Mrs. Tessum's Teacher Page

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! I'm excited for my 18th year teaching and my 8th year teaching in the English Department here at HMS! This year I will be teaching English 10, Media Publications, Oral Communications, Historical Lit, Sports Lit and Writing, and Digital Communications & Publications. I am also the Yearbook Advisor, National Honor Society Advisor, and Tech Integrationist.

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 23 years and high school sweetheart, and I live on a farm outside of Everly and have three children: Skyler (25), Tyson (21), and Hannah (18). We are also proud grandparents of Silas (1) and another baby boy due in November. Besides our human family, we have a spoiled, 4-legged child, Archie, who is a 3-year-old German Short-hair Pointer and a rock-star hunting dog. Our family raises sheep and pigs, and my husband farms corn and soybeans. In our free time, we enjoy spending time with our extended family, being outdoors, traveling, camping, and going on motorcycle rides. I also enjoy photography! 

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