Meet the Teachers: Welcoming new faces to New London

NEW LONDON — Each school year brings new faces, fresh ideas, and new energy into our classrooms. Through our Meet the Teacher series, The Southeast Iowa Union will introduce the educators who have recently joined Henry County schools.

Behind every great classroom is a teacher who makes a difference, and this series offers our community a chance to get to know the people inspiring and guiding students in Henry County. In each edition will share a glimpse into the backgrounds, passions of these newest editions to local education.

New London Community School District welcomes a handful of new teachers this year including Riley Hopp and Haley James.

Riley Hopp joins New London Community School District

The New London Community School District welcomes a new face to its preschool program this year. Riley Hopp, originally from Keokuk brings both passion and experience to her role teaching four-year-old preschool.

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While not from New London specifically, Hopp claims deep ties to southeast Iowa, with family connections throughout the tristate area of Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. She is no stranger to exploring beyond her backyard, either, as Hopp has enjoyed traveling to Maryland, Kansas, Florida, and Colorado to visit family.

Family is actually what initially motivated Hopp to pursue a career in caring for others, though her journey eventually lead her specifically to teaching.

“Prior to wanting to become a teacher, I solely wanted to work with individuals with special needs,” Hopp said. “This desire stems from my childhood growing up with my older sister who has severe special needs. From all the aspects that are involved in having an exceptional family member, I grew to be very empathetic and felt a need to help others.”

Inspired by her own high school teachers, Marty Hopp and Tim Carter, the final pieces fell together and Riley Hopp realized she wanted to become a teacher herself.

“Their humor, knowledge, and overall care that they brought to each and every day of learning, made me feel so loved,” she said. “These combined experiences pushed me into teaching individuals with special needs, and ultimately preschool where I’ve absolutely found my home.”

Hopp’s educational journey began with an Associate of Arts degree earned through a combination of dual credit high school and Southeastern Community College classes. From there, she went on to the University of Northern Iowa, where she completed her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education.

While in the Cedar Falls—Waterloo area, she worked as a long-term substitute teacher in preschool classrooms before moving closer to home.

Hopp officially began her teaching career in Burlington, serving for four years as a preschool special education teacher at Corse Early Childhood Center. During that time, she pursued additional education, earning a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education from the American College of Education.

Now beginning her first year at New London, Hopp is excited to meet new families and students, as well as to build friendships with staff at Clark Elementary.

“Everyone has been so welcoming and supportive,” she said. “I cannot wait to see how the year goes.”

When it comes to her teaching philosophy, Hopp emphasizes the importance of fresh starts and grace.

“I believe in the power of a blank slate as well as forgiveness,” she said. “Whether an adult or a child, I may not forget what happened but that doesn’t mean there isn’t grace to get us through the next steps. Each day is a new day, so let’s have fun!”

Outside the classroom, Hopp enjoys reading, crafting, watching romantic comedies, and listening to music from every era. Most of her free time is spent with her husband and their 17-month-old daughter.

With her enthusiasm, compassion, and commitment to early childhood education, Hopp hopes to make a meaningful impact in New London classrooms beginning this year.

Haley James returns to Clark Elementary as second grade teacher

The halls of Clark Elementary are a familiar place for Haley James — and now, she’s stepping back into them in a brand-new role. James, a New London alumna, is beginning her first year as a second grade teacher, and she couldn’t be more excited to give back to the school that shaped her.

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“The path that brought me here is actually the experience I had here as a student myself,” James explained. “I loved my time at Clark [Elementary] and it made me want to become a teacher and help students love school the way that my teachers helped me.”

James describes herself as a passionate and eager-to-succeed individual wanting to make a positive impact in the classroom as a teacher.

“[I] hope that the community will notice that about me in this role,” she said.

Approaching the year with a positive and open mindset, James hopes to be helpful to her co-workers even as she focuses on her students.

“My main focus this year is to implement a fun, safe, and successful learning environment for my students,” James said.

Outside of school, James enjoys spending time with her friends and family, especially shopping trips with her mom. She also has a unique background — while working toward her teaching degree, she spent time helping her dad with construction projects. From building garages and decks to renovating houses, she learned practical skills and life lessons she says she’ll cherish forever.

Her students, however, might find it equally interesting that James has serious skills in Mario Kart.

“I spent many formative years perfecting my banana peel throwing skills and taking first place on all the courses,” James said.

Passionate, dedicated, and proud to be back home, James is ready to inspire her students just as her teachers once inspired her.

“I could not imagine a better place to start my teaching career than at the school that gave me my education,” James said. “To be able to come back and do that for these students is an amazing opportunity I could not pass up.”

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com