Get to know PCM’s new teachers

As the school year begins, the Monroe Legacy profiles the new instructors joining the PCM Community School District. The 2017-18 school year will see five new teachers and a new middle school principal join the PCM staff.

Ty Weatherman

Ty Weatherman will serve as the new principal and activities director of PCM Middle School. The 37-year-old, originally from Denison, most recently taught special education at in the Southeast Polk Community School District.

He earned a BA in physical education from Northwest Missouri State University and a master’s in education with an emphasis on special education/Strat II BD/LD from Morningside College. Weatherman also earned a specialist certification in education leadership from Drake University.

His professional experience includes seven years in teaching at Des Moines Public Schools, two years as a baseball coach at Hoover High School and two years at SEP and two years coaching basketball at SEP.

“I was attracted to PCM schools desire to excel in high quality teaching and learning, as well as having amazing support in their activities,” Weatherman said. “I like that PCM is a close-knit community that has high expectations for all involved. My goals for the school year are to build meaningful relationships with students, staff and people in the community. My hope is to take the momentum that was generated from last year and continue to help build on the successes and help guide our teachers and students into a positive and meaningful school year.”

Brooke Grett

Brooke Grett is PCM High School’s new English/language arts and Newspaper/Yearbook advisor. The 28-year-old from Panora recently returned to Iowa from Colorado with her husband and two children. She’s an Iowa State University graduate with a BA in English education and endorsement in speech/theatre and reading.

Grett is in her sixth year of teaching. Her previous teaching experience includes two years at Panorama High School and three years teaching in Colorado.

“My family and I moved to the area, and I have heard great things about this school,” Grett said. “The staff at PCM is so great and were very welcoming. I know this is going to be a great place to work. My gals are to inspire my students to appreciate a new level of reading and writing. I also am excited to advise students to create an awesome year book, as well as news publication.”

Anthony Wojtysiak

Anthony Wojtysiak will be teaching mathematics at PCM High School. Born and raised in the Duluth, Minn., region, Wojtysiak lives in the small town of Wrenshall.

“We had a very small school, so the entire k-12 population fit into one building,” he said.

He was high school valedictorian and began his college career at The College of Saint Scholastica. Wojtysiak did his teaching practicum in the Duluth region at both the middle and high school levels. He has experience instructing Upward Bound and Upward Bound math and science programs in Duluth. He moved to Ames two years ago “per my girlfriend’s request.”

“PCM felt like a fun environment even during the rigors of an interview. It felt familiar to the school that I grew up in and that made me feel comfortable,” Wojtysiak said. “My hopes and goals for the year are all my students pass their classes, that I pass my evaluations and I continue working with the PCM staff and students.”

Chloe McCartney

Chloe McCartney will be PCM’s new 6-12 vocal music director for the 2017-18 school year. The 25-year-old from Knierim, population 50 west of Fort Dodge, graduated from Manson Northwest Webster High School. She attended Iowa Central Community College, eventually graduating from Drake University.

Her second year in teaching, McCartney was previously the 5-12 vocal music instructor at Sibley-Ocheyedan Community Schools in northwest Iowa.

“I went to a 2A high school, and my first year of teacher was at a 2A high school. I love the opportunities that small schools give students,” she said. “(Students) have the opportunity o be in every sport while still being able to participate in music ensembles, FFA, and a multitude of clubs. I really enjoyed my time as a student and as a teacher at small schools, and PCM was a place I knew I would want to be. I hope to build positive relationships with students, staff, and the community. I hope that we can work together to build the vocal music department into a strong and successful program for years to come.”

Amy Cooper

Amy Cooper will serve as the new elementary special education teacher at Monroe Elementary. Originally from Newton, Cooper has lived in Reasnor for the last 19 years. She graduated from Newton Senior High School and earned her BA in elementary education from William Penn University. Cooper is currently completing her masters degree through Morningside College.

“The community involvement is amazing (at PCM),” she said. “PCM has wonderful families and students. I have had three children graduate from PCM High School and have two currently enrolled in the district. I hope to have an amazing year and make a positive impact on my students.”

Katie VandeLune

Katie VandeLune is the new kindergarten teacher at Monroe Elementary for the 2017-18 school year. She and her husband Bret are both graduates of Southeast Polk High School, class of 1994. VandeLune received her BA degree in early childhood/elementary education with a reading endorsement from the University of Northern Iowa in 1998.

She taught at SEP for three years before beginning her family. For the last 15 years, she has been active as a substitute teacher in both the PCM and SEP school districts. Katie VandeLune and Bret VandeLune have lived in Prairie City for nearly 20 years and have three children who attend PCM schools.Cooper is a sophomore, Carson is in eighth grade and Cutler is in fifth grade and Prairie City Elementary.

“I’m excited to be teaching full time again and look forward to a great year of learning,” VandeLune said.