Amy Gustafson - birthday 7/10/67
I was born in Wilmington, DE; graduated Salutatorian of Class of 1985 from Elkton HIgh School, Elkton, MD; and graduated from Messiah College, Grantham, PA with BA in Mathematics and Certificate to teach Grades 7-12 Math in 1989. Messiah College is a Division III Christian Liberal Arts College located in Harrisburg, PA. At Messiah, I was a 3 year starter on the varsity volleyball team as a defensive specialist. While I was not a starter as a freshman, I did earn a spot on the only volleyball team in Messiah history to play in the National Tournament. I was a 4 year starter on the varsity softball team, first as a right fielder and then finishing 3 years as a center fielder. In 1989, I married Craig Gustafson and moved to Alburtis, PA. We have 3 kids - Adam, Megan, and Molly. I homeschooled them all through the 8th grade. They all attended Independence High School for grades 9-12 and they all graduated as Valedictorians of their classes. I have lived in Philadelphia, PA (GO PHILLIES, SIXERS, EAGLES, FLYERS!), Spring City, TN, and Walker, IA before moving to Independence in 2001. I'm entering my 12th year of teaching in Independence. Over the years I've coached volleyball, basketball, and softball/baseball for community teams, AAU teams, and varsity/JV level teams. I also enjoy refereeing volleyball at the high school level in the fall. I'm entering my 9th year as the facilitator for our 8th Graders' Summer Trip to Washington DC. Each year the "graduating" 8th grade class is given the opportunity to raise their own funds to participate in this activity in June after school is out. It is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and I've been privileged to go along as a chaperone many times. Seeing the students visit our nation's capital, take in the sights, and gain a better understanding of what being an American really is all about and the sacrifices of so many to guarantee those rights and freedoms never gets old for me. In my down-time, I love to work in my gardens, do cross-stitch projects, read, play golf, and visit my kids in Kansas City, MO; Colorado Springs, CO; and whatever state Megan and her husband are stationed in as part of the U.S.A.F. I also love to support the Independence students in their academic endeavors, musical performances, and athletic competitions. It is my privilege to work and live in Independence, Iowa. GO MUSTANGS!