WAUSA – Wausa Public Schools is losing and gaining an English teacher at the same time.
The Wausa board of education accepted the resignation of high school English instructor Kyle Stevens on Feb. 12 as well as approved the contract of Kaylee Koch for the position of high school English teacher.
According to Stevens’ resignation letter, he is resigning from his positions of high school – grades 8-12 – language arts instructor and head speech coach – a title he shares with his wife and fellow Wausa teacher, Samantha. His resignation will take effect at the end of the 2023-24 academic year.
“I would like to thank the Wausa Public Schools administration, faculty and staff for a fantastic 12 years in the district,” Stevens wrote. “The administration has always been supportive of me and allowed me to grow as a professional. Our administration works hard and is moving the district in the right direction for the future.”
He said Wausa’s administration, faculty and staff care about their students and “have great passion” for the education of their students.
“They are talented and committed to the mission of the district,” Stevens wrote. “I can truly say that I’ve made some lifelong friendships and professional connections here. The students have the drive and talent to be successful both here and in their future endeavors.”
The Fordyce native noted his motivation to leave the Wausa school district is based on his desire to return home to Cedar County and teach English at Hartington-Newcastle Public Schools. He is a 2002 graduate of Hartington High School.
“Leaving is not an easy decision nor one that is taken lightly,” Stevens wrote. “This is a career goal for me. I am grateful for the Wausa school district and what it has given me. I am grateful for the Wausa community and its people. Wausa will continue to be a special place and hold a special place in my heart.” Mike Kumm, Wausa school board president, expressed his gratitude to Stevens’ service to the school district.
“He’s been a very productive and inspirational leader for a lot of kids, whether it was in speech or the classroom,” Kumm said, noting Stevens has made a big impact on the school district during his time in Wausa.
Wausa Superintendent Brad Hoesing agreed.
“He’s a good English teacher and even a better person,” Hoesing said.
As for Koch, a Crofton native who is set to replace Stevens at Wausa, Hoesing noted Koch has “great credentials.”
Koch, who will be a first-year teacher, won multiple state championships in speech during high school. The Wayne State College senior is currently student-teaching in Hartington.
“She’s doing all of her student- teaching, she’s helping coach and she puts in 30 hours a week at a restaurant,” Hoesing said. “She’s a worker. People like that are great to find and they’re getting harder to find.”
Hoesing noted his No. 1 goal for Koch is to make sure she succeeds in the classroom and he was planning to talk to her soon about the school activities she would feel comfortable coaching and sponsoring at Wausa.
“She’s smart, she works hard, she’s excited,” Hoesing said.
