The school district hired six teachers to join the high school staff. They are Laura Fank (English), Taaf Vermeulen (CAP), David Bouska (Spanish), Mallory Peterson (Math), Jennifer Gaesser (Choir), and Montana Crawford (Orchestra). 

Fank isn’t new to Pella High School; she is returning after going to teach in Minnesota in order to be closer to family.  However, after her daughter graduated and started attending Iowa State University, she was happy to hear there was an opening in the English department last spring.  She was excited to apply for the job.

 “I wanted to work at a place where my coworkers are passionate about what they do, where I have a chance to continue to grow as an educator,” said Fank. 

  Bouska was introduced to the Pella Community when he attended college at Central. 

“I went to Central, and I fell in love with the community,” said Bouska.  “Also, I was looking to teach in a department with other teachers instead of teaching by myself as I had my first six years of teaching. ”

Crawford came to Pella because she heard great things about the school district from friends and instructors at the University of Iowa.  She is originally from Canada, and she is enjoying the fact that Pella has an orchestra program.

“A difference between my high school and Pella’s is that you have ORCHESTRA! Public school systems in Canada don’t have orchestra’s like you do,” said Crawford.  “So, I started playing the violin at the Suzuki String School of Guelph when I was 3 years old. I had to join orchestras and symphonies in the community because there weren’t any in my public school experience. Pella Schools–you are so fortunate to have an opportunity to join an orchestra program so easily!”