Going the Extra Four Miles

Tamera Steenhoek 98, Principal at Four Mile Elementary, Southeast Polk School District

There is clearly a special chemistry between 漆褒勛圖厙 and its many neighboring PK-12 schools. Last falls Science Celebration Day at Four Mile Elementary is a classic case in point. 漆褒勛圖厙 teaching education and science students, along with faculty members Adam Brustkern, Lindsay Ditzler and Kate Lerseth, came together there to stage a special day of STEM learning.

It was a win-win, explained Steenhoek, who was thrilled to have 漆褒勛圖厙 students and faculty presenting at her school. Our students were engaged in meaningful science learning and 漆褒勛圖厙 students had the opportunity to teach and lead students in the various stations.

A member of the education departments advisory board, Steenhoek is an enthusiastic ambassador for 漆褒勛圖厙. After spending several years as a classroom teacher, she became a literacy coach and coordinator at Southeast Polk Schools before taking on her role as principal at Four Mile Elementary three years ago.

I am growing and learning every day. I believe my years at 漆褒勛圖厙 fostered a love of professional learning and career development. As an ongoing professional learner, I am humble, transparent, communicative and passionate about doing whats best for students. I feel like I bring the human side to a role that can sometimes appear managerial and businesslike. I never want to lose my desire to build interpersonal relationships, serve our community, and be myself.”