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Meet your new Union teachers

Dana Benton

School is back in session with faces both familiar and new to the students and Union community. Get to know a little more about these new teachers and what brought them to the school district.

Dana Benton

Hometown: Fremont

Numbers of years teaching: 10 year teaching, five years subbing

College and degree: Iowa State University, Early Childhood Education, Pre-K Special Ed Endorsement

Adrianne Hoppenworth

Classes you’ll be teaching: Kindergarten at La Porte Elementary

Married/Kids: Three children-Cole, Gabe and Rachel

Hobbies: Working out, reading

Why Union: “I’ve been a part of the Union school district in the past and loved my time here. I’m excited to be back in the community.

Goals for the year: “I want to continue to grow as a teacher and also to have a positive first for our students.”

Kevin Walters

Adrianne Hoppenworth

Hometown: Robins

Numbers of years teaching: Five years subbing

College and degree: University of Northern Iowa, Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Literacy Minor

Classes you’ll be teaching: Special education, kindergarten, first and second grade at D-G Elementary

Amanda Arp

Married/Kids: Married to Ben, no children

Hobbies: Crafting, playing/singing music with family

Why Union: “I applied for the kindergarten position at La Porte Elementary and this position in Dysart opened up. I was hired for the position over there by the district.”

Goals for the year: “I’m interested and excited to get to know the students. I want to figure out my new role as the special education teacher.”

Kevin Walters

Hometown: Lisbon

Numbers of years teaching: A year and a half

College and degree: University of Northern Iowa, Math Education

Classes you’ll be teaching: Pre-Intergrated Math, Integrated I, Integrated II, Pre-College Algebra at Union High

Married/Kids: Married to Melissa, no children

Hobbies: Read, golf, be outdoors

Why Union: “I like the small-town feel here and having the freedom you get with a smaller district.”

Goals for the year: “I want to grow as a teacher and learn from my new experiences here.”

Amanda Arp

Hometown: Long Grove, lived in San Antonio, TX for 15 years

Numbers of years teaching: 16 years

College and degree: University of Northern Iowa, Elementary Education

Classes you’ll be teaching: School Counselor at La Porte Elementary

Married/Kids: Neither

Hobbies: Watching movies, going to live music concerts

Why Union: “I was drawn by the small community base and hearing good things about the community.”

Goals for the year: “I want to be able to get to know the students and family of La Porte to grow along with them.”

Meet your new Union teachers

Logan Loftus

Logan Loftus

Hometown: Marengo

Numbers of years teaching: First year teaching

College and degree: William Penn University, Secondary Education with emphasis in technology, K-12 Health Certification

Classes you’ll be teaching: Industrial Tech at Union High School

Dana Neuman

Married/Kids: Single

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, anything outdoors, rooting on Hawkeyes and Cubs

Why Union: “This is a great community and I decided it was the best fit for me. I’m from a small town and it seemed like a good fit.”

Goals for the year: “I want to be the best educator I can for the community and students here.”

Dana Neuman

Ryan Kearney

Hometown: Peosta

Numbers of years teaching: 10 years

College and degree: University of Northern Iowa, Elementary Education

Classes you’ll be teaching: Second grade at La Porte Elementary

Married/Kids: Married to Ben, no children

Chad Bergmeier

Hobbies: Zumba, reading, traveling

Why Union: “I was drawn to Union by the strong curriculum, small town feel and friendly staff.”

Goals for the year: “My goal is just to provide my students with the best education I can and exciting, safe environment to learn in.”

Ryan Kearney

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Numbers of years teaching: Nine years

College and degree: Loyola-Chicago, Illnois State University for Graduate Degree in History

Classes you’ll be teaching: Psychology, AP Psychology, American Gov’t and US at War Elective at Union High

Married/Kids: Married to Julie, children are Nile and Roseline

Hobbies: Playing/listening to music, riding motorcycle, sports (soccer, lacrosse, basketball)

Why Union: “Union seemed like an appealing place to work. I’ve worked in a smaller school like this in the past and really enjoyed the face-to-face contact. The staff made it sound like this was a place I would want to work in.”

Goals for the year: “Get to know the lay of the land, know my students as best as I can and be a valuable asset to the school.”

Chad Bergmeier

Hometown: Hudson

Numbers of years teaching: First year teaching

College and degree: Upper Iowa University, 5-12 Business Education

Classes you’ll be teaching: Computer Applications, Intro to Computer Science and Gaming, Personal Finance and Intro to Business Leadership at Union High

Married/Kids: Married to Nikki, five children ages 5 to 19

Hobbies: Watching baseball, watching kid’s activities

Why Union: “I student-taught here at Union last year and really enjoyed it. Knowing some of the kids and the staff made it a good decision. I’m excited to be part of this culture.”

Goals for the year: “My goals are to make a difference in the students’ lives and be a positive role model. I want to prepare them for the world after school.”