New Staff Members
New Staff Profile: Haley Thayer
by Elizabeth Harris
The Pierce Elementary staff welcomed a few new faces this year, and one name might seem familiar. Pierce graduate Haley (Oestreich) Thayer, joined the faculty as a kindergarten teacher.
She graduated from Pierce Jr./Sr. High School in 2012 and went on to get her Associate of Arts degree at Northeast Community College. After she obtained her Arts Degree, she moved on to Wayne State College to get her degree in Early Childhood in Elementary Education.
While she attended college, she also maintained a job at Jen’s Happy Daycare in Hadar from 2012 to 2015. She then got a job at Sherry’s House, a daycare in Norfolk, and worked there until 2016, when she started substituting for teacher positions.
Thayer said, “I knew in high school that I wanted to be a teacher in Pierce. I loved the atmosphere, and the teachers are so nice and helpful to each other.”
Haley lives in Pierce with her husband, Shane.
New Staff Profile: Presley Thompson
by Morgan Crist
Presley Thompson joined the Pierce Elementary School staff as the new preschool teacher for the 2017-2018 school year.
Prior to being at Pierce, Thompson used to teach at O’Neill Elementary, as well as substitute at multiple schools in Holt County. She began pursuing a career in teaching at Northeast Community College for three years and later received her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education at Wayne State College. She decided on her career in teaching because of her love of kids. She is most excited about being given the opportunity to keep kids excited about learning. She said, “This is my first year of teaching, and I hope that it all goes well. Staff and parents, bear with me!” She will also be working with the Pierce Jr/Sr high dance team as a sponsor.
Thompson is from Battle Creek but has enjoyed time in Pierce. She has especially enjoyed being close to Willow Lake and getting to know the staff and families in the community. She likes to spend her free time with family or with her three dogs as well as attend rodeos. She is the daughter of Jim & Terri Bruegman and Troy & Kristy Thompson. She is one of six children from a combined family.
New Staff Profile: Alexis Dixon
by Angelica Volquardsen
Pierce High is excited to welcome a new addition to the staff. Alexis Dixon recently graduated from Wayne State College and will be working as a special education teacher in the PHS building.
Dixon is originally from Wisner, Nebraska. Dixon’s family consists of her mother, father, one brother, and one sister. She enjoys music, playing sports such as volleyball and basketball, being outside, camping, and spending time with family.
This school year, Dixon will be teaching a 7th and 8th grade math course and study halls, as well teaching special education. What she is looking forward to at PHS is getting to know students and building relationships with the students.
“I can’t wait to get to know more people and students, and I’m excited to see what the school year has to bring. Everyone is friendly and nice,” said Dixon.
New Staff Profile: Angie Broderson
by Rose Graham
PHS gained a new staff member for the 2017-2018 school year, Mrs. Angie Brodersen. Brodersen is the new FCS teacher. She teaches 8th grade exploratory, Food & Nutrition, and Child Development. She is also the new FCCLA advisor.
Brodersen is originally from Yankton, South Dakota and went to college at South Dakota State University, home of the Jackrabbits where she received her degree in Family and Consumer Sciences. She and her husband Ryan have two children, Jace who is four, and Tate who is 8. In her free time she likes to golf, farm, spend time with her children, and cook.
Broderson enjoys teaching because she believes in inspiring, whether it’s to be a better parent or a better teacher. “I am going to learn a lot, and so are my students,” said Brodersen. Brodersen likes Pierce and is excited to start her new beginning as a new teacher at PHS.
“I have more than enjoyed my time here,” she said.
New Staff Profile: Mellani Wragge
Mellani Wragge has joined the Pierce Elementary staff as a para educator. She will be working with students in various classes, including those taught by Mrs. Jones, Miss VonSeggern, Mrs. Hoffman, Miss Wragge, and Mrs. Pfanstiel. She will also have lunch computer duty and morning bus duty.
Wragge is originally from Sioux Falls, SD, but has lived in Pierce since 2014. Before joining the elementary staff, she worked as a stay-at-home mom and subbed at the elementary during the 2016-17 school year.
Wragge is enjoying working at Pierce, as the staff has been very welcoming and helpful. Wragge says the best part of being at the school, however, is working with the kids, and she enjoys the time she gets to spend with them throughout the day. She also enjoys sitting in on the classes, as she says, “You’re never too old to learn something new!”
Wragge’s family includes her husband Josh, cousin Jordan, sons Jaden and Bowen, and daughter Cecelia. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her kids, golfing, watching football, fishing, reading, playing soccer, and playing fetch with the family dog. She and her husband are also involved in their church’s Luther League.
New Staff Profile: Laura Ziche
Hailing from Bay City, MI, Laura Ziche recently joined the staff at Pierce Elementary as a para educator.
She will be supporting Mrs. Jones and Miss VonSeggern in the resource room throughout the school day, and she will also be running the Bluejay room after school.
Prior to coming to Pierce, Ziche has been traveling and teaching. She has taught middle school in Menomee Falls, WI; preschool in Houston, TX; and first grade in Milwaukee, WI. So far, she has enjoyed her time at Pierce, as everyone has been friendly and helpful. She says that likes the people she works with, and everyone she has met has been friendly and easy to get along with.
Ziche is the youngest of five siblings, and the only one living in Nebraska. Her family mostly lives in Michigan with one sister living in Georgia, while her husband Austin’s family lives in Wisconsin and Minnesota. In her spare time, Ziche likes spending time outdoors and listening to music or podcasts while she does yardwork.
