BROWNSTOWN
While seven teachers are new to Brownstown Elementary School, they have various years of experience in the profession.
During the recent Brownstown Central Community School Corp. board of trustees meeting, Principal Chrystal Street had the teachers introduce themselves.
First up was Adam Disque. The Brownstown Central High School graduate taught at Medora Elementary School until the summer of 2016 when he left education to work at State Bank of Medora.
In 2018, he became the director of Leadership Jackson County’s youth leadership program, YoJack. Then this year, he found out about an opening at BES, applied and was hired to teach fourth grade.
"It was a chance to come home. You don’t always get that, so I appreciate that," Disque said. "It’s the only job I ever wanted to do, the only job I ever had. That’s why I’m here."
His wife, Bridget Disque, was up next. She also is a BCHS graduate and used to teach at Medora, and then she was at Lincoln Elementary School in Bedford until being hired to teach kindergarten at BES.
This is her 11th year of teaching.
"I as well wanted to come home, and so I’m glad to be here," Bridget said.
Another BCHS graduate, Anna Hochstedler, is a new fifth grade teacher. She spent the past five years teaching first grade at Seymour-Redding Elementary School.
"I actually started as an aide at Brownstown, so I wanted to come back for the past five years," she said. "This was an opportunity, it just felt right and it ended up being perfect because my oldest (child) started kindergarten this year, so he was not happy that we were going to be at different schools."
Going from first grade to fifth grade has been a big adjustment, Hochstedler said.
"My fifth grade team has been very welcoming, and I’ve had a lot of support from Mrs. Street," she said.
Bret Roberts and Hannah Tanksley are both from Bedford.
Roberts’ first year of teaching last year was in Franklin. She taught first grade there and is teaching second grade at BES.
"I’m from Bedford, so I kind of have the same reason as everyone else that I wanted to come back and be closer to my family," she said. "So far, I’m loving it, so I really appreciate this opportunity."
Tanksley is teaching fourth grade.
"A little bit different from everyone else, I wanted to get away from home, but not too far," she said, smiling. "I love Brownstown so far. I like how innovative it is and how much support I’m getting. I’m glad to be here."
Later during the meeting, the board approved the hiring of Allison Wheeler as a fourth grade teacher. She previously taught at St. Ambrose Catholic School in Seymour.
Also new to BES this year is Mendy Stahl. She is teaching art after having been a teacher at Brownstown Central Middle School in recent years.
"I do have to say that this is a great crew," Street said of the new teachers. "You can see that I have the number of years of experience. They are so easy to work with, and the kids really, really like them, so I hope to keep them around for a long, long time."
The board members and Superintendent Tim Taylor, who is in his first year at Brownstown, appreciated the opportunity to meet the teachers.
"A lot of times, we hear about new teachers and we pass them and don’t know who they are, so that was a good idea. Thanks to Mrs. Street for doing that," board President Scott Shade said of having them introduced at the meeting.
"I think we’re off to a great start," Trustee Mary Lou Burcham said. "I’m excited about all of the new people we’ve got involved, and I’m excited about Mr. Taylor being here. He has just gone off running."