By: Claire Quigle

Hello and happy “Where Do You Work” Wednesday! This week we are spotlighting alumnus Neal Hausmann (MA in Teaching ‘19).

Originally from Tinley Park, Illinois, Hausmann is now working as a second-year teacher. This will be his first year as a chemistry teacher at Vernon Hills High School in Illinois.

Hausmann is grateful that the University of Iowa College of Education helped him to believe that he can be successful as a teacher.

“The professors helped so much with giving me confidence in myself that I can succeed in guiding all my students to understand chemistry which is always the one subject many people find difficult or write off,” says Hausmann. “Shout out to Brian, Ted, Mark, Gavin, and Nate!”

Due to COVID-19, Hausmann’s first year of teaching was cut short, and he will continue teaching online for the foreseeable future.

“My chemistry team and I worked endlessly to send out lab kits to every student so they can be engaged in chemistry labs from home,” says Hausmann. “E-learning has gone extremely well so far with students and teachers putting in so much effort to make school seem normal.”

Regardless of the obstacles Hausmann has faced so far in his teaching career, he is remaining positive.

“I cannot wait to be back in a classroom because this COVID time has helped me learn many new techniques that can be super useful when in a classroom,” says Hausmann. “So there can be a lot of good coming from this!”

Even though he graduated in 2019, Hausmann is hoping to stay in close touch with the College of Education.

“I want to stay connected to the Iowa science education program in any way possible because they have helped me so much and I want to be able to help current students in the program someway,” says Hausmann.

Want to be the next “Where Do You Work Wednesday” or nominate someone? Message us on Facebook, tag us with #HawkeyeTeachers, or email us at educationatiowa@uiowa.edu.