Allamakee Community Education Association series introduces new educators for 2022-2023 school year

Cole Carolan ...
Cole Carolan ...
Carrie Niehaus ...
Carrie Niehaus ...

The Allamakee Community School District added 13 new educators to its staff at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Over the next few weeks, the Allamakee Community Education Association, in cooperation with The Standard newspaper, is introducing these new school district additions to the public through an article series.

This week’s installment in the series will feature fourth-seventh grade school counselor Carrie Niehaus and sophomore-junior English teacher Cole Carolan at Waukon High School.

- Cole Carolan -

Cole Carolan is a recent University of Northern Iowa (UNI) graduate, where he graduated with honors in the field of English Education. He is originally from the town of Waucoma in the Turkey Valley Community School District. Despite his home being there, Carolan is already familiar with Waukon and some neighboring communities. “My family spent nearly every summer weekend we could coming right past Waukon on our way to the river, and I always loved the natural beauty of the area,” he said.

Outside of school, Carolan enjoys creative writing and hiking. He hopes to one day have the opportunity to explore every national park in the United States.

Carolan hopes to bring passion and empathy into his sophomore and junior English classes at Waukon High School. Like many educators, he was first inspired into the profession by the actions of a teacher in his life.

“I’m so grateful for the skill, dedication and compassion of so many of the teachers I had growing up, especially of my own high school English teacher,” Carolan reflected. “I want to make sure other small town Iowa kids like me continue to have access to the opportunity for that same quality of education.”

After several weeks now spent in the district, Carolan claims to be settling in and looking forward to getting to know his students more and more as the year goes on.

“There are so many great students I’ve been excited to start getting to know at Waukon, and I can tell I’m still just scratching the surface of understanding their incredible talents, experiences and passions,” he remarked.

- Carrie Niehaus -

Carrie Niehaus is the new fourth-seventh grade school counselor, spending her time between East Elementary School and Waukon Middle School. “I am really excited to be part of the Allamakee Community School District,” Niehaus shared. “The students, staff and families are great to work with, and I love the school and community pride!”

Having grown up in Guttenberg and being a Luther College alum, Niehaus is excited to be back in northeast Iowa. She attended the school counseling program at the University of Iowa and served as an elementary counselor in Eagle Grove prior to moving to Waukon. This is her eighth year in the school counseling field. Niehaus loves her work as a school counselor because it is a great way to support all students. “School counseling is a service for all students, aimed to help students be successful academically, socially andemotionally, and provide the skills they need to be college and career ready,” she said. “I love getting to know students on a personal level and watching them grow and overcome challenges.”

Outside of school, Niehaus enjoys spending time outside, reading, traveling, music, cooking and baking, crafting, and spending time with family and friends. She has recently become a member of the Waukon Lions Club and enjoys playing in a local bell choir.