MFL MarMac welcomes six new teachers

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

MFL MarMac welcomes six new teachers this year: Sarah Wille, Karen Suddendorf, Samantha Corsbie, Shelly Stubbs, Dacia Jacobsen and Katie Kregel.

Sarah Wille — High School Agriculture and FFA Advisor

Wille takes over as the district’s high school agriculture teacher and FFA adviser. The oldest of four siblings, she grew up on a farm near Williamsburg, Iowa, and attended Iowa State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education.

“I wanted to teach agriculture because it is one of the most important industries there is,” she said. “I enjoy working with young people and watching them accomplish their goals.”

Wille said she was attracted to MFL MarMac because of the people.

“The administration is so welcoming and willing to help me succeed as a teacher,” she shared.

Plus, she quipped, Clayton County is a beautiful place to live.

This year, Wille said she’s most looking forward to getting students involved in all of the activities FFA has to offer.

When she’s not at school, Wille said she enjoys spending time with family and friends, driving around the countryside and boating.

Karen Suddendorf — High School Instrumental Music

Suddendorf joins the high school staff as an instrumental music teacher, duties she will split with Michelle Hontz. She attended Luther College and is now semi-retired after teaching for 33.5 years. In her spare time, she enjoys teaching piano lessons, as well as playing piano herself. She has three children, who all graduated from MFL MarMac.

“I had a wonderful teacher who pushed me hard,” Suddendorf said of her inspiration to become a music teacher. “I wanted to be like him and inspire musicians.”

MFL Marmac’s “amazing” students are what attracted her to the position, she noted.

“I’m looking forward to having fun and creating wonderful music.”

Samantha Corsbie — Special Education at the McGregor Center

The McGregor Center’s lone new teacher this year is Samantha Corsbie, who will teach special education. 

Corsbie said she’s lived in Cedar Falls for the past six years, teaching fifth and sixth grade special education at Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School.

Joining MFL MarMac gives her, and her family, the opportunity to return to her roots.

“I’m originally from Garnavillo,” she said. “My husband and I wanted our daughter to grow up in a smaller community/school district and to be closer to family.”

This year, Corsbie said she’s most looking forward to getting to know her students.

When she’s not at school, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially 8-month-old daughter Emery.

Shelly Stubbs — Junior Kindergarten

Shelly Stubbs is the new junior kindergarten teacher at the elementary school. She comes to the district after spending the past 15 years as a head teacher with NEICAC Head Start.

Stubbs grew up in south-central Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where she received a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education with an endorsement in early childhood.

“I don’t remember a time that I wanted to be anything other than an elementary teacher,” she said. “I have always had a passion for working with and helping young people.”

Stubbs and her husband, Collin, have two sons: Chase is a freshman at UNI this fall, while Ethan is entering his sophomore year at MFL MarMac. She sought out the position at MFL MarMac, she said, because it would give her an opportunity to further her teaching career in a community she’s already heavily vested in.

“I am excited to be part of a great school system,” she remarked.

In her free time, Stubbs said she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, photography, watching Nebraska football and spending time with the family’s black lab, Zeke. 

Dacia Jacobsen — Second Grade

Dacia Jacobsen is one of two new second grade teachers joining MFL MarMac this year.

Jacobsen grew up in Clermont and attended Upper Iowa University, graduating with an elementary education degree with endorsements in early childhood and reading. She also recently completed an endorsement in early childhood special education. For the past three years, she’s taught preschool at the DeSales Catholic School, in Ossian.

“This was a great learning experience for me and allowed me the opportunity to grow as a teacher,” she said.

Jacobsen said she’s wanted to be a teacher since childhood, when she and her siblings would often play “school” in their basement. Babysitting helped further her career aspirations.

“I enjoy being around children and watching them grow and learn new things,” she shared. “It’s so fun to see the joy they bring out. The kids I have gotten to know and teach have taught me a lot. I enjoy the elementary age because the kids show so much excitement and curiosity.”

Her experience at MFL MarMac has, so far, been warm and welcoming. Jacobsen said she’s looking forward to beginning a new adventure and learning along the way.

“I am also very excited to meet my students and their families,” she said. “I can’t wait to watch my students grow and learn throughout the year, while having fun along the way.”

Outside school, Jacobsen likes spending time with her family, reading and soaking up time outside.

Katie Kregel — Second Grade

MFL MarMac’s other new second grade teacher is Katie Kregel. She’s a Monona native, graduating from MFL MarMac in 2002. She attended Central College, in Pella, with an elementary education major and reading endorsement, and later student taught in Chicago. Her first teaching job was at North Scott Schools, where she taught second grade at Princeton Elementary. Kregel then moved to Oelwein, teaching fifth grade for a year, junior kindergarten for a year and second grade for five years. For the past two years, she taught second grade at Postville, after her family moved back to the area.

Kregel and her husband, Wade, have two girls, Natalie, 5 (in kindergarten), and Addyson, who’s 5 months old.

Like fellow second grade teacher Jacobsen, Kregel developed an interest in teaching at a young age.

“I have always wanted to be a teacher, and even would play school as a kid,” she said. “I had some great teachers to inspire me.”

She said she’s happy to be back in Monona, closer to family.

“Teaching in my hometown is great,” she noted, “and I love that I can take my daughter to school with me.”

This year, her main goal is to have fun with her students.

“I want to make learning fun and create an active and safe environment for them,” Kregel said. “I am also looking forward to working with my new colleagues to learn new strategies from them.”

Outside school, Kregel’s hobbies include baking, going for walks, spending time with family and taking her daughters to the pool.