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Cardinal CSD 1st Grade Teacher, Mrs. Whitehall.

posted August 10, 2023

Rena Whitehall is joining the Cardinal team this year to teach 1st grade. If you see her on campus, be sure to say hello! We asked her some questions so you can get to know her a bit before the school year begins. 

Why did you want to teach at Cardinal?
Cardinal Community School District has a great reputation in the Ottumwa Regional Area. I am excited to be apart of a district that has the same values as mine.

How long have you been teaching?
23 years

What do you like about teaching 1st grade?
First grade is the best grade. I enjoy teaching students to read and write. It is amazing to watch their growth throughout the year. My favorite part is watching them be able to pick up their favorite books at the end of the year with a smile on their face, reading it!

What is your favorite part of being a teacher?
My favorite part of being a teacher is building relationships with my students and watching them learn and grow as great little people.

What is your ultimate goal as a teacher?
My ultimate goal as a teacher is to always be kind, compassionate, empathetic, and positive, and inspire my students to learn and love school.

What do you hope students take away from your class this year?
In my class this year, I hope that my students can take away that they are important and smart, and that they can accomplish anything with intrinsic motivation produced from the heart.

Fun Facts/Hobbies:
I love nature and being outside. I really enjoy the snow in the winter. Sometimes, I even enjoy playing in it!

My real endorsement of Cardinal Schools and its faculty and staff can be seen each morning when I hand them the one irreplaceable and most valuable thing in my life: my kids. No letter I write could be a greater endorsement than that simple act. I give them my kids, and I do it with a huge smile on my face because I trust them to do what they are most outstanding at: building our future.
Kevin S. Maggio · Cardinal Parent
Cardinal School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age (for employment), socioeconomic status (for programs), religion, disability, creed, national origin, marital status (for programs), sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity in its educational programs and employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or grievance related to this policy, please contact the district’s equity coordinator, Cindy Green.

The Cardinal Community School District offers career and technical  programs in the following service areas:
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Health Science
Human Services
Business, Finance, Marketing, and Management

Cindy Green - cindy.green@cardinalcomet.com
Middle School Principal/Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Equity Coordinator
4045 Ashland Rd.
Eldon, IA 52554
(641) 652-7531

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