I want to take this moment to welcome everyone to Rensselaer Central Middle School. I am truly enjoy working with middle school students and I am honored to be the Principal of this school. The middle school years are such a critical time in our students' lives both academically and socially. It is my goal that students experience both growth and success while attending our school. By working together I believe that ALL students will benefit. Please feel free to contact me if there is anyway I can help. I am more than willing to assist our students in any way possible. I look forward to working with ALL of our stakeholders on behalf of our students.

I love to write and teach writing! I love to go places I have never been and meet people I have never met by reading!

Welcome to middle school math! This is my second year teaching at Rensselaer. I coach Junior Varsity volleyball and 7th grade basketball. I graduated from Huntington University with a BS in Middle Grades Math Education. While at Huntington I was a member of the volleyball and track teams. I enjoy traveling and sports in my spare time. Let's have a great year!!

Welcome students and parents to Rensselaer Central Middle School! I am very excited to have the opportunity to teach 6th Grade Science here. I have a bachelor's degree from Ball State University in Natural Resources and Environmental Management with a specialization in environmental education. I then completed a transition to teaching program so I could pursue my love for both science and education in a more formal setting. On a more personal side, I have been married to my beautiful wife for 8 years, and we have two adorable sons (Noah, 3 years old)(Simon, born this year). When I was 19, I was diagnosed with cancer (Hodgkin's Lymphoma). I like to share this with people because I believe it has a lot to do with who I am today. I am now cancer free for over 13 years, and have taken with me gifts such as understanding, patience, and the ability to conquer anything with the right attitude. I look forward to facilitating education and social growth in all my students, and hope to maintain open lines of communication with all students' parent/guardians. Let's have a great year! Mr. Jeff Chicki

Welcome to Mr. Feagans' web page. I am really looking forward to teaching your child at RCMS. If you have any questions, please email me at Mike.Feagans@rcsc.k12.in.us

I love this shot of our dog Buddy on our boat at Bass Lake. This was taken around Labor Day of last year. I love to be on the water. I don't know where my life will end up, but I know I want to be by the ocean. Someday I want to spend an extended period of time sailing the Caribbean. I haven't told my wife yet:-).

Hello! I am excited to start my 16th year of teaching. I have been teaching students with special needs since 1995. My Education: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Valparaiso University 1995 Master of Arts in Special Education Ball State University 2003 My Teaching License: General Elementary K-6 7/8 non-departmentalized Learning Disabilities K-12 Physical Impairments K-12 Severe Disabilities K-12

I am excited for the 2010/2011 school. This is my 13th year of teaching and I am anxious to see what this year will bring!

Hi! I'm Ms. Nelson and this is my 5th year here at RCMS. I graduated from North Newton High School and moved to Terre Haute to attend college. I graduated from ISU in 2004 and lived and worked there until I moved to Rensselaer. I am the proud mom of 4 year old twins, a boy and a girl. I love them, but they keep me busy! I am a member of the 7th grade team and wear many different hats, including Spirit Club Sponsor. I am looking forward to our best year yet here at RCMS!

I love to teach music! It doesn't matter if it's theater, choir, general music...I enjoy teaching students and watching them grow. Music uplifts them and also helps students learn in all their classes. That is important to me! I've been teaching music since 1972...long time! Since then, I have seen how music affects students' learning...from my very first day as a teacher...and I know it will continue with your children, too!

My name is Jeana Raby. I am from Knoxville, Tennessee. I received a BFA in Fine Arts, a BA in Art Education, and a MA in Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. My favorite color is purple. When I am not making art or teaching, I am thinking of new travel destinations that I want to see. Please Email me for any questions, comments, and concerns.

Hi I'm Debra Spangler. I love my profession and embrace the awesome responsibility and privilege of teaching your child to read and write well. The following is my teaching philosophy-- Middle schools and high schools provide a fundamental situation to prepare young people for a democratic and civic life. Generation upon generation has reached productive and rewarding adulthood having benefited from the experiences they have had in the public school systems. Young people of all backgrounds learn how to be Americans in public schools. Since I influence the way a child thinks, it is vital that I have a personal teaching philosophy that incorporates elements of effective instruction with kindness, caring and humor. I know my influence can last a lifetime. Student-centered instruction in which the student, not me, becomes the maker of knowledge is essential for effective education. Teachers should act as coaches and facilitators of learning to promote more active involvement of students in their own learning. Also, I understand that my attitude affects the outcome of every lesson. Therefore, it is essential that students believe that I care about them. Connections in learning are made when I care and am concerned about my students. Finally, assessment should flow from the idea that it promotes learning--it schould be about learning,not about catching students in mistakes. For example, assessment of a student's writing should be an evolving process in which I mark and provide feedback on successive drafts--in effect, assessing the work as the student polishes it into a finished product.

Mr. Stowers is a 1987 graduate of Rensselaer Central High School. His college work is from Butler University (BME), Illinois State University, Purdue Univeristy and Eastern Illinois State University. This is his 20th year of teaching and his 5th at RCSC. Mr. Stowers marched with the DCI finalist Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, from Canton, OH, in 1988, and the Butler University Marching Bulldog Band, from 1987 to 1990. His professional affiliations are with INDIANA BANDMASTERS ASSOCIATION (IBA), Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA--Zone 1 representative on the State Board) and INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (basketball referee). The students at RCHS & RCMS perform in solos & ensembles and full band performances in INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL COLOR GUARD ASSOCIATION (IHSCGA), INDIANA PERCUSSION ASSOCIATION (IPA), INDIANA MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION (IMEA) and ISSMA events in Marching Band (October), Solo/Ensemble (January/February), Jazz Band (March), Middle School Concert Band (early April) and High School Concert Band (mid-to-late April).

Welcome to 6th grade social studies. I have taught at RCMS since 1998. I am originally from Littleton, Colorado. I attended Saint Joseph's College and have a BA in History. I am a member of the Newton/Jasper Community Band. I enjoy traveling and photography as a few of my hobbies.

Parents & Students, Again please note each daily agenda for all classes. Homework will also be listed each day for all classes, but however as our daily schedules get hectic, I will most likely only post daily instead of weekly. This is due to not always knowing what we will actually get accomplished in the 42 minute class period and also this will help follow each classes' pace! If you have any questions regarding this information, please call or e-mail me and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Respectfully, Mrs. Kelly Van Meter