Montezuma welcomes new teachers, staff

MONTEZUMA — Montezuma Community Schools welcomed seven new teachers, including two who switched gears, and two new kitchen staff members for the 2024—25 school year.

Brooke Gaignard, a native of Temecula, California, is Montezuma’s newest special-education teacher.

Gaignard is a graduate of Great Oak High School in Temecula. She started her undergrad degree at Vanguard University before transferring to Grand Canyon University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s in Communications.

Gaignard earned a master’s degree in special-education from National University.

Gaignard said she always loved working with kids. “Ever since I was young, I have always known that I wanted to become a teacher,” she said.

“When I was in high school, I volunteered in a special-education class at a local elementary school. It was through working with those students, and witnessing their personal achievements, that I knew I wanted to become a special-education teacher,” Gaignard said.

As a young girl, Gaignard heard a story that stuck with her. A boy walking down a beach full of starfish was throwing each starfish back, one by one, into the ocean.

“An older man walked by him and said he was foolish to think that he could make a difference; there were too many,” said Gaignard. “The little boy then picked up a starfish, threw it into the ocean, and said, ‘But I made a difference to that one.’”

Gaignard said the story reminds her that even through the tough days, or whatever the years may hold, as long as she has made a difference in one student’s life, it will have been worth it.

“I have met many students who have not been told that someone was proud of them, or that someone believed in them,” she said. “Being able to see the direct impact of what such a simple statement can make has shown me that kindness, and cheering for one another, can go a long way.”

Gaignard said she tells her students that they can do hard things.

“Making mistakes is proof that you are learning, and even though they may not understand something yet, that doesn't mean they never will,” said Gaignard.

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“Keep pushing through, put in the work, and they will be unstoppable.”

Gaignard describes her teaching style as flexibly structured.

“I believe that every classroom needs to have boundaries, and set expectations,” she said.

“When there is a consistent structure and routine in place, this allows students to come in already knowing what to expect, giving them the freedom to feel safe in their classroom environment.”

However, she said there are times where she must be flexible to the needs of her students.

“Everyone's needs are different, and it is important that each student is met with patience and understanding when they walk through the school doors,” said Gaignard.

Gaignard said she’s looking forward to getting to know the families within the community and working alongside her new teaching team at Montezuma.

In her free time, Gaignard loves to read, go to coffee shops, hang out with friends and family, spend time with her husband, Aaron, and the couple’s dog, Bentley.

Gaignard and Aaron have been married for about a year and a half. They recently moved to Iowa from Southern California.

“My parents moved out here to Montezuma in January, and are the Lead Pastors at Community Hope Church,” she said.

Gaignard has one older brother, Caleb, who is currently living in Arizona.

“We are a tight knit family, and are each other's biggest cheerleaders. I am very blessed that we get to do life together.”

Jill Scheck (Meyer)

Jill Scheck, a 2007 Montezuma High School graduate, returns to her alum mater as the Strat II Special -education teacher. She works with students in kindergarten through 12th grades but primarily with middle and high school ages.

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Scheck holds a degree in elementary education and K-8 special-education from the University of Northern Iowa. She received her K-12 Strategist II Special -education license through Morningside University and will complete her Masters of Special -education through Morningside University this winter.

When Scheck was in high school at Montezuma, she participated in what was then called “Brave New Leaders,” where she was a support person in a special-education room.

“That is all it took and I was hooked on being a special-education teacher,” she said.

Scheck said she’s learned that all students can learn and grow academically. “I just have to get creative on how to link the classwork to real life for students' understanding,” said Scheck.

Scheck tells her students that every day is a fresh start and a clean slate. “If you respect me, I will most certainly respect you,” she said.

When she teaches, Scheck likes to relate everything to real life, she said.

“I want my students to become as independent as possible, so I want to help teach them those skills to make it happen,” she said.

Scheck said she is excited to be back in the halls of Montezuma as a teacher.

“I get to work with teachers that have known me since I was young and teachers that I have known since they were young,” said Scheck. “It is going to be an exciting year.”

Scheck said students should slow down and enjoy school while they are there. “Once you are done with school, then the realities and responsibilities of being an adult hit,” she said.

In her free time, Scheck enjoys spending time with her two children and family.

“We are either going on golf cart rides, playing at the parks, or heading out to the (family) farm,” she said.

Scheck and her husband, Elliott, have two children, Otto, 4, Oakley, 2, and a golden retriever named Steiger.

Elliot began farming with her family almost two years ago, which prompted the couple’s move to Montezuma in December 2022.

Macy Taylor Richards (Miss Macy)

Macy Richards is not a new face at Montezuma Schools, but after three years in the special-education classroom, she has a new role as a preschool teacher.

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Richards, a 2013 graduate of Montezuma, holds an education degree from William Penn University. She holds endorsements in special-education, reading and early childhood education.

Richards decided to become a teacher because she loves working with children and hopes to make a difference in their lives, she said.

“I would love to have at least one of them look back at their time in school and think of me and the positive impact I made on them,” she said.

Richards said her students have taught her the art of being patient and staying open-minded. “Every student learns differently and it's important to embrace their strengths,” she said.

Richards said she tells her students to have fun always and that Miss Macy is always right.

And for her teaching style, Richards said it’s laid-back, student-centered, based on independence and allowing her students to learn what works and doesn’t work for them.

“However, I do have a little bit of neat freak tendencies, and I love everything to be nice and organized at all times,” she said.

Richards said she looks forward to doing something completely different.

During her free time, Richards loves to spend time with her son and her family. She loves to dance and to read.

Richards is married to Justin, and the couple’s son, Kolsyn, is 2. The couple also has a Goldendoodle named, Jax.

“I’m excited to get our school year started,” Richards said

Kelly Kaup

After several years coaching speech and directing musicals at Montezuma, Kelly Kaup has added the role of K-12 vocal music teacher to her job duties.

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Kaup graduated from high school in Evart, Michigan. She attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and the New School University, also in New York City, where she majored in musical theater.

Kaup attended graduate school at Liberty University in Virginia, where she majored in music and worship.

Kaup said she has learned that her students can surprise her. She tells her students that everyone can sing.

“Sometimes it takes time to develop your voice, but be patient with yourself,” Kaup said.

As for her teaching style, Kaup is organized and purposeful, she said. She’s looking forward to getting to see her students every day.

Regarding free time, Kaup chuckled and said, “What free time?” When she does have free time, Kaup enjoys doing anything with her family, she said.

Kaup is married to James. The couple has two daughters, Maggie and Lanie.

Jennifer (Sutfin) Stowell

Jennifer Stowell, the new middle school special-education teacher at Montezuma, enjoys working with young people.

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“I am so excited to be a teacher at Montezuma,” she said. “I am excited for everything being a first year teacher will bring.”

Stowell will be providing special-education services for students in sixth through eighth grades. She is a 2000 graduate of Montezuma High School and a recent graduate with honors from William Penn University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with K-8 Strat I Special -education and K-8 reading endorsements.

Stowell has worked the last six years as a paraeducator and substitute teacher.

“I absolutely love working in education,” Stowell said. “Watching students learn and grow is one of my favorite things.

“William Penn offered a great scholarship for paras and I decided to take the jump.”

Stowell said she always tells her students that they teach her just as much as she teaches them.

“And it can be a wide variety of things,” she said. “I had one student teach me all about matchbox cars. I had another student teach me all about D[space]and[space]D dice. They also teach me grace and patience.”

Stowell said her favorite classes in high school were German with Frau Hall, government with Col. Dan Bunnell and language arts with Vince Hrasky.

When asked what advice she gives to her students, Stowell said she tells them, “Try — just try. It’ll be OK if you make mistakes. You will never know what you are capable of if you don’t at least try.”

Stowell said her students would probably say she can be strict.

“Never mind that,” she said. “I also like to joke around and have fun with them too.”

Stowell said she wishes she’d known that middle school can be rough, but it’s a time of growth and change.

“I wish I had known that it’s OK to embrace those changes,” Stowell said. “I think middle school is the start of finding out who you are and what you like to do.”

In her spare time, Stowell enjoys working in the garden, cooking and reading. She enjoys traveling and attending concerts with her family.

Stowell is married to Dustin, who owns and operates Colewell Automation in Montezuma. The couple has two daughters. Marley, a freshman, and Tinsley an eighth grader.

“I am so excited to be a teacher at Montezuma,” Stowell said. “I am excited for everything being a first year teacher will bring.”

Josie O'Neill

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Josie O’Neill, the new Montezuma English teacher, is a graduate of Camanche High School and the University of Iowa, where she earned a degree in Secondary English Education.

O’Neill said the love of reading and the desire to inspire others to read led her to be a teacher.

“As I have grown up and learned more about teaching, my goal is now is to give students the skills to be advocates for themselves, to find their voice before graduating high school,” said O’Neill.

O’Neill said students need someone who accepts them and listens as much as they need someone to teach them.

When asked what advice she would give to her students, O’Neill said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

“I try my best to create that atmosphere while still adding structure to ensure that students are held to high standards, and engaging in the work,” O’Neill said.

O’Neill said she’s looking forward to learning more as a teacher and to developing skills to teach more effectively.

O’Neill said she wishes she’d understood in high school that she needs to do what makes her happy.

“A lot of people will tell you what you should do and who you should be, but your own happiness is what matters in the end,” she said.

The O’Neill family consists of an amazing mom, an incredible dad, loving stepmother, two rambunctious (but pretty OK) brothers and the best dog in the world, Maggie, said O’Neill.

Megan Van Zante

Megan Van Zante, the new Junior High English/Language Arts teacher at Montezuma, is a 2021 graduate of Lynnville-Sully High School. She majored in elementary education at Iowa State University.

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Van Zante became a teacher because of her love of being around kids and an amazing teacher growing up who influenced her.

Van Zante she her students have taught her new sayings that are popular with younger kids. “But, I have learned that I am not cool enough to say them,” she said.

Van Zante’s favorite class in high school was anything in the Family Consumer Science room. “I really enjoyed Foods and Sewing classes,” she said.

Van Zante said she wants all of her students to know that it is OK to make mistakes, because mistakes will happen. Her goal as a teacher is to use mistakes as learning opportunities.

Van Zante describes her teaching style as laid back, yet structured.

“I want to give my students a lot of freedom, but with that freedom also comes responsibility,” Van Zante said. “I have high expectations, but also want to have a lot of fun with them.”

Van Zante said that it is OK to fail when trying new things. “I want my students to know that failing is a part of the learning process and we will come up with solutions together to be successful,” she said.

In her free time, Van Zante loves to watch sports, read, travel and hang out with family and friends.

Van Zante’s parents are Jason and Michelle Van Zante. Her mom, formerly Michelle Criswell, graduated from Montezuma.

Van Zante’s brother, Tyler, and his wife, Bri, live in Inwood with their two-year-old golden retriever, Murphy.

“I am super excited to be teaching and living here in Montezuma,” said Van Zante. “All the staff at the school and people from the community have been very welcoming and have made this new transition very easy and smooth.”

Alyssa Pierce

Alyssa Pierce, the new Food Service Director at Montezuma, is a graduate of HLV Community School. She holds a baking and pastry arts degree from Kirkwood Community College.

Pierce said her favorite part of the job is seeing the students and staff so excited about the new and improved school lunch menu she created from feedback of the meals.

Pierce said the pizza crunchers and Crispitos are “literally to die for,” according to students.

Pierce said the advice she would give to students is to be who you want to be.

“Popularity might seem super important in school, but once you graduate none of that matters anymore,” she said.

“Also never fall into peer pressure, you know what is best for yourself.”

In her free time, Pierce enjoys hanging out with her family and friends.

As for the school year, Pierce is looking forward to getting to know more of the staff and students.

And when asked what she wishes she had known as a student, Pierce said to take better advantage of school and the school activities.

“I have some regrets of not having more fun and hanging out with my classmates more often than I did,” she said.

Editor’s note: One questionnaire from a staff member was not returned by press time.