Samantha YorgensenMiddle school art
Yorgensen is originally from Cedar Rapids, graduating from Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School. She attended Kirkwood Community College and Mount Mercy University.
She has previously spent seven years teaching art at College Community School District.
She lives in Cedar Rapids with her daughter, Quinn, who will be attending Washington Elementary School.
Outside of teaching, she enjoys do-it-yourself crafts, hunting and fishing, gym, and hanging out with friends and family.
What do you love most about teaching? “Helping students find their creative outlet, getting to know the students and their families and bringing my own twist into introducing art and experimentation with materials,” Yorgensen said.
What teacher influenced you growing up and what did you learn from them? “My high school art teacher Patty Walsh influence me the most,” Yorgensen said. “She inspired me to not hold back my passion and keep creating art.”
April Bennett Eighth grade language arts
Bennett is originally from Decatur, Ill., graduating from Warrensburg-Latham High School in Warrensburg, Ill. She obtained her bachelors and masters degrees from Clark Summit University in Clarks Summit, Penn.
She has spent the past five years teaching eighth grade English at Prairie Point Middle School. Prior to that, she taught at a middle school in Fort Meyers, Fla., a high school in Remington, Ind., and was an adjunct professor for Clarks Summit University.
She and her husband reside in Cedar Rapids with their two children.
Outside of teaching, she enjoys hiking, swimming or reading in her hammock. She is also a backyard beekeeper.
What do you love most about teaching? “My favorite part of teaching is working with students and seeing them grow academically and socially,” Bennett said.
What teacher influenced you growing up and what did you learn from them? “My sophomore English teacher influenced me to become a teacher,” Bennett said. “She showed me how much fun literature can be.”
Mandy BlauFourth grade
Mandy is originally from Cresco, graduating from Crestwood High School. She obtained her bachelors degree from the University of Iowa and masters degree from the University of Northern Iowa.
She has spent the last three years substitute teaching at Washington Elementary.
She and her husband, Aaron, live in Lisbon with their son, Jordan, and daughter, Hannah.
Outside of teaching, she enjoys traveling, reading, gardening and watching her kids play sports.
What do you love most about teaching? “Building relationships with students and their families,” Blau said. “I love watching students learn new things and realize talents, abilities and interests they didn’t know they had.
What teacher influenced you growing up and what did you learn from them? “My communications teacher in high school was a great influence,” Blau said. “He made sure we understood why what we were studying was important and how we could apply that knowledge in the real world.”
Emily RohretEnglish Language Learners
Rohret is originally from Williamsburg, graduating from Williamsburg High School. She has her undergraduate degree from University of Northern Iowa and her graduate degree from Morningside University.
She has spent three years as a kindergarten teacher (two of those in a Chicago suburb and one in Cedar Rapids) and the last four years as a second grade teacher in the Clear Creek Amana School District.
She resides with her husband, Josh, and son Jack, in Oxford. She and her husband are expecting another baby in March.
Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time outside with family and friends and watching interior design shows.
What do you love most about teaching? “The incredible growth students make academically, socially and emotionally is amazing to witness and help cultivate,” Rohret said.
What teacher influenced you growing up and what did you learn from them? “My third grade teacher, Mrs. O’Brien,” Rohret said. “She made learning fun and engaging. She cared and made sure to let us know how special we are.”
Mount Vernon Teachers 2023
August 24, 2023