We are happy to welcome Madison Wancket to Geneseo Middle School, where she is our new cross-cat teacher. Wancket attended Illinois State University and received a bachelor’s degree in special education with a Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS1) endorsement.
“I am beyond excited to come back to my home district and inspire the next generation of students,” Wancket says. “It was the amazing teachers in this district that made me want to become a teacher. I look forward to the new things this school year brings and all of the wonderful connections and relationships that I will develop.”
We rolled out the "red carpet" and fog machines for GHS students! Welcome back!
We are excited to introduce Emily Pobanz, our new 1st grade teacher at Millikin Elementary. Pobanz graduated from St. Ambrose University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
“I’m so excited to be teaching in the same district where I grew up,” says Pobanz. “I also went to Millikin! I am looking forward to watching all of my students learn and grow alongside me. I have always wanted to teach 1st grade and become a volleyball coach in Geneseo, and I am so excited to watch my dreams come true.”
Superintendent Dr. Adam Brumbaugh visited with KWQC TV6 News on Monday to talk about the upcoming school year, the new Career and Technical Education Center at Geneseo High School, and other happenings throughout the district. Watch the interview: https://www.kwqc.com/video/2023/08/14/geneseo-school-district-ready-first-day-school/
It's a big week with the first day of student attendance for the 2023-24 school year on Wednesday. Have a great year, everyone! #MondayMotivation
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Jodi Marshall, our new administrative assistant at Southwest Elementary. Marshall graduated from Black Hawk College and has over 30 years of experience in bookkeeping and office procedures.
“I am very excited to join the Geneseo school district and look forward to providing support for students, parents, and staff at Southwest Elementary School,” says Marshall.
With another school year about to begin and the Career and Technical Education Center at GHS nearing completion, members of the Board of Education toured the facility on Thursday evening.
Read the full story and view more photos: https://www.geneseoschools.org/article/1199429
Freshman Orientation today at GHS! Thanks to our Link Crew for the warm welcome, tour, and fun activities!
We’re happy to introduce Kelly Sikardi, our new social worker at Southwest Elementary. Sikardi attended St. Ambrose University, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in theology and psychology, and the University of Iowa, where she received her master’s degree in social work. The Geneseo native previously worked with the Black Hawk Area Special Education District at United Township High School and the Rockridge School District.
“As a school social worker, I help students identify and regulate their emotions through a variety of techniques and strategies that best fit them,” says Sikardi. “I enjoy getting to know the kids and watching them grow emotionally. Social-emotional skills are important components to learning and development, just as important as math and reading because they are skills that we use every day.”
GHS's Class of 2025 will be selling Geneseo Pride shirts beginning August 14! T-shirts are $10 for youth sizes and $15 for adult sizes, and can be paid for with cash or a check made out to Geneseo CUSD #228. Learn more: https://www.geneseoschools.org/article/1198625
We are thrilled to welcome Miranda Bolte, Millikin Elementary’s new 1st grade teacher. A graduate of Geneseo High School, Bolte went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University. She worked at Southwest as a paraprofessional for a couple of years during college, then returned to teach kindergarten last semester.
“I’m grateful for the amazing students and staff I’ve met along the way,” says Bolte. “I am excited for this new adventure teaching first grade at Millikin. I look forward to teaching students to love learning just as much as I do.”
We're one week away from the first day of student attendance! If you haven't registered yet for the 2023-24 school year, you can still do so now through Monday, August 14:
https://www.geneseoschools.org/o/geneseo/page/register-for-the-2023-24-school-year
We’re excited to introduce Shelby Brasmer, our new 4th grade cross-categorical teacher at Millikin Elementary. Brasmer attended Western Governors University and Western Illinois University, then worked at the Black Hawk Area Education Center for five years before coming to Geneseo. She was a paraprofessional for three and a half years and a special education teacher for one and a half years.
“I am so excited to have this opportunity to teach in Geneseo!” Brasmer says. “I have heard nothing but good things about this district and have already had positive experiences collaborating with my new team. I look forward to continuing to make connections with other staff and of course, with my students. I am looking forward to a great year!”
We are delighted to welcome Alyssa Johnson, our new Behavior Analyst who will be working at Millikin, Northside, and Southwest Elementary Schools. Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Washington State University and her master’s degree in professional behavior analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology.
“I am most excited to give back to our small community and make an impact on the students in the Geneseo school district,” says Johnson. “I hope to help empower teachers in their classrooms and to foster a love for learning for the students.”
The third annual 9-11 Memorial Stair Club will be held on Saturday, September 9 at Geneseo High School’s Bob Reade Field from 7 to 11 a.m. Learn more about the event and those who organize it: https://www.geneseoschools.org/article/1190196
Get to know Katelyn McNamara, our new English teacher at Geneseo High School. McNamara attended St. Ambrose University, and this will be her 13th year teaching high school English. She has taught nine years at Davenport Assumption, one year at Edwardsville, and two years at Serena.
“I’m excited to begin teaching at Geneseo High School because of its supportive community and the many opportunities for students to get involved,” McNamara says. “It excites me to see a community support and root for its students. I also look forward to coaching within the girls’ basketball program and seeing students in a competitive setting. Teaching and coaching are passions of mine because I enjoy guiding students and challenging them to reach their goals while watching them grow along the way.”
We are happy to introduce Amber Whitenburg, the new 6th grade art teacher at Geneseo Middle School. Whitenburg attended Bowling Green State University (Bachelor of Fine Arts) and Upper Iowa University (Bachelor of Arts), and her background is in fine arts with a focus on sculpture, metalsmithing and K-12 art education. She has been teaching art for 15 years at summer camps, as a teaching assistant in college, at art centers around the country, and in schools.
“I am so excited to become part of the close-knit community in Geneseo,” says Whitenburg. “I look forward to contributing to the community through teaching! In my classroom we play, experiment, persist, and share. I hope that my students leave my class with the understanding that everyone is creative, and you don’t need to be ‘good’ at art to enjoy it. I feel so lucky to get to shape and witness the growth of my students. Getting to see it happen every day in the classroom gives me that much more drive to foster a fun and creative environment for my students.”
With staff, students and donors on hand, Millikin Elementary hosted an opening ceremony for its new playground area on Thursday evening.
According to Philip Moe, principal at Millikin, the planning and fundraising efforts for the project began in 2020. He described it as a team effort and credits the school district, Millikin’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and local organizations for helping make it a reality.
Read the full story:
https://www.geneseoschools.org/article/1191165
Join us in giving a warm welcome to Katherine Wohrley, our new 7th grade math teacher at Geneseo Middle School. Wohrley graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics with an emphasis in secondary education. While in college, she had clinical experiences working in 6th grade, 7th grade and high school math classrooms. This past spring, she worked as a student teacher at DeKalb High School.
“I am extremely excited to be joining GMS this upcoming school year!” says Wohrley. “I'm looking forward to helping my students grow and develop a love of math and learning. I can't wait to meet and get to know my students and get involved in such a great and welcoming community!”
We’re excited to welcome Delaney O’Brien, our new 4th grade teacher at Northside Elementary. O’Brien, who attended Spoon River College and graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, has been a substitute teacher for all grade levels, as well as a daycare teacher. She did her block teaching at Lincoln Elementary in Macomb and completed her student teaching at West Prairie South Elementary in Colchester.
“The best part about teaching is seeing the spark in students’ eyes when they are learning,” O’Brien says. “That ‘a-ha!’ moment is priceless for teachers, and it’s memorable for students as well. I aim to motivate students by creating a positive, welcoming classroom environment where growth is encouraged and prioritized. I am so excited to join the incredible staff at Northside this school year!”
