Education:

• University of Iowa (BS in Psychology)
• Drake University (MS in School Counseling)

DMPS Experience:

• This is my first year with DMPS and I am so excited to get to know the Howe Community! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding the school counseling program.

Family/Hobbies:

• I have a huge golden retriever who is named Willis. In my free time, I enjoy reading, being out in nature, and spending time with my friends and family.

Education:

• I received my bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Buena Vista University. I also have my reading and social studies endorsements. I have been teaching for nine years, 7 of those years were in 2^nd grade.

DMPS Experience:

• I joined the Des Moines district in 2021 teaching 1^st grade at Jefferson Elementary.

Family/Hobbies:

• When I am not working I enjoy reading, biking, and spending time with my daughter and puppy. We have fun going for walks, going to museums and watching movies together.

Education:

• Simpson College – Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Reading, Early Childhood, Special Education
• Viterbo University – Master’s in Educational Leadership

DMPS Experience:

• I have been with DMPS since 2009.  I taught 2nd grade and kindergarten at Park Avenue Elementary before coming to Howe.

Family/Hobbies:

• My husband and I have two children, Adaline and Bryson and we have two cats, Matilda and Maggie. As a family, we enjoy being outside, cheering on the Cyclones and spending time with family and friends.

Education:

• University of Minnesota (BA in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences and Spanish studies)
• University of Northern Iowa (MA in Speech-Language Pathology)

DMPS Experience:

• This is my third year at DMPS working with students and families on the southside of Des Moines.  Prior to working at DMPS, I provided speech therapy for children at an outpatient clinic.

Family/Hobbies:

• My family and I love spending time outside and exploring parks and trails with our two German Shepherd dogs!

I am so very excited to join the Howe family!

My educational career started in my hometown of Marion, Iowa, at Starry Elementary school where I decided I was going to be a teacher after being in Mrs. Parman’s kindergarten class. I attended undergraduate at Cornell College, and had post graduate experience at Drake, Morningside, and Viterbo.

While serving in DMPS, I’ve had the opportunity to wear several hats, as a Professional Learning Facilitator, and as a special education consultant, a behavior interventionist, and a teacher before that. Regardless of the role, my core values have always aligned with service, equity, and disruption. I have worked with the intention to dedicate my career to advocacy, activism, and continued growth toward equitable outcomes for all learners. 

My preferred pronouns are she, her, hers. I live on the south side of Des Moines – the land of Sauk and Meskwaki, with my husband, Derek, and our new puppy, Durby. Outside of school, we are often with friends and family, bike riding, camping, traveling, eating good food, and listening to good music. I also love reading, working out, being in the sunshine, my birthday, a cozy snowstorm, and Iowa Hawkeye football.

Education:

• Iowa State University — Early Childhood Education with endorsements in reading and special education.

DMPS Experience:

• This is my 4^th year in DMPS! All of my experience in DMPS have been at Howe! I cant wait to take on another year with all the amazing students and families at Howe 😊

Family/Hobbies:

• When I am not at school I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I also like volunteering and being active in the community. Some activities I enjoy the most are traveling, being outside, cleaning/organizing, shopping, and listening to podcasts/music.

Education:

• Iowa State University (BS in Elementary Education/Science)
• Iowa State University (Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership)

DMPS Experience:

• I have been teaching with DMPS since 1997.

Family/Hobbies:

• My husband and I have three kids. We have two girls and a boy. We currently have no pets, but my youngest daughter is working hard to change that! I love to travel, enjoy the great outdoors, go for walks and spend time with my family and friends.

Hello, my name is Bronson Carpenter, and this is my first year at Howe! This is actually my very first year of teaching as I just graduated from Simpson College this past Spring! I grew up in Corydon, Iowa, a small town in southern Iowa and attended Wayne Community Schools. In my free time I enjoy spending time with the people I love most, as well as my dog, Archie! I am looking forward to teaching your children life long skills on how to live a healthy physical, mental, and social life!

Education:

• The University of Applied Arts and Sciences
• Düsseldorf Germany (Masters in Art and Design)

DMPS Experience:

• This is my first year in DMPS! I previously taught in the Twin Cities for 6 years.

Family/Hobbies:

• We just moved back to Iowa and are originally from Southeast Iowa. My family loves art, design and food. My husband, our two daughters and I love to bike, garden and be creative! We used to have bees and chickens, although our current pet is a dog named Ruben who is super sweet.

Hi! I am so happy that I get to be your 1^st grade teacher this year! I love teaching at Howe. This is my 2^nd year at Howe and 6^th year of teaching. I live on the Southside of Des Moines, and I am a Lincoln alum. Go Rails! I graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in English and Communication Studies. Then I graduated from Upper Iowa University with a degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Reading and Language Arts. I received my Masters degree in Literacy and Reading Specialist endorsement from Drake University. I spend time outside of school with my husband and two daughters. I love to cook, garden, and run outside.

Education:

• Iowa State University

DMPS Experience:

• I been with DMPS for 26 years.

Family/Hobbies:

• I am married with 2 children. When I am not at school, I enjoy traveling with family and friends.

Education:

• Wartburg College (BA Elementary Education/Early Childhood)

DMPS Experience:

• I have been teaching with DMPS since 2012.

Family/Hobbies:

• I love spending time with my family and friends. I got married in June 2014. My husband and I enjoy watching movies, taking our German Shepard for walks and runs, and watching the Philadelphia Eagles play. I enjoy participating in organized races, such as, the Hy-Vee Triathlon, Market to Market, and the Des Moines Half Marathon. I would love to work up to a whole marathon.

Education:

• Wartburg College (BA in Elementary Education with Reading and Coaching Endorsements
• Drake University (MA in Educational Leadership)

DMPS Experience:

• I started teaching in 2007.  After teaching first grade for ten years, I started working as an Instructional Coach here at Howe.

Family/Hobbies:

• I enjoy being outside hiking, golfing, running or playing with my daughter.  I love doing crafts and restoration projects for others. I enjoy doing group running events and figuring out new ways to solve problems.

Education:

• Upper Iowa University (BA Elementary Education)
• Upper Iowa University (Reading Endorsement)
• West Des Moines Dowling Catholic High School
• Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary/Middle School

DMPS Experience:

• I have taught 5th grade at Howe Elementary since the fall of 2007.
• I was a substitute teacher at Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School during the spring of 2007

Family/Hobbies:

• I am married to my husband, Joel,  and have 4 children, Ashton, William, Mila, and Gwendolyn
• I enjoy spending time outside gardening and playing basketball and baseball with my family.
• I coach middle school boys basketball.
• I am a huge Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs fan!

Education:

• Simpson College (BA)

DMPS Experience:

• I started substitute teaching in 1997.  I have been a 5th grade teacher here at Howe since fall of 1998.

Family/Hobbies:

• Enjoys spending time with family and friends
• Likes to read
• Loves Hawkeye football and basketball

Education:

• I attended Valley High School
• I graduated with my GED in 1996

DMPS Experience:

•  I started working for DMPS in 2016.
• I am happy to start my sixth year here at Howe as the Metro Kids Supervisor!

Family/Hobbies:

•  I enjoy traveling and watching movies. I spend almost every weekend hanging out with my grandkids!

Education:

• Iowa State University (BS in Education with endorsements in Reading and English as a Second Language)

DMPS Experience:

• I student taught at Jackson Elementary
• After graduating college in 2017 I became a long-term substitute at Howe Elementary for 5th grade and special education
• This will be my 4th year at Howe, two years as 3rd grade and two years as 4th grade

Family/Hobbies:

• I am originally from the Chicagoland area where most of my family still lives. I love all Chicago sports teams, especially the Bears and Cubs. I got married this last October in Iowa City. I have a dog named Jax who we love to take on walks around Des Moines. In my free time I love playing indoor and sand volleyball, fishing, and eating good food!

Education:

• Des Moines Area Community College and Iowa State University  GO CYCLONES!!!!

DMPS Experience:

• I have been teaching ELL with DMPS since 2009

Family/Hobbies:

• I have a husband and two children.  My family loves animals.  We have two mini pigs, a rabbit, and fish.  We love hockey, traveling, movies, being outside, and anything where we are spending time with family.

Education:

• University of Northern Iowa (BA Early Childhood/ Elementary Education Early Childhood Special Education Reading Endorsement)

DMPS Experience:

• Before staying at home with my children, I taught Kindergarten at St. Joseph Elementary for 8 years. I was a substitute for Des Moines, Southeast Polk and Bondurant.  I was hired by Des Moines in 2016 as the Reading/ Math K-3 Interventionist at Howe. This year I will be staying at Howe as a second grade teacher.

Family/Hobbies:

• When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time with my large family. My husband and I have been married now for 17 years. We stay very busy attending our kids activities! They are involved in soccer, wrestling and dance and we love supporting them! When we are not busy with kid activities, I enjoy going photography, camping, cooking, swimming, new adventures, bike riding, trying new restaurants, reading and traveling.

Education:

• Upper Iowa University (BA Elementary Education/Reading and English-Language Arts)
• Upper Iowa University (Master in Education with an ESL emphasis)
• ELL Endorsement

DMPS Experience:

• I have been with DMPS since 2012.  I was a substitute teacher and did long-term subbing at the Downtown School and Howe.  I began teaching at Howe in 2013.

Family/Hobbies:

• When I’m not at school, I enjoy going for bike rides, swimming, boating, reading and cooking. In November 2015 I welcomed twins, Hadley and Hendrick. I love spending time reading to them, cuddling and watching them grow!

Education:

• Grand View University- BA in Music Education

DMPS Experience:

• I’ve taught in DMPS since 2017 supporting Brubaker, Garton, and Samuelson music departments. I am so excited to be at Howe!

Family/Hobbies:

• I live in Altoona with my husband and two daughters. We also have two big dogs and two cats. I love leisurely time with my family, although we are busy and rarely have leisure time! I love to travel, swim, and go to music performances.

Education:

• Northwest Missouri State (BS)
• Viterbo University (Masters)

DMPS Experience:

• I have been with the district for 33 years.

Family/Hobbies:

• I have been married for 34 years. My husband’s name is Kendall and we have five children: Austin, Kelsey, Ross, JT, and Jazmine. When I am not at school, I enjoy attending reading, walking my 2 dogs, and spending time with my very cute granddaughters!

Education:

• Iowa State University (BS in Child, Parent, Community Service)
• Upper Iowa University (BA in Elementary  Education, Early Childhood and Reading Endorsement)
• Viterbo University (Masters in Education)

DMPS Experience:

• I started with DMPS in the fall of 2002.  I have taught  preschool and  kindergarten for the district
• This will be my second year as a reading and math interventionist.

Family/Hobbies:

• Paul and I have three daughters, Bailey, Morgan and Emma.
• I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling and being outdoors- hiking, biking, swimming, or kayaking.
• My favorite place to be is the warm, sunny beach.

Education:

• University of Northern Iowa (BA in Elementary Education)

DMPS Experience:

• I am a first year teacher! Before graduating in December 2021, I student taught at Greenwood Elementary School here in Des Moines.

Family/Hobbies:

• I enjoy being outdoors hiking, running, fishing, or golfing. I also love to cook and try new food.

Education:

• Drake University – Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Drake University – Master of Science in Teaching in Elementary Education with endorsements in Reading and Special Education

DMPS Experience:

• This will be my sixth year of teaching, all of which have been in Special Education at Howe!

Family/Hobbies:

• I am married to my husband, Erik, and we have one cute puppy together. Her name is Winnie! We also have a baby girl on the way! When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending as much time outside as possible; running, having campfires, going on walks to get ice cream, and spending time with friends and family. I also love to read, cook, watch movies, and travel whenever I can!

Education:

• Upper Iowa University (BA)

DMPS Experience:

• I started with DMPS in the fall of 2011.  Prior to teaching, I worked at Principal Financial Group.
• I have taught fourth grade for 7 years at Howe.  I currently am teaching fifth grade.  Prior to teaching, I volunteered at Howe for two years.

Family/Hobbies:

• I love yoga, biking, reading, and spending time with my family.  Rich and I have two sons and 1 daughter: Jacob, Austin and Abby.  We became grandparents in 2018!

Education:

• Drake University, Des Moines Iowa
• Upper Iowa University (BA Elementary Education, Reading and Language Arts Endorsements)

DMPS Experience:

• I have been with DMPS since 2013, supporting students at Walnut Street Elementary School and Goodrell Middle School. I began teaching at Howe Elementary January 2017. I have taught 4th and 2nd grade at Howe.

Family/Hobbies:

• I enjoy spending time with my four children and husband.  I also enjoy playing tennis and a member of several USTA teams in the Des Moines area. Other hobbies include bike riding, swimming, and walking my two dogs!

Trenton Williams is a global educator and graduate of Lincoln High School, Class of 2000, where he was valedictorian, commencement speaker and student body president. Go, Rails!

Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and French from Luther College in Decorah, IA, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He holds a master’s in educational leadership from the State University of New York in Buffalo, NY. Williams also completed an education specialist degree at Drake University.

Before coming to work for Des Moines Public Schools in 2015, Williams spent 11 years teaching abroad; two years teaching at the Dubai American Academy, United Arab Emirates; seven years at the Singapore American School, Southeast Asia; and two years at the International School of Stavanger, Norway. For the past four years, he has served as an interventionist at McKinley Elementary and a Released Dean at Jackson Elementary.