Montezuma Community Schools welcome new teachers, staff

9/15/2024

By J.O. Parker

Montezuma Community Schools welcomed seven new teachers, including two staff members who switched gears, and two new kitchen staff members for the 2024–25 school year.
Following is brief overview of each new teacher and staff member.

Name: Brooke Gaignard
A native of Temecula, Calif., Brooke Gaignard is Montezuma’s newest special education teacher.
Gaignard is a graduate of Great Oak High School in Temecula. She started her undergrad degree at Vanguard University before transferring to Grand Canyon University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s in Communications. She went on to earn a master’s degree in Special Education from National University.
When asked what led her to become a teacher, Gaignard said she always loved working with kids.
“Ever since I was young, I have always known that I wanted to become a teacher,” she said. “When I was in high school, I volunteered in a special education class at a local elementary school. It was through working with those students, and witnessing their personal achievements, that I knew I wanted to become a special education teacher.”
She shared a story that she heard as a young girl about a boy walking down a beach full of starfish that has stuck with her throughout her life.
As the boy walked along the bench, he was taking his time throwing each starfish back, one by one, into the ocean.
“An older man walked by him and said he was foolish to think that he could make a difference, there were too many,” said Gaignard. “The little boy then picked up a starfish, threw it into the ocean, and said, ‘But I made a difference to that one.’”
Gaignard said the story reminds her that even through the tough days, or whatever the years may hold, as long as she has made a difference in one student’s life, it will have been worth it.
When asked what is something she has learned from a student, Gaignard said the power of affirmation.
“I have met many students who have not been told that someone was proud of them, or that someone believed in them,” she said. “Being able to see the direct impact of what such a simple statement can make has shown me that kindness, and cheering for one another, can go a long way.”
In high school, Gaignard said her favorite classes were theatre and English.
When asked what advice would she give to her students, Gaignard said she tells her students that they can do hard things.
“Making mistakes is proof that you are learning, and even though they may not understand something YET, that doesn't mean they never will,” noted Gaignard. “Keep pushing through, put in the work, and they will be unstoppable.”
When asked to describe her teaching style, Gaignard said flexibly structured.
“I believe that every classroom needs to have boundaries, and set expectations,” she said. “When there is a consistent structure and routine in place, this allows students to come in already knowing what to expect, giving them the freedom to feel safe in their classroom environment.”
However, she said there are times where she must be flexible to the needs of her students.
“Everyone's needs are different, and it is important that each student is met with patience and understanding when they walk through the school doors,” noted Gaignard.
When asked what she is looking forward to most this year, Gaignard said getting to know the families within the community, and working alongside her new teaching team at Montezuma.
When asked what she wishes that she had known when she was her student’s ages, Gaignard said that is okay to make mistakes, everyone does.
In her free time, Gaignard loves to read, go to coffee shops, hang out with friends and family, spend time with her husband, Aaron, and the couple’s dog, Bentley. Gaignard and Aaron have been married for about a year and a half. They recently moved to Iowa from Southern California.
“My parents moved out here to Montezuma in January, and are the Lead Pastors at Community Hope Church,” she said.
Gaignard has one older brother, Caleb, who is currently living in Arizona.
“We are a tight knit family, and are each other's biggest cheerleaders. I am very blessed that we get to do life together.”

Name: Jill Scheck (Meyer)
Scheck, a 2007 Montezuma High School graduate, returns to her alum mater as the Strat II Special Education teacher. She works with students in grades, K-12, but mainly middle and high school ages.
Scheck holds a degree in elementary education and K-8 special education from UNI. She received her K-12 Strategist II Special Education license through Morningside University and will complete her Masters of Special Education through Morningside University this winter.
When asked what led her to become a teacher, Scheck said when she was in high school at Montezuma, she participated in what was then called “Brave New Leaders,” where she was a support person in a special education room.
“That is all it took and I was hooked on being a special education teacher,” she said.
When asked what is something she has learned from her students, Scheck said all students can learn and grow academically.
“I just have to get creative on how to link the classwork to real life for students' understanding,” said Scheck.
When asked what her favorite class was in high school, Scheck said it was hard to pick just one, because she loved so many of her teachers.
“My favorite core class was probably any of the English courses,” she said. “I also loved German and Art.”
When asked what advice she gives to her students, Scheck said every day is a fresh start and a clean slate.
“If you respect me, I will most certainly respect you,” she said.
When asked what her teaching style is, Scheck said she likes to relate everything she teaches to real life.
“I want my students to become as independent as possible, so I want to help teach them those skills to make it happen,” she said.
Scheck said she is excited to be back in the Halls of Montezuma as a teacher.
“I get to work with teachers that have known me since I was young and teachers that I have known since they were young,” said Scheck. “It is going to be an exciting year.”
When asked what she wished she had known when she was the age of her students, Scheck said to slow down and enjoy school while you are here.
“Once you are done with school, then the realities and responsibilities of being an adult hit,” she said.
In her free time, Scheck enjoys spending time with her two children and family.
“We are either going on golf cart rides, playing at the parks, or heading out to the (family) farm,” she said.
Scheck and her husband, Elliott, have two children, Otto (4), Oakley (2), and a golden retriever, Steiger. Elliot began farming with her family almost two years ago. This prompted the couple’s move to Montezuma in December 2022.

Name: Macy Taylor Richards (Miss Macy)
Richards is not a new face at Montezuma Schools, but after three years in the special education classroom, she has a new role as the preschool teacher.
Richards, a 2013 graduate of Montezuma, holds an education degree from William Penn University. She also holds endorsements in special education, reading and early childhood education.
When asked why teaching, Richards decided to become a teacher because she loves working with children and hopes to make a difference in their lives.
“I would love to have at least one of them look back at their time in school and think of me and the positive impact I made on them,” she said.
When asked what is something she has learned from her students, Richards said the art of being patient and staying open-minded.
“Every student learns differently and it's important to embrace their strengths,” she said.
In high school, Richards said her favorite class was English.
When asked what advice she would give her students, Richards said to tell them to always have fun and that Miss Macy is always right.
And for her teaching style, Richards said it’s laid-back, student centered based on independence and allowing her students to learn what works and doesn’t work for them.
“However, I do have a little bit of neat freak tendencies and I love everything to be nice and organized at all times,” she said.
When asked what she is looking forward to this school year, Richards said doing something completely different.
When asked what she wished she had known when she was in school, Richards said how much her teachers loved and cared about her.
During her free time, Richards loves to spend time with my son and my family, dance, and read. Richards is married to Justin and the couple’s son, Kolsyn, is age 2. The couple also has a goldendoodle named, Jax.
“I’m excited to get our school year started,” she said.

Name: Kelly Kaup
After several years coaching speech and directing the musical at Montezuma, Kaup has added the role of K-12 Vocal Music teacher to her job duties.
Kaup graduated from high school in Evart, Mich. She attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and the New School University, also in New York City, where her major was Musical Theater. She attended graduate school at Liberty University in Virginia, where she majored in Music and Worship.
When asked what she has learned from her students, Kaup said they can and will surprise you.
In high school, Kaup said her favorite class was math.
When asked what advice she gives to her students, Kaup said everyone can sing.
“Sometimes it takes time to develop your voice, but be patient with yourself,” she said.
As for her teaching style, she is organized and purposeful.
When asked what she is looking forward to most this school year, Kaup said getting to see her students every day.
When asked what she wished she knew in school, Kaup said it gets better after high school.
Ragarding free time, Kaup chuckled and said, “what free time?” When she does have free time, Kaup said she enjoys doing anything with her family.
Kaup is married to James. The couple has two daughters, Maggie and Lanie.

Name: Jennifer (Sutfin) Stowell
Stowell, the new middle school special education teacher at Montezuma, enjoys working with young people.
“I am so excited to be a teacher at Montezuma,” she said. “I am excited for everything being a first year teacher will bring.”
As the middle school special education teacher, Stowell will be providing special education services for students in 6th-8th grade.
Stowell is a 2000 graduate of Montezuma High School and a recent graduate with honors from William Penn University, where she earned a bachelor’s in Elementary Education with a K-8 Strat I Special Education and K-8 reading endorsements.
When asked why she became a teacher, Stowell has worked the last six years as a para and substitute teacher.
“I absolutely love working in education,” she said. “Watching students learn and grow is one of my favorite things. William Penn offered a great scholarship for paras and I decided to take the jump.”
When asked what she has learned from her students, Stowell said she always tells her students that they teach her just as much as she teaches them.
“And it can be a wide variety of things,” she said. “I had one student teach me all about matchbox cars. I had another student teach me all about D&D dice. They also teach me grace and patience.”
In high school, Stowell said her favorite classes were German with Frau Hall, Government with Col. Dan Bunnell and Language Arts with Vince Hrasky.
When asked what advice she gives to her students, Stowell said, “Try – just try, it’ll be Ok if you make mistakes. You will never know what you are capable of if you don’t at least try.”
When asked how she describes her teaching style, Stowell said her students would probably say she can be strict.
“Never mind that,” she said. “I also like to joke around and have fun with them, too.”
When asked what she wishes she had known when she was in school, Stowell said it can be rough at that (middle school) age, but it is a time of growth and change.
“I wish I had known that it’s OK to embrace those changes,” Stowell said. “I think middle school is the start of finding out who you are and what you like to do.”
In her spare time, Stowell enjoys working in the garden, cooking and reading. And as a family, traveling and attending concerts are favorite pastimes.
Stowell is married to Dustin, who owns and operates Colewell Automation in Montezuma. The couple has two daughters. Marley is a freshman and Tinsley is in 8th grade.
“I am so excited to be a teacher at Montezuma,” she said. “I am excited for everything being a first year teacher will bring.”

Name: Josie O'Neill
O’Neill, the new Montezuma English teacher, is a graduate of Camanche High School and the University of Iowa, where she earned a degree in Secondary English Education.
When asked what led her to become a teacher, O’Neill said the love of reading and the desire to inspire others to read as well.
“As I have grown up and learned more about teaching, my goal is now is to give students the skills to be advocates for themselves, to "find their voice" before graduating high school,” said O’Neill.
When asked to share something she has learned from her students, O’Neill said students need someone who accepts them and listens as much as they need someone to teach them.
In high school, O’Neill said her favorite classes were English and Art.
When asked what advice she would give to her students, O’Neill said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
“I try my best to create that atmosphere while still adding structure to ensure that students are held to high standards, and engaging in the work,” she said.
When asked what she is looking forward to this school year, O’Neill said learning more as a teacher and developing skills to teach even more effectively.
When asked what she wishes she had known in high school, O’Neill said do what makes you happy.
“A lot of people will tell you what you should do and who you should be, but your own happiness is what matters in the end,” she said.
The O’Neill family consists of an amazing mom, an incredible dad, loving stepmother, two rambunctious (but pretty OK) brothers and the best dog in the world, Maggie.

Name: Megan Van Zante
Van Zante, the new Junior High English/Language Arts teacher at Montezuma, is a 2021 graduate of Lynnville-Sully High School. She attended Iowa State University where she majored in Elementary Education.
She became a teacher because of her love of being around kids and an amazing teacher growing up who influenced her.
When asked what is something she’s learned from her students, Van Zante she has leaned many new sayings that are popular with younger kids.
“But, I have learned that I am not cool enough to say them,” she said.
Her favorite class in high school was anything in the Family Consumer Science room.
“I really enjoyed Foods and Sewing classes,” she said.
When asked what advice she would give to her students, Van Zante said she wants all of her students to know that it is okay to make mistakes, because mistakes will happen. Her goal as a teacher is to use mistakes as learning opportunities.
When asked to describe her teaching style, Van Zante said she laid back, yet structured.
“I want to give my students a lot of freedom, but with that freedom also comes responsibility,” Van Zante said. “I have high expectations, but also want to have a lot of fun with them.”
When asked what she wishes she had known in school, Van Zante said that it is okay to fail when trying new things.
“I want my students to know that failing is a part of the learning process and we will come up with solutions together to be successful,” she said.
In her free time, Van Zante loves to watch sports, read, travel, and hang out with family and friends.
Van Zante’s parents are Jason and Michelle Van Zante. Her mom graduated from Montezuma and her maiden name is Criswell. She has a brother, Tyler, who is married to Bri and they live in Inwood, Iowa. Their family dog is Murphy and he is a two year old Golden Retriever.
“I am super excited to be teaching and living here in Montezuma,” said Van Zante. “All the staff at the school and people from the community have been very welcoming and have made this new transition very easy and smooth.”

Name: Alyssa Pierce
Pierce, the new Food Service Director at Montezuma, is a graduate of HLV Community School. She holds a baking and pastry arts degree from Kirkwood Community College.
When asked what her favorite part of her job is, Pierce said seeing the students and staff so excited about the new and improved school lunch menu she created from feedback of the meals.
When asked what she has learned from the students in the lunch room, Pierce said the pizza crunchers and Crispitos are “literally to die for.”
In high school, Pierce said art was her favorite class.
When asked what advice she would give to the students, Pierce said to be who you want to be.
“Popularity might seem super important in school but once you graduate none of that matters anymore,” she said. “Also never fall into peer pressure, you know what is best for yourself.”
In her free time, Pierce enjoys hanging out with her family and friends.
As for the school year, Pierce is looking forward to getting to know more of the staff and students.
And when asked what she wishes she had known as a student, Pierce said to take better advantage of school and the school activities.
“I have some regrets of not having more fun and hanging out with my classmates more often than I did,” she said.

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Montezuma Community Schools welcome new teachers, staff

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