Hello Preschool! I am Joanna Braucht, Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) here at Woodlawn Preschool. I have been at Woodlawn as the SLP and before that as an SLP Associate since 2012. I am the mother to two DMPS students, Eden and Sawyer. I am also a proud graduate of 4 DMPS schools. I enjoy gardening, cooking, and being outside. I look forward to serving your preschoolers in a fun and caring way!

“Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.” -David Augsburger

Communication Services Mission: Supporting students, teachers, and families to help all students become competent communicators in an ever-evolving world.

My name is Emily Dickison. I graduated from Iowa State University in 2010 with a degree in Communication Studies. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, going for a walk or bike ride, and crafting. Cheers to a new school year!

Hi, my name is Jodi Harrell! I enjoy being part of the Early Childhood Department where I serve as an Early Childhood Social Worker and Mental Health Consultant. I graduated from Grandview University for my undergraduate degree and the University of Iowa for my master’s degree. I have also been trained in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and I often consult on how to implement PCIT principles in the preschool classroom as well as in the home. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my step-granddaughter, friends, and family; and I love to travel whenever I can.

Hello and welcome to Woodlawn Family! I have been serving as a school nurse with DMPS for more than 25 years. Throughout this time, I have worked with students from high school down to the elementary level. I am fortunate to have joined Woodlawn in 2020, and love working with the preschoolers. I started nursing school at University of Iowa and graduated from GrandView College. My husband and I have two adult sons. I am a proud grandmother of twin boys, Griffon and Gannon, and their beautiful sister Marklyn. I look forward to working with you to keep your preschooler safe and healthy. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can assist in any way

Hi, my name is Erin Loy. I have a Bachelor’s degree from Northern Iowa and my Master’s degree from St. Ambrose University. I have been in the social work field since 2002 and have been with the district since 2017.  I am working at both Woodlawn and Smouse. I love working with the early childhood age and seeing them learn and grow. I am married with 2 young children at home. In my free time I enjoy watching the Hawkeyes and like to spend time with my family. I am very excited to be here and am looking forward to a great and successful year with your children.

Hi, my name is Beth Pattschull and I am one of the Early Childhood Special Education consultants. I have been working in Early Childhood Special Education with Des Moines Public schools since 2002. I enjoy working with this age group and seeing the excitement that learning brings each day. I feel passionate about providing children with experiences to build the foundation for later school success. I am married with two children.

Hi! My name is Brandon Stumberg and I am the SLP at Taylor. I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with an undergraduate degree in Communicative Disorders and a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology. I have been working with preschoolers at Taylor since the building opened in 2014. In my spare time, I enjoy hanging out with family, fishing, golfing, and walking my dogs.

My name is Amanda Wittenberg. I graduated from Grand View University in 2013 with my BSN. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and tending to my many houseplants. I look forward to getting to know your kiddos.