My name is Abby Boruff and I am a 1st Grade Teacher at Moulton. I grew up in Bettendorf and went to college at Iowa State where I graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Special Education. I began my teaching career in the Chicago Public Schools teaching in the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program. I taught in Chicago for 2 years before coming back to Iowa where I taught preschool, Early Childhood Special Ed and Kindergarten in West Des Moines for 9 years before moving to Des Moines Public Schools to teach at The Downtown School. I taught the 5 and 6-year-old multi-age classroom for 2 years before finding my home at Moulton in 2018. While at Moulton, I’ve taught first and second grade. I earned my Master’s Degree in Curriculum Design and Instructional Leadership from Drake University in 2009. When I am not teaching, I love to read, travel, and spend time with my family and friends.
For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a teacher. My passion for teaching really began in 1994-1995 when I was a senior at North High School. I volunteered at King Elementary a few days a week, and it was there that I found the rewards of teaching. I started Grand View College in the fall of 1995. I graduated in December of 1999 with a degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Reading and Early Childhood. I began my career at Moulton teaching 3rd grade in 2000. I am currently an interventionist working with 4th and 5th graders here at Moulton. My husband and I currently live in Ankeny with our children. I am currently working towards earning a masters degree in curriculum and instruction with and ESL endorsement.
I have been teaching for 16 years, and 15 of those years have been at Moulton Elementary. I truly enjoy my position working in Kindergarten and my students here at Moulton. I attended Dowling Catholic High School and then graduated from College of St. Mary.
My teaching career started in Chicago as a preschool teacher for Old St. Patrick’s Parochial School. One year later, in 1990, I took a Kindergarten position with Des Moines Schools at Moulton Elementary. I have been here ever since. I graduated from Simpson College in 1988 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I also received a Master’s Degree in 2000 from Viterbo University. I also have endorsements in Early Childhood and Reading. I am married with two children. My oldest son is a junior at Iowa State University and my youngest son is a senior at Johnston High School. I feel fortunate to be part of the Moulton community. I love teaching the Kindergarten students at Moulton. Every day is a new adventure!
It seems just like yesterday that I was hired at my first teaching position as a fourth grade teacher. That was in 1990 at Central City School District in Central City, Iowa. As a young professional teacher, I wanted to make a difference every day that I would teach. Fast forward 20+ years, teaching first grade, second grade, coaching volleyball and track, switching school districts, teaching literacy and mathematics, preschool, sixth grade, fifth grade and now first grade, I still believe I touch the future every day I teach.
I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls with an elementary education degree and a coaching endorsement. I went back in 2006 to Grandview College to receive my reading endorsement. When my family and I moved to the Des Moines area, I sought a school that follows an extended calendar. The search lead me to Moulton Extended Learning Center in 1999 and helped me expand my learning and teaching to the present. I enjoy every day I can come to school to teach someone, learn something, and have fun.