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Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Meet the new teachers in the Fairfield school district
Only a few weeks of summer remain, and before long the area’s youth will be donning their backpacks for another school year.
Fairfield’s first day of school is Monday, Aug. 26. On that day, students will see some new faces in their building, and some familiar faces in new roles.
The following is a list of teachers and administrators who are either new to the district or in a new position this year.
Mallory Mahon
High School Principal
Mallory brings 16 years of experience in education to the role. Previously, she has served as a band director and coordinator of student services in the Fairfield Community School District.
She is thrilled to be joining Fairfield High School and serving as the next leader of this amazing school community, and she is looking forward to working collaboratively with the students, staff, parents, and community to continue the tradition of excellence that FHS is known for, while also looking forward to moving into the next chapter of success.
Mahon holds a Master of Science in Education in K-12 Educational Leadership from Northwest Missouri State University.
Kelly Willson
High School Assistant Principal
Kelly grew up in Danville, IA, and brings eight years of teaching experience and a strong commitment to empowering staff and students to reach their full potential.
Her career in education began as a fifth-grade teacher, a role she held for five years. For the past three years, Wilson has served as a math intervention teacher for fifth and sixth-grade students in the Burlington Community School District.
Wilson holds a master’s degree in K-6 mathematics education from Western Governors University, along with a PK-12 principal/PK-12 special education supervisor endorsement from Northwestern College.
She enjoys spending time with her family, taking walks and traveling.
Larissa Tyler
High School ELA
Larissa Tyler recently moved to southeast Iowa from her home state of Texas. She has worked in education for the past 13 years as a high school English teacher and coach, and served as an Instructional Coach at Reedy High School over the past two years.
She attended the University of Texas at Dallas for her bachelor’s degree in Literary Studies and recently obtained her master’s in Teaching, Leadership, and Cultural Competency from the University of Iowa.
She is excited to join the Fairfield family, especially since her three awesome step daughters attend school in FCSD! Larissa loves spending time at home with her husband, two sons, and three girls cooking for all the kiddos and escaping to read when it’s quiet.
Alex Coleman
High School Science
Alex graduated from Indianola High School and Iowa State University. He likes to design and build things that solve problems. He and his wife Danae moved to Fairfield because she grew up here.
Elly Stremsterfer
High School Ag Teacher
Elly moved here from central Illinois 12 years ago. She went to Western Illinois University and Iowa State University. She will be a familiar face as she has been a substitute teacher for FCSD since 2014.
She enjoys her Jack Russell terriers, running, working on their farm and baking.
Darcy Hendriks
Middle School Vocal
Darcy grew up in Muscatine, IA, and graduated from Luther College with a BA in Music. She is coming to us from Cresco, IA, but she has also taught choir in Shanghai, China.
Hannah McHugh
Middle School 5th Grade
Hannah graduated from Van Buren and graduated from Indian Hills Community College and William Penn.
She and her husband like to do DIY projects around the house. She also loves spending time with family and friends.
Tamera Alexander
Middle School 5th Grade ELA
Tamera graduated from Washington High School and attended Iowa State University and Buena Vista University, graduating with a BS in Elementary Education.
She loves reading, puzzles and movies.
Sarah Davisson
Middle School Special Education Teacher
Sarah graduated from Fairfield High School and attended Mount Mercy University and Morningside College. She taught at Van Buren CSD, before coming to Fairfield as she wanted to be closer to home.
Jeanna Bishop
Middle School 8th Grade Science
Jeanna graduated from Mallard Community School District and attended Iowa Wesleyan University, graduating with a BA in Elementary Education.
She enjoys reading and watching British television. She likes to sew and craft projects. She has lived in the Fairfield area for 36 years.
Danae Coleman
Middle School 5-8 Band Director
Danae graduated from Fairfield High School, but has lived in the Des Moines area for the past 15 years. She attended Faith Baptist Bible College as an undergrad and received her Master’s Degree from Northern State University.
She enjoys reading, music and building things.
Kylie Robinson
Pence Elementary Special Education
Kylie graduated from Newell-Fonda School District and went on to graduate from Simpson College with a BA in Education.
She enjoys coaching, racing and camping out.
Faith Hurd
Pence Elementary Special Education
Faith graduated from MMCRU High School in Remsen, IA. She graduated from Northwestern College with a BA in Education.
She enjoys traveling, campfires and spending time with family.
Anna Charles
Pence Elementary Art Teacher
Anna graduated from Iowa Mennonite High School and later from the University of Iowa with a Masters Degree in Art Education.
She enjoys drawing, reading and outdoor hikes.
Madison Lathrop
Washington Elementary 1st Grade Teacher
Madison graduated from Pekin CSD and attended Kirkwood Community College and William Penn. She was a para-educator at Washington for six years while earning her degree.
She enjoys DIY projects and refurbishing furniture.
Bethany Vorhies
Washington Elementary Kindergarten
Bethany grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. She has taught for five years, teaching in Ottumwa for two years and living in Fairfield for one year.
She loves to spend time with her family, exploring Iowa and hiking.
Kodie Davis
Washington Elementary Pre-K
Kodie is originally from Utah and graduated from Armijo High in Fairfield, CA. She graduated from Buena Vista College with a BA and from Northwestern College with her Masters in Early Childhood Studies.
She enjoys yoga, traveling, crafting and reading. She has lived in Ottumwa for 16 years and had previously taught at MSAE.
Melissa Ellis
Washington Elementary Kindergarten
Melissa graduated from Pekin High School and graduated from Iowa State University with a BS in Early Childhood Education. She comes to Fairfield with 12 years of teaching in the Bloomfield CSD.
