Glenwood City School District welcomes five new teachers

By Kelsie Hoitomt

The Glenwood City School District has welcomed five new full-time teachers, four in the high school and one in the early childhood/4K program.

High School

Matt Davis is the new English/Language Arts teacher for the ninth, eleventh and twelfth grade classes.
He currently lives in Amery with his wife Christine and their three children, Lexi, Liam and Coen.

Davis recently received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Broad Area English Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin- River Falls.

“I was attracted to Glenwood City for its dedication to its students and the increased opportunities for professional development that comes with a smaller community of students, teachers and school staff,” shared Davis.

In his spare time, Davis is an avid writer. He has published his own novel titled “The Shadow Serpentine” which has mystery and horror.

Davis said he also enjoys snowboarding, skateboarding, creating board games and card games, but his favorite pastime will always be spending time with his wife and kids.

The newest Science teacher is Dan Hagstrom who comes to Glenwood City from Mount Horeb, a smaller city near Madison.

Hagstrom taught in Mount Horeb for eight years. He is certified to teach sixth through twelfth grade and he will be teaching physics, chemistry and ninth grade general science.

Hagstrom grew up in Amery and earned his degree in physics and math from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. This is where he received his education certification as well.

“I chose teaching from a natural curiosity of the world, a passion for math and physics and for sharing what I know with others,” shared Hagstrom.

Hagstrom said he enjoys woodworking, astronomy, mechanics, rocketry and horticulture, but he devotes most of his time to his wife Trish and their two daughters, Kate and Molly.

Brandon Kieper is the new face in the Social Studies department where he will be teaching US History, Sociology and Contemporary Social Issues to all high school grade levels.

Kieper is also the yearbook advisor and assistant football coach.

Kieper grew up in Antigo, Wisconsin and graduated from Antigo High School. His father served on the Board of Education there for 24 years.

Kieper first earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication-Journalism from Truman State University in Missouri.

After college he lived in Santa Cruz, California and Breckenridge, Colorado where his primary work experience was in ski/snowboard shop management, whitewater raft guiding and as a part-time radio personality.

He then moved back to the area and earned his teaching certification from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

He has student taught at Eau Claire Memorial and worked as a substitute at Unified School District in Antigo, but this will be his first full-time position.

“I love working with the students every day and I enjoy being a part of the learning environment and I believe that the school plays a critical role in the success of the community,” shared Kieper.

His free time is spent with his Alaskan and Siberian husky dogs. He also enjoys music, the outdoors, snowboarding, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, and skating to name a few.

Lastly in the High School, is Math teacher Rebecca Lamb. She grew up in Wisconsin Rapids before going to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to earn her teaching degree.

This will be her fifth year teaching and she says she is looking forward to meeting new students.

Lamb says her teaching motto is “every student can have that a-ha moment if they are open to the experience”.

Elementary School

Elizabeth (Beth) Lewis is the newest 4K teacher in the Elementary School as well as the assistant volleyball coach.

She earned her teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Through Stout she had the opportunity to do her preschool student teaching in Australia.

She is always certified to teach birth through third grade.

“The ability children have to soak things up like a sponge is something I love to watch. Impacting student’s lives through my teaching is such a rewarding feeling,” said Lewis.

Lewis is originally from Carver, Minnesota and this will be her first year teaching.

“I chose Glenwood City because here I am not just a face, but a name. The community really rallies around the school district and that is the kind of district I want to be involved with,” shared Lewis.

Lewis said she really enjoys reading, sports, the outdoors and spending as much time with her family as possible.