I-S school district loses a teacher
By Holly Neumann
Submitted Photo
Iola-Scandinavia High School social studies teacher Brian Tucker, 45, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Jan. 5.
Tucker had been teaching in the district since 2003.
I-S Principal Chris Nelson said he was shocked, surprised and in disbelief when he heard the news.
“I was concerned about how his family and our staff and students and how they were going to be able to cope with this significant loss,” Nelson said.
He immediately met with the administrative team to coordinate the plan for notifying staff, students and district families. They then made sure that the district counselors were prepared to assist with students and staff.
“We also reach out to the family to offer our condolences and support,” said Nelson.
Realizing this was difficult news to share, the staff was provided a statement to read in their first hour class, as well as some suggestions on how to talk with students.
“Staff and students were emotional,” Nelson said.
This is not the first death the district has experienced over the past year.
In February 2019, they suffered the loss of student Kelli Prinsen and science teacher Andrew Schefelker.
“We have a resilient staff that has come together with tragedies in the past and we will lean on each other to overcome this tremendous loss as well,” Nelson said. “It will not be easy, but we will continue to heal together as a district family.”
During this grieving process the students will be watched more closely.
“Our elementary counselor, middle/high school counselors and our school psychologist were all available Monday and throughout the week,” said Nelson. “We reached out to Waupaca County and they also provide assistance on Monday and offered to come in if we would need them in the upcoming days as we move forward.”
These services will be made available to both staff and students.
Passion for teaching
Nelson recalled Tucker as a teacher passionate about government and social studies who brought his varied life experiences into the classroom.
“He always challenged students to think about different perspectives as they viewed the current and past world politics and history,” he said.
I-S sixth-grade teacher Sam Bertsch said Tucker was one of his greatest friends that touched many people in a positive way.
“I work with many great teachers, but I can confidently say Brian was one of the best,” said Bertsch. “He had the ability to relate to the kids who needed it most. If you needed a confidence boost or someone to tell you that you can do it, he was that guy.”
His quirkiness is what made Brian Tucker so special.
“You could be yourself around him and he didn’t give a damn,” said Bertsch. “We shared many adventures together and spent numerous hours talking about things that were serious to just plain nonsense.”
Bertsch said Tucker left his mark on the lives of his students.
“He also left a great mark on my family too as he was a constant figure at our house,” Bertsch said. “Our children loved being around him, but to the people who know him, does that really surprise you?”
The district will be looking to fill the position with a qualified long-term substitute teacher for the remainder of the 2019-20 school years.
Nelson asks that the community keeps Tucker and his family in their thoughts and support the staff and students in the district as they always have.
Memorial services will be held Friday, Jan. 10, at Maple Crest Funeral Home, N2620 State Highway 22, Waupaca. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m., with service to follow.