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Keokuk’s new teachers bring talent, experience
By The Daily Gate City
The Keokuk School District hired 15 new teachers for the 2009-2010 school year. The Daily Gate City asked the new teachers to share some information about themselves to introduce themselves to the community.
Kurt Gaylor
is one of two guidance counselors at Hawthorne Elementary School.
He has been teaching for 22 years. Gaylor has worked as an elementary guidance counselor for 13 years, spent nine years as a social studies teacher and three years teaching K-12 physical education along with social studies.
He has worked at Burlington Central 301 in Burlington, Ill.; East Monona Community Schools, Moorhead; South Winneshiek Community Schools in Calmar; Wall Lake View-Auburn Community Schools, Lake View; Vinton-Shellsburg Community Schools, Shellsburg; and the last two years at Perry Elementary, Perry.
Gaylor has been head varsity baseball coach at East Monona and WLVA, head coach, varsity girls basketball at South Winn and WLVA, head coach, girls track at South Winn and had a number of middle school and high school assistant coaching jobs in football, baseball, basketball and track.
He is certified with a master educator license as K-6 school counselor, 7-12 social studies, 7-12 physical education and K-12 athletic coach.
He graduated from West Central High School, Maynard, in 1980 and from Iowa State University, Ames, in 1985 with a bachelor of science degree in history. He earned a master’s degree in school guidance and counseling at Morningside College, Sioux City in 1997.
He is not married. His hobbies include most sports, indoor and outdoor, and real or model railroads.
“I’m in education because at first it was a way to teach others what I enjoy, history and athletics,” he said. “Later it become a love of helping others.
“I once was a regional manager of railroads in the states of Idaho, Washington and Missouri. I’ve also started a shortline railroad in Iowa, near Marshalltown.
“My railroad consulting business is still a hobby during the summer months.”
Kelly Hetzel
is an instructional strategist at Wells-Carey.
She has taught seventh grade reading and language arts at Colfax-Mingo Middle School for two years.
Hetzel holds the following endorsements: K-6 elementary education, 5-8 middle school generalist, K-8 language arts and K-8 reading.
She graduated from Stewartville High School, Stewartville, Minn., and Iowa State University, Ames.
Melanie Bunce
is teaching art, grades 1-5 at George Washington and Wells-Carey elementary schools.
She has been a substitute teacher in Cedar Rapids part-time in the 2007-2008 school year and a traveling art teacher at the Cartwright School District in Phoenix, Ariz., during the 2008-2009 school year.
Bunce graduated in 1999, from George Washington Senior High School, Cedar Rapids and attended Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo; Kirkwood Community College and Mount Mercy College, both in Cedar Rapids.
She holds an associate of arts degree in professional photography and a bachelor of fine arts in art education K-12.
“I love to draw, read, write, travel, photography, arts and crafts, dogs (Welsh Corgis), taking walks, hanging out with friends and spending time with my family,” she said.
Ashley Knapp
is one of four elementary guidance counselors hired for three years with grant money.
Knapp is working at Wells Carey Elementary School.
She has worked as a substitute teacher in the Keokuk School District during the past two years.
Knapp is completing her master’s degree in school counseling in May 2010.
She graduated from Keokuk High School in 2003, one of three valedictorians in that class.
She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Iowa and minored in human relations.
Knapp is completing a three year master’s program at Quincy University, Quincy, Ill.
Her hobbies include running and water skiing.
“I have always enjoyed working with children and adolescents,” she said. “I also aspired to attain a career in which I could benefit others. I believe school counseling fulfills both of these requirements.
“My dad, Gene Knapp, who was a counselor in the school district for 32 years, also served as an inspiration. I witnessed his capacity to impact the lives of others and was compelled to do the same. I am excited about the upcoming school year!”
Knapp’s mother, Debbie Knapp, teaches eighth grade language arts at Keokuk Middle School.
Ann Canida
teaches Title 1, first grade at George Washington Elementary School.
Canida worked in the Keokuk School District as the coordinator for BLAST, Best Learning After School Time, at Keokuk Middle School, 2004-2007.
She moved to Arizona for two years, working as the Title I Reading Specialist in grades 1-3.
She holds a Reading Endorsement K-6, and is certified in Structured English Immersion K-12.
Canida is a graduate of Central Lee High School, Donnellson; Southeastern Community College in Keokuk; and Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant.
She is married to John Canida, a commercial fisherman. They have a 2-year- old daughter, Lara.
Canida enjoys flower gardening, reading and baking.
“Few professions offer the reward of watching a student who has been unsuccessful at reading, learn to read,” she said. “Nothing is as awe-inspiring!”
Tammy Craine
is one of four new elementary guidance counselors. She works at Torrence Elementary School in the mornings and at Hawthorne Elementary School in the afternoons.
She began her career in the spring of 1987, student teaching fourth grade in Hamilton, Ill.
Craine taught fifth and sixth grades for three years in Scottsdale, Ariz., before moving to Mesa, Ariz., and teaching sixth grade while completing her education to become a Vision Teacher in Mesa and Chandler Arizona Public Schools. She taught there for the next 11 years.
Since returning to Keokuk last year, Craine has been substitute teaching throughout Keokuk schools.
Craine holds certificates as an Iowa master educator, counselor K-6, classroom teacher K-6 and Arizona Vision K-12 teacher.
Craine graduated from Keokuk High School; earned a bachelor of science degree in education at Western Illinois University, Macomb; a master’s degree in counselor education at Arizona State University, Phoenix and Vision Instruction at the University of Arizona, Tucson.
She was married to David for 20 years. Her son Timothy is a freshman at Keokuk High School and her daughter Chelsey is a freshman at Southeastern Community College.
Craine enjoys gardening, reading, animals and family.
She went into the education field, following in her parents’ footsteps.
“And because I love children and teaching,” she said.
She is the daughter of retired school district teacher Jim and school nurse Jerre Vandenberg of Keokuk.
Karen Beim
is a Title 1 teacher at George Washington Elementary School.
She has previously taught in Kansas, Missouri and California.
“Now I’m back in Iowa to be closer to my parents and family,” she said.
Beim holds a reading endorsement and a master’s degree in reading literacy.
She graduated from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.
She is married to Mike and they have two children; Amanda lives in Kansas City and Joseph is a college student in California.
“I love reading, math and science,” said Beim. “I like to see students excited to learn.”
Her hobbies and interests are good books and great movies, as well as spending time with family and friends.
Betty Ralph
is an instructional strategist at George Washington Elementary.
Alex Coovert
a Keokuk High School graduate, is teaching music part-time at Torrence Elementary School. He graduated magna cum laude, with a bachelor of music degree from Western Illinois University, Macomb.
Kevin Bogert
is teaching sixth grade language arts at Keokuk Middle School.
Bogert taught third, fourth and fifth grades in Sedalia, Mo., for six years. He taught fifth grade for two years in San Antonio, Texas.
He has been a substitute teacher (K-8) for the Burlington and Central Lee school districts and was a tutor/mentor for the Upward Bound Program at Southeastern Community College.
Bogert has a Class A teaching license and a social studies endorsement. He holds a Career CPC teaching license in Missouri and a standard teaching license in Texas.
He graduated from Central Lee High School, Donnellson; Southeastern Community College, Keokuk; and the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, with a bachelor of arts degree.
His wife, Rebecca, is a teacher at Blackhawk Elementary in Kahoka, Mo.
Bogert enjoys playing most sports, especially golf.
“I am a huge St. Louis Cardinal and Iowa Hawkeyes fan,” he said.
He chose the education field to help students become life long learners.
Pamela Luther
is an elementary guidance counselor at George Washington Elementary School.
Cecilee Radel
is a Title 1 Reading teacher at Hawthorne.
She has worked as a substitute teacher in Keokuk and has taught first and second grade in Revere, Mo., for three years.
She holds a reading endorsement.
Radel graduated from Keokuk High School in 1994, earned an associate’s degree from Southeastern Community College and a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education at Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant.
She is married to Adam who drives for DOT Foods, Golden, Ill. They have a three-year old daughter, Eva.
“I started a photography business, ‘Remember When,’ with my friend, April Stevens,” Radel said about her interests. “We specialize in maternity, children’s and newborn photos.
“We have been very busy with that. It seems to take up most of my free time, but it’s something I love to do! Our phone number is 524-0950, for anyone interested in more information.
“And I’m lucky enough to have found a career I love,” she said. “Education is all about the kids for me. I just love helping children learn and develop their minds.”
Cheri Kemp
is teaching business and computer classes at Keokuk High School.
She has been teaching 18 years, most recently at Warsaw High School, Warsaw, Ill.
Kemp has a bachelor of science degree in corrections education and business education.
She graduated from Keokuk High School, Southeastern Community College and Western Illinois University.
She is married to Mark. Their children, Ryan and Alexis, attend Keokuk schools.
Kemp likes to travel, play tennis and participate in activities with family and friends.
“I’m in education because I love to interact with young people and I like to learn new things,” she said. “Being in education encourages those things.”
Josh Lukavsky
is the dean of students at Wells-Carey and teaches physical education classes at Torrence Elementary.
He has been employed at Columbus Community Schools in Columbus Junction for the past nine years, teaching middle school P. E. and coaching volleyball and boys basketball.
He graduated from Columbus Community College and Western Illinois University.
He is enrolled in counselor education classes at Western Illinois, Quad Cities.
He is married to Michelle Lukavsky, principal of Keokuk High School.
“We have three wonderful children: Bailey 11, Brady 9, and Tanner 7,” he said. “They attend Columbus Community Schools at the moment.”
His hobbies are playing or watching sports.
“I have really gotten into golfing the past two years,” Lukavsky said.
He chose education as a career because “I love working with and helping young adults find and reach their goals. I feel that education is a very rewarding field.”
Angela Dunn
is teaching special education at Keokuk High School.
Kurt Gaylor
is one of two guidance counselors at Hawthorne Elementary School.
He has been teaching for 22 years. Gaylor has worked as an elementary guidance counselor for 13 years, spent nine years as a social studies teacher and three years teaching K-12 physical education along with social studies.
He has worked at Burlington Central 301 in Burlington, Ill.; East Monona Community Schools, Moorhead; South Winneshiek Community Schools in Calmar; Wall Lake View-Auburn Community Schools, Lake View; Vinton-Shellsburg Community Schools, Shellsburg; and the last two years at Perry Elementary, Perry.
Gaylor has been head varsity baseball coach at East Monona and WLVA, head coach, varsity girls basketball at South Winn and WLVA, head coach, girls track at South Winn and had a number of middle school and high school assistant coaching jobs in football, baseball, basketball and track.
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He graduated from West Central High School, Maynard, in 1980 and from Iowa State University, Ames, in 1985 with a bachelor of science degree in history. He earned a master’s degree in school guidance and counseling at Morningside College, Sioux City in 1997.
He is not married. His hobbies include most sports, indoor and outdoor, and real or model railroads.
“I’m in education because at first it was a way to teach others what I enjoy, history and athletics,” he said. “Later it become a love of helping others.
“I once was a regional manager of railroads in the states of Idaho, Washington and Missouri. I’ve also started a shortline railroad in Iowa, near Marshalltown.
“My railroad consulting business is still a hobby during the summer months.”
Kelly Hetzel
is an instructional strategist at Wells-Carey.
She has taught seventh grade reading and language arts at Colfax-Mingo Middle School for two years.
Hetzel holds the following endorsements: K-6 elementary education, 5-8 middle school generalist, K-8 language arts and K-8 reading.
She graduated from Stewartville High School, Stewartville, Minn., and Iowa State University, Ames.
Melanie Bunce
is teaching art, grades 1-5 at George Washington and Wells-Carey elementary schools.
She has been a substitute teacher in Cedar Rapids part-time in the 2007-2008 school year and a traveling art teacher at the Cartwright School District in Phoenix, Ariz., during the 2008-2009 school year.
Bunce graduated in 1999, from George Washington Senior High School, Cedar Rapids and attended Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo; Kirkwood Community College and Mount Mercy College, both in Cedar Rapids.
She holds an associate of arts degree in professional photography and a bachelor of fine arts in art education K-12.
“I love to draw, read, write, travel, photography, arts and crafts, dogs (Welsh Corgis), taking walks, hanging out with friends and spending time with my family,” she said.
Ashley Knapp
is one of four elementary guidance counselors hired for three years with grant money.
Knapp is working at Wells Carey Elementary School.
She has worked as a substitute teacher in the Keokuk School District during the past two years.
Knapp is completing her master’s degree in school counseling in May 2010.
She graduated from Keokuk High School in 2003, one of three valedictorians in that class.
She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Iowa and minored in human relations.
Knapp is completing a three year master’s program at Quincy University, Quincy, Ill.
Her hobbies include running and water skiing.
“I have always enjoyed working with children and adolescents,” she said. “I also aspired to attain a career in which I could benefit others. I believe school counseling fulfills both of these requirements.
“My dad, Gene Knapp, who was a counselor in the school district for 32 years, also served as an inspiration. I witnessed his capacity to impact the lives of others and was compelled to do the same. I am excited about the upcoming school year!”
Knapp’s mother, Debbie Knapp, teaches eighth grade language arts at Keokuk Middle School.
Ann Canida
teaches Title 1, first grade at George Washington Elementary School.
Canida worked in the Keokuk School District as the coordinator for BLAST, Best Learning After School Time, at Keokuk Middle School, 2004-2007.
She moved to Arizona for two years, working as the Title I Reading Specialist in grades 1-3.
She holds a Reading Endorsement K-6, and is certified in Structured English Immersion K-12.
Canida is a graduate of Central Lee High School, Donnellson; Southeastern Community College in Keokuk; and Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant.
She is married to John Canida, a commercial fisherman. They have a 2-year- old daughter, Lara.
Canida enjoys flower gardening, reading and baking.
“Few professions offer the reward of watching a student who has been unsuccessful at reading, learn to read,” she said. “Nothing is as awe-inspiring!”
Tammy Craine
is one of four new elementary guidance counselors. She works at Torrence Elementary School in the mornings and at Hawthorne Elementary School in the afternoons.
She began her career in the spring of 1987, student teaching fourth grade in Hamilton, Ill.
Craine taught fifth and sixth grades for three years in Scottsdale, Ariz., before moving to Mesa, Ariz., and teaching sixth grade while completing her education to become a Vision Teacher in Mesa and Chandler Arizona Public Schools. She taught there for the next 11 years.
Since returning to Keokuk last year, Craine has been substitute teaching throughout Keokuk schools.
Craine holds certificates as an Iowa master educator, counselor K-6, classroom teacher K-6 and Arizona Vision K-12 teacher.
Craine graduated from Keokuk High School; earned a bachelor of science degree in education at Western Illinois University, Macomb; a master’s degree in counselor education at Arizona State University, Phoenix and Vision Instruction at the University of Arizona, Tucson.
She was married to David for 20 years. Her son Timothy is a freshman at Keokuk High School and her daughter Chelsey is a freshman at Southeastern Community College.
Craine enjoys gardening, reading, animals and family.
She went into the education field, following in her parents’ footsteps.
“And because I love children and teaching,” she said.
She is the daughter of retired school district teacher Jim and school nurse Jerre Vandenberg of Keokuk.
Karen Beim
is a Title 1 teacher at George Washington Elementary School.
She has previously taught in Kansas, Missouri and California.
“Now I’m back in Iowa to be closer to my parents and family,” she said.
Beim holds a reading endorsement and a master’s degree in reading literacy.
She graduated from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.
She is married to Mike and they have two children; Amanda lives in Kansas City and Joseph is a college student in California.
“I love reading, math and science,” said Beim. “I like to see students excited to learn.”
Her hobbies and interests are good books and great movies, as well as spending time with family and friends.
Betty Ralph
is an instructional strategist at George Washington Elementary.
Alex Coovert
a Keokuk High School graduate, is teaching music part-time at Torrence Elementary School. He graduated magna cum laude, with a bachelor of music degree from Western Illinois University, Macomb.
Kevin Bogert
is teaching sixth grade language arts at Keokuk Middle School.
Bogert taught third, fourth and fifth grades in Sedalia, Mo., for six years. He taught fifth grade for two years in San Antonio, Texas.
He has been a substitute teacher (K-8) for the Burlington and Central Lee school districts and was a tutor/mentor for the Upward Bound Program at Southeastern Community College.
Bogert has a Class A teaching license and a social studies endorsement. He holds a Career CPC teaching license in Missouri and a standard teaching license in Texas.
He graduated from Central Lee High School, Donnellson; Southeastern Community College, Keokuk; and the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, with a bachelor of arts degree.
His wife, Rebecca, is a teacher at Blackhawk Elementary in Kahoka, Mo.
Bogert enjoys playing most sports, especially golf.
“I am a huge St. Louis Cardinal and Iowa Hawkeyes fan,” he said.
He chose the education field to help students become life long learners.
Pamela Luther
is an elementary guidance counselor at George Washington Elementary School.
Cecilee Radel
is a Title 1 Reading teacher at Hawthorne.
She has worked as a substitute teacher in Keokuk and has taught first and second grade in Revere, Mo., for three years.
She holds a reading endorsement.
Radel graduated from Keokuk High School in 1994, earned an associate’s degree from Southeastern Community College and a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education at Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant.
She is married to Adam who drives for DOT Foods, Golden, Ill. They have a three-year old daughter, Eva.
“I started a photography business, ‘Remember When,’ with my friend, April Stevens,” Radel said about her interests. “We specialize in maternity, children’s and newborn photos.
“We have been very busy with that. It seems to take up most of my free time, but it’s something I love to do! Our phone number is 524-0950, for anyone interested in more information.
“And I’m lucky enough to have found a career I love,” she said. “Education is all about the kids for me. I just love helping children learn and develop their minds.”
Cheri Kemp
is teaching business and computer classes at Keokuk High School.
She has been teaching 18 years, most recently at Warsaw High School, Warsaw, Ill.
Kemp has a bachelor of science degree in corrections education and business education.
She graduated from Keokuk High School, Southeastern Community College and Western Illinois University.
She is married to Mark. Their children, Ryan and Alexis, attend Keokuk schools.
Kemp likes to travel, play tennis and participate in activities with family and friends.
“I’m in education because I love to interact with young people and I like to learn new things,” she said. “Being in education encourages those things.”
Josh Lukavsky
is the dean of students at Wells-Carey and teaches physical education classes at Torrence Elementary.
He has been employed at Columbus Community Schools in Columbus Junction for the past nine years, teaching middle school P. E. and coaching volleyball and boys basketball.
He graduated from Columbus Community College and Western Illinois University.
He is enrolled in counselor education classes at Western Illinois, Quad Cities.
He is married to Michelle Lukavsky, principal of Keokuk High School.
“We have three wonderful children: Bailey 11, Brady 9, and Tanner 7,” he said. “They attend Columbus Community Schools at the moment.”
His hobbies are playing or watching sports.
“I have really gotten into golfing the past two years,” Lukavsky said.
He chose education as a career because “I love working with and helping young adults find and reach their goals. I feel that education is a very rewarding field.”
Angela Dunn
is teaching special education at Keokuk High School.
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