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!
Education:
- Iowa State University — Early Childhood Education with endorsements in reading and special education.
DMPS Experience:
- This is my 5th year in DMPS! All of my experience in DMPS have been at Howe! I can’t 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 being outside, shopping, reading, and listening to podcasts and music.
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.
Alejandra Figueroa Zuniga
Special Education Associate
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:
- BS in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa with a minor in special education
DMPS Experience:
- I have been with DMPS for 3.5 years! All of my experience in DMPS have been at Howe! I can’t wait for another year at Howe 😊
Family/Hobbies:
- I love spending time with my fiance, Connor and our dogs, Ghost and Zala. I also enjoy playing sand volleyball, walking my dogs, being outside, and spending time with friends and family.
Education:
- BA in Psychology from the University of Kansas with a minor in Applied Behavioral Sciences
- MS/EdS in School Psychology from Fort Hays University
DMPS Experience:
- I completed my practicum and internship with DMPS and am going onto my 4th official year as a school psychologist with the district.
Family/Hobbies:
- I love spending time with my husband and two dachshunds, baking, cheering on the Jayhawks and Chiefs, reading books, and trying new restaurants.
Hello! I am Jamie Hommer and I’m excited to be in my first year at Howe!
This year marks my 19th year in teaching Special Education, with 7 years being in DMPS. I earned my special education endorsement from Central College and my master’s in special education from Morningside University. My husband and I live on an acreage with our 2 boys, and we like to spend time together outside as much as possible. I also enjoy working out, watching Sprint Cars, and gardening. I look forward to a great year of working with and getting to know students and families in the community of Howe!
Education:
- University of Northern Iowa BA Grand Canyon | University Masters of Reading
DMPS Experience:
- I taught with DMPS for 4 years previously with DMPS, I then taught 1 year in Houston, TX and now am returning for year 6!
Family/Hobbies:
- I love spending time with my fiance, Isaac and our dog, Willow. I also enjoy reading, running and spending time with friends and family.
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:
- 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:
- Northwest Missouri State (BS)
- Viterbo University (Masters)
DMPS Experience:
- I have been with the district for 35 years.
Family/Hobbies:
- I have been married to my husband, Kendall, for 36 years. We have 5 grown children, Austin, Kelsey, Ross, JT, and Jazmine. When I’m not working, I love to read books, take my dogs on walks, and hang out with my 3 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 taught preschool for 1 year and kindergarten for 15 years at Howe
- This will be my 6th year as a reading and math interventionist at Howe
Family/Hobbies:
- My husband, Paul and I have been married 32 years and have three daughters, Bailey, Morgan, Emma and two dogs Roxi and Remi.
- I enjoy spending time with my family and dogs, traveling and being outdoors- hiking, biking, swimming, or kayaking.
- I am looking forward to another wonderful school year.
Education:
- I attended University of Northern Iowa where I graduated with a BA in special education, as well as earning my Masters Degree in Differentiated Instruction through Graceland University.
DMPS Experience:
- I have worked in special education at Merrill Middle School and McKinley Elementary.
Family/Hobbies:
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I have 3 children, all of whom have recently graduated from Urbandale Schools. My parent and siblings all live within 10-30 minutes from me.
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Hobbies: Reading, shopping, watching movies, traveling
Education:
- Drake University – Bachelor of Science in Psychology
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Drake University – Master of Science in Teaching in Elementary Education with endorsements in Reading and Special Education
DMPS Experience:
- This will be my seventh 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 a one-year-old sweet baby girl named Sawyer! We also have a cute and crazy dog named Winnie! 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:
- I received my BA in English from the University of Iowa and my Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa.
DMPS Experience:
- I’ve been working in the Des Moines school district for almost 15 years.
- I am very excited to start my 5th year as the Behavior Strategist at Howe!
Family/Hobbies:
- My husband and I have a 16-year-old, a 10-year-old, and a 3-year-old (and several pets!). I love spending time with family and friends, being outside as much as possible, running with our two dogs, reading, writing, and traveling.
Education:
University of Northern Iowa
- Major: Elementary Education
- Minor: Literacy
Viterbo University
- Masters in Teacher Leadership and Instructional Coaching
DMPS Experience:
- Reading/ Math Interventionist at Monroe
- Reading/ Math Interventionist at Howe
Family/Hobbies:
- My husband and I have a 1-year-old son named Archie
- We have two Goldendoodles named Cooper & Carl
- I love reading, riding my bike, spending time with my family and friends, and swimming!
- I also love to travel, some of my favorite places that I have been include Egypt, Israel, China, Jordan, Iceland, and Greece