New Staff at Pierce Elementary
Bluejay Returns to the Nest
By Josie Painter
Bluejay alumni, Mrs. Danielle Steinkraus, is back in Pierce, but this time she will be doing the teaching. At the elementary, Steinkraus is currently teaching preschool, but formerly she taught at Zion for nine years and was a special education aid for a year in Plainview. She then did two years of fifth and sixth grade at St. Mary’s in Osmond, and a year at the preschool, Little Panthers, in Norfolk before coming back to Pierce.
To give a little background, Steinkraus attended Zion Lutheran Schools in Pierce and graduated high school from Pierce Jr./Sr. High. She then went on to Wayne State College and obtained a degree in early childhood. Three years ago, Steinkraus went back to Wayne State and earned her master’s degree.
Currently, Steinkraus is not involved in other school activities, but she previously coached volleyball and track at Zion.
When asked what her goals for this year are, she responded, “To have fun, get these guys ready for next year, and to teach them how to be independent.”
Make sure to give her a warm welcome, and wish her luck with the upcoming year.
Pierce Elementary Welcomes New PreK Para
By Brody Knox
Pierce Elementary welcomes a new paraprofessional for preschool, Brenda Werner who grew up in Pierce, where she ran a daycare for 17 years.
“I really enjoy it, working with the little ones,” Werner responds about her time at Pierce Elementary. “What I like most about working at Pierce is working with the kids.”
Werner graduated from Pierce High School and chose to enter the workforce right away. After she retired from working at her daycare after 17 years, Werner wanted to continue working with kids so she started at Pierce’s preschool.
“I think it's gonna be great,” Werner comments about how she thinks the rest of her year will go. Werner’s hobbies are boating in the summer and taking long glorious walks. Her husband Todd, two kids, and five grandkids support her in her education journey.
Meet the newest paraprofessional at the elementary
By Brody Coulter
The Bluejays welcome a new addition to the elementary, with Laura Ahlers as the newest paraprofessional.
Ahlers is originally from Riverside, California, and previously worked at Zion Lutheran schools in Pierce.
Ahlers has four kids including three daughters and one son, two of the daughters are married and one is pregnant with their fourth child.
When asked about her hobbies, Ahlers states her hobbies included sewing, painting, caring for her family, and growing flowers.
Ahlers states she has enjoyed her time at Pierce Public Elementary School and her favorite part of the job is working with the kids daily.
When asked how she believed the rest of the year would go, Ahlers says, “Fantastic, amazing, wonderful, pick any of them.”
