Manternach named ‘Teacher of the Week’


Sacred Heart third-grade teacher Leanna Manternach was named KHAK Teacher of the Week in November. She was nominated by a former student, whose son is currently in her class. Here she works on math assignments with students Bailey Miles, Cynthia Fernandez, and Jack Jesenovec. (Photo by Kim Brooks)
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

Sacred Heart Catholic School teacher Leanna Manternach, third grade, was recently named KHAK 98.1 Teacher of the Week. Manternach has been teaching at Sacred Heart since the fall of 1989. 

Manternach was nominated by a former student of hers, Kristy Hoeger, whose son, Henry, is currently in Manternach’s class. 

The nomination read: “Mrs. Manternach was my teacher when I attended Sacred Heart School. She now teaches my son. When he came home from his first day of school he said, ‘I think this is going to be the best year yet.’ She not only teaches third grade but also runs the religious education program at the school. She is a great example to the students of dedication and faith.” 

When Manternach started teaching at Sacred Heart, she was a first-grade teacher for her first five years. Since switching to third grade, she’s enjoyed it ever since. 

“I knew third grade was a good fit for me,” she said. “I love their excitement about learning. They feel so grown up. It’s a neat year to teach.” 

Manternach had no clue she was nominated or even won the Teacher of the Week contest. It wasn’t until a friend of hers from high school texted her. Soon, she started receiving more messages and e-mails, she knew something was up. Over her lunch break, she received a link to her nomination online. 

“Then it all made sense,” said Manternach. 

She’s grateful and thankful for the honor. 

“It’s a warm feeling of appreciation,” she said. 

“It’s always pleasing to be surprised like this. It was really sweet to do.” 

When Manternach started teaching third grade at Sacred Heart, she had just shy of 30 kids. Now, she said 12 to 15 seems to be the norm in the classroom. 

Before she came to Monticello, Manternach was teaching in Viola, which was a part of the Anamosa School District. (It no longer exists now.) There, she taught students with multi-learning difficulties. When she heard Sacred Heart had an opening for first grade, she felt that was more her fit. 

“I had total control of a classroom,” she said of the change. 

When it comes to teaching children of former students, Manternach said it’s a wonderful feeling. 

“There are so many mannerisms the child and parent have in common,” she noticed. “It repeats in both generations, as do their personalities.” 

Manternach said she never forgets a student, and enjoys seeing them grow from third grade on to high school and graduation. 

“You get to know them so well in nine months,” she said of the entire school year. “It’s neat to follow them through school and to see what they choose to do with their lives.” 

In addition to teaching, Manternach has been Sacred Heart Church’s religious education director for the past 10 years as well. 

“It’s similar to being a principal,” she explained. 

The Faith Formation program encompasses first through 10th grade, which amounts to about 100 kids throughout the community. 

Manternach took over the program when a nun retired. She felt she could handle both teaching jobs. 

She lines up all of the teachers for the grades, sets the schedule, and works with everyone on the manuals. 

“I oversee it and substitute if a teacher can’t make it,” she said. 

Manternach praised Sacred Heart’s parents and parish and the community for the unending support of the school and its students. 

“They keep us going,” she said. “We receive donations year round.” She said donations come in the form of money and items for the classrooms. 

“The parents and volunteers are always here if we need anything,” continued Manternach. 

Over the years, the parish and parents have supported the growth and expansion of technology in the classrooms, which Manternach said have been wonderful additions in education. 

“We can take the students to so many places,” she said of online courses and programs. 

Sacred Heart has both smart boards in every classroom, and one-on-one laptops for the students. 

“Our school is like a community,” said Manternach. “It’s an extension of our families.” 

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