Teacher Feature

By Chelsi B

            This week’s teacher feature spotlights two individuals who are essential to running the school smoothly.  These two ladies put forth a lot of time and effort to see that the academic and activity programs are well managed and organized.

            Mrs. Ardel McCartney was born on Feb. 7, 1960 in Postville, Iowa.  She grew up in the Valley School District where she participated in basketball, track, softball, and jazz band.  Ardel still resides in the district where she works part-time as Valley’s athletic director, complementing her farming life at home.  With her husband, Ron, she has raised two children, Zeke and Kara.  Zeke, age twenty-two, is in his first year of law school at the University of Iowa.  Kara, age twenty, is a junior at Drake University, where she majors in marketing and runs tracks.  The McCartneys also have an eleven year old black lab named Marcy.  In her free time, Ardel enjoys baking, going to card club, eating at Gunder, and cheering on the Valley Tigers and Pittsburgh Steelers.  Her favorite movie is Remember the Titans, and she enjoys listening to Motown.  Ardel, now in her fifth year at Valley, loves the fact that students can make use of their talents and push themselves as far as they can go with their respective activities.  Her philosophy is “Academics make a person; activities complete them.”

            Mrs. Melanie Bauch was born on March 16, 1972 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  Melanie and her sister, Melinda, were raised in Augusta, Wisconsin.  While attending high school there, Melanie participated in basketball, volleyball, band, jazz band, choir, and also accompanied show choir.  She then attended City College of Cosmetology in Eau Claire.  In May 2007, after working at a law office for five years, Melanie came to the school district to fill the 7-12 secretary position.  Melanie’s husband, Tim, is a lineman for Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative.  They have two children, Kyle who is a junior at UNI and Collin who is in 8^th grade at Valley.  In her free time, Melanie likes rock climbing, shopping, playing piano, scrapbooking, spending time with her family, and working with photography.  Her favorite music includes show tunes, classical, rock, and 80’s songs.

            The organization of the school is largely credited to the work of Ardel and Melanie.  Although much of their work is done behind the scenes, it is necessary to the students and staff members at Valley, who are very appreciate of these two ladies.