Community welcomes more than 20 new teachers to Newton schools

Newton Community School District will be welcoming 22 new teachers to the elementary buildings, middle school and high school this upcoming school year.

All of them were formally recognized by the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce during the annual New Teachers Luncheon on Aug. 13 at Community Heights Alliance Church. Local business and community leaders gathered to welcome the teachers as bonafide Cardinals.

Here are the new teachers for the 2025-2026 school year:

NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL

• Bonnie Barton

• David Schwendinger

• Connie Souza

• Kevin Cook

• Matthew (Colton) Force

• Zach Eberle

• Brianna Yates

BERG MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Jennifer Baier

• Taylor Callahan

• Gracie (Melania) Bear

• Jenny Springer

• Brittany Williams

• Payton Konek

• Laura Townsend

ELEMENTARY BUILDINGS

• Paige Lentsch, Emerson Hough

• Kelsey Crouse, Emerson Hough

• Ellen DeHaan, elementary art

• Jessica Moore, Thomas Jefferson

• Lexi Pollock, Thomas Jefferson

• Kara Westhoff, Woodrow Wilson

• Brandy Larson, Woodrow Wilson