Meet Pilgrim Park Teachers Jeep Kust and Heather Ingram

Jeep Kust      

• School: Pilgrim Park Middle School
• Grade/Subject: 7th/Social Studies and Communication Arts
• Years in the Elmbrook School District: 24 years
• College/University:  Luther College, Decorah, Iowa 

What’s the best part of teaching in the Elmbrook School District:
The district allows me to be myself and make my classroom a fun and educational experience, and I enjoy the students who are hard-working and genuinely eager to learn.

Why I wanted to be a teacher:
Both of my parents were elementary teachers and after managing a toy store I rethought my career goals. I then sat in my parents’ classroom and realized I’d enjoy teaching a whole lot more than the retail world. 

If I wasn’t a teacher, I’d be:
I’d be involved in some way with sports at either the college or professional level, like coaching, competing, or broadcasting. 

My least favorite subject in high school was:
Advanced trigonometry

My favorite school lunch menu item was:
I never looked at it because I always brought a bag lunch from home.

• School: Pilgrim Park Middle School
• Grade/Subject: 8th/Social Studies and Communication Arts
• Years in the Elmbrook School District: 13 years
• College/University:  Cardinal Stritch University

What’s the best part of teaching in the Elmbrook School District:
There is no one best part of teaching in the Elmbrook School District. To name a few parts, it is a combination of students, families, staff and high expectations.

Why I wanted to be a teacher:
I wanted to be a teacher because I admired so many of my own teachers and professors. It is said imitation is the highest form of flattery.

If I wasn't a teacher, I would be:
I would be a physician's assistant, a professional shoe shopper or a gardener, if I was not a teacher.

My least favorite subject in high school was:
My least favorite subject in high school was chemistry with Mr. McKay. It might be a coincidence that it was also the most difficult subject.

My favorite school lunch menu item was:
My favorite lunch menu item was the rectangle-shaped pizza that always seemed undercooked.