Waterloo/Cedar Rapids/Cedar Falls-area teachers with issues: Michael Kenneth Lyons, Waterloo, Iowa (arrested Nov 2011) Brett Messenger, Waterloo, Iowa (arrested Jan 2012) Larry David Twigg, Waterloo, Iowa (arrested Jan 2010) >>> Guilty! <<< Name: Brett Messenger Age: 26 School: Cedar Rapids Washington High School, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; at the time of the alleged crime was teaching at Waterloo West High School, Waterloo, Iowa; formerly taught at Prairie High School, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Position: Teacher & band director Victim: Girl, student Email: messenger.brett@gmail.com Phone: (515) 306-2123 (cell) Eastern Iowa News Now (5 Jan 2012): A former Waterloo teacher has been released ... KXFA (5 Jan 2012): Top Stories - Former Waterloo West Teacher Arrested for Sexual Relationship With Student Chicago Tribune (5 Jan 2012): Former Waterloo teacher arrested in sex case KWWL (5 Jan 2012): UPDATE: Former Waterloo and Cedar Rapids teacher arrested Also from KWWL: KWWL (5 Jan 2012): Former Waterloo teacher arrested in sex case Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier (5 Jan 2012): UPDATE: Former Waterloo teacher arrested for sexual exploitation by a school employee KCCI (5 Jan 2012): Former Teacher Charged In Student Sex Case KCRG (5 Jan 2012): Former Waterloo Teacher Arrested for Sexual Exploitation
His new house in Cedar Falls burned this last fall ... karma, perhaps? KCRG (26 Oct 2011): First Avenue Reopens After Early Morning Fire Eastern Iowa News Now (26 Oct 2011): UPDATE: Fire causes major damage less than two months after purchase The Gazette (26 Oct 2011): Fire damages Cedar Rapids home less than two months after purchase Eastern Iowa News Now (28 Oct 2011): Cigarettes started Cedar Rapids house fire five weeks after purchase Alcohol, cigarettes, sex ... You'd think that perhaps school administrators would pay some attention to the lifestyles of the teachers they hire?
Biography: Brett Messenger received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 2009. In the last two years he has worked at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids and West High School in Waterloo. Both of these positions allowed Mr. Messenger to conduct the Concert Band, coordinate the Jazz program, as well as direct the Marching Band, Pep Band, Pit Orchestra and Show Choir Band. While in college, Mr. Messenger was involved with many co-curricular ensembles and groups: Hawkeye Marching Band, Johnson County Landmark, Jazz Repertory Ensemble, Brass Quintet, Brass Choir, and was a member of the 2008 University of Iowa Symphony Band that performed in Carnegie Hall under the direction of Dr. Myron Welch. He worked as a part of the New Horizons Band program under the direction of UI Music Education Department Chair, Dr. Don Coffman. “It provides an opportunity for ‘chronologically gifted’ adults (50 and older) to learn to play a musical instrument or to resume/continue, and enjoy playing with others in a band.” While serving the members of the New Horizons Band, he also directed the Silver Swing Jazz Band, a sub-group of the program. While director of the Silver Swing Band, he helped organize the Generations of Jazz Festival held annually at Iowa City’s Englert Theatre, creating a unique performance for local high school jazz bands. Outside of school, Mr. Messenger teaches private trumpet lessons and is involved with the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids music scene, serving as the Director of the Iowa City Jazz Festival Committee and playing with various bands. Letter of Introduction: Greetings students, parents and supporters of the Washington Performing Arts— My name is Brett Messenger and it is with great pleasure I write this letter of introduction as the new Band Director (following Mr. Shanley) for the Washington High School Band Program. I cannot tell you how excited I am to be a part of the great tradition the directors, parents, students and community have established. When thinking about the great bands around the state, the Warrior Bands are among the finest. Being young to the profession, it is no doubt this is a big step, but I am confident my background and future surroundings will allow the band program to continue and build upon its excellence. This year I was the Director of Bands at Waterloo West High School, where I directed the “Wahawk” marching band, coordinated the Jazz program, conducted Wind Symphony, Pep Band, Pit Orchestra and Show Choir Band. The previous year, I was the Assistant Band Director at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, where I codirected the marching band, coordinated the jazz program, conducted Symphonic Band, Pep Band, Pit Orchestra and Show Choir Band. I am active in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids music community. In addition to regularly performing at the Iowa City Jazz Festival, Friday Night Concert Series and the Englert Theatre, I also serve on the Iowa City Jazz Festival committee and helped create the annual Generations of Jazz Festival (in coordination with the Community Spotlight Series). Furthermore, Iowa City provided me with one of my most rewarding experiences as a music educator, working with the Senior Center’s New Horizon Band and Silver Swing Band. I come back to Cedar Rapids not just because of the wonderful job opportunity but because of the community’s commitment to a well-rounded education that is committed to the arts. Let me tell you about my childhood. I grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa where I fell in love with baseball, basketball, football, tennis, golf and every other imaginable sport. I spent my teenage years at Valley High School where I was first introduced to the Warrior Band Program as a part of the Valley Marchmasters. It is here, I gained a great respect for marching band and its extreme attention to precision and detail. I loved it! After Valley High, I decided to attend the University of Iowa where I was heavily involved with every musical activity possible: Hawkeye Marching Band (Trumpet Section Leader/Band Manager), Symphony Band, Chamber Orchestra, Johnson County Landmark, Jazz Repertory Ensemble, Trumpet Ensemble, Brass Quintet, Brass Choir and Jazz Combos. I also fell in love with biking, camping and the outdoors (which was a HUGE change from my childhood experiences). I am EXTREMELY excited to meet you, get to know your children and work together to continue the great tradition of the Washington Performing Arts. Things might be a little different, but I am confident that Mr. Shanley and I are similar enough that they won’t be too much different! Thank you for this opportunity and I look forward to joining one of the finest directors, Jim Miller, and working together to continue the great tradition. Brett Messenger messenger.brett@gmail.com Cell: (515) 306-2123
Google News Alert (Jan 10 2012): Norris: District dealt with teacher arrests 'head on' Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier Teachers Mike Lyons and Brett Messenger would have "been warned, double warned, triple warned" in the course of their training and careers about getting sexually involved with students. The Board of Education Monday unanimously terminated the contract ...
Google News Alerts (May 4 2012): Former Iowa teacher expected to plead guilty Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier Black Hawk County prosecutor Linda Fangman told Waterloo television station ... hearing is scheduled June 4 for 26-year-old Brett Messenger, of Waterloo. Former Iowa teacher expected to plead guilty KCAU WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) - Authorities say a former Waterloo teacher accused of having sex ... is scheduled June 4 for 26-year-old Brett Messenger, of Waterloo. Former Iowa teacher expected to plead guilty Quad City Times Authorities say a former Waterloo teacher accused of having sex with a student ... hearing is scheduled June 4 for 26-year-old Brett Messenger, of Waterloo.
Google News Alerts (May 5 2012): Former West High teacher to plead guilty to sex charge Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier FILE PHOTO: Waterloo West High School marching band Co-Director Brett Messenger watches the band at an early morning practice at the Waterloo, Iowa high ... Former Waterloo and Cedar Rapids teacher to plead guilty kwwl.com A former teacher in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids is expected to plead guilty to having sex ... Waterloo police arrested Brett David Messenger, 26, in January. Former West High Teacher to Plead Guilty to Sex Charge KCRG By Belinda Yeung WATERLOO, Iowa --- A former West High band teacher plans to ... Brett David Messenger, 26, was scheduled to plead guilty to a charge of ...
Google News Alerts (June 4 2012): Former Waterloo West band teacher pleads guilty to sexual contact ... Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier Brett Messenger, 26, entered his plea to a single count of felony sexual exploitation by a ... He left in August to take a job at Cedar Rapids schools. Messenger pleads guilty to sex charges kwwl.com A former Waterloo and Cedar Rapids teacher was in court Friday, admitting to having sex with a Waterloo West student. 26-year-old Brett Messenger pleaded ...
