Dayton, Feldt return to their hometown
By Robert Cloud
Among the 21 new teachers coming to Waupaca this year, two of them are originally from Waupaca.
Devon Feldt and Ethan Dayton are both 2010 graduates of Waupaca High School.
Feldt
Feldt received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a master’s degree in educational leadership from UW-Oshkosh.
Prior to coming to Waupaca, Feldt taught for four years in the Weyauwega-Fremont School District.
He will be teaching at the Chain Exploration Center, a charter school where the focus is on project-based learning.
Feldt said his goal is to make school a place where students want to be.
“If it’s a want-to rather than a have-to, it’s more likely the kids will succeed at learning,” he said.
Feldt’s career in education has been a family tradition.
His father, Dale Feldt, is a retired Waupaca math teacher who currently serves on the school board.
His mother, Mary Feldt, is a retired Waupaca physical education instructor.
Devon’s wife, Kirstin Feldt, is a fourth-grade teacher at Waupaca Learning Center.
Dayton
Dayton will teach science at Waupaca Middle School and provide math intervention for struggling students.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in mathematics.
“Math was something I enjoyed as a student,” Dayton said. “I felt that I could make it enjoyable for my students.”
Dayton said more are willing to learn if they find it more enjoyable.
Last year was Dayton’s first year of teaching.
He taught fifth grade in the Iola-Scandinavia School District.
His wife, Tori Dayton, teaches third grade at McDill Elementary School in Stevens Point.