Decorah educator Tyler Wedemeier has been recognized by the Iowa Academy of Science with an Excellence in Science Teaching Award. The award is based on Wedemeier’s strong educational background combined with his commitment to science education and to professional development. In addition, he was recognized for the creation of a stimulating environment for learning science and a mastery of educational strategies and appropriate assessments.
Wedemeier partnered with Winneshiek County Conservation in the development and delivery of an award-winning unit of instruction. The Iowa Association of Naturalists and the Iowa Conservation Education Coalition granted the 2021 Chris Holt Youth Environmental Education Award to his Dry Run Watershed History and Flood Mitigation unit.
Wedemeier was also a partner in implementing a Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant obtained by Winneshiek County Conservation. Titled “Bundled, Place Based, and Assessable: A New Model for Environmental Education in Iowa,” the grant reached 63 teachers and naturalists throughout the state of Iowa with workshops, collaborative learning, and materials.
Before becoming an instructional coach for the Decorah Community Schools, Tyler was recognized as an effective and well-loved classroom science teacher. “It was his precise attention to science standards, meaningful assessments, and data driven instruction that served as a model and inspiration for other teachers,” remarked Birgitta Meade, Environmental Studies instructor at Luther College. She continued, “In addition to his technical expertise, Tyler has delightful gifts of warmth, caring, and pragmatism that inspire others. He leads by example in order to bring out the best in everyone.”
Barbara Bohach, Associate Professor of Education, shared, “I have been so impressed with Tyler’s teaching prowess and dedication to furthering the quality of science education for elementary teachers and their students. He was in the first group of Luther elementary majors to teach in a community partnership between The Norman Borlaug Foundation and local 5th graders when he was a student at Luther College. As an adjunct instructor this spring, he now leads our current prospective elementary teachers. It is amazing to see Tyler now coming ‘full circle’ from his time with us as a preservice teacher to his role now as a teacher-leader and model of expert teaching. He is so deserving of this recognition.”
Wedemeier (front left) with Luther College education students.Tyler Wedemeier
Members of DHS’s Community Club take pride in finding ways to give back to the community, and senior leader Rorie Wiedow took the lead in organizing a fundraiser to do just that. Members sold frosted cookies provided by Kailynda Davis, a Decorah graduate and owner of Kai’s Kreations in Cedar Rapids.
As students purchased cookies to share with their classmates, they also voted for one of four local entities to receive the profits of the fundraiser. The organization which received the most votes was Helping Services of Northeast Iowa, which also provides support for the work Community Club does in the area of tobacco education and prevention.
Ultimately, bakery owner Kailynda Davis (who happens to be Rorie’s aunt) donated the cookies to the project, resulting in 100% of the profits–$195–going to Helping Services.
Receiving the donation from the cookie sale is Carson Eggland (left), Executive Director of Helping Services of Northeast Iowa, and Ashley Havenstrite (right), Tobacco Prevention Specialist. Senior Rorie Wiedow, middle, organized the fundraiser.Carson Eggland, Executive Director of Helping Services of Northeast Iowa, with all Community Club members who worked on the cookie fundraiser.
On May 4, 2023, Governor Reynolds signed House File 718, establishing a homestead tax exemption for claimants 65 years of age or older.
In addition to the homestead tax credit, eligible claimants who own the home they live in and are 65 years of age or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year are now eligible for a homestead tax exemption. For the assessment year beginning on January 1, 2023, the exemption is for $3,250 of taxable value. For assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, the exemption is for $6,500 of taxable value. An exemption is a reduction in the taxable value of the property rather than a direct reduction in the amount of property tax you pay.
The Iowa Department of Revenue has amended the Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption (54-028) form to allow claimants to apply for the new exemption. Applications are due July 1 to your local assessor. If the exemption is granted, the exemption will be allowed for future years without future filing as long as the claimant continues to qualify.
Application forms can be found online at Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption (54-028) or by visiting the Winneshiek County Assessor’s Office. Please contact us by phone at 563-382-5356 or by email at khoulihan@co.winneshiek.ia.us if you have any questions.
Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as a homestead on July 1 of each year, declare residency in Iowa for income tax purposes and occupy the property for at least six months each year. Persons n the military or nursing homes who do not occupy the home are also eligible.
Decorah Public Library is accepting applications for one seasonal (June-August 2023) part-time Library Aide position and one (non-seasonal) part time Library Aide position.
Candidates must beat least 14 years old and available to work select daytime hours, 1-2 weekdayevenings 5-7 p.m., and 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays.
10 hours/week available at $10.50/hr, no benefits.
Job description and application available below or call 563-382-3651.
Send completed application to:
Decorah Public Library, Attn: Tricia Crary 202 Winnebago St. Decorah IA 52101
*Important note regarding submitting a PDF version of your application – Download and save the Application PDF to your computer. Use Adobe or a similar PDF reader to fill out the downloaded application and save it to your computer. Attach the completed application to your email along with your resume and references. Using Chrome or other web browsers to fill out the PDF may result in a blank PDF being submitted.
Luther College seniors Gideon Perez, Sadie Pichelmann and Berit Skogen have received Fulbright awards for the 2023-24 academic year. All three will serve as Fulbright English Teaching Assistants.
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. Every year, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards more than 2,000 students, artists, and early-career professionals from all backgrounds and in more than 100 different fields of study to teach English and undertake research abroad. Fulbright awards are given based upon leadership potential, academic achievement, and record of service.
Gideon Perez ’23 was selected for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Slovakia.
Gideon Perez ’23 of Austin, Minnesota, will graduate in May with a major in English. He was selected for an English Teaching Assistantship in Slovakia. “After learning about Slovakia’s rich history, deep culture, and beautiful natural landscapes, it was so easy to fall in love with,” said Perez. “Outside of teaching, I’m excited to integrate myself into a new community and meet plenty of new friends,” he said. After his Fulbright, he plans to continue teaching English or pursue a career in publishing.
Sadie Pichelmann ’23 was selected for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Slovakia.
Sadie Pichelmann ’23 of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, will graduate in May with a major in history and minors in biology and music. She also was selected for an English Teaching Assistantship in Slovakia. “I know much more about Western Europe than I do about Eastern Europe, and I hope to fill this gap in my knowledge through my time in Slovakia,” Pichelmann said. “I’m most excited for the opportunity to encounter people and situations that will challenge my sense of self and my worldviews,” she added. After her Fulbright experience, she plans to attend medical school. “I am of the firm conviction that treating each person as a whole and acknowledging their unique individuality is vital to being an effective caregiver, and being able to understand and appreciate other cultural backgrounds and viewpoints is a large part of that,” Pichelmann said.
Berit Skogen ’23 will be a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Norway.
Berit Skogen ’23 of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, will graduate in May with majors in history and Nordic studies and minors in Africana studies and religion. She will be an English Teaching Assistant in Norway, where she previously studied abroad. “I chose Fulbright because it provides grantees with so many amazing opportunities and connections. Living there for 10 months will give me a lot of language practice and opportunities to learn from my students as well as foster connections between the US and Norway,” said Skogen. When not in the classroom, she is excited to run and ski in the mountains. After her Fulbright experience, she plans to pursue graduate degrees in Scandinavian studies.
About Luther College
At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.
Stephanie Henning has been helping create beautiful retail spaces since she was just old enough to unbox and arrange shoes on the racks of The Bootery (her Mom’s part time retail job.) Fashion and retail was the track that would give her inspiration and opportunity again and again, all while dreaming of what her own boutique would look like someday – Modish!
Fast forward three sons of her own, and a decade+ career in child care, Stephanie found herself with the opportunity to re-enter women’s fashion in Downtown Decorah via her friend and mentor Margaret Walter.
A chance opportunity would allow Stephanie to realize the dream of having her own boutique. She also realized her store needed to service the “real life” needs of her audience in a town of 8,000 people, an hour from anything that resembles a city. “It’s more than our tagline. It’s our mission. We have real bodies and real life budgets and we assume you do, too.”
Stephanie has been a ground level user of promoting her brick and mortar dream via tasteful and authentic social media use since day 1 of bringing her store to life – and those messages are also carry through her amazing team of stylists in her store. From 0/2 to 3X+, Modish works to model real life, and great fashion.
From tackling 100+ year old buildings with her Husband Mark, to carving out the time to attend fashion and buying events in urban centers, mentoring young stylists, and helping keep a rural main street thriving – Stephanie continues to bring life and light to Water Street in Downtown Decorah – stop by and see for yourself!
Press Contact: Jeremy Bril, City Engineer, 563-382-2157
Pleasant Avenue Closures Starting Monday 5/15
Decorah, IA (May 12, 2023) – The City of Decorah is notifying residents that Pleasant Avenue will be closed to thru traffic on Monday, May 15th and Wednesday, May 17th. The street will be completely closed between Day Street and the Hwy 9 bridge.
The closure is to allow for pavement removal and repaving as part of the Pleasant Avenue Improvements Project. Residents are encouraged to find alternative routes during these closures. The timing of each closure will be dependent on weather conditions and contractor schedules.
Please call the Street Department at 563-382-2157 with any questions.
This is an official city press release. Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author. Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.
