Benjamin Andera

Benjamin Andera

Hometown: Cresco, IA

Numbers of years teaching: Nine years teaching

College and degree: University of Northern Iowa, Bachelors

Classes you’ll be teaching: Intermediate Math I and II, Pre-Algebra

Anjali Patel

Married/Kids/Pets: None

Hobbies: Golf, Iowa football

What got you into the profession: “Just knowing I was good at math, but had the ability to pass it along to students as well.”

Why Union: “I used to be at Don Bosco and I’ve heard a lot of good things about Union. I thought it was time for new things here.”

Goals for the year: “Get acclimated to Union in my first year here and go from there.”

Gina Feldt

Anjali Patel

Hometown: Burlington, IA

Numbers of years teaching: First year

College and degree: University of Northern Iowa, Bachelors in Social Science Teaching

Classes you’ll be teaching: High School Government and Psychology and social studies electives

Dalton Ciavarelli

Married/Kids/Pets: None

Hobbies: Watching Netflix, traveling, exercising

What got you into the profession: “I love kids and the content of social studies.”

Why Union: “I wanted to stay around the area and felt Union would be an awesome district to work in.”

Goals for the year: “Getting to become a better teacher, get to know the students, the staff and build relationships.

Jason Toenges

Gina Feldt

Hometown: Buckingham, IA

Numbers of years teaching: 11 years teaching

College and degree: University of Northern Iowa, Bachelors in Elementary Education and Math

Classes you’ll be teaching: Sixth and seventh grade language arts, coaching eighth grade volleyball and seventh grade girls basketball

Married/Kids/Pets: Husband Jay

Hobbies: Coaching, sports in general

What got you into the profession: “I want to build relationships with kids and help them to further themselves.”

Why Union: “This is where I grew up. I’ve been around the world and wanted to come back here.”

Goals for the year: “Just to get know families and be able to build relationships.”

Dalton Ciavarelli

Hometown: Clarksville, IA

Numbers of years teaching: Third year teaching

College and degree: Wartburg College, Bachelors in Elementary Education with a concentration in Middle School Math and Science

Classes you’ll be teaching: Sixth and seventh grade math, coaching seventh grade football and volunteer coaching with wrestling

Married/Kids: Married to Mary, one daughter Lilah

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, golf, sports

What got you into the profession: “I just wanted to work with kids and have the ability to teach math.”

Why Union: “It’s close to home as I live in Cedar Falls. It’s a great community with a small town atmosphere I like.”

Goals for the year: “Just to make Dysart feel like home.”

Jason Toenges

Hometown: Algona, IA

Numbers of years teaching: Five years in Administration

College and degree: University of Iowa, Bachelors in History, Masters in Education Administration from Lamar University

Classes you’ll be teaching: High School Principal

Married/Kids: Wife Lindsay, three kids, Haden, Kayla and Paden, dog Remi

Hobbies: Running, reading, golf, watching Hawkeye football

What got you into the profession: “I had a peer-helping program in high school and loved working in the elementary. I really enjoyed it and decided to go into education.”

Why Union: “It’s a really good location for me and my family in Cedar Rapids and Altoona.”

Goals for the year: “Getting to know everyone, learn the system and hope everyone learns about me too.”