Wausa welcomes new teachers

WAUSA — Heath Finke feels at home in a sea of purple and gold.

The new high school Social Studies teacher was a student at Deschler — a school about the same size as Wausa and with the same school colors. “I am super excited to be in a community that reminds me

“I am super excited to be in a community that reminds me of my home and hopefully I can make this my new home for years to come,” he said.

Finke moved to Wausa with the intention of being so close to school that he could walk to work. But he also said it’s important for students and parents to see him out in the community.

Along with Social Studies, Finke will be teaching a strength training class at the end of each school day, and serve as assistant coach for football and boys’ basketball.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Doane University with a double major in Social Science and History while also earning his teacher certification for grades 7-12.

2021-22 will mark Finke’s first year as a professional teacher. He completed his student teaching at Lawrence-Nelson Public School and also assisted at Crete Middle School, Lincoln High School and Culler Middle School.

Finke said this last year has been difficult for everyone and he’s been on both sides of the Zoom call - as a student and as a teacher.

In his Social Studies classes, he wants to not only teach students about how far the United States has come in the last 250 years but also share his own experiences with history. “History is not only con

“History is not only confined to a classroom,” Finke said. “Being able to have open and honest conversations about all that is happening in our world today is key to further creating an environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and beliefs.”

Finke joins two other new teachers - Dawn Baue and Tanya McFarland.

McFarland may be the new Spanish and Special Education teacher but she’s not new to Wausa Public Schools.

She’s been a part of the school system as a parent and volunteer, and later as a paraprofessional in the high school for the last six years.

McFarland was born in Puerto Rico and her native tongue is Spanish. She has lived in Wausa since 1998 and recently received her teaching degree from Wayne State College.

Having fun will be a big part of McFarland’s lesson plans.

“I feel that if they like the class they will be open to learning,” she said.

Like McFarland, Baue also got her original start at the Wausa Public Schools as a paraprofessional. 2021-22 marks her first year as a professional teacher in the subjects of Art, Elementary Music and Family Consumer Sciences.

She was born and raised in Wausa and earned a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences. She worked as a social worker and later as a home daycare provider. When she started as a para

When she started as a paraprofessional, Baue realized she wanted to become a teacher. She enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Kearney and received her teaching certificate which she describes as the best thing she’s ever done.

Baue taught at Osmond

Public Schools for the last three years.

“I am excited about returning to my alma mater. I know the students and community which makes coming into a new job much easier,” she said.

She said her goal this year will be to help students explore new concepts and challenge themselves.

“I feel that my background from jobs other than teaching has given me opportunities and experiences that have prepared me to be a strong teacher,” Baue said.

Stay in the know!

To get news alerts on your cell phone, get the Cedar County News app in the ITunes store or  in the Google Play Store.