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, just had a precious baby boy in July, so we are enjoying our next era of being grandparents! Besides our human family, we have a spoiled, 4-legged child, Archie, who is a 2 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!!!