Gehlen welcomes four new teachers

Cari Herbst

Cari Herbst

Growing up in a Catholic school, new transitional-kindergarten (T-K) teacher Cari Herbst already feels a connection with Gehlen Catholic School.

Terra Goplen

Herbst is returning to teaching full time this year after an almost nine-year break from substitute teaching when her children were born.

Last spring Herbst started subbing again at Le Mars Community Schools in elementary and middle school classes.

Megan Malenosky

"They are just so excited about everything they learn," she said. "I just love seeing through their eyes the excitement they have for things we take for granted like coloring in the lines for the first time."

And when it comes to teaching T-K students, it's important they have a good, positive experience in school because for some it may be their first, Herbst said.

"I think it's important they have a good solid foundation in both their education and their religious education," she said.

Herbst also plans to reinforce respect for people and their belongings with her students.

"That's a big thing and something they teach here," she said. "They stress it all year long."

JoEllen Schneider

"My family and I enjoy going camping," she said. "My husband and I like playing basketball or sports with our boys."

Terra Goplen

Terra Goplen's first memory of music was when she was 3 years old, singing a duet with her father for her great grandmother's birthday.

"Music has always been a huge part of my life," she said.

And music is what led her to Gehlen Catholic School, where she'll teach choir for grades 6-12 and high school English.

"I'm excited to be able to work with all the students," the Canby, Minn. native said.

Goplen graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. with a degree in vocal music education. She also sang in the choir there, which included trips to Italy and Sicily where she sang in the Vatican and Assisi's Basilica of St. Francis.

She performed professionally with the South Dakota Symphony as well as with world renowned pianists.

"But I enjoy teaching more than I enjoy performing," Goplen said. "I've always known I wanted to teach. When I was growing up I played school non-stop."

That is, at least when she wasn't playing piano.

Goplen knew she wanted to play the instrument since she was four, and she begged her mom all through kindergarten for piano lessons.

Now she's been playing for 16 years. She plans to play at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars later this fall.

"I played the organ since I was 12 at my church," she smiled. "I could barely reach the pedals.

Goplen is also looking forward to teaching advanced composition and journalism at Gehlen. She's been training for that part the job as well. She also plans to be the school yearbook mediator.

"I'll get to know students outside the music program," she said. "It's nice to get to know everyone."

Goplen is excited about working at Gehlen because she grew up Catholic and wanted to work in a private school.

With school starting today, Goplen already has a lot planned for her students.

"We're diving right in," she said.

Megan Malenosky

Since her student teaching days at Gehlen, Megan Malenosky has wanted a full-time teaching position there.

Joining the staff as a new kindergarten teacher, Malenosky will realize that goal this year.

"I student taught here and when I got done I had a long-term subbing position," she said. "I'm familiar with the Gehlen community."

This year will be Malenosky's first full-time teaching position.

She graduated from Briar Cliff University in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and K-12 physical education.

When it comes to teaching kindergartners, Malenosky's excited.

"I like the lower levels. The love coming to school," she said. "Everything to them is exciting and new."

Malenosky grew up in Orange City but currently lives in Sioux City with her husband Josh "Bubba" and infant daughter.

In addition to teaching at Gehlen, Malenosky is also a freshman volleyball coach at Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools, in Sioux City.

As for her kindergarten classroom at Gehlen, Malenosky said she wants to bring "a lot of fun and energy."

She also wants to instill a love for learning and school in her students.

"When I decided I wanted to be a teacher was in kindergarten," Malenosky said. "Some kids said they wanted to be an astronaut, I always said I wanted to be a teacher."

JoEllen Schneider

Taking on the job of teacher associate for a section of Gehlen Catholic Schools Junior Jays' Academy (previously known as transitional kindergarten) is JoEllen Schneider of Le Mars.

Schneider, a 2005 graduate of Le Mars Community High School, was hired in August.

"I'm glad I found a job back at home," Schneider said.

She graduated from Iowa State University in December 2009 with a degree in elementary education, middle school reading and social studies. She then attended graduate school for reading.

Schneider will team up with the Junior Jays' Academy teacher, taking on the classroom of 4-year-olds in the transitional kindergarten (TK) program.

"I will be teaching the classes in the afternoon," Schneider said. TK students attend classes full days.

"It's really what I wanted, something from kindergarten through third grade," Schneider said.

She is looking forward to her first teaching job.

"It will be exciting to work with another teacher, learn from her and bounce ideas off each other," Schneider said.

She added, "Teaching in my hometown is nice."

What does she see as her biggest challenge?

"I think just working with TK," she said. "I've worked with kindergarten, but this is a different experience. I'm excited to work with children that young of age, because it's the first time they're in school."

Schneider was a member of the Le Mars Municipal Band this summer.

In her spare time, Schneider enjoys reading, swimming and watching movies.