Benton Community School District

I am in my 30th year as an educator at Benton Community and in my first year as the Keystone Elementary Principal. I live in Atkins with my wife Tammy. My son Riley and daughter Peyton are both Benton Community graduates. The Benton Community school district is an amazing place to raise a family.

Kory is currently in his 16th year of teaching. He has spent all 16 years at Benton Community. He currently is in his first year as a 7th grade social studies after teaching it at the high school level the previous 15. Kory is going into his 12th season as the head coach of the varsity boys track.

This is my 22nd year of teaching and my second year with Benton Community School District. I have the privilege to teach special education at Norway Intermediate and enjoy being a Benton Bobcat. Mr. Bergert, who also teaches at Norway, and I have three kids (two boys and a girl) who attend Benton.

I teach Special Education at the Norway Intermediate Center. This is my 23rd year at Benton Community. I enjoy cooking and following my kids to all of their activities and events.

I teach third grade and coach sophomore volleyball. I am originally from Benton (Class of '94) and now have three kids that will graduate from here also! I have taught 3, 4, 5, and 6th grades. Go Bobcats!

Kelsey student-taught at Benton Middle & High School in the spring of 2022. She spent the last 10 years teaching yoga and dance in New York and performing as a singer/dancer around the world. She is grateful to call Norway Intermediate home.

I teach reading, math, and ELO (extended learning opportunities - formerly known as TAG) interventions to students in 4th-6th grades. Both my husband and I are former Bobcats who now work in the schools where we were once students. We just welcomed our first daughter, Alayna, in May.

This is my 8th year serving as a High School Math Teacher. I also served as a middle school football coach and will be starting my 7th year as the Head Boys Soccer Coach. It will certainly be a busy spring as my wife Alyssa and I are expecting our second child in May!

This is my 24th year teaching at Benton Community School District. I have spent 22 of those years in first grade. I also am an assistant track and field coach for the boys and girls. I also attended Benton Community and my husband and I enjoy raising our four boys in the district.

Hello! I am Ethan Kaiser and I currently teach 5th Grade in Norway. This is my first year teaching. I attended William Penn University where I competed on the Men's Golf Team. I am also going to be helping coach the Benton Boys Golf Team this season!

Mr. Platt teaches 4th through 8th grade art at Benton Community. He hails from the tri-town area of Newhall, Atkins and Norway. Mr. Platt enjoys reading and fishing when he is not creating artwork with the students.

I am the Personal Finance and Computer Applications teacher. I enjoy watching any sports and basketball is my favorite. I enjoy golfing in my free time and hanging out with my family.

My name is Abby Swiatly and I teach 4th grade at Norway Intermediate. This is my second year teaching, but my first year at Benton. I previously taught 1st grade at South Tama Elementary. So far I am loving working at Benton and I can't wait to see what this year brings!

Chris Chapman teaches K-3 PE at Keystone in the morning, 9-12 Strength and Conditioning at the High School and one class of Middle School PE. Chris graduated from Mount Vernon in 2016. Chris loves to golf.

Mrs. Tracie Kimm is in her 26th year of teaching at Benton. She currently teaches 3rd grade & loves working with the amazing students, families, & staff at Keystone Elementary. Tracie & her husband, Byran, live in Keystone. They are the proud parents of Benton grads Caleb, Hannah, & Rebecca.

My name is Ashley Lueckenotto and I teach 2nd grade at Atkins Elementary. This is my fifth year teaching, but my first year at Benton. Previously I have taught middle school. My husband and I live in Cedar Rapids, and we are both Benton grads. I am loving being back in the district!

My name is Katie Nimtz, I am in my fifth year of teaching high school special education at Benton. Katie and her husband live in Fairfax with their two cats.

Brooke Osborn has taught 24 years with 19 being at Keystone Elementary as a special education teacher. Brooke and her husband Ben live outside of Newhall. Brooke graduated from Benton Community and so did their boys Blake ('20) and Brady ('22).

Kasey Hullett is in his fifth year of teaching and second year at Benton. Kasey teaches Composition I & II, as well as Sophomore English—he is also the advisor for the D&D Club. Kasey is currently working on his second book, a YA novel titled "The Creatures of Misty Meadows".

My name is Keri Graveman and I teach 3 and 4 year old preschool at Atkins Elementary. I come from a long line of teachers, both of my parents were teachers and my grandma was a school counselor. I have 3 children that attend Benton Community Schools & 2 step-children that attend Waterloo Community.

Ashley Jones is in her sixth year teaching and third year at Benton. Ashley teaches 7th grade language arts and one section of senior English. Over the summer Ashley got married and went to Hawaii for her honeymoon.

Krystal Wright is in her 16th year as the Agriculture Education Teacher and FFA Advisor at the Benton Community MS/HS. Krystal resides in Atkins with her husband Bryan and three sons, Kaden, Bowen and Easton. When not busy with FFA, Krystal enjoys spending time with family, reading & baking .

My name is Jamie Mnayer and I teach 2nd grade at Atkins Elementary. My husband is also a teacher and teaches orchestra in Cedar Rapids. This is my 5th year of teaching, but my first year at Benton Community. I am loving it! Go Bobcats!

Heather Mayrose is in her fifth year of teaching middle school and high school language arts at Benton Community Schools. Prior to working at Benton, Heather taught overseas in the Philippines for five years and traveled through much of Southeast Asia.

Samantha Happel has been a Benton Bobcat for almost 14 years. During her time here, she has worn many "hats", with her current role as Preschool teacher being her most recent. Samantha is an avid lover of all things outdoors including hiking, camping & kayaking & she loves to travel with her family.

Tammy Franck teaches Kindergarten at the Atkins Center. This is her first year teaching at Benton, but her 18th year teaching Kindergarten. Her family moved to a farm north of Newhall and is enjoying country living! Tammy grew up as a Bobcat and is happy to be back!

My name is Samantha Kesterson, this is my fourth year at Benton Community. I teach 6th Grade Reading and serve as the Data Team Leader for our team. I student taught with Lori Gleason before teaching in Marshalltown for three years and was bound & determined to make my way back to Benton Community!

John Hayden is in his 30th year at Benton Community and works with choirs at the middle school and the high school. John and his wife, Jennifer, have 4 kids and 3 dogs. John also directs the a capella ensemble "Metro Mix", a women's competitive choral ensemble in the corridor area.

This is my second year as the school counselor at Keystone Elementary. My husband and I live outside of La Porte with our two children. I love spending time outside and with my family.

This is my second year at Benton Community High School teaching 9-12 Band and fourth year overall. When not busy with band, Mr. Lancaster is a freelance composer and arranger who enjoys going for walks and bike rides. Go Bobcats!

I teach Middle School Special Ed and Intervention. This is my first year in this role, but my 12th year with the district. I have 3 children, 2 of which have already graduated from Benton, and my 3rd who is currently a junior.

I am currently the instructional coach at Atkins Elementary, starting my seventh year here. I have also taught K-3 Intervention, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade during my 6 other years in the district. I love to spend time outside with my family including my two sons, Beau & Jace, who keep me very busy.

This is the start of my 24th year at Benton Community as an elementary counselor. Prior to that, I taught middle school math in another district for four years. My husband Matt and I live in Atkins, and my two kids are both Benton graduates.

Deputy Tyler Brandt is in his 3rd year as a School Resource Officer. He strives to be a positive influence and resource for the students. Deputy Brandt enjoys spending time with his family, camping, and DIY projects.

This is Emily’s twelfth year employed at Benton Community, beginning her first year as a Middle School/High School Instructional Coach. She has worn a lot of hats at Benton including teaching MS/HS Special Education, MS interventionist, and 7th grade Social Studies.

Kim is the Instructional Coach at Keystone Elem. & serves the district as the PK-6 Professional Development Leader. Kim has always considered herself lucky to have been born & raised a Bobcat & she enjoys creating opportunities for others to fall in love with this great community just like she has.

Jeff Furler is starting his 17th year of service to Benton Community, and also starting his 4th year of teacher leadership as an Instructional Coach at Norway Intermediate. Jeff has four children attending Benton Community Schools in three of our four centers.

This is her 4th year at Benton and 14th year as a school superintendent. Dr. Ewell earned her Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 2004. A fun fact….2 of her children were also at ISU at the same time she was working on her degree! In her spare time, Dr. Ewell enjoys fishing, boating and gardening.

Dr. Bieschke is completing his 3rd year as Associate Superintendent at Benton Community. Prior to this role, he was the high school principal at Benton for 13 years.

Larry Carlson is starting his 23rd year of service to Benton Community, and also starting his 3rd year of teacher leadership as an instructional coach. Larry has two children who have graduated from Benton Community and a wife who has her own business in Van Horne.

Anna and her family live in Keystone. Time outside, dinner with friends, and traveling are what they enjoy most. Anna is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at Drake University.

Craig shares something you may not know about him, "My son was born six weeks early with a heart condition that has required 3 open-heart surgeries and 13 catheterizations (so far). He will now be a sophomore in high school!" We are very excited to have Mr. Huegel join the Bobcat Family!

In his free time Tim enjoys traveling with his grandchildren. Tim also loves watching sports especially the Hawks, Cubs and Packers!

I chose Benton Community because I like the small community. I also like the ideals, values and beliefs in education that Benton Community stands for. I love getting to know the students. I have an Australian Shephard named Magnus. He is the light of my life right now!

I chose Benton Community because the school has an extremely involved and supportive community. I'm a UNI graduate. The will be my second year teaching. I love plants, being outdoors and fishing. As a newcomer to this district, I hope to be a great asset to the Bobcat Family!

I am excited to be a part of the Bobcat family. I have been a teacher and coach for 10 years. Providing leadership opportunities for students is a passion of mine. I have two beautiful children, Zara and Abol, and an amazing wife, Jamie.

My children attend Benton Community and we have been so impressed with the School District! I love to read, attend my kids activities, and I am a lifelong learner. I am excited to be a part of the Bobcat Community!

The community feels like one big family and I am excited to join a district like that. I am excited to join the district my two stepchildren attend . I love watching and playing sports especially softball. I also am a huge animal person. I have 3 dogs, a rabbit and a snake at home.

I am a Benton graduate. I live in the community and it's always been a goal of mine to teach in this wonderful district. I live on a farm east of Atkins and I am getting married in November to my fiance Nicole.

I live in Cedar Rapids but I am not originally from Iowa. I grew up in Northern Ireland so I have a little bit of an accent and may sound a little different. I am very excited to join the Benton Community School District family!

I currently live in Van Horne and feel part of the community already. I student taught at Benton HS, so I know most of the student & students. I have wanted to be in the Education field since 5th grade.

I am originally from Benton and we live in the district now. I love building positive relationships with people. I have a son who will be a sophomore here at Benton. My wife teaches Kindergarten in Atkins and my daughter will also be teaching in Atkins.

I chose BCSD because it is a rural district that has high educational standards while also providing numerous opportunities for students to be involved in extracurricular activities. I am a veteran MS Math & Science teacher. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor adventures & family time.

I chose Benton because BCSD is a tight knit Community that strongly focuses on each student's individual success. I am a huge Taylor Swift Fan! I am also a big Disney history nut.

I moved to Atkins and am excited to be a part of the community. My wife and I have a 3 year-old daughter and are expecting a son in July.

My family moved away from the Benton CSD last year in July. We missed everything about Benton Community Schools & the opportunities they provide for our own children both academically and socially. It is an honor to be able to return as a teacher and provide those same opportunities to all students.

I graduated from Benton in 2010 and am excited to be a Bobcat again! I am a Mom of 3 kids, ages 6, 4, and 1. We are looking forward to lots of time together this summer.