First year in education: 1993
First year at Downtown School: 2011
Path that led you to DTS: I taught 6th grade for 7(ish) years; 2 years at Martensdale-St. Mary’s and 5 years in West Des Moines (Rex Mathes). I have always been the literacy teacher. I took 10 years away from public education to raise my sons, however I did write curriculum for Sunday School and taught preschool part time. I was also a free-lance artist and muralist during that time. I was approached by John Johnson to teach 4-5th at DTS in 2011 and I’ve remained here ever since.
Favorite thing about Downtown School or education: The spontaneity/creative of my day and teaching my love of words and literature.
College(s) attended: Iowa State University
Year started in education: 2007
Year started at Downtown School: 2017
Path that led me to DTS: I was a late bloomer when it came to my career path. I wanted to explore life and have some real life experiences before I decided to dedicate my life to education. I graduated in 2006. I knew that I wanted to work for the best school district in the state, DMPS. I was hired on as a special education teacher in Jan. of 2007 at Jackson Elementary. The next school year I was assigned Willard and Findley Elementary as a 3-5 special education teacher. I stayed full time at Findley as a special education teacher until 2012, when I left special education and went into the classroom as a 4th grade teacher. I stayed teaching 4th grade at Findley until 2017. During the summer of 2017, DTS had an opening for another special education teacher. I made the decision to go back into special education at the Downtown School. I stayed in this role until fall of 2020, when a 4-5 grade level position opened up. From 2021 to have taught upper elementary students at DTS. Starting the 2023-2024 school year I’m back to my jam of just teaching 4th grade.
Favorite thing about Downtown School or education: The best part of DTS is the community and our building location. Getting to know families and having them become part of the learning community, utilizing our beautiful city by bringing education to life in the real world.
College(s) attended: Drake University