Tiger Link A P R I L 2 0 1 4 V O L U M E V I S S U E V I I

Educating students

to be lifelong learners and caring responsible citizens.

Inside this Issue: Officer Mike Leary

Gold Star Teachers

CFHS Retirees

Applause

The employee newsletter of the Cedar Falls Community School District

Tiger Link

is distributed monthly to employees of the Cedar Falls

Community School District. Please send comments,

contributions or questions to Lisa.Sesterhenn@cfschools.org.

Cedar Falls Community School District

1002 West First Street Cedar Falls, IA 50613

319-553-3000

Community Forums: 10-Year Facility Master Plan

The district is presenting the 10-Year Master Facility Plan, process, and options at ten

community forums along with an opportunity to provide feedback. The options

format includes three stations that rotate every 15 minutes. One station offers

historical information on the district facilities, 21st century education, and the facilities

planning process. The next station presents the options and discuss tax rates. The

final station gives participants the opportunity to provide feedback. The open forums

include a formal presentation and time for questions and dialogue. Additional

information about the facilities planning process can be accessed here.

Remaining Forums Monday, May 5, 5:30 p.m.

CFHS Cafeteria, Options Forum

Tuesday, May 6

Western Home Communities

Windridge, 5311 Hyacinth Drive

Thursday, May 8, 5:30 p.m.

Lincoln Elementary, Options Forum

Tuesday, May 13, 10:00 a.m.

Cedar Falls Public Library, Open Forum

Wednesday, May 14, 6:00 p.m.

CFHS Cafeteria, Open Forum

We are excited about having

deeper discussions with our

community on the future of

education in the Cedar Falls

Schools.

Dr. Andy Pattee

Encourage your Cedar

Falls friends, neighbors,

and family members to

attend one of the

remaining forums.

Please mark your calendar for the 2014 Service Recognition Reception

Tuesday, May 13 -- 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Pheasant Ridge Club House

Very Informal Cake – Punch – Coffee – Conversation

Family members and friends are also invited

Employees who resign or retire after serving the district for at least 10 years will be recognized

P A G E 2

T I G E R L I N K

Jared’s wife, Lincoln Elementary

first grade teacher Kelly Pirkl, and

his colleagues knew before him, but

Jared had no idea that something was

up until he saw the gold star balloon!

“I thought Tara (Estep) was making

her regular rounds and happened to

have visitors with her,” said Jared. “I

knew that I applied but didn’t pay that much

attention to the timing of the award

announcement.”

He may have had a few other things on

his mind with the birth of twin sons (and two

older sons) a couple of months ago! This is

Jared’s third year teaching sixth grade at

Hansen Elementary and his tenth year

teaching.

One of Jared’s favorite teaching

memories is visiting with a former student at

her high school graduation party. She shared

with him how much it meant to her that he

attended the party and how he impacted her

career choice. Part of her decision to pursue

special education was because of her

volunteer work at Special Olympics, a

volunteer experience arranged by Jared.

When the entire special education

department at Peet Junior High paraded into

Jan’s room, along with the Gold Star award

committee, she was overwhelmed!

Jan has been with the district

for nineteen years; thirteen in her

current position and six as a

paraeducator. She went back to

school for her master’s degree in

special education in part because

of having a daughter with special

needs. “Being a parent helped

raise my awareness,” said Jan.

Even though letting go is one of the

toughest aspects of her job, she feels

rewarded sending her ninth grade students

on to the high school. “They mature so much

in those three years and are moving closer to

independence and living on their own,” said

Jan. She also appreciates the support for her

students from student-leaders at Peet.

“It must be related to Blue Zones or

Leader in Me,” thought Kelly when the

committee entered her room with the Gold

Star award. “But when I saw my parents,

knowing all they’ve done for me, I knew this

was something really special,” said Kelly.

“I’ve never once doubted my decision to

teach,” said Kelly. “It’s a mission that I’ve

always known is right for me.” She’s been

with the district for seventeen years, first at

Southdale and now at Lincoln.

Kelly says that the best part about

teaching is the relationships. “You want to

know what’s going on in their lives and it

helps with classroom management as well as

being a powerful teacher.”

Kelly is so touched by all the good

wishes from her friends and colleagues. She

even received notes from a couple of her

former Gold Star teaching mentors!

CF Gold Star Teachers Jared Pirkl

Jan Williams

Kelly Loughren

Kelly, Jan, and Jared all expressed immense

appreciation for their coworkers and positive

teaching environments.

We are thrilled to congratu-

late Kelly Loughren; she

brings enthusiasm and expe-

rience to the classroom. She

is committed to building

relationships with her stu-

dents and families.

Deb Beving

Mr. Pirkl is an outstanding

educator and consistently

strives to engage his sixth

graders in meaningful learn-

ing opportunities. He is cer-

tainly deserving of this

award!

Tara Estep

Mrs. Jan Williams demon-

strates an energy and caring

that are without boundary.

She has such strong belief in

her students and their ability

to learn at high levels.

Jason Wedgbury

P A G E 3 V O L U M E V I S S U E V I I

These excerpts are from the April edition of the Tiger HI-LINE. Want to see more from the Tiger HI-LINE? Click here

to see the print, online, and video publications by CFHS students, under the direction of Brian Winkel.

Charlie Blair-Broeker By Editor in-Chief Mallory Valentine It seems that yet another teacher is reaching a big milestone on psychology’s social clock: retirement. After it

spread all over the school, psychology teacher Charlie Blair-Broeker dispelled rumors when he announced he

would be retiring from teaching after 36 years from CFHS.

Early on in his career, he was a substitute teacher. He also taught for one year in Kearney, Nebraska. Then he

came to CFHS, where he has remained for 36 years. He has taught several subjects over the years: Asian, Latin and

African-American history, honors social studies, American Government, U.S. History, and psychology.

Blair-Broeker said that his favorite part of teaching has been the people. “Teaching is about the people, both

students and colleagues,” Blair-Broeker said. The worst part of teaching for him has been grading essays, cafeteria

supervision, and faculty meetings, and although teaching has its ups and downs, he appreciates the career he’s had.

In his retirement, Blair-Broeker isn’t quite sure what he’s going to do. He hopes to do some teaching as an

adjunct if anyone will have him, and he thinks he’ll probably continue to write and conduct workshops for psychology

teachers.

John Black By Ellen Wallingford Next in the line of a slew of CFHS staff moving on for next year, biology teacher John Black has announced his

retirement, or as he likes to call it, “transition.”

John taught at Monticello High School for 35 years. After that particular “transition,” he and his wife, CFHS

Spanish teacher Patricia Black, moved their children to Argentina to get to know Mrs. Black’s relatives and learn

some of the Argentinian culture. While in Argentina, Mr. Black taught biology at a bilingual high school. After that, the

Black’s moved to Cedar Falls, where Mr. Black has taught for six years now.

Mr. Black said he always enjoyed science but he did not always plan to teach. “I was always interested in insects,”

Mr. Black said. His father had experience as a veterinarian assistant so Mr. Black intended to study pre-veterinary

medicine at UNI. However, his brother was a teacher, and Mr. Black liked that direction as well, so instead of a vet, he

became a biology teacher.

Throughout his time here, Mr. Black has most enjoyed his interaction with the staff. Because CFHS has four other

biology teachers, Mr. Black loves being able to share ideas with other teachers, something he was not able to do at his

former schools.

Social

Media Find us on

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It is the policy of the Cedar Falls Community School District not to illegally discriminate in either: its educational programs on the basis of race, religion, creed, socioeconomic status, color, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability; or its employment practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ethnic background, age or disability. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the District’s Equity Coordinator, Dr. Adrian Talbot, Director of Human Resources, James L. Robinson Administrative Center - 1002 West First St. Cedar Falls, Iowa, 50613 - (319) 553-3000.

Matthew Switzer, conference presenter at the National Professional Development School Conference in Las Vegas,

along with UNI’s Dr. Curt Nielsen. My two biggest revelations revolve around how UNI has become an integral part of my

school district. A message that was abundantly clear from the conference is that UNI’s full-time highly qualified field coordinators

are the envy of other large teacher education programs. Further, the experience that Level 1,2,3, and student teachers receive

from our partnership is rigorous, impactful, motivating, and refreshing for all of our learners in the Cedar Valley. Matthew was

also a presenter at UNI’s recent Literacy Conference.

Southdale, Lincoln, and North Cedar Elementary Schools for holding Leader in Me events in April. “We

couldn’t have done it without each and every staff person,” said Andrea Christopher. Lincoln students created a

video explaining the 7 Habits and taught students the “Lincoln-lude” dance.

Josh Carnelley, staff winner of the Exceptional Effort Award at CFHS. Mr. Carnelley is an awesome school counselor and

spends endless hours at school. He is very caring, considerate, and just a great person. He is relied on very heavily for his

perspective and input in many important decision in our school. As a second note, he worked hard on our Dangerous

Intruder training. He has a passion for supporting this effort, along with the effort in bullying.

CFHS Student Senate for hosting the third annual Tiger Trot 5K and raising $1,205.42 for families

currently unable to meet basic needs.

Holmes Junior High and the Cedar Falls School District for donating space to the Cedar Falls Ministerial

Association’s Feed My Starving Children Moblepack event. More than 500 volunteers packed 100,000 meals which will be

sent to missions and humanitarian agencies in 70 countries.

Faces and Facts Officer Mike Leary,

School Resource Officer, admits

that he didn’t always make the

best choices when he was a high

school student but was thankful

for the positive role models

around him. Now he wants to

be that same role model. “My

door is always open for

students,” said Mike. “The same goes for teachers who

have students where they think I might be able to help

build a connection.”

Mike coordinated Safety City for Cedar Falls and

loves being around kids and making a positive impression.

He also worked with the D.A.R.E. program as a police

officer in Waverly, and was responsible for training new

police officers.

Mike graduated from the University of Northern

Iowa and is one year away from earning his master’s

degree from St. Ambrose. He’s been a police officer since

2000 and with the Cedar Falls department since 2006.

Mike and his wife, Julie have two girls, ages 4 and 5,

with their third daughter due

this August. He participates in

marathons, triathlons, enjoys

attempting to fish for

Walleye, wood working, and

construction projects.

Applause

I always wanted something to

do with the school

environment… teaching and

helping and being a positive

role model.

Food For Thought

“The first follower is actually an underestimated form of leadership in itself…

The first follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader.”

Derek Sivers