Sontag Leaves Mark at C-M
Sontag Leaves Mark at C-M
James Cherveny
At the beginning of the second semester, the Colfax-Mingo school board received notification that three teachers from the district would be retiring at the end of the school year. Secondary Art Teacher, Mr. Jeff Sontag, is one of the teachers that will not be returning for the 2025-2026 school year.
Jeff Sontag received his Bachelors of Arts in Art Education from UNI. In 1986, Sontag started his teaching career in Kansas City, Missouri where he remained for 12 years. After adding two young daughters to their family, Mr. Sontag and his wife decided to move back to Iowa to be closer to family. Sontag joined the Colfax-Mingo School district in 1999 and will finish his teaching career at Colfax-Mingo with an impressive 39 years of teaching, 26 of it at C-M.
Mr. Sontag taught a variety of different ages throughout the years but the bulk of his time in education was teaching secondary students classes like middle school art, introduction and intermediate clay, drawing & painting, and multimedia design. Sontag has also worked with students outside of the school day as well as the DND and art club sponsor. Mr. Sontag has played a big role in the community by helping with several murals around the school and city.
Ms. Whiteman has taught with Mr. Sontag since 2006 and enjoyed seeing the projects he helped students create. “Mr. Sontag has always been a friendly face among the teachers. His classroom is so fun and creative and I always enjoy being in there, even though I don’t make it down there often” said Whiteman.
Senior Sammy Danley is someone who did get to spend a lot of time in the art room by taking art every year in school and enjoyed every moment. “Mr. Sontag has always been helpful to me and peers throughout the years. He helped with my art career and I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without him.” Danley’s feelings are shared by former students as well. Cheyenne (Jones) Klaassen is a 2011 grad and also took art classes every year she was a student at C-M. “Mr. Sontag’s class was always a safe space for people to be themselves,” Klaaseen said. “He helped so many people become better artists and better human beings. I am grateful to have had a great teacher like him and will miss him dearly. Bonnie Lloyd, 2016 grad of C-M agreed with Klaassen saying, “Teachers like Mr. Sontag are very special. They make a lasting impact on our lives, and they bring out the better in us. He always believed in us even when we thought the job was impossible. That endless support helped us achieve great things. He will always hold a special place in our hearts. I wish him the best in his retirement.”
While Mr. Sontag will miss the students and staff at Colfax-Mingo, he is looking forward to his retirement and getting to spend more time with his family. Congratulations on your retirement Mr. Sontag and thank you for leaving your mark on our community.
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