WELCOME TO PCM

Name: Caroline Vecchio

Position at PCM: Special Education Teacher

Education: Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education, working on Master’s in Special Education

Work history: I have worked as a paraeducator for the past two years while working on my special education license! I have also worked at Christian Opportunity Center this summer.

What attracted you to PCM to teach? I have always loved small towns and the small town feel. I love the sense of community that it provides and Monroe seems to provide just that! I have always known that I wanted to teach at a smaller school district because I like to be able to genuinely know all staff and students.

What is your favorite teaching method, how do you like to interact with the kids? I love doing hands-on learning and learning that is applicable to the real world! I love for everything to be purposeful and to build meaningful relationships.

What is a valuable lesson you have learned about teaching? One lesson that I have learned in the two years working as a paraeducator is to really celebrate the small wins. I think celebrating students for the smallest of wins gives them confidence and also just deserves to be celebrated!

What are you most excited for this school year? I am so excited to meet the amazing staff and students at PCM! I love to teach and I am so excited to get my career started!

Name: Elijah Strong

Position at PCM: English Educator

Education: High School Diploma — Indianola High School, Bachelor’s Degree — Iowa State University

Work history: I have worked a large array of part-time jobs including childcare, waiting tables, sign-making, veterinary care, communications writing and more! This is my first year as a fully-fledged educator.

What attracted you to PCM to teach? Without a doubt, the familial rapport of every student, teacher, and faculty member at PCM attracted me to the district. Every individual involved in this community knows and cares for their fellow Mustang in a way that truly resembles a family. It is incredibly endearing, and I cannot wait to be a part of it.

What is your favorite teaching method, how do you like to interact with the kids? Discussions will always be my favorite method of teaching. No matter the context, text, or lesson, students will never shy away from a chance to argue their perspective. To me, it brings out the most passion in every student and the brightest ideas from all involved.

What is a valuable lesson you have learned about teaching? The equal importance of connection and curriculum. As an educator, it is imperative that you are not only progressing the students in an educational sense, but involving them in a whole “classroom community.” Students work best when they are comfortable, and establishing this community will ensure that students reach that point by developing socially with their peers.

What are you most excited for this school year? Anything and everything!

Name: Shawna Clark

Position at PCM: Elementary Art Teacher

Education: Grand View University

Work history: This is my 9th year teaching Art.

What attracted you to PCM to teach? I live in Prairie City. My husband is from Monroe and graduated from PCM. I wanted to become more involved in my community.

What is your favorite teaching method, how do you like to interact with the kids? I enjoy seeing students’ excitement as they try new things and step outside their comfort zones. I strive to provide hands-on opportunities that encourage them to explore their creative side, think critically, and express themselves in meaningful ways.

What is a valuable lesson you have learned about teaching? I have learned a lot about understanding others’ perspectives and how to approach challenges with more confidence and empathy.

What are you most excited for this school year? I’m excited to work within the communities I live in, bringing art to life and connecting with others through creativity. I’m especially passionate about working with students—sharing the joy of artistic expression, inspiring imagination, and helping them discover their own creative voices.

Name: April Gruver

Position at PCM: High School Special Education

Education: Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University in elementary education, K-12 Special Education Endorsement from William Penn University, K-6 Reading Endorsement from Buena Vista University

Work history: Three years elementary special education at Fox Valley Community Schools, 24 years High School Special Education at Pella Community Schools

What attracted you to PCM to teach? The size of the school and observing the interest to educate the “whole” student.

What is your favorite teaching method, how do you like to interact with the kids? Every day is a new day, a new beginning and look at what life looks like through their lens as a teenager.

What is a valuable lesson you have learned about teaching? I might not think that I make a difference daily or get a thank you from a student. This might never come. If it does it will come years later when I least expect it and need it the most.

What are you most excited for this school year? I am most excited about meeting new people and learning from others.

Name: Riley Hjortshoj

Position at PCM: Middle School Special Education

Education: K-12 PCM Community School District. College: DMACC and graduated from Iowa State University.

Work history: This is my first year teaching.

What attracted you to PCM to teach? I was attracted to teaching at PCM because it is where I grew up and I am happy to be close to family again.

What is your favorite teaching method, how do you like to interact with the kids? My favorite teaching method is student-center. I like to meet kids where they are while also showing them that I believe in them and supporting them to reach those goals.

What is a valuable lesson you have learned about teaching? A valuable lesson I have learned about teaching is that it is important to be flexible. Nothing in life ever goes exactly to plan and that cannot be more true for education. Being flexible while teaching allows you to make the most of every day regardless of change.

What are you most excited for this school year? I am most excited to learn so in this coming year and to create relationships with my coworkers, students, and community.