Hortonville teacher hired for Rexford-Longfellow
By Erik Buchinger
Former Hortonville educator Peg Mischler has been hired as the associate principal for Rexford-Longfellow Elementary School in Clintonville.
Mischler taught for the last 12 years in special education and was a second and fifth grade teacher. For the past six years, she worked in the Hortonville Area School District.
“I am where I am today because of the leadership and mentoring within the Hortonville Area School District,” Mischler said.
This is Mischler’s first administrative role.
“I am incredibly excited,” Mischler said. “I actually just got done with a tour of the community and the school district, so it was exciting seeing all the different neighborhoods. I’m eager to meet kids and families in August.”
During her interview for the position, Mischler said she knew Clintonville was the right place for her.
“During the interview process, I can’t really explain it but I had a really good feeling this would be a great place for me,” Mischler said. “I like the rural community feel, which was something I was looking for. The administrative staff made me feel so welcomed. The teachers in the interview made me feel welcomed as well.”
Mischler grew up on a farm in Loyal, Wisconsin and appreciates the rural community.
“I was searching somewhere that had that community feel,” Mischler said. “This is what I wanted with this culture and this community. This is a community that feels like home.”
Mischler said she is excited for the future of the Clintonville Public School District.
“I’m extremely excited where Clintonville is going to be going in the future,” Mischler said. “I’ve done a lot of curriculum work, and they’re really starting to create a new vision for curriculum. I’m excited to be part of this the next few years as we go through with that in the district.”
Mischler said she enjoys a student-led environment in the classrooms.
“I’d like to find ways for kids to be successful and let them take ownership of their learning,” Mischler said. “I want to let them take resources to ensure a high level of learning for kids. I’m really focusing on student-led environments, so the students really have a say in their education. We do anything possible to help them do their best but really that is what’s exciting – just seeing the growth academically and behaviorally.”
Mischler said Clintonville was at the top of her list of jobs she wanted.
“This was definitely my first choice of the positions I was interviewing for,” Mischler said. “I would have been devastated had I not gotten this position.”
Mischler said she will host “Popsicles with the Principal” events at some of the local parks sometime this summer.
“I do not have dates for that yet, but I want to invite the children to the parks to meet me, play and enjoy popsicles,” Mischler said. “I want to meet people before I see them at registration and open house.”