East Mills Tuesday Update, Coach Michael Nordeen: Process Over Results, Claw Mark, and Building Wolverines

East Mills Tuesday Update, Coach Michael Nordeen: Process Over Results, Claw Mark, and Building Wolverines

 

KCSI Radio’s regular visit with the East Mills Wolverines featured co-head football coach and iJAG teacher Michael Nordeen. The conversation covered the just-completed football season, the unique demands of eight-man football, the district’s strong activity participation, and the student-run Claw Mark apparel business that is giving juniors real-world experience running a company.

 

 

iJAG and Claw Mark

Nordeen teaches the district’s iJAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) program. Freshmen take a full-year careers class that includes financial literacy (buying a car, renting an apartment, 401(k)s and Roth IRAs). Middle school students rotate through five-week units on team building, critical thinking, and turning hobbies into careers. The goal is to help students dream big while encouraging them to bring skills back to rural Iowa.

The junior-year core class runs Claw Mark, a student-operated apparel company. Students design and produce T-shirts, sweatshirts, pants, and hats, sell them at basketball-game pop-up stores, and create video-board advertisements and commercials for local businesses. Proceeds go back into the store (an embroidery machine is the next target). Orders can be placed by emailing clawmark@emschools.org or contacting Nordeen at mnorden@emschools.org. A new website is expected next semester. “It’s teaching those kids how to run a business and how to work in a group,” Nordeen said. Failure is treated as a learning opportunity—the same mentality he brings from the football field.

 

Upcoming / Related Items

• Veterans Day Program — Wednesday, November 11, East Gym (doors 8:45 a.m., program 9:30 a.m.); meal afterward at Malvern Community Building (FCCLA).

• Iowa vs. Nebraska food drive — items go to West Central at the SWITCH building in Hastings (goal 1,500 items).

• Claw Mark pop-up stores at basketball games; custom orders via clawmark@emschools.org or mnorden@emschools.org.

• Music Department Denver trip fundraisers continue (Fall Fest November 15).