Meet HeatherHeather is a lifelong resident of Des Moines and is excited to approach the school board from the unique perspective of teacher, parent, and former student. She has been a teacher to students from preschool to third grade and understands the variety of viewpoints necessary in ensuring that our schools can be the best they can be. She is the only board member in the classroom teaching every day; an experience necessary on a board that decides policy not just for students, but also teachers and staff. She knows how things work in the classroom and that accessibility matters.
Heather began teaching in 2001 at Montessori Childrens' House, proceeding to Cowles Montessori, Iowa’s only public Montessori school and a DMPS school until 2014 when she began teaching K2 at Walnut Hills elementary in the Waukee School District. While at Cowles she quickly developed a reputation as somebody who got things done. She established or helped run the Running Club, Science Club, Student Council, Garden Club, Programming Club, Science Fair, Environmental Day, and a schoolwide mock election. She has recently received her M.A. from Viterbo University and holds a B.A. from Upper Iowa University. On the board, she has been a tireless independent voice for students, parents, and teachers, unafraid to cast votes standing up for workers and students of color even when it goes against establishment wishes. As well, she has served as Chair of the Community Legislative Action Team, and has not only continued its mission of pressing hard at the Capitol for funding but made it more accessible to people in communities across the district. In her next term, she hopes to continue fighting for these issues and expand representation by actually including student voices in the board process through an advisory seat at the table. |
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Awards2015 NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence Recipient
2014 ISEA Excellence in Education 2013 Iowa Teacher of the Year Finalist ·2010 Healthy Iowa Awards: Cowles Montessori: Recipient of “Healthy Iowa School Award.” |
Career2014-Present: Walnut Hills Elementary. K-2 Teacher (Waukee)
·2005-2014: Cowles Montessori. Montessori Lower Elementary Teacher. 2001-2005: Montessori Children’s House. Lead Teacher, Kindergarten |
Grants2014 - Highlights
$4,500 Iowa Department of Ag. (Walnut Hills) Farm to School Chapter $5,000 The NEA Student Achievement Grant “Connecting Students to Agriculture” + Four Additional Grants 2013/14 - Highlights $3,500 Governor’s STEM Scale-up Grant Carolina Biological Supply Co. $3,240 Governor’s STEM Scale-up Grant Engineering is Elementary (EiE) + Eight Additional Grants 2012 - Highlights $5,000 "Minds of Tomorrow" $4,900 Fuel up to Play 60 (5k run, healthy/fitness fun night, recess) $2,000:Metro Waste Authority (2 grants- garden/prairie) + Three Additional 2011/2010 $7,310 Iowa Dept of Agriculture Cowles Montessori became an approved Farm to School Chapter $2,000 Iowa Grocery Industry Association "Build With Bags": |
PassionsHer Husband & Five Teenagers (All Attending Roosevelt High School)
Her Chickens & Bees Water Conservation Community Development |