Teacher Features!
September 30, 2022
Mr. McCray has been teaching Middle School and Highschool Students for 7 years. He taught 2 years at Anamosa Middle School and 4 at Anamosa High School. Mr. McCray enjoys the staff and students at CCA. He is very impressed with the established culture at the school, the emphasis on education, and development of students. Favorite Movie: The Usual Suspects (1995).
Ms. Portwine works at CCA with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation services as CCA’s first TAP (Transition Alliance Program) coordinator. She works with Juniors and Seniors to find jobs, post secondary education, and life skills. She also co-teaches classes on life skills, money management, and employment. She has been working in human services for 7 years with young adults and high schoolers. She has worked with schools, DHS, and the county juvenile detention facility. Favorite Author: Kathleen Hoover
Mr. Zorn teaches English 10 and advises the yearbook. This is his third year in education, starting with working in Oklahoma teaching freshmen, and as a librarian at Grant Wood Elementary. He enjoys the small-town vibe of CCA and says it is “his type of school.” Favorite movie: Fellowship of the ring (2001)
Mr. Brown is a Social Studies teacher for American History and Government. This is his 11th year teaching and his 7th as a full-time educator. For the past 6 years, he has been teaching in the Midland Community School district. Before that, he was a substitute for 4 years in the Iowa City, Solon, and Cedar Rapids school districts. He has been adapting to CCA well and enjoys his colleagues in the Social Studies Department. Favorite Movie(s): Saving Private Ryan (1998), Ghostbusters (1984), and Inception (2010)
Ms. Webster is a Spanish 1 and 2 teacher, and it is her 3rd year teaching overall. Previously, she taught in the Des Moines area and was a paraeducator and substitute before that. Ms. Webster enjoys the teachers, staff, and students at CCA. Favorite Movie: Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
Mr. Siders is a level 3 special education teacher. This is the highest level of special education, ranging from levels 1-3. He teaches the students with the most significant needs in school and their daily lives. This is his fourth year in education, and first as a full-time teacher. For the last three years, he has worked at CCA as a paraeducator and a substitute teacher. His move to being a full-time teacher has been good, and there is much more work that he enjoys, specifically with a wide range of students. Favorite Movie: Zootopia(2016)
Ms. Soupiset is a Spanish 2 and 3 teacher, this being her 22nd year teaching. This is her second year at CCA, being a Spanish substitute last year. She has taught at schools in Iowa, Illinois, and Mexico City, Mexico. She loves working at CCA! Favorite movie: Forrest Gump(1994)
Mr. Haddy is a High school special education teacher, and head football coach for CCA. He has been in education for over 20 years, being a Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Golf coach for many schools in East Iowa. He has also taught at Mt Vernon and Springville. He enjoyed getting to know the kids and acclimating to CCA. Favorite Movie: Hoosiers (1986)
Ms. Cardosa is the ELL teacher for CCA. She educates people who have moved into the US and helps them transition into the culture and learn to speak English. She has been in education for 14 years, teaching as a Language arts/literature teacher and a public speaking teacher in the past. She has enjoyed CCA so far. Favorite Movie: Anything except drama films.
Ms. Morris is an English teacher, this being her fourth year in teaching. She teaches crime and lit, English 10, and war and conflict in literature. The last three years she had been teaching at Prairie. Ms. Morris enjoys the students, her colleagues, and the environment at CCA. Favorite Movie: Miracle(2004) and Black Panther(2018).
Mr. Casebolt teaches strength training and is an assistant football coach. He has been in education for 19 years, with 4 years at City High School, and 14 years at Linn-Mar high school. He enjoys the smaller school feel of CCA and the more personal connections that can be made between students and teachers. Favorite Movie: Caddyshack (1980)