La Porte City Elementary in La Porte City, Iowa. PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOGLE EARTH

LA PORTE CITY – Earlier today, Union Superintendent John Howard and Union’s Board of Education announced four finalists in the district’s search for La Porte City Elementary’s next principal.

The board began the search for a new LPC principal in late February following Principal Todd Parker’s decision to retire at the end of the current school year.

This past Monday evening while many in Iowa were watching the Hawkeyes’ Caitlin Clark tear up the hardwood in the Elite Eight, Union school board members and Grundmeyer Leader Services consultant Roger Wilcox were in closed session working to winnow down the principal candidate pool from 20 to a manageable four.

During the closed session, four finalists – all female – were chosen including Molly Dabroski, Danielle Hakeman, Mary Peterson, and Leah Tanney. Keith Halverson, a Central Rivers AEA social studies consultant, was chosen as the alternate.

Molly Dabroski

Dabroski is currently a curriculum consultant for Grant Wood Area Education Agency (AEA) in Cedar Rapids. Her literacy consultant assignments include Benton, Cedar Rapids, and Lisbon school districts. She holds a master’s degree in education from Graceland University and is anticipating earning her PK-12 administrator license this summer.

According to a news release announcing the four candidates, Dabroski has “facilitated the AEA’s 1st-grade professional learning community and increased student achievement by 11%. Additionally, she has led over 45 hours of district professional learning from January to June of 2023.”

Before Grant Wood, she served as an elementary math methods adjunct professor at Coe College.

Danielle Hakeman

Hakeman currently serves as a literacy consultant and dyslexia specialist for Central Rivers AEA, a role in which she directly supports Union staff. She holds a master’s degree in educational policy and leadership studies from the University of Iowa.

According to Union’s news release, while at Central Rivers, Hakeman “has supported teachers in implementing effective literacy practices, planned and facilitated professional learning, served as dyslexia and 4-12 literacy team leads, and mentored new consultants.”

Hakeman previously served as a lead teacher in the Waterloo school district.

Mary Peterson

Peterson is currently a literacy coach at Orange Elementary School in the Waterloo Community School District. She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and a PK-12 administrator’s license from UNI, as well as a master’s degree in education from Viterbo University.

According to Union’s news release, while working for the Waterloo Schools, Peterson “has facilitated professional learning around Iowa Core Standards, effective instructional strategies to promote visible learning, and differentiated instruction for staff.”

Peterson began her career as a classroom teacher in Waterloo.

Leah Tanney

Tanney is currently an instructional coach for Union at La Porte City Elementary. She holds a master’s degree in teaching from Morningside College and is anticipating an educational leadership endorsement from Dordt University.

According to Union’s news release, in her current position, “she has provided professional development, participated in administrative meetings, and trained staff in engaging in coaching cycles to better support teacher and student needs.”

Before becoming an instructional coach, Tanney taught special education for nine years.

Union’s administrative and stakeholder interview teams will conduct final interviews with all four finalists on Tuesday, April 9 at La Porte City Elementary. The administrative team then plans to discuss the candidates and reach a final decision soon thereafter with the school board tentatively set to approve the appointment during the Monday, April 15 meeting.

The next principal will begin leading La Porte City Elementary on July 1, 2024.