Mrs. Tessum's Teacher Page

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! I'm excited for my 17th year teaching and my 7th year teaching in the English Department here at HMS! This year I will be teaching English 10, Media Publications, Oral Communications, Historical Lit, and Sports Lit and Writing. I am also the Yearbook Advisor, National Honor Society Advisor, and Head Girls Volleyball and Basketball Coach.

A little bit about myself: I graduated from Clay Central Everly (CCE) in 2003. I attended Iowa Lakes Community College for 2 years, completing my AA degree. I then transferred to Buena Vista University (BVU) and majored in Secondary English Education, with a reading endorsement. Shortly after, I went back to BVU and earned my MA degree in Professional School Counseling. Prior to joining the HMS Team, I was a School Counselor, Junior High English teacher, and coach at CCE. 

Tyler, my husband of 22 years and high school sweetheart, and I live on a farm outside of Everly and have three children: Skyler (24), Tyson (20), and Hannah (17). Our oldest son and his wife, Sophie, had a precious baby boy in July, so we are enjoying our next era of being grandparents! Our other son, Tyson, and his financee, Abby, are both Juniors at SDSU, and Hannah is finishing out her Senior year here at HMS. Besides our human family, we have a spoiled, 4-legged child, Archie, who is a 2.5 year old German Short-hair Pointer and a rock-star hunting dog. Our family raises sheep, and my husband farms. When we aren't busy chasing our daughter around in her activities, visiting our boys & their significant others, or working on the farm, we enjoy spending time with our extended family, being outdoors, camping, and going on motorcycle rides. I also enjoy photography, reading, and mowing in my spare time.

I'm looking forward to another great year at HMS!!!