Meet Mrs. Hodapp

Professionally

I graduated from SIU Carbondale with degrees in Elementary and Special Education.  I began in the District teaching Severely Mentally Handicapped teens at the Jr. High.  After 3 years I transferred to Zahnow and taught a variety of Special Ed. classes.  I then became the teacher of the Transition Class for 6 years.  This was a class for children exiting Kindergarten, but not quite ready for first grade.  In 1994 I happily became a First Grade Teacher.  This is where I plan to remain until the end of my teaching career.  My varied experiences help me teach with a variety of learning styles to better meet children's needs.

 Personally

My husband and I live in Waterloo.   Leo is a principal at St. Joseph's School in Freeburg.  We have two sons, Ryan and Brad.  Ryan and his wife Amy  have our first grandchild, Mason.  They live in Boston.   Brad is teaching High School History classes.  He and his wife live in Arizona.  She is an attorney for the District Attorney in Phoenix.   It's a little hard for us having both of our sons so far away! 

I love music and the arts.  I was the head of the District Arts Committee for many years. I have played the flute since I was 10 years old.  I play flute and piccolo in the Waterloo Municipal Band.  (You can see us each Tuesday night in the summer at the Waterloo Band Stand!)  I march and play piccolo in the Bud Light Brigade.  I also play in church and for weddings and special occasions.  Music has always been a very important part of my life.  I also love teddy bears and dolls.  My greatest interest, (beyond my grandson) however, is my first graders!