My name is Manal. I am married and have three kids. This is my first year here at Taylor. I worked at Mercy Daycare for five years and still work there part time. My first language is Arabic. I am the special education associate in the classroom.

Hello! My name is Linda Bartlett. I am an ECSE Associate with Miss Amber. I received my degree from Southern California College of Optometry and was enrolled at the University of Iowa in Early Childhood Education. I have been a lead and associate preschool teacher since 1999. I am married with two children and have two cats and a dog.

My name is Kristen Burkett, and I am honored to be a Pre School teacher. This is my 7th year with Des Moines Public Schools. Schools I have worked at have been Moulton Elementary, Jessie Franklin Taylor, and I am so excited to be here at Woodlawn education center. I am heavily involved within the community and love interacting with people. I graduated from DMACC with an Associate Degree in Human Services. I also graduated from Upper Iowa University with my Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services.

My name is Maria Chiovaro and I will be the Head Start associate in your child’s class this year. I have an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Development and lots of experience with children. At home I have a husband and four wonderful daughters, a dog, and a cat. In my free time I enjoy reading, especially non-fiction books, and memoirs. I also enjoy baking and crafts/decorating. I am very excited to start the school year and look forward to meeting you and your child!

Hello! My name is Ms. Shauna and I will be your child’s preschool associate this year. I am married to my best friend, Andrew. We have a son, Matthew. As a teaching team, we are very excited to work with your children! I currently have my Para-educator in Early Childhood. It is very important to us to grow with continuing education as well. I have been with Des Moines Public Schools for 16 wonderful years!

Hello. My name is Yvonne Gallegos. I have worked with preschool children for the last 20-plus years. I am a certified Para Educator. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I have three sons and eight grandchildren. We have family dinners every Sunday. I also love going to the movies, working on a variety of puzzles and relaxing strolls in the park. I am looking forward to working with your children this year. There are so many new things to learn and explore. I can’t wait to share all of our new experiences with you. If you ever have any questions or concerns please feel free to come in and talk to me or any of the staff in our room. We are here to make our students and families first classroom experience a positive and memorable one.

My Name is Laura Garwick, but my students call me Miss Laura. I have been an associate teacher with Des Moines Public Schools since March of 2020. I graduated from Faith Baptist Bible College in 2016 with an Associate of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies. When I am not at school, I enjoy playing basketball (or any other sport), doing projects on my house, spending time with my friends, serving with the youth at my church, and getting baby time with my two best friend’s babies. My family is also a big part of my life. I enjoy spending time with my parents and my two older brothers!! Fun Fact: I have seen every (main studio) animated Disney movie ever made! I look forward to getting to know your students and your family this school year.

Hello and welcome to McKee! My name is Miss Julie. I have been employed with Des Moines Public Schools since 1999. I have a Child Development Associate Credential. Thank you for bringing your child to McKee.

Hi! I am Lisa Jackson. I am the early childhood special education associate in the Teapot Room.  I have a B.S. in Elementary Education from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Fall of 2017 is the start of my sixth year with DMPS and Woodlawn Preschool.  In my free time I like to go to Gray’s Lake and almost any coffee shop, as well as spend time with family and friends in the community, or at home playing board games or cards.

I am married with two grown children. I have a granddaughter and a grandson that I love spending time with. I enjoy scrapbooking, shopping, walking, and spending time with friends and family.

My name is Caitlin Kelly and I have been the Associate Teacher in the UPK classroom with Miss Angela since 2018. I grew up in Iowa; originally receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Drake University.  In 2009, I moved to Colorado with my boyfriend (now husband) and two pugs where I earned my Early Childhood Teacher certification and began working in daycare, elementary schools, and eventually a Teacher and Assistant Director. I moved back to Iowa in 2016, and have been here ever since!  In addition to my education background, I am a licensed esthetician and certified make-up artist. My other hobbies include bodybuilding and weightlifting, thrifting, cycling, hiking, fashion, and everything 80s. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and quirks with your children, and teaching them new and valuable skills in the classroom, as well as for everyday life!

Hi, my name is Rosie Kingkade. I am the Lead Associate in the EDP room. This is my sixth year back with DMPS and my sixth year at Mitchell. I previously worked for DMPS for a little over nine years, 6 years in Early Childhood Special Education and a little over 2 years as a Family Advocate. I left the district after earning my Bachelor’s in Social Work and worked for a private agency for a couple of years. I have been married for 34 years, and my husband and I have two grown boys. I love animals, and currently have three dogs and a chinchilla. I am so excited for this school year and look forward to working with your kids! Welcome to Mitchell EDP!

Hello! My name is Teresa. I love going on vacation and have traveled to Europe, Asia and Africa. I love the beach. I am excited to be with preschool kiddos full time! I got my early childhood education degree from Drake University. Before that I got a degree in Japanese from the University of Iowa.

Hello! My name is Amanda Lang and I am an associate in a UPK classroom here at Woodlawn. In 2006 I graduated with my B.S. in Elementary Education and started working for DMPS in 2014. My husband and I have been married for 15 years and we have a daughter, Kara. We have a love for pets in our home and currently have two cats, two bearded dragons, and one hamster. As a family we love spending time swimming, taking walks and watching movies. I look forward to another exciting year at Woodlawn!

I’m married, we have three grown children and three grandsons that keep me busy. I enjoy time with my family. I like to travel and bike ride.

Hi, welcome to Taylor, I’m Miss Lee. I am thrilled to have the pleasure to learn and work with preschoolers. I have my Early Childhood Development Associate credential. I have been working in Early Childhood since 2007. I have a son who I enjoy playing board games with, doing karaoke, and watching him grow. I like spending time with my family and friends. I am ready to learn, have fun, and be creative

My name is Erin Munoz and I am the Head Start associate in the Humpty Dumpty classroom. My fiancé and I have 3 kids; Mia, 18, Tysone, 15 and Ashton, 9. I have been with the preschool program for 6 and a half years. I look forward to meeting your child and watching them grow throughout the year.

My name is Logan Oliveira and I am the Special Education associate. I have been with the district for about 9 years. I have a daughter named Hailey, 5, and a 1 year old son named Knight. I am so excited to meet your kiddos and watch them grow and learn.

My name is DyAnn (Ms.DyDy) and I am Ms. Janet’s teacher associate. I have been working with the Des Moines Public Schools forever in early childhood classrooms. Before that I did home daycare for 18 years. I have been married for 45 years to my high school sweetheart and we have two adult children: Our son Scott works in Newton. Our daughter BrieAnn is a high school biology teacher. Her husband Jeramie is a firefighter for Des Moines. Together they have three beautiful daughters that keep us very busy with different sports. I also work at the Indianola YMCA. I am looking forward to having your child in our classroom this year!!

I’m Cathy Parsons, I’m married and have three boys and five grandchildren, with another one arriving this spring! They are the joy in my life and I enjoy spending my free time with them. I am an Early Childhood Special Ed associate and have been for many, many years. I enjoy the challenges preschoolers bring and I can’t wait to share my love of reading with them. I am looking forward to a really great year!

My name is Bertha Perez, I am the Teacher Associate for Mrs. Crowdis’ class. This is my 7th year working in Early Childhood and my 2nd year working for Des Moines Public Schools. I have a Bachelor Degree in Education from Mexico. I have a husband, who I have been married to for 11 years. I also have two kids, a 10 year old girl named Gisele and a 4 year old boy named Diego. I love dancing, reading, cooking, and spending time with my family. I enjoy working with children in preschool and seeing how their knowledge and skills grow throughout the year.

Hi there! My name is Laura Stamper and I am the Head Start Associate in your child’s classroom! This is my first year with the Des Moines Public School district and I couldn’t be more excited to be working with your children. I graduated from Des Moines Area Community College with an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I have been working with children for 10 years in different centers around the Des Moines area ages birth to five. Some fun facts about me are I enjoy spending time with friends and family, my two nieces Evey and Lily, and my dog Eve. I love playing softball whenever I can or just being outside. I am so looking forward to working with you all!

I am excited to know your child! Its going to be a great year! I have been a teacher associate for 14 years and this is my 10th year with DMPS. I have been married for 26 years, have 3 kids, and a son-in-law. I love going on walks, spending time with my family, eating Mexican food, drinking coffee, and Reece’s Peanut Butter cups!