WELCOMING EDUCATORS - Twelve new teachers now on staff at seven different education sites in Waseca were introduced to community members during an Aug. 27 lunch sponsored by the Waseca Rotary Club. School leaders also shared information about projects and activities planned for the 2026-27 school year. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann
New teachers begin year by meeting community members
Thu, 09/03/2026 - 10:15am
During a luncheon sponsored by the Waseca Rotary Club on Aug. 27, 12 teachers new to Waseca’s schools had a chance to meet some members of the community; members of the Waseca Lions and Exchange Club also attended. The new staff have positions all around the community, including Waseca Community Education, the Alternative Learning Center, Hartley Elementary, Sacred Heart and Children’s House Montessori, Team Academy, Waseca Intermediate School and the Waseca Junior Senior High.
The meeting was opened by Rotary co-president, Katie Gonzalas, “Welcome everyone to our meeting for the Rotary Club, we’re excited to learn of all the goings on in Waseca schools and meet the new teachers joining us. The Rotary motto is service above self.”
Gonzalez introduced Larry Johnson, a Lions Club member and he said, “On behalf of the Lions Club, I welcome you guys and thank the Rotary and Exchange for posting as well.” Because Lions Club focuses on community organization and youth eye care, he offered that teachers should feel free to be in touch if they learn of students with unfulfilled needs in those areas
Superintendent of Waseca Public Schools Eric Hudspith told community members present, “I want to thank all of you who have provided support for our school. I am forever grateful for a community this size, that we have a public school, a charter school, a non-public school, what great choices for Waseca and of course I don’t mean that we’re competitors, but we do want families to know that we always work together for what’s best for their kids and ours. We want our kids to graduate, get out there and do whatever they choose to do.”
During the event, it was also announced the Rotary Club members will be selling pumpkins, sweet corn, decorative corn and assorted gourds during the fall sales at the University of Minnesota’s Southern Research and Outreach Center. Sales will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3; from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Sept. 5; and again from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Sept. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 12.
Anyone interested in information about joining the Rotary Club is invited to contact the organization at wasecarotary@gmail.com.