Panther Professionals

     Panther Professionals is a weekly series highlighting educators, administrators, staff and aides who are dedicated to the future of the Monticello Community School District.

     The Monticello Transition School runs smooth with just three employees. Aside from teacher Cindy Melchert, there are also two associates/job coaches: Staci Bartels and Julie Oswald.

     The Transition School, located inside the former John McDonald Hospital, is “designed for students entitled to special education services who have completed their senior year of high school and have incomplete living, work, and communication skills.” The school has had as many as six students, with four this current school year. Both Bartels and Oswald scheduled their time between all four students.

     Oswald has actually worked for the Monticello Community School District for over 20 years. She’s been with the Transition School for six years. Prior to her current role, she worked in preschool special education at Shannon Elementary, Carpenter Elementary, and the middle school.

     “I have enjoyed working at each one of the schools, and have grown from each experience,” shared Oswald.

     While she didn’t always see herself working in education, she clearly enjoys spending the time with students of all ages.

     “I couldn’t see myself doing anything else,” she said.

     For both Oswald and Bartels, their jobs involve setting up and scheduling jobs within the community for the students, meeting with the job-placement staff, and teaching and documenting the students’ progress in life skills. They work with about 10 different businesses in the community, some all year-round, some for just one semester.

     They both said, “Without this program, some kids would miss out on the opportunity to learn the skills needed to hold and maintain a long-term job. Being here, they are able to develop better daily living skills to help them succeed in becoming independent, which is the main goal.”

     Oswald said she enjoys seeing how much the Transition students grow over the years they’re enrolled in the program.

     “And knowing I was a part of that growth,” she added.

     Before starting her education career with the MCSD, Oswald previously worked at Ankeny Middle School. She said she prefers the smaller school districts.

     “I moved back to Monticello for the small-town atmosphere and the excellent school system,” she said. “Monticello is a great place to raise children.”

     Oswald said the community is very supportive of the MCSD, which helps as well.

     Oswald attended Kirkwood Community College for nursing, and has attended training classes through Grant Wood AEA and in Ames for her current job.

     Oswald and her husband Paul have seven children together and nine grandchildren. With grown children, they enjoy traveling and spending time outdoors or camping.

     “In my free time, I also go swimming at Camp Courageous,” she said.

     Bartels has been working for the school district since February 2017.

     Prior to coming to the Transition School, she was a one-on-one associate in the high school.

     Before coming to work for the MCSD, Bartels worked for The Mentor Network, a day-hab facility for adults with disabilities. She worked there for over four years.

     “It taught me a lot about patience and understanding,” she said of carrying those same sentiments over to her job with the Transition School. Bartels said The Mentor Network helped people with community integration and getting individuals involved in community events “that they might not have had the opportunity prior.”

     In a very similar role, Bartels assists the Transition students with job training “to learn job skills needed to be successful in gaining paid employment.”

     While she also didn’t seek a career in education, Bartels “thought it would be a nice change with a new challenge.” She said it also allows her to work closer to home and maintain the same schedule as her kids (a senior, a freshman, and a seventh grader) in school. “It was hard to pass up,” she said of the opportunity.

     Bartels said she it’s fun watching the Transition students “grow and learn new skills

     “I feel like I’m making a difference for them,” she added.

     She’s currently enrolled at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), pursuing a degree in agriculture business.

     Of working for the MCSD, Bartels praised Superintendent Dr. Brian Jaeger. “We have a great superintendent that gets things done. As an employee and a parent, I have nothing but respect for all the staff.”

     The Bartels family spends time with their animals at home, which she said entertains them. In her own free time, she enjoys reading, binge watching Netflix, and spending time with friends.