ACEA series introduces new educators for 2022-2023 school year


Kris Rausch ...

Carley Sweeney ...

Laiton Ihde ...

The Allamakee Community School District added 13 new educators to its staff at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Throughout a time frame of several weeks since the school year began, the Allamakee Community Education Association (ACEA), in cooperation with The Standard newspaper, has been introducing these new school district staff additions to the public through an article series in this newspaper. This week’s installment in the series, published below, will feature a pair of third grade teachers new to the staff at East Elementary School in Waukon who are also natives to the Waukon area, Kris Rausch and Carley Sweeney, in addition to another area native, Laiton Ihde of Decorah, who is a new fourth grade teacher at East Elementary School in Waukon.

- Kris Rausch -
Kris Rausch is not new to Waukon, but is new to the third grade staff at East Elementary School this year. She and her husband, Ben, grew up and attended school in the Allamakee Community School District. After college, they moved back to start their family. “It’s been a pleasure to work and raise a family in the community we came from,” Rausch said. Rausch attended Winona State University and the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) as an undergraduate and holds a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Marketing. She later decided to go back to school and earned a post-Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education along with a Master’s degree in Education from Viterbo University. Reflecting on her decision to go into education, Rausch stated, “I’ve always enjoyed kids and coaching. As the mother of four, and wife of a teacher, I think teaching is a great fit for me and my family.” Along with teaching, she also serves as the eighth grade volleyball coach. Rausch says she is enjoying her time as a third grade teacher so far. She’s enjoyed getting to know the students and staff at East Elementary. “I’ve learned a lot, especially from my grade level team,” she note. In her time outside of the classroom, Rausch says she enjoys being outside in the sunshine, bicycling, swimming, playing volleyball, singing and being creative. She spends most of her free time with her children, husband, and her extended family.

- Carley Sweeney -
Carley Sweeney, another Waukon native, is also teaching third grade at East Elementary this year. Sweeney graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls last December with her bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Middle School Education. She has her reading and coaching endorsements along with emphasis for middle school math, reading/language arts, science and social studies. Sweeney is proud of her Waukon heritage and identifies some of the teachers she had as a student in Waukon as the inspiration that led her to a career in teaching. “I wanted to give back to the community that had given me so much!” she said. “Those teachers had such an impact on my life, my goal is that hopefully I can make that type of impact on students I work with too!” She has also always enjoyed working with children and youth throughout her life, whether it was younger relatives, athletes or 4-H youth. Along with teaching third grade this year, she also serves as a volunteer coach for JV volleyball and high school golf. She also coaches Heat club volleyball. Sweeney says she is really enjoying her time as a teacher so far. “I have really enjoyed getting to know my students and colleagues,” she notes. When she is not teaching or coaching, Sweeney also enjoys spending time with friends and family, going on the river, going on UTV rides, going to concerts, singing, teaching and playing piano, playing volleyball, and playing golf.

- Laiton Ihde -
Decorah native Laiton Ihde came to Waukon to teach fourth grade at East Elementary School after completing her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls and student teaching in Rochester, MN. “I  was ecstatic to be able to come back closer to home to fulfill my passion of educating children,” she said. “It is such a welcoming community.” Ihde appreciates her colleagues and her students. “It has been very easy to find my place alongside my co-workers here at East Elementary,” she noted. “My students are amazing and I enjoy coming to school every day and getting the opportunity to learn with them.” In addition to a degree in elementary education, Ihde has an endorsement in literacy. She has used both in her teaching. “So far, I have made a wonderful transition into this role, and I couldn’t imagine a better first year,” she shared.