The 2015-16 school year started Thursday for all teachers and staff of the Greene County Community School District.

The Friends of the Jefferson Library sponsored a free breakfast and Children’s Librarian Terry Clark gave an inspirational speech to kick-off the Welcome Back assembly at the high school auditorium.

Superintendent Tim Christensen then introduced 14 new teachers to the district.  A list of the new teachers can be found below.  As Christensen gave his comments about last year, he noted he needed to continue to separate himself as being a rule-oriented person and releasing more responsibility to the teachers, who in turn, can release some of their responsibility to the students.  He is looking to continue some of the success from last year into this year.

“I would say we made a lot of progress last year on building relationships, and teacher leadership, and collaboration and everybody working together.  And we’re going to send a lot of time working on that again this next year, just the collaboration, releasing the responsibility and everybody working together for a common goal.”

First day for students is Monday, August 24th.

List of new teachers:

Katie Akers:  Agricultural Teacher

Wesley Anderson:  High School Band Teacher

Maigan Haley:  4th Grade Teacher

Tiffany Hupp:  4th Grade Teacher

Jennifer Martino:  High School Special Education Teacher

Chad Morman:  Industrial Arts Teacher

Melanie Rechkemmer:  High School Language Arts Teacher

Michael Schnoes:  Industrial Arts Teacher

Laura Smith:  Half-time 2nd Grade Teacher

Sarah Stott:  High School Art Teacher

Laura Tellinghuisen:  Pre-kindergarten Teacher

Linda Thede:  Intermediate School Special Education Teacher

Wendy VanderLinden:  TAG Teacher

Sydney White:  Middle School Social Studies Teacher