The document introduces the 6th grade Gold Team teachers at Hauser Junior High. It provides biographical information about each teacher, including their education background, years of experience, and personal interests. The teachers look forward to getting to know the students and their families over the school year and ensuring the students have a positive experience. Contact information is provided for communicating with the teachers by email or scheduling in-person meetings.

1. September 2008
Dear Sixth Grade Parents,
Welcome to Hauser Junior High! We are exited that your child is joining the Sixth Grade
Gold Team! The middle school format allows us to foster a unified community among our
team of approximately 100 students. We look forward to getting to know your child
throughout this school year. Our primary goal is to ensure s/he has a positive and successful
school year.
We’d like to introduce ourselves, the Sixth Grade Gold Team teachers:
Jodi Bauer, bauerj@district96.org
Welcome Cougars! I’m the Gold Team science teacher. This is my third year at Hauser
after teaching high school biology for three years. I earned my Bachelors Degree from
University of Illinois and Masters Degree from National Louis University. Outside the
classroom, I devote time and energy to my animals. This includes barkers, meowers,
leapin’ lizards, rambunchous rodents, boisterous birds, timid toads, and finicky fish!
Most enjoy the comforts of home in room 200A here at Hauser and hopefully my new
“animals” will too. (That’s you 6th graders!)
Renee Blondin, blondinr@district96.org
I received my undergraduate degree from Illinois State University and my Masters
Degree from National Louis University. At home, my husband Scott and I have two sons
—Jacob, 13 and Matt, 11, but I’ve been a part of the Hauser family for 17 years. During
that time I have experienced a great deal of growth, development, and many successes. I
look forward to bonding with the awesome sixth grade Gold Team.
Amanda Johnson, johnsona@district96.org
This will be my second year as a Hauser Cougar! You'll find me with my nose in books
or playing with numbers as I teach both reading and math. I also coach 7th and 8th grade
cheerleading. I earned my Bachelors Degree from the University of Dayton in Ohio.
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends as well as
watching movies and being outside. I look forward to making this a great year for you
and your children!
Jen Kovar, kovarj@district96.org
I grew up in Schaumburg and have since lived in Des Moines, Iowa, Washington DC,
and Boston. I earned my Bachelors Degree from Drake University and my Masters
Degree from Harvard University. My husband and I are now thrilled to be raising our
10-month-old baby boy, Finley, in Chicagoland. I am happy to be starting my third year
as Hauser! I will be teaching sixth grade language arts and reading.

2. Kimberly Zeman Tomkins, zemantomkinsk@district96.org
Welcome! I am so excited to be celebrating my 27th year of teaching at Hauser with your
son or daughter’s first year. One of the most unique aspects of my Hauser life is that my
entire family graduated from Hauser; my twenty-one-year-old son, Sean; my twenty-six
year old daughter, Becky; my husband Bob and I all graduated from here! In addition to
graduating from Hauser and RB, I graduated from the University of Illinois with a
Bachelors Degree and later received my Master’s Degree from National Louis
University. We live close by... in fact we live across from the Salt Creek Bike trail and
the beloved forest preserves. We adore watching the deer graze in our yard and our cats
enjoy them too! This year I am thrilled to be teaching sixth grade social studies and
reading on the GOLD TEAM. My new classroom, 208, has a magnificent view of the
oak trees and faces the front of school on the west side of the building. I can’t wait to
meet you and your children!
Patty Wittmann, wittmannp@district96.org
This will be my sixth year as a special education teacher at Hauser Junior High. I also
taught for two years in Chicago. I graduated from Purdue University and I love
Boilermaker Football! I obtained my Masters Degree from Northeastern Illinois
University. I live in Schaumburg with my husband and sixth-month-old daughter, Heidi.
I am very excited about this school year and am looking forward to working with your
children!
In addition to working with your child, we look forward to getting to know you
throughout the year. E-mail is the most effective way to get in touch with any of us.
Otherwise, please call the school office at 447-3896. If you would like to talk to us in
person, individual teachers would be happy to arrange a meeting with you before or after
school. Or, contact Renee Blondin to schedule a whole team meeting during our 7th
period co-plan (12:47 – 1:27). Also, be sure to check each of our websites at
www.district96.org/hauser for homework assignments, curriculum updates, and more
We look forward to a fun and challenging school year!
Best Wishes,
Jodi Bauer Renee Blondin Amanda Johnson
Jennifer Kovar Kimberly Zeman Tomkins Patty Wittmann