I graduated from Luther College in 1994 with a B.A. in Elementary Education with a reading and early childhood endorsement. I received my Masters from Drake University in 2005. I have been a preschool, K/1 Multi-age, first grade, and an in-class teacher at Moulton since 2001. Before teaching at Moulton I was a preschool teacher for the Des Moines Schools and was also a tutor. I love how excited kids are when they learn something new. I enjoy getting to know kids and what their interests are in and out of school. When I am not at Moulton, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I have a daughter who keeps me busy. I also enjoy traveling and golfing.

I graduated from GrandView College in 2000. My teaching career began in the URBANDALE school district and has included schools in Ohio and North Carolina. My teaching in Des Moines Public Schools started in 2017. I have a Masters degree in Education and Principal Licensure from Viterbo University. Over the years, I have taught at the Secondary, Middle and Elementary levels. It is a privilege to watch students change and grow. The best part of being a teacher is building relationships with students, parents and colleagues. When I am not teaching, I can be found in the woods, having recently finished the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail, or on my motorcycle. My winters are spent doing DIY construction on my home or reading books by the fire. I also have a love of animals and foster for the Animal Rescue League.

Hello! My path to Moulton has come by way of having earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Buena Vista University and a Master of Social Work from my hometown college, the University of Nebraska at Omaha. I spent *just a few* years working in community mental health and substance use before stepping into the world of school social work and I couldn’t be happier to serve at Moulton this year.

This is my second year at Moulton, and my second year as a counselor. I used to be a 5th grade teacher in a small district, but decided I wanted to work in a setting with more kids. I have always been passionate about mental health, especially in children, so I got my degree in school counseling and was accepted for a position at Moulton. I love that I get to spend my day working with amazing kids and families, and supporting them in mental health and general wellness.

Seeing students’ bright smiles and eagerness to learn every morning, is why I teach Fourth Grade. With nine and ten year olds, every day is new adventure! This is my second year teaching fourth grade at Moulton Elementary.  Before that, I was a long term substitute at Howe, Riverwoods, Capitol View, and Garton.   I graduated from Simpson College in 2011 with a degree in Elementary Education, and went on to take graduate classes at Drake University.  I currently have endorsements in math and social studies, and am working on my reading endorsement.  I love teaching because I learn about the world and the unlimited possibilities that 20 young minds bring to me each day.

I am a speech pathologist for DMPS that serves both Moulton and River Woods this year.  I have 3 children …. One lives in LA CA, one in Boston and my youngest just moved to Chicago.  In my spare time I love to read, go to movies and spend time with friends.  I am an active member of Hope Lutheran Church in West DesMoines.  This is my 3rd year at Moulton and I love the students and staff and am so happy to be here!!

Mel began her teaching career while in high school by working in an early childhood center as a teacher’s assistant. She then pursued her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University in Nebraska. Since graduating in 2010 she has taught preschool in Davenport, Iowa, 1st Grade in Fremont, California and Reno, Nevada, and Kindergarten in Tacoma, Washington. She joined the Moulton staff in the Fall of 2020. In her free time she loves to spend time with her son doing anything outside!

I graduated from the University of Iowa in 2011 and began working in Des Moines Public Schools in 2012! I have always wanted to be a teacher and work with children and I have had many amazing influences along the way. I graduated from Drake in 2017 with my masters in culturally responsive curriculum and leadership, and I am currently back at Drake working on my Educational Leadership degree. I have been at Moulton as an interventionist since 2018.