New principal at Tiffany Creek Elementary now on the job
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
DEEANN THOMPSON
By LeAnn R. Ralph
BOYCEVILLE — DeeAnn Thompson, the new principal at Tiffany Creek Elementary who replaced Andy Hoeppner, has been at her new job for about a month.
Thompson said she was inspired to apply for the position because she enjoys the sense of community in a small school district.
“I attended a small-town school and have worked in small schools for most of my career, and I love the sense of community that comes with working in small districts,” she said.
Prior to accepting the position in Boyceville, Thompson worked at Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) No. 11.
“My main roles with CESA No. 11 were with curriculum, instruction and assessment,” she said.
“I facilitated the district assessment coordinator network meetings, was an accountability trainer for state report cards, ESSA, and IDEA reports, worked with districts on continuous improvement planning or professional development and was a non-violent crisis intervention trainer as well,” Thompson explained.
ESSA stands for the Every Student Succeeds Act and was signed into law by President Barack Obama in December of 2015. ESSA reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that became law 50 years ago, which represents a commitment to equal opportunity for all students.
IDEA stands for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and includes six elements: Individualized Education Program (IEP); Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE); Least Restrictive Environment (LRE); appropriate evaluation; parent and teacher participation; and procedural safeguards.
Prior to working at CESA No. 11, Thompson taught in the Elk Mound school district.
“I worked in Elk Mound for six years as a reading teacher for the majority of that time. I also coached middle school volleyball and taught some social studies. Prior to that I was a science teacher and coach in Colfax, and I also worked as a teacher at a local juvenile treatment facility for several years,” she said.
Thompson is originally from Fall Creek.
“I graduated from Fall Creek High School. My home was 13 miles from school, however, so I spent much of my summer time just outside Eau Claire at the Seymour Ball Park playing softball,” she said.
Thompson has earned degrees from UW-La Crosse, UW-River Falls and Viterbo University.
She originally was a Physical Education and Health major at UW-La Crosse but ended up earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary/Middle Level Education.
After earning her Bachelor’s degree, Thompson returned to school several years later at UW-River Falls to earn her Master’s degree in Reading Education.
Most recently, Thompson attended Viterbo University where she received her licenses for principal and director of instruction.
When asked what she hopes to accomplish at Tiffany Creek Elementary as principal, Thompson said her first priority is to become part of the “family.”
“First, I hope to become part of the TCE family. Then, I’d like to help TCE continue to grow as a collaborative and dynamic team. I know the staff here is dedicated to each and every student, and I hope to provide some diverse perspective that could blend well with strategies already in place,” she said.
As for her hobbies, Thompson enjoys being outdoors.
“I love to be outside, hiking kayaking, boating. I love to travel with friends and family. And I enjoy running (although) jogging may be a more appropriate term (as) I have yet to win a race,” she said.
Thompson and her family moved to rural Wheeler a short time ago.
“My family and I have recently moved to the Wheeler area and are loving country living! I have three children who will attend the Menomonie Area School District; Brady will be a sophomore, Tessa is a freshman, and Landon will be in seventh grade. They are very involved in sports and other school activities. My fiance, Jeremy, is a Sales Manager at Northtown Ford in Menomonie,” she said.
Hoeppner, whose resignation became effective as of June 30, plans to work in New Richmond where his wife, Andi, is a teacher for the New Richmond school district and where his children, Will, Joe and Ben, all attend school.
