Say hello to Sara Knutson, incoming teacher at the W-SR Senior High School! 👋
“I’m a passionate art educator with 24 years of experience teaching art,” she says. “I recently returned to the Cedar Valley where I grew up and am excited to continue nurturing creativity in students at the W-SR High School.”
With a deep love for photography and watercolor, Sara brings a unique blend of artistic expertise and enthusiasm to her classroom. “Community is at the heart of everything I do, and when I’m not teaching, you can find me enjoying Iowa Hawkeye football games, boating, traveling and tending to my yard.”
Outside of her professional life, Sara is a proud mother of two daughters – one at the University of Iowa and the other at Iowa State – and shares her home with my husband Jeremie, an administrator in Cedar Falls and her two dogs, Nellie and Mazzie.
We’re so glad you decided to join the #GoHawk family, Sara! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
“I’m a passionate art educator with 24 years of experience teaching art,” she says. “I recently returned to the Cedar Valley where I grew up and am excited to continue nurturing creativity in students at the W-SR High School.”
With a deep love for photography and watercolor, Sara brings a unique blend of artistic expertise and enthusiasm to her classroom. “Community is at the heart of everything I do, and when I’m not teaching, you can find me enjoying Iowa Hawkeye football games, boating, traveling and tending to my yard.”
Outside of her professional life, Sara is a proud mother of two daughters – one at the University of Iowa and the other at Iowa State – and shares her home with my husband Jeremie, an administrator in Cedar Falls and her two dogs, Nellie and Mazzie.
We’re so glad you decided to join the #GoHawk family, Sara! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
Please join us in welcoming Greta Nelson, incoming teacher at the W-SR Senior High School! 👋
“I am so excited to be back in Waverly,” she says. “As a Wartburg College grad and former Waverly-Shell Rock student teacher, I am thrilled to be joining this school district. I can’t wait to share my love of choral music with students and this community!”
Welcome back to the #GoHawk family, Greta! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
“I am so excited to be back in Waverly,” she says. “As a Wartburg College grad and former Waverly-Shell Rock student teacher, I am thrilled to be joining this school district. I can’t wait to share my love of choral music with students and this community!”
Welcome back to the #GoHawk family, Greta! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
Staack, Chaplin and Hubbard enjoying PD
Give a warm welcome to Caleb Rheingans, incoming teacher at the W-SR Senior High School! 👋
“I’m the new Business Teacher at the W-SR High School,” he says. “Before moving to the area, I taught at Cedar Rapids Prairie for three years. In my free time, I love all things sports – whether that be watching or playing. I hope to get involved as much as possible in the community.”
Caleb comes from a family full of teachers but has always wanted to help people as much as possible. “The best way that I found was by getting young adults prepared for life after high school. I’m looking forward to a great school year and am excited to get started!”
Welcome to the #GoHawk family, Caleb! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
“I’m the new Business Teacher at the W-SR High School,” he says. “Before moving to the area, I taught at Cedar Rapids Prairie for three years. In my free time, I love all things sports – whether that be watching or playing. I hope to get involved as much as possible in the community.”
Caleb comes from a family full of teachers but has always wanted to help people as much as possible. “The best way that I found was by getting young adults prepared for life after high school. I’m looking forward to a great school year and am excited to get started!”
Welcome to the #GoHawk family, Caleb! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
Say hello to Amanda Johnson, incoming teacher at the W-SR Senior High School! 👋
“I’m originally from Fairfield, IA and attended Wartburg college. I taught science at Holmes Junior high in Cedar Falls for the past 15 years and will be teaching Biology at the W-SR High School this fall,” she says. “I’m very excited to join the W-SR staff and look forward to meeting my students soon!”
Amanda and her husband, Alex, have three kids and have lived in Waverly for a little over four years. She enjoys spending time outside with her family, running, golfing, walking her dog, baking and reading.
We’re so happy you decided to join the #GoHawk family, Amanda! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
“I’m originally from Fairfield, IA and attended Wartburg college. I taught science at Holmes Junior high in Cedar Falls for the past 15 years and will be teaching Biology at the W-SR High School this fall,” she says. “I’m very excited to join the W-SR staff and look forward to meeting my students soon!”
Amanda and her husband, Alex, have three kids and have lived in Waverly for a little over four years. She enjoys spending time outside with her family, running, golfing, walking her dog, baking and reading.
We’re so happy you decided to join the #GoHawk family, Amanda! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
Please join us in welcoming Emma Poppe, incoming teacher at the W-SR Senior High School! 👋
“I grew up in Clarksville and earned my bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies from Iowa State University. (Go Cyclones!” she says. “I had the opportunity to student teach at W-SR Middle School and High School last fall, and I’m excited to return to the district.”
Outside of school, Emma enjoys baking and spending time with her family, and is looking forward to getting the school year started!
Welcome back to the #GoHawk family, Emma! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
“I grew up in Clarksville and earned my bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies from Iowa State University. (Go Cyclones!” she says. “I had the opportunity to student teach at W-SR Middle School and High School last fall, and I’m excited to return to the district.”
Outside of school, Emma enjoys baking and spending time with her family, and is looking forward to getting the school year started!
Welcome back to the #GoHawk family, Emma! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
School staff shape the school culture - Part 4 in a 4-part series
The fourth and final installment in our four-part series introducing our district's new Mission, Vision, and Core Values was Tuesday, September 16 edition of the Bremer County Independent.
View the fourth installment here, and be sure to scroll through our live feed to review ALL four parts of the series.
Give a warm welcome to Payton Leonard, incoming teacher at the W-SR Middle School! 👋
“I’m a former student of the W-SR CSD. While attending school at W-SR, I was involved in football, baseball and track,” he says. “I attended Iowa Central Community College for my first two years of school, where I graduated with my associate's degree while playing baseball. I then transferred to UNI to begin my teaching degree and my coaching career as a HS football coach for W-SR.”
While working towards his degree, Payton also took part as an assistant Strength and Conditioning coach for the past two years at the high school, helping students and athletes push themselves towards their goals, whether it's in the classroom or on the playing field.
“I’m excited to be back in this wonderful school system now as a teacher, ready to guide students on their path to success, helping them follow their dreams and watching them become who they strive to be!”
We’re so glad you’ve stayed in the #GoHawk family, Payton! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
“I’m a former student of the W-SR CSD. While attending school at W-SR, I was involved in football, baseball and track,” he says. “I attended Iowa Central Community College for my first two years of school, where I graduated with my associate's degree while playing baseball. I then transferred to UNI to begin my teaching degree and my coaching career as a HS football coach for W-SR.”
While working towards his degree, Payton also took part as an assistant Strength and Conditioning coach for the past two years at the high school, helping students and athletes push themselves towards their goals, whether it's in the classroom or on the playing field.
“I’m excited to be back in this wonderful school system now as a teacher, ready to guide students on their path to success, helping them follow their dreams and watching them become who they strive to be!”
We’re so glad you’ve stayed in the #GoHawk family, Payton! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
Partnerships with families for success - Part 3 in a 4-part series
Thanks to the Waverly Newspapers for publishing our four-part series introducing our district's new Mission, Vision, and Core Values. Here's the link to the third installment, published on September 11, 2025: https://www.communitynewspapergroup.com/waverly_newspapers/partnerships-with-families-for-success/article_c8dae9a9-3c68-496e-9f4e-cc1dce781770.html?utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwY2xjawMxaVVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHgHRhCQ9aaVvSQCUESpu-01nrib3xWu34DemnKIodUXmZ27yDvr5Spiv4YtR_aem_iMIdD9f7aV9hrGjzg1fDEw
The final installment will be published in the Tuesday, September 16 edition of the Bremer County Independent.
📸🌟 Day of Caring 2025! 🌟📸
🙌 Yesterday, Waverly-Shell Rock educators, students and volunteers came together to make a difference in our community for the annual Day of Caring. 💛 What an incredible opportunity to serve our communities and learn about the importance of service to others! 💪🌱
Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and contributed to these amazing projects around the Waverly and Shell Rock Communities. You are the heart of what makes our communities so special! 💚
#GoHawks #DayOfCaring #CommunityStrong #ServiceInAction #ProudToServe
🙌 Yesterday, Waverly-Shell Rock educators, students and volunteers came together to make a difference in our community for the annual Day of Caring. 💛 What an incredible opportunity to serve our communities and learn about the importance of service to others! 💪🌱
Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and contributed to these amazing projects around the Waverly and Shell Rock Communities. You are the heart of what makes our communities so special! 💚
#GoHawks #DayOfCaring #CommunityStrong #ServiceInAction #ProudToServe
Students talked; we listened.
Thanks to the Waverly Newspapers for publishing this four-part series introducing our district's new Mission, Vision, and Core Values, and describing the collaborative process used in the district to arrive at these new guiding statements. Here's the link to the second installment, published in the Bremer County Independent on September 9, 2025: https://www.communitynewspapergroup.com/students-talked-we-listened/article_35c27e79-9952-4255-8894-3d31e463e4b5.html
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year: A new chapter for W-SR Schools!
Thanks to the Waverly Newspapers for publishing this four-part series introducing our district's new Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Desired Daily Experiences! Here's the link to the first installment, published on September 4, 2025: https://www.communitynewspapergroup.com/welcome-to-the-2025-2026-school-year-a-new-chapter-for-w-sr-schools/article_1d4a52a2-1d10-4cb5-b4fc-cba98c2c6bae.html
Please join us in welcoming Ben Buseman, incoming 6th grade literacy and social studies teacher at the W-SR Middle School! 👋
“I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa, and I always knew I wanted to be a teacher,” he says. “My dad was a teacher in the district for many years, so being able to see the impact he had on students really sparked my interest.”
Ben is currently the Head 7th Grade Boys Track Coach at the Middle School. He ran track throughout high school and couldn't be more happy to now get to coach it. “I look forward to the new school year, and I'm so glad I get to call myself a Go-Hawk once again!”
We’re glad you stayed in #GoHawk family, Ben! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
“I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa, and I always knew I wanted to be a teacher,” he says. “My dad was a teacher in the district for many years, so being able to see the impact he had on students really sparked my interest.”
Ben is currently the Head 7th Grade Boys Track Coach at the Middle School. He ran track throughout high school and couldn't be more happy to now get to coach it. “I look forward to the new school year, and I'm so glad I get to call myself a Go-Hawk once again!”
We’re glad you stayed in #GoHawk family, Ben! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
Give a warm welcome to Nichole Adams, incoming fourth grade teacher at Prairie West Elementary! 👋
“I am thrilled to introduce myself as the fourth-grade bubble teacher at Prairie West Elementary! After an incredible career in photography, I began volunteering and substitute teaching in the Waverly-Shell Rock School District, which sparked my passion for education and inspired me to pursue a master's in teaching,” she says. “I am so excited for the opportunity to teach fourth graders here at Prairie West!”
In Nichole’s free time, you’ll see her with her husband Kyle and two daughters, June and Loraine. They spent their time outdoors, attending concerts and sporting events, playing cards and treasure hunting.
Welcome to the #GoHawk family, Nichole! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
“I am thrilled to introduce myself as the fourth-grade bubble teacher at Prairie West Elementary! After an incredible career in photography, I began volunteering and substitute teaching in the Waverly-Shell Rock School District, which sparked my passion for education and inspired me to pursue a master's in teaching,” she says. “I am so excited for the opportunity to teach fourth graders here at Prairie West!”
In Nichole’s free time, you’ll see her with her husband Kyle and two daughters, June and Loraine. They spent their time outdoors, attending concerts and sporting events, playing cards and treasure hunting.
Welcome to the #GoHawk family, Nichole! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
Say hello to Claire Yochum, incoming K-2 special education teacher at Shell Rock Elementary! 👋
“I am so excited to be the K-2 special education teacher at Shell Rock this year! I am a first year teacher, just graduated from UNI, and I have been waiting for this day for a long time,” she says. “I have always wanted to be a teacher and this is a dream come true for me. I love the environment and the teamwork mindset at Shell Rock and cannot wait to get started.”
Claire is from a small town in Iowa called Treynor. She likes to visit her parents, siblings, extended family, and dogs back home. During Clarie’s free time, she enjoys exercising, reading, hanging out with friends, running her photography business, and planning her wedding with her fiancé, Jackson!
We’re happy to have you join the #GoHawk family, Claire! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
“I am so excited to be the K-2 special education teacher at Shell Rock this year! I am a first year teacher, just graduated from UNI, and I have been waiting for this day for a long time,” she says. “I have always wanted to be a teacher and this is a dream come true for me. I love the environment and the teamwork mindset at Shell Rock and cannot wait to get started.”
Claire is from a small town in Iowa called Treynor. She likes to visit her parents, siblings, extended family, and dogs back home. During Clarie’s free time, she enjoys exercising, reading, hanging out with friends, running her photography business, and planning her wedding with her fiancé, Jackson!
We’re happy to have you join the #GoHawk family, Claire! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
Happy 2025-2026 school year, and welcome back to school!
Throughout the next few weeks, we’ll be introducing the incredible new faces for the 2025-26 school year! 👋
Please join us in welcoming Kristin Hoey, incoming teacher at Shell Rock Elementary!
“I’m so excited to be joining the Go-Hawk team this year at Shell Rock Elementary! I have recently graduated from UNI and have been subbing in the W-SR district,” she says. “I love the community of people I’ve come to know and I’m looking forward to meeting you all!”
In her spare time, Kristin loves to be outside on her bike, or on a run. Her absolute favorite hobby is rock climbing, but in second place is eating ice cream! If you recognize Kristin around town please introduce yourself – she’d love to meet you!
Welcome to the #GoHawk family, Kristin! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
Throughout the next few weeks, we’ll be introducing the incredible new faces for the 2025-26 school year! 👋
Please join us in welcoming Kristin Hoey, incoming teacher at Shell Rock Elementary!
“I’m so excited to be joining the Go-Hawk team this year at Shell Rock Elementary! I have recently graduated from UNI and have been subbing in the W-SR district,” she says. “I love the community of people I’ve come to know and I’m looking forward to meeting you all!”
In her spare time, Kristin loves to be outside on her bike, or on a run. Her absolute favorite hobby is rock climbing, but in second place is eating ice cream! If you recognize Kristin around town please introduce yourself – she’d love to meet you!
Welcome to the #GoHawk family, Kristin! 🙌 #GoWSR #itsagreatdaytobeagohawk
𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 – 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟱
This morning, a Waverly-Shell Rock CSD bus carrying approximately 25 students was involved in a minor traffic incident on a rural route north of Bremer. The bus was sideswiped on the blacktop road.
The Bremer County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene and confirmed that there were 𝐧𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬. All students were evaluated and cleared to continue to school. A second bus was dispatched to complete the route, and students arrived at their buildings approximately 10 minutes later than scheduled.
We are grateful for the quick response from local law enforcement and for the safety of everyone involved.
This morning, a Waverly-Shell Rock CSD bus carrying approximately 25 students was involved in a minor traffic incident on a rural route north of Bremer. The bus was sideswiped on the blacktop road.
The Bremer County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene and confirmed that there were 𝐧𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬. All students were evaluated and cleared to continue to school. A second bus was dispatched to complete the route, and students arrived at their buildings approximately 10 minutes later than scheduled.
We are grateful for the quick response from local law enforcement and for the safety of everyone involved.
The countdown to the 2025–2026 school year is on! Check out the Back to School Family Resource Hub here: https://tinyurl.com/Fall25Back2School
