending time with her family, running and reading.
McClenathan has been married for 14 years to her husband, Matt. The couple has four wonderful children, Gwen, 12, Zeke, 10, Leo, 8, and Ana, 6.
“We also have a Shelter dog, Kinnick, who is 14 years old and a dog named Lambeau that passed away a few years ago,” she said.

Name: Emily Daugherty
Emily Daugherty is the new secondary special education teacher at BGM this school year. She graduated from a class of 19 students at Moulton-Udell High School in Moulton. She attended Indian Hills Community College in Centerville and Graceland University as a non-traditional student where she majored in Elementary Education with a concentration in special education and reading.
In her new job, Daugherty is teaching social-emotional skills, executive functioning skills along with supporting students in all academic areas.
When asked why she became a teacher, Daugherty said to help students enjoy learning.
“I still strive to instill in my students that the mistakes we make are not a dead end, but simply part of the process that leads to progress,” she said. “We don’t practice to reach perfection, we practice to gain growth.”
When asked what she has learned from a student, Daugherty said to be brave and step out of her comfort zone.
In high school, Daugherty’s favorite class was band.
“I played several instruments (clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, piano) in a variety of ensembles,” she said.
When asked what advice would she give to students, Daugherty said life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself.
“It also doesn’t matter where you came from, only where you are going,” said Daugherty. “These two concepts are what we should focus on, not others’ perceptions or judgements.”
When asked to describe her teaching style, Daugherty said she is a laid back rule follower.
When asked what she is looking forward to most this school year, Daugherty said she is looking forward to making new friends and becoming part of a new community.
And when she what she wishes she had known when she was her students’ age, Daugherty said it is Ok to mess up.
“Mistakes are part of the learning process,” she said. “There is also no such thing as ‘perfect’ because we continually reflect, learn and grow.”
In her spare time, Daugherty likes to do anything art oriented.
“I have started creating commissioned pet portraits in a variety of mediums and have thoroughly enjoyed it,” she said.
Daugherty has a ‘Plus 1” of almost three years. She has two children that are grown and on their own. Her daughter, Beth, 23, lives in Oskaloosa with her family, and her son, Myles, 29, lives in Ottumwa with his wife and furbaby. She has two fur babies herself; a 14-year-old Muli-pooh named Charlie, and a 5-year-old rescued Frenchie named Jolie.

Name: Kelsey Kleine
Kelsey Kleine is the new iJAG (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduate) Career Education Specialist at BGM. She is a graduate of Pella Community High School and holds a Business Management degree from Central College.
Kleine said the iJag course work is geared toward students in 8th – 12th grades. She is currently teaching an exploratory course each quarter to 8th grade students, where they are introduced to iJAG, will discuss leadership and help students develop communication and durable skills, and lay the foundation for a positive and supportive classroom community to be built.
She is also teaching iJAG classes to 9th – 12th grade students.
“Through our curriculum for 9th-10th graders, students will explore topics including communication, teamwork, and leadership,” said Kleine. “They will examine their personal interests, values, and goals. They will also explore how iJAG and the Career Association can help them to grow their skills and pursue their interests. These topics will be explored in the form of engaging mini-lessons and exploratory, hands-on activities such as interactive investigations, class discussions, team challenges, and mini-projects. The curriculum for 11-12th graders will expand on the curriculum for 9th-10th graders. Students will be introduced to the ideas of seeing themselves as leaders and their classmates as collaborative teammates.”
When asked why she became a teacher, Kleine said not being a traditional teacher, she holds an accreditation through the BOEE (Board of Educational Examiners).
“I chose to enter into the school setting, because I have a passion for people,” she said. “I want to see students succeed far beyond the four walls of school.”
When asked what is something she’s learned from a student, Kleine said this is her first year teaching, but she is already learning from her students.
“So far, I have learned that students have strong abilities to problem solve utilizing technology,” she said. “A simple example came when I was talking with my 7th grade students in home room about carrying out an activity that they wanted to do. We needed a game die. I was quick to say that I didn’t have one for the activity. Students quickly chimed in and encouraged me to pull up an electronic game die. I did just that, and we were able to complete the activity as a class.”
In high school, Kleine said her favorite class was an elective that was simply called Business Class.
“There were multiple classes that fell under that class, and I took all of those classes,” she said.
When asked to describe her teaching style, Kleine said her goal is to provide structure, guidance, and boundaries but ultimately let students have voice and choice in her classroom.
“I work to facilitate project-based learning experiences,” she said.
When asked what advice she would give to her students, Kleine said she would encourage them to apply themselves now.
“School might seem like a drag, but so many skills can be learned and sharpened through truly being engaged in classes,” noted Kleine.
In her free time, Kleine enjoys spending time with family and friends.
“My free time is spent with family and friends,” she said. “I love to spend time playing with my two-year-old son. As a family, we enjoy spending time with both extended family and friends.”
Kleine is married to, Nyle, and the couple has a two-year-old son, Ryker. They also have two dogs, Hope (Mini Aussie Doodle) and Indy (Dachshund and Yorkie mix).
Kleine said she feels blessed to be welcomed into the BGM School District, and her hope is to make a positive impact with those she has the privilege to interact with.

Name: Lydia Fariss
Lydia Fariss is the new high school business teacher at BGM and neighboring HLV.
Fariss is a graduate of Ankeny Centennial High School and the University of Iowa, where she majored in Enterprise Leadership.
When asked why she become a teacher, Fariss heard there was a shortage of Career and Technical Education teachers across the United States post-pandemic.
“I didn't want the next generation to not have the same opportunities that I had,” she said.
When asked to share something she’s learned from a student, Fariss said her students have taught her how to be a more understanding adult.
“I've grown as a person from being around them,” said Fariss.
Her favorite class in high school was chemistry. And surprisingly, she enjoyed all of her business classes.
When asked what advice would she give to her students, Fariss said you don’t have to be good at something, but you do have to be teachable.
As far as her teaching style, Fariss said she enjoys being organized and predictable.
“I love my routines, structure and color coordination,” she said.
When asked what she is looking forward to the most this school year, Fariss said getting to know the students in her classes better and growing the business program at both schools.
When asked what she wishes she had known when she was her student’s age, Fariss said that life changes constantly.
“New opportunities are abundant,” said Fariss. “Make a plan, but be prepared for change and pivot when needed.”
When asked what she enjoys in her free time, Fariss said with a two-year-old and eight-month-old, she doesn’t get too much free time. When she does, she enjoys crocheting.

Name: Sara McCue
The new 5 – 12 band director at BGM is Sara McCue.
A graduate of Twin Cedars High School near Bussey, McCue holds a Bachelor of Music from Hope College in Holland, Mich, a Masters in Music Education from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, and all of the coursework and most of an internship completed for an equivalency degree in Music Therapy from the University of Iowa.
“I am dual certified in music education and general elementary education,” said McCue.
When asked what she became a teacher, McCue said she didn’t originally plan to be a teacher, but found herself taking all the music education classes, that led her to enter the teaching field.
“I found that I just love teaching music, and wanted to show students the world through music and music experiences,” she said.
When asked what is something she had learned from a student, McCue said many things through the years.
“The most important thing I've learned over the years is that giving students a space to be themselves matters and is something they will take with them as adults,’ she said. “For example - there was a group of kids who were getting in trouble for breakdancing outside of the school. I gave them my classroom as a space, as long as they weren't in trouble in any of their classes. I learned a lot about breakdancing, and they worked hard to stay out of trouble. There was a time when I let a student rock band play for their peers - members of that band have sent me copies of their recorded albums.”
When asked what her favorite class was in high school, McCue said band and choir where her favorites.
“But, my senior English class was the one where I learned the most life skills,” said McCue. “I still use recipes from my advanced foods class, I still have the flower arrangement I made in horticulture class, and I still have the nightstand I made in woodshop.”
When asked what advice would she give to her students, McCue said to build good practicing habits when they are young, and play as often as they can, for as many people as you can.
“Music can take you so many places,” she said.
When asked to describe her teaching style, McCue said she’s had to be very organized over the years, so my classes are structured with set routines.
“I have high expectations, but I like to have fun, too,’ noted McCue. “I definitely find ways to engage students in the subject matter.”
As for this school year, McCue is looking forward to getting to know her students and making music with them.
When asked what she wishes he had known when she was her student’s age, McCue said the world is so much bigger than the confines of a school building or the boundaries of a school district.
“Take advantage of every opportunity offered to you and find your way beyond the boundaries,” she noted.
When asked what she enjoys in her free time, McCue said making sure her kids get to all of their activities.
“They are very busy with cheerleading, band, choir, tennis, fencing, hockey, music lessons, 4-H, and several other clubs,” she said. “I also co-direct the Grinnell Children's Choir, teach at the Grinnell School of Music, and sing in a Sweet Adeline’s choir. I help my dad manage our family farm as well.”
McCue is married to Daniel. The couple has two daughters, Slane, a 10th grader at Grinnell, Hanna, an eighth grader at Grinnell and a son, Seeger, a sixth grader at Grinnell.

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