New Faces at Clark Elementary

Riley Hopp started her fifth year of teaching Aug. 29, 2025. It was her first year teaching at Clark Elementary in New London. Her position is as a pre-K general education and special education teacher.

She has spent the previous four years at the Corse Early Childhood Center in Burlington as a pre-K special education teacher.

Riley grew up and went to high school in Keokuk, Iowa. She received her associate degree from SCC and her Bachelors from UNI. Riley received her master's degree from the American College of Education (ACE).

Riley and her family live in New London. She relates how her new teaching position has been thus far, “I have had a great experience at Clark Elementary. The staff is extremely welcoming, and I am making some great connections, with not only my co-workers, but also my amazing students.”

She has been with her wonderful husband for almost 10 years, and they have been married for five. They have a beautiful daughter who is almost a year and a half, as well as two spitfire cats.

In her spare time Riley loves to read or watch movies. Otherwise, you will find her running around after her daughter and renovating the family home. Besides teaching, those activities fill most of her time.

Welcome to New London Riley … we are glad you are here!

Hayley James

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Another new face at Clark Elementary is Hayley James. She is teaching second grade — general education.

Hayley lives in Danville, but graduated from New London High School. She attended Southeastern Community College and received her teaching degree from Western Governors University.

When asked about her first days at Clark, she said, “It has been so great to be able to come back to the elementary school that I attended and get to be part of the amazing staff they have here.” She added, “The students are pretty awesome as well.”

In her spare time, Hayley likes to go shopping with her mom and hanging out with her family. As do most teachers, she also enjoys a good book.

Welcome to the New London school district Ms. James. We hope you have a wonderful year!