A new school year means new teachers here at Kennedy. This year we give a big Cougar welcome to Alyssa Jacobson and Paul Barnard in our science department, and Emily Reminiskey in our math department.

Alyssa Jacobson, science department

Alyssa Jacobson graduated high school in 2007 and is an alumni from one of our across town rivals, Jefferson. After high school, Jacobson continued her education at the University of Northern Iowa where she earned her bachelor’s degree. Jacobson is currently back at UNI to get her master’s degree.

Jacobson is joining us from West Branch High School where she taught biology and Physical Science for four years. One big difference Jacobson has noticed between Kennedy and West Branch is the school spirit.

“I still cannot get over the pep assembly and the amount of school spirit that you have in your community,” Jacobson said. “Coming from a small community, they had school spirit coming out for football games but these pep assemblies are something I have never seen before.”

Now Jacobson teaches Earth Science, which is her favorite class to teach. One of her many unique teaching styles is that she tries to relate Earth Science studies to life.

Paul Barnard, science department

Next is Paul Barnard who graduated from Decorah High School and continued on to Creighton University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in science.

After Barnard completed his college education, he started working in a lab at the University of Iowa. Since Barnard was already working there, he went back to school and got a degree in neurobiology.

“I’m amazed really, it’s more than I thought and hoped for,” Barnard said.

Barnard teaches biology and AP Physics, which is his favorite class to teach. Barnard’s strong suit in teaching is what he likes to call “the modeling teacher” where he helps guide his students.

Emily Reminiskey, math department

And last we welcome Emily Reminiskey, who is joining us from Redlands, California.

She went to California State University and earned a math degree, then continued on to the University of Redlands for her teaching credentials.

When Reminiskey lived in California she traveled back to Iowa once a year for family that lives here. She then came back to Iowa this past summer, to teach here at Kennedy.  She teaches Algebra One and Algebra Prep.

In California, she says the schools had a different program where they switched over to the intergrade system. One of her unique teaching styles in trying to put students into groups to help facilitate conversation and have the students collaborate.

“I’m looking forward to just learning about this school and watching my kids succeed,” Reminiskey said.

With these new additions to our staff here, we are excited to see what’s in store for this year. Welcome teachers.