About RottHi! I'm Trela Rottinghaus, but since I was first married my students have always called me "Rott" (except for one charming young man who referred to me as "Cribs..." I'll let you work that out on your own).
Everyone looks at me strangely when I suggest "Rott" as a nickname, but really, it's ok! I love my mother-in-law and decided long ago she could hang on to the "Mrs. Rottinghaus" title. |
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Even though now I'm definitely a confirmed small town girl, I'm originally from Chicago (the city, not the 'burbs). I began my trek into Iowa to attend college at Loras in the late 90's.
My first teaching job was 5th - 8th grade Language Arts at a Catholic grade school in Milwaukee. From there, I moved to a small town just south of St. Louis where I taught high school English in a district very similar to Jesup. And yes, that's about the same time I shed my Cubs-upbringing and became a die-hard Cardinals fan. I now officially call myself a Cubs sympathizer. My parents still speak to me, but not during the post-season. Fortunately we all still cheer for the Chicago Blackhawks, so Christmas goes ok for us...
My husband and I moved back to this area to live on a farm in 2002 and I actually worked here as a paraprofessional for part of that first year. From 2003 until 2014, I worked for the Waterloo schools at George Washington Carver Academy, originally as a Language Arts teacher, then as an Instructional Coach, and finally as a Talented and Gifted education teacher. While in Waterloo, I completed my Master's degree in Education through Viterbo University and my Talented and Gifted Education endorsement through the University of Northern Iowa.
I'm thrilled to be working in the same town in which Eric and I chose to live and send our kids to school. Even though I've lived in the Jesup district for nearly 20 years, I realize I'm still a stranger to many of you. Please don't hesitate to call or email or wave in my classroom window! I promise I'll answer -- even if you call me Mrs. Rottinghaus.
My first teaching job was 5th - 8th grade Language Arts at a Catholic grade school in Milwaukee. From there, I moved to a small town just south of St. Louis where I taught high school English in a district very similar to Jesup. And yes, that's about the same time I shed my Cubs-upbringing and became a die-hard Cardinals fan. I now officially call myself a Cubs sympathizer. My parents still speak to me, but not during the post-season. Fortunately we all still cheer for the Chicago Blackhawks, so Christmas goes ok for us...
My husband and I moved back to this area to live on a farm in 2002 and I actually worked here as a paraprofessional for part of that first year. From 2003 until 2014, I worked for the Waterloo schools at George Washington Carver Academy, originally as a Language Arts teacher, then as an Instructional Coach, and finally as a Talented and Gifted education teacher. While in Waterloo, I completed my Master's degree in Education through Viterbo University and my Talented and Gifted Education endorsement through the University of Northern Iowa.
I'm thrilled to be working in the same town in which Eric and I chose to live and send our kids to school. Even though I've lived in the Jesup district for nearly 20 years, I realize I'm still a stranger to many of you. Please don't hesitate to call or email or wave in my classroom window! I promise I'll answer -- even if you call me Mrs. Rottinghaus.