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.

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 4^th 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.

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 6^th 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:

• 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.
• Hobbies: Reading, shopping, watching movies, traveling

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 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 5^th 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