I am excited for the 2025-2026 school year to start!  

As always, there are changes in the English department as well as expanded Advanced Placement opportunities. 

 I am always available via email (jschany@e-hawks.org) or by phone (852-2966).  Please feel free to contact me using either method.

I began at Emmetsburg High School in the fall of 2006 as a Business instructor after teaching at North Kossuth High School.   This year,  I am teaching Advanced Freshman English, Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition, Advaanced Placement Seminar, and Sophomore English.   In addition to those classes, I teach American Literature to mid -1800s and American Literature from mid -1800s as well as Composition 1 and Composition 2 as dual enrollment classes through Iowa Lakes Community College.  I graduated from The University of Iowa in 1997 and earned my Master's of Arts--Teaching and my reading endorsements from Morningside College in 2011.  I received my Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction through the University of Northern Iowa.  My research focused on rural school systems and the influences of social classes on academic achievement and educational opportunity.  I have also done extensive research on effective grading systems and the relationship of grading systems to student self-concept in rural school settings. 

My husband, B.J., and I both graduated from Emmetsburg High School and we love that our kids were E-Hawks too.   Our oldest son, Will, graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2021 and works as a business analyst in Des Moines for Ruan, and our middle child, Nick, graduated from The University of Iowa and attends medical school at  Des Moines University.  Our daughter, Abbie, graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in biochemistry.  Some of you may have had her as a softball coach during the summer.  When I am not cheering on the E-Hawks or attending a school event, I enjoy reading, cooking, quilting with Mrs. J., rooting for the Hawkeyes, and spending time with our families--most of whom live in Emmetsburg too.   

I am looking forward to meeting you and know that we are going to have a great year!!