Newton community comes together to welcome new teachers

Jeremy Yenger’s commute is a lot shorter this year. Instead of driving to Johnston every day to teach science, the Newton native will be walking to work now that he’s teaching at Berg Middle School. Wednesday, at the New Teacher and Administrative Staff Welcome Luncheon, Yenger said he was thrilled to be back in Newton to start a new school year.

“It’s been kind of like a homecoming for me,” the Newton High School graduate said. “It’s really comfortable. I’m seeing faces from years ago.”

Yenger, alongside 26 other new teachers from the Newton Community School District and Newton Christian School had a chance to enjoy lunch Wednesday and network with members of the Newton community.

The annual luncheon, a tradition in Newton, is hosted by the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce. In a speech at the lunch, chamber director Amanda Price said the chamber prides itself on being a player in the community. As she welcomed the new teachers, Price stressed how important education is to Newton.

“All of the sponsors and guests are here to support you,” Price said. “We want to show you what the community has to offer.”

The lunch, which was catered by Hy-Vee, also included a gift bag for each new teacher. The bags, provided by chamber sponsors included a water bottle, coffee cups, pens, pencils and notebooks and were designed to help new teachers hit the ground running as they start the school year.

For Yenger, he’s able to ease into his role. His classroom at Berg is one he had classes in when he was a student, and some of the faculty and staff members are still there. Yenger said it was a change to find his former teachers were now his peers.

“It’s just a different relationship. I used to call them Mr. and Ms., and now we’re colleagues,” Yenger said.

With his children attending school at Newton this year, Yenger said it’s nice to bring it all home. When he and his family moved back to Newton in 2015, Yenger said he knew he wanted to find a job within the district, and when the science position opened up at Berg he jumped at the chance to work so close to home.

“My parents thought it would be awesome for the family, and I pretty much have to agree with them,” Yenger said.

For Tracy Wulfekuhle, the luncheon was a good opportunity to network and tamp down some of the “first day jitters.” After working as a long-term sub at WEST Academy during the second half of the 2016-17 school year, Wulfekuhle will start this year in a full-time position at WEST, teaching math.

“It’s so nice to have my own classroom, one that’s been mine from the get-go,” Wulfekuhle said.

Now that she has a permanent position in the district, Wulfekuhle said she feels like she’s part of the team. Attending yesterday’s luncheon helped her make connections in the Newton community, as well as connections outside the school system.

“It’s great to see faces, and learn stores,” Wulfekuhle said. “I just had an introduction to Newton, I’m sitting right next to someone who’s from Newton.”

Contact David Dolmage at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or ddolmage@newtondailynews.com