(Editor’s note: The 2010-11 school year brought several new faces to area public schools. The Register is profiling these educators with brief biographies. Today’s roundup features new teachers at Iola Middle School of USD 257.)
Steven Stockebrand
Steven Stockebrand is fulfilling his student teaching requirements in Iola.
He will spend the first nine weeks of the school year in physical education classes under the watchful eye of Iola Middle School teacher Terry Lower. The second nine weeks Stockebrand will work with Larry Regehr, teaching physical education at Lincoln and McKinley Elementary Schools.
Stockebrand said he also hopes to coach, adding, “I would like to coach any sport but am especially interested in golf and basketball.”
A Yates Center native, Stockebrand will graduate in December from Pittsburg State University.
“I was able to pick three schools (at which) to do my student teaching — Iola and two schools in Pittsburg. I was glad to get to Iola so I would be close to home,” he said.
Stockebrand said he always enjoyed physical education classes when he was in school and hopes his students develop habits in his classes to help them enjoy an active and more healthy lifestyle.
Bill Snyder
Bill Snyder spent many years in a job that was physically demanding.
“I knew I couldn’t continue working as a laborer, my body was wearing out. I have always liked history and took a chance by returning to college and pursuing a degree in education,” he said.
Snyder is completing his teaching requirements as a social science teacher at Iola Middle School in the classroom of Mark Boyd. He will spend the second nine weeks of the semester at Iola High School working with Travis Hermstein teaching social science to sophomores.
Snyder, who lives in Chanute, will graduate in December from Pittsburg State University. His three choices for student teaching were Iola, Humboldt and Altoona-Midway.
“I enjoy teaching, and hope I can be an inspiration to my students to continue their education as they grow into productive citizens,” he said.
Snyder and his wife, Rena, have two grown daughters, Bethany and Greta, and two grandchildren, Cyler and Callie.
Teresa Cheney
Teresa Cheney is beginning her ninth year as a resource room teacher. The past eight years she was at Iola High School and this year she will work with sixth-grade students at Iola Middle School. She is employed through the ANW Special Education Cooperative.
“I work with students who need a little extra instructions in their classes,” she said.
Cheney said when she was 30 she found herself a single parent with three children to raise. To support her family she returned to college and earned a bachelor of science in education from Pittsburg State University and a master’s degree in special education from Emporia State University.
“I chose to be a teacher because I have always admired teachers and their influence on students to continue their education,” she said.
Cheney lives in Iola as does her son Isaac. Two children, Desiree and Nathan, live in California. She has three grandchildren, Alexis, Sky and Akilla.
