Staff Directory

Mrs. Bell has been an educator since 2010 and is excited to join IAVA. She has a versatile background working with students across diverse age groups and brings a strong foundation of supporting students to her role. Mrs. Bell is passionate about helping students discover their unique strengths and reach their full potential. When she is not in the virtual classroom, you will find her outdoors, camping, and going on adventures with her family.

Mrs. Busch Pahl began as a 9-12 school counselor at IAVA in 2026. She graduated with her Master of Science in K-12 school counseling from Drake University. She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in German from Iowa State University where she also completed a minor in Spanish and additional coursework in secondary education. Let’s go Cyclones! Mrs. BP is from Ames, which she still calls home with her husband, son, dog, three cats, and a betta fish. In her free time Mrs. BP enjoys running, spending time with loved ones, reading, and music. With 10 years of experience teaching Spanish and German, Mrs. BP is excited to work with high schoolers at IAVA and help them succeed on their own unique journey. She is committed to helping and connecting with each and every one of her students!

Sophie Cherne is the Registrar at IAVA and joined the team in 2024. In her free time, she makes t-shirt blankets and quilts. She also enjoys being outdoors, baking, going to concerts, and spending time with family and friends. She has two dogs, Duke and Bear. Sophie is looking forward to meeting coworkers, as well as new and current families.

Lizzie Edens is excited to join Iowa Virtual Academy as a K-12 Instructional Coach in 2026. She brings a strong background in English and Literacy Education, having taught primarily middle school ELA with additional experience at the high school level. Lizzie is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at Kansas State University, with a focus on Literacy Education. She is passionate about supporting educators, helping teachers strengthen their instructional practices, and using research-based approaches to help every student become a confident and capable reader. Outside of education, Lizzie enjoys traveling, staying active, and spending time with family and friends.

Mr. Hoff has been with K12 since 2010 and has been the head of school at IAVA since it opened in 2012. He brings a wealth of expertise from his past experiences in education. He is originally from Minnesota but has called Iowa his home since 2012. Mr. Hoff holds a bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He enjoys spending time with his wife, sons, and daughter, as well as hunting, fishing, being a river rat, and just being outdoors. Mr. Hoff is an avid Minnesota Vikings fan! He enjoys interacting with his students and staff and loves seeing how quality socialization happens in IAVA’s online environment.

Mrs. Kramer is one of the 9th-12th grade professional counselor. She graduated from Buena Vista University with her Master of Science in education in K–12 professional school counseling. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa. Mrs. Kramer is from the Des Moines area, where she lives with her husband, dog, kitten, and two gerbils! In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and hiking. She also is a big fan of the Cowboys! Mrs. Kramer has spent the past several years as a special education teacher and comes with 10+ years of knowledge and experience working with children. She has a passion for helping all children learn and grow. Her focus is to encourage students to understand more about themselves and their needs, to build strong relationships, and to promote happiness!

Ms. Mellon joined IAVA in 2019. She graduated from Loras College with a degree in biology. Her interests include, but aren’t limited to, reading, anything outdoors, and attending her nephews’ sporting events.

Mrs. Morenz has been in education since 1986. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Buena Vista University and her master’s degree from Iowa State University. She has previously served as a 9th–12th grade English teacher, teaching all levels, including IWCC Honors Early Start classes for Composition 1 and 2. Mrs. Morenz has also served as a PK–12 principal. She believes working with online education is an opportunity to bring a high-expectation experience to the needs of all learners.

Ashley joined IAVA in 2024 as the Community Engagement Specialist. She received her BA in Psychology from Upper Iowa University in 2013. Ashley enjoys spending time with her husband, and their three children. She also enjoys running, reading, and being outdoors as much as possible! Ashley is excited to be a part of the IAVA Team!

Ms. Tepper joined the IAVA team in August of 2017. She received her BA in journalism and mass communications at Iowa State University. After graduation, she moved to the East Coast, where she worked in advertising and exhibit sales as well as customer service. After returning to Iowa, Ms. Tepper worked at the Clayton Ridge School District as a member of their library staff for 12 years before joining IAVA. She is happy to be back in Iowa and a member of the IAVA team. The families and students are her favorite part of working at IAVA. They are so appreciative and are simply great to work with.

Ms. Willenborg has had the privilege of working as a school administrator for K12 since 2017. Before becoming an online principal, she was a science teacher for six years and taught in Iowa, Hawaii, and Washington while her husband served in the Air Force. She returned to Iowa with her family in 2022 and loves being back in Hawkeye Country. Ms. Willenborg enjoys spending her free time outdoors with her family and dogs. However, hiking in Iowa is different than it was in Washington!

Mrs. Speth joined Iowa Virtual Academy in November 2025. Prior to joining IAVA, she spent 7 years teaching in the brick-and-mortar setting, ranging from K-4 grade and 7-9 grade. Her goal and passion are to help students of all ages and abilities learn and succeed in school and be prepared for life outside of school. In her free time, Mrs. Speth enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, drinking coffee (hot, iced, it doesn’t matter!), and relaxing with a good book. 

Mrs. Acosta has been working in education for 14 years. She has experience teaching both online and in a brick-and-mortar setting. Mrs. Acosta received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education K–6 from Dordt University. She loves building relationships with her students and is passionate about helping students develop their potential.

Mrs. Baughman started her journey with IAVA in 2025. Mrs. Baughman brings 14 years of experience in special education. She is looking forward to building meaningful connections while making a positive difference in the lives of students and families. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Baughman owns an online at home gym with her high school best friend. She is also married with 4 boys, and a cockapoo named Jerzi.

Mrs. Callas-Sullivan joined the IAVA team in October of 2019. Before teaching for IAVA, she worked in the brick-and-mortar setting for 13 years. She has broad experience teaching in various settings for multiple ages, including preschool, kindergarten, grades 1, 3, 5–8, and K–8 special education. Mrs. Callas-Sullivan earned her Associate of Arts and business management degrees from Indian Hills Community College. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Buena Vista University and her Master of Arts in teaching, specializing in special education, from Morningside University. Her passion is to help all students learn and be successful in school and in life. Mrs. Callas-Sullivan enjoys spending her free time with her husband, son, and daughter.

Ms. Carlyle teaches middle and high school music at Iowa Virtual Academy. Her teaching experience includes K–12 general/vocal music and private voice lessons. She has also taught band and has extensive experience in vocal performance and music education.

Ms. Check is excited to learn alongside her students at IAVA. She received her bachelor’s degree in history from Iowa State University in 2020. She has experience teaching both online and in a brick-and-mortar setting. Aside from teaching, Ms. Check enjoys vacationing at historical sites, cuddling with her dogs, and playing board games with family and friends.

Mrs. Clendenen started at IAVA in 2025. Mrs. Clendenen is retired from the Army Reserves, grew up in Minnesota, and moved to Iowa when she was 12. She is excited to watch her students grow and develop relationships. Mrs. Clendenen has 6 children (+1), and 3 grandchildren.

Ms. DeMuth joined IAVA in 2025. Her goal is to help students grow academically while also developing as problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners. She looks forward to learning more about each of her students and working together to make the school year successful and enjoyable.

Raynee Feuerhelm holds a bachelor’s degree in physical & health education and a master’s degree in educational administration. She has a passion for education, athletics, and helping students grow both inside and outside the classroom.

Outside of school, Raynee enjoys coaching figure skating and spending time outdoors. She loves traveling, making memories with her family, and spending time with her golden retriever, Auggie, and her beloved angel dog, Banjo. And, of course, she is a proud Green Bay Packers fan!

Ms. Fortin is our high school mathematics teacher. She has an AA and AS from Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri, a BS in geology from Iowa State University, and a Master of Arts in teaching from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ms. Fortin is a former middle school science teacher, and for the past ten years, she has been a K12 Learning Coach for her two children. She firmly believes that every student can succeed if given the proper tools and opportunities and loves being able to help students reach their goals. Student success is always number one in Ms. Fortin’s classroom, and she constantly endeavors to provide a safe learning environment with fun, personable, and engaging lessons for all her students. A native Minnesotan, Ms. Fortin moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 2014, where she enjoys spending her free time volunteering with Scouts BSA and Girl Scouts, camping, fishing, hiking, traveling, and generally being out in the wilderness. Her favorite things to do are going on adventures, learning new things, and making memories with her kids.

Mrs. Gerling joined the IAVA team in July of 2023 as the Community Engagement Specialist and moved to English Language Arts at the end of September 2024. Before starting at IAVA, she was a high school English/Language Arts teacher in a brick-and-mortar school for 17 years. She also worked 1.5 years as the Director of Career Development, Internships, and Service Learning at a local university. Mrs. Gerling earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and her grades 5–12 English/Language Arts teaching certification from Iowa Wesleyan University. She earned her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in adolescent literacy from Concordia University. Outside of spending time with her family and pets, Mrs. Gerling likes to read, bake, and craft. She is excited to be part of the IAVA team and to work with the staff, students, and families.

I started working for Iowa Virtual Academy as a 4-6th grade interventionist in 2026.  I have been in education since 2015, teaching 3rd and 4th grades as well as K-4 Science in a brick-and-mortar school.  I graduated from Iowa State University with degrees in English and Elementary Education.  I love fostering a sense of curiosity and love for learning in my students, and I do all I can to support them and ensure they have a great and successful year.  I have two cats and enjoy hiking, cooking, and soccer. 

Mrs. Abby Hansen started teaching at IAVA in 2024 but has taught for several years! She previously taught in a brick-and-mortar school for 6 years, then worked for an online education company for 3 years before coming to IAVA! When not teaching, Mrs. Hansen and her husband foster dogs from a local rescue. They also have a cat, three bunnies, 4 laying hens, and a small koi fish pond. She is excited to form relationships with new colleagues and support students as they need for their own success!

Mrs. Hart has been in education for more than eight years, and she was excited to begin the 2021–2022 school year at Iowa Virtual Academy. She grew up in the Chicago suburbs and graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in education. Then Mrs. Hart began working as an educational associate with elementary and middle school children. Next, she taught English language arts to middle school students for two years. She is looking forward to helping her students be successful in school. In her free time, Mrs. Hart enjoys spending time with her husband and five children.

Mrs. Hill brings nine years of teaching experience to IAVA. She received her undergraduate degree in communication studies from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She went back to school for teaching and received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a reading endorsement for grades 5–12, and endorsements in middle school math, science, and language arts. Mrs. Hill received her master’s degree in teaching with an ESL endorsement from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. She strives to build meaningful relationships with all her students and hopes to make a lifelong impact on their learning. Outside of teaching, Mrs. Hill enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Mr. Hoekstra is a secondary history and social studies teacher who joined the IAVA team in 2019. He grew up in Alton, Iowa, which is approximately 40 miles northeast of Sioux City. Mr. Hoekstra graduated from Northwestern College (Orange City, Iowa) with a history major and secondary teaching endorsement. Before teaching at IAVA, he taught secondary history and social studies at a private school in Sioux City for four years and substitute taught for two years in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Mr. Hoekstra enjoys teaching engaging lessons and making learning history fun! He also enjoys creating connections between the past and students’ lives. He believes all students can be successful and enjoys helping them reach their potential.

Mr. Hoff is teaching middle school science. After graduating from North Dakota State University with a degree in zoology-fisheries and wildlife, he received his science teaching licensure from the University of Minnesota-Morris. Mr. Hoff has eight years of teaching experience at both the middle and high school levels. He enjoys helping learners develop an understanding of science and the world around them. Aside from teaching, Mr. Hoff enjoys many outdoor activities, including gardening, hunting, and fishing. You will find him at many youth sporting events as a baseball and softball umpire and as he officiates football and volleyball.

Mrs. Honeck is an active artist and teaches middle and high school art at Iowa Virtual Academy. She was born and raised in the suburbs of Des Moines, Iowa, and graduated from UNI in 2020. She previously taught elementary art in Phoenix and high school art in Chicago.

Mrs. Howe started with IAVA in 2025 and is looking forward to working with the new students in a different classroom setting and helping them grow. Mrs. Howe has 24 years of teaching experience. Her undergraduate and graduate degrees are from Buena Vista University in elementary education and special education K-8.  She also has a Master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Vision Impairment. Mrs. Howe has three grown children, 8 grandchildren, and 1 great grandson. She has 4 dogs, several cats, cattle, goats, and a horse.

Mr. Huntington is a sixth- and seventh-grade social studies teacher who started at Iowa Virtual Academy in 2026. He received his B.A. in elementary education, with an endorsement in middle school social studies, from Mount Mercy University. He lives in the Cedar Rapids area with his wife and two cats. He loves to read and is excited to help students develop their understanding of history and geography.

Ms. Iversen joined the IAVA team in August of 2024. Before teaching for IAVA, she worked at TNVA (Tennessee Virtual Academy) for 4 years, and brick-and-mortar setting for 6 years. Ms. Iversen earned her associate and bachelor’s degree from Western Governors University in areas of Elementary Education K-6 and Special Education K-12. She is excited to be a part of IAVA and see her kids grow. Ms. Iversen enjoys spending her free time with her 3 dogs and hanging out with friends.

Mr. Jansen started teaching at IAVA in 2025.  Before that he taught middle school and high school students in a brick and mortar setting for 12 years.  Mr. Jansen is looking forward to building new relationships with students and families at IAVA!  When he’s not teaching, Mr. Jansen loves to hike and fish and camp with his 3 kids.  He also enjoys attending local trivia and karaoke events when he’s not cheering on his children in sports.

Mrs. Kallio is excited to begin her first year at IAVA teaching special education for grades 9–12. She has taught 5th grade, English as a Second Language, and spent the last ten years as a high school special education teacher. Her favorites include daisies, dogs, autumn, the color light yellow, and caramel candy. Outside of teaching, she enjoys life on her family’s small farm, traveling—she’s visited 19 countries—and spending time in nature. Her favorite part of teaching is helping students discover their strengths and grow. She looks forward to building new relationships with both colleagues and students this year.

Mrs. Kirsch joined IAVA in 2026. She previously taught special education, grades K-6, for seven years in a traditional setting. She has a Master of Arts degree in special education with several special education endorsements, including: K-8 Instructional Strategist – I, K-12 Instructional Strategist II – Intellectual Disabilities, and K-12 Instructional Strategist II – Behavioral Disorders / Learning Disorders. Mrs. Kirsch’s focus is to ensure all students feel empowered and valued for the unique qualities they bring not only to the classroom but to society as well. In Mrs. Kirsch’s free time, she enjoys baking and cooking with her husband and two kiddos. You can also find her outside soaking up the great Iowa outdoors, usually walking to the park with her family and two dogs. 

Mrs. Lackey joined IAVA in 2025 and is excited to be a part of the team to meet new colleagues and new students. Prior to IAVA, Kaitlin worked at Arizona Virtual Academy since 2022 in K-1 Intervention and second grade. Mrs. Lackey enjoys crafting in her free time as well as spending time with her husband and rescue dog, Kleo!

Mrs. Logan started teaching with IAVA in 2024 but taught for 13 years prior to that. She has a husband and three kids (two boys and one girl). She loves to be outside with her family on the lake or on the farm. Mrs. Logan is most excited to learn about all her students and watch their progress throughout the year.

Mr. Lyon is a high school history and government teacher at Iowa Virtual Academy. He is a secondary history and social studies teacher and has been at IAVA since the 2021–2022 school year.

Mrs. Manning joined the IAVA team in 2023. She has four years of special education teaching experience, three in a virtual environment. She received an Academic Behavioral Strategist license from Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, and is currently completing her master’s degree in special education. Mrs. Manning is a huge supporter of virtual learning environments, as she completed her degree online as well. She loves seeing students achieve their goals in a flexible virtual environment. Mrs. Manning enjoys spending time with her husband, three children, and bichon shih tzu, Caramel.

Mrs. McBeth joined the IAVA team in 2020. She currently resides in the southeastern portion of Iowa. She has taught math and computer science for 37 years in Texas and Iowa. Mrs. McBeth earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary mathematics and physical education from Houston Baptist University, where she was awarded a full Division 1 golf scholarship. She earned her master’s degree in computer science in education from the University of Northern Iowa. Mrs. McBeth desires to always work closely with students, parents, staff, and administrators to provide a high-quality educational experience. Success for her students is her number one priority.

I am excited to be joining IAVA team this year! I have spent the last 20 years in education in a variety of roles, ranging from teaching in the classroom to instructional and curriculum coaching, and most recently spending the past seven years as a building principal. I am passionate about creating instructional pathways that give all students access to the support and opportunities they need to not only learn, but thrive. 

I am happily married to my husband, who also works in education, and together we divide and conquer while staying active and engaged with our five children and their many activities. I am excited to bring my experience, passion, and love for students and learning to IAVA!

Ms. Mente is a secondary science teacher who joined IAVA in 2013. She earned her BA from the University of Iowa and her Master of Arts in teaching from St. Ambrose University. Ms. Mente has endorsements in biology, chemistry, physics, physical science, general science, and all science. She especially enjoys small group and individual Class Connect sessions at IAVA because of the focused time she has to address individual questions. Ms. Mente loves those “Aha!” moments when learning clicks with the students. She stays active in her community and church by serving on committees and project-planning events.

Mr. Metcalf began teaching at IAVA in 2024. He is married to his wonderful wife of 28 years. Together they have three boys and two girls. In his free time, Mr. Metcalf coaches High School girls wrestling, and High School baseball. He is excited to help students learn and achieve!

Mrs. Miller has been a teacher since 2020. She grew up in the mountains of Colorado and earned her bachelor’s degree from Colorado Mesa University. She has since taught 6th–12th graders, including AP Language and yearbook. She and her husband moved to Iowa in 2023 to be closer to family, and they have really enjoyed the home they have built together! She enjoys reading, writing, and biking. She has a mini-Bernedoodle named Bernie who really loves walks and treats! Mrs. Miller is so excited for this year and getting to know all the students!

Mrs. Nelson has been teaching kindergarten for three years. She began her first year with IAVA in 2020. Mrs. Nelson earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Upper Iowa University. She is currently working on earning her master’s degree in special education from Morningside College. For Mrs. Nelson, the best part of teaching kindergarten is helping children start their education journey. She enjoys watching the kids light up when they learn something new!

My name is Matthew Nevins, and I’m excited to join Iowa Virtual Academy as a 6th- and 7th-grade math teacher. Although I’m new to IAVA, I bring 17 years of teaching experience in elementary and middle school classrooms. Throughout my career, I’ve taught math, science, art, and elementary education, and I’ve learned that middle school students are equal parts hilarious, curious, and unpredictable—which is what makes teaching them so enjoyable! I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and my master’s degree from Morningside College. Outside of school, I enjoy playing and recording music, traveling, gardening, and spending time with my family. My wife and I have two daughters, ages four and nine, who keep us busy with swimming lessons, tennis, Girl Scout camp, and plenty of family adventures. I’m looking forward to getting to know the students, families, and staff at IAVA!

Mrs. Owens is a High School English teacher who joined IAVA in 2026. She earned her BA in English Education from Iowa State University in 2022 and her Master of Arts in Teaching from Morningside University in 2027. Prior to teaching at IAVA, Mrs. Owens taught four years in brick-and-mortar schools. In her free time, she enjoys lifting, walking, coffee dates, watching sports, and spending time with family and friends. She is passionate about teaching English because she believes stories can help students build empathy, think critically, and connect with the world around them.

Ms. Payne joined IAVA in 2025 and is thrilled to be part of the team. She brings experience as an elementary special education paraeducator and has worked with high school special education students in a brick-and-mortar setting. She holds dual certification in elementary (K-6) and special education (K-12) from Western Governors University, a virtual school like IAVA. A mother of five and a dog, Ms. Payne loves coffee and can’t start her day without it. She’s a big fan of family movie and game nights, enjoys baking, and loves reading when she’s not teaching online or spending time with her family.

Ms. Baker brings more than two decades of experience teaching in both her military and civilian careers to IAVA. Studying at both Valdosta State University in Georgia and William Penn University in Iowa, where she received her bachelor’s degree, she went on to Oregon State and Purdue Global for additional minors and her master’s degree. Ms. Baker’s all-science endorsement, with minor studies in criminal science, horticulture, and educational technology, are just some of her favorite topics. With a small hobby farm, five children (the youngest two in 5th and 7th grades at IAVA), and six grandchildren, she loves finding the passion that drives each student and applying it to the value of the material as motivation for that genuine connection and spark in learning.

Denise Rodriguez-Gallegos joined IAVA in 2026 and is excited to be part of the school community. She grew up in Northern Virginia, and has lived in Dubuque, Iowa since 2021. Denise earned her undergraduate degree in Education from George Mason University and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Governors University. She also holds a Master’s degree in Principalship from the University of Northern Iowa.

As an educator, Denise is passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive classroom where every student feels valued, confident, and capable of learning. She has a special interest in literacy instruction and enjoys helping students build strong reading skills. Denise is trained in the Wilson Reading System and UFLI Foundations and loves using engaging, research-based strategies to meet students’ individual needs.

Denise looks forward to getting to know her students and their families and contributing to the vibrant IAVA community.

Mrs. Schmitt began teaching high school mathematics in 2021 in a brick-and-mortar setting and joined IAVA in 2023. She previously taught algebra, pre-algebra, geometry, personal finance, and computer science coding with JavaScript. Ms. Schmitt received a Bachelor of Science from Loras College in 2019 for business analytics and mathematics and continued, receiving her master’s degree in secondary mathematics education from Western Governors University in 2021. Mrs. Schmitt is currently in a program to get a computer science endorsement from the University of Northern Iowa. She loves to help students learn however they learn best! Teaching them life-long skills that they will be able to apply outside of school is something she is passionate about in her teaching.

Mrs. Sipes taught for 22 years in a traditional brick and mortar school, where she taught middle school and high school language arts, was an instructional coach, and most recently headed up the school’s at-risk program.  She joins IAVA this year and is thrilled to meet all of the students and staff.  When not teaching, Mrs. Sipes enjoys taking pontoon rides, reading, working on crafts and home improvement projects, thrifting, and hanging out with her family.  This includes her husband, two adult children, and three dogs

Ms. Smalley joined the IAVA team in August of 2023. She has vast experience teaching in various settings for multiple ages, from preschool to high school. Ms. Smalley e holds a Master of Arts in education from Touro University and recently completed her Educational Specialist in Reading through Arkansas State University. Ms. Smalley’s endorsements include K–6 elementary, K–12 reading, K–12 instructional strategist 1, and several subject-specific endorsements for middle and high school. She is passionate about lifelong learning and building personal connections with her students. Ms. Smalley enjoys being able to work with students in small groups and one-to-one to help them progress through their struggles and gain confidence as they find success. When not teaching, Ms. Smalley stays busy exercising, running her children to their activities, enjoying her two dogs, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Mrs. Stevens joined the IAVA team in 2017. She brings four years of experience in education and has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa. She is currently studying curriculum, assessment, and STEM for her master’s degree from Adams State University. Her favorite part about teaching is seeing students succeed and being proud of their work. Mrs. Stevens ‘s goals as a teacher are to make learning fun and inspire students to become lifelong learners. She likes being able to deliver engaging lessons to students at their home. Besides teaching, Mrs. Stevens enjoys spending time with family, outdoor adventures, and reading.

Mrs. Taylor-Kramer brings 15 years of teaching experience to IAVA.  While this is her first-year teaching at IAVA she has had experience in grades Kindergarten to 12+ in the areas of special education.  Mrs. Taylor-Kramer received her bachelor’s degree from Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, and her master’s degree in the area of special education from both University of Northern Iowa and Morningside College.  She loves creating adaptations and adjusting where needed for all students to learn.  She is passionate about progress.  Mrs. Taylor-Kramer is a strong advocate for person first language and understanding of social emotional importance in a student’s life.

Mrs. Walk joined the IAVA team in 2020. She has six years of teaching experience, and this is her first time virtual teaching. She received a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa. Mrs. Walk loves creating a safe and positive learning environment where students can be themselves and showcase their creativity. In addition to teaching, she enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, traveling, being creative, and spending time with family.

Mr. Wulfekuhle teaches middle school health/science. He received his teaching license from Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa. He has been teaching since he graduated, and he substitute taught two years before then. Aside from teaching, Mr. Wulfekuhle enjoys camping, fishing, and playing disc golf with family and friends. He is focused on the well-being of his students and strives to see them succeed at every opportunity.

Mrs. Zdenek started teaching with IAVA in 2023. She has five children and two dogs. A fun fact about Mrs. Zdenek is that she has been to IKEA in 12 states and 5 countries! Mrs. Zdenek is most excited about seeing new faces and spending time with all of the returning students and staff.

Mrs. Zuercher has been in education for more than 22 years. She started in education as an early childhood associate working with students with learning disabilities. She continued her associate assignment for another 13 years, working with 8th grade students. This inspired Mrs. Zuercher to continue her education, and in December 2012, she received her teaching license from Grand Canyon University. Most of her education was done online, so she knows about the struggles and advantages of online learning. Mrs. Zuercher began teaching at IAVA in 2014. She holds a standard K–6 teaching license with a K–8 math endorsement, K–8 reading endorsement, and 5–8 algebra for high school credit. One thing Mrs. Zuercher likes about online teaching is meeting students from around the state and, when possible, planning field trips to meet them in person.