My name is Katie Barry and I have been working as the Success Case Manager at Jackson since 2010.  I love working with the staff and students at Jackson as this is such a special building in Des Moines!  Please contact me with any concerns or needs you may have.

My name is Suzie Curry and I have been a speech pathologist at Jackson since I joined the district in 2005.  Jackson is the one school that I have consistently worked at since joining Des Moines Public Schools.  This is “home” to me!  I enjoy working with the kids and their families to help them overcome their communication difficulties.  The greatest work accomplishment for me is to know that I have made a difference in a child’s life, no matter how great or small.  I live in Johnston, with my husband and our 2 awesome daughters who are ages 7 and 10.

My name is Katie Pfannebecker.  I received my BA in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics from UNI.  I subbed for DMPS until I was hired as an interim teacher at Jackson Elementary.  I loved it at Jackson and became a full time teacher the following year.  Since then I have taught 1st, 4th, and 5th grade. I am very excited to be a TLC Coach this year because I believe that one of Jackson’s unique qualities is how our staff pulls together to make sure everyone can be successful.  I can’t wait to have the chance to work with students at a variety of grade levels and see the teachers work their magic!

When I am not at school, you will find me at home with my family.  I enjoy board games, cards, curling up with a good book, snuggling with my boys, and traveling.  My husband, Michael, and I have been married since 2006. We have two boys that keep us on our toes.  Espen will be starting kindergarten this year.  His current fascination is drawing pictures and finding objects that he can tape or glue to them.  He is also fond of books and full of questions.  Aiden will be three this year, he loves playing catch, action figures, and food.  If he had a super hero power, it would be his ability to detect when someone is preparing food.

I look forward to getting to know your students and working closely with all of our wonderful teachers!

External Links- www.spellingcity.com (Need a fun way for kids to practice their spelling words? Try this site!)

I’m really happy to be teaching at Jackson School. I’ve taught in Des Moines for 25 years. I’ll be teaching Reading Recovery as well as reading strategies to students in small groups.

Some of my favorite things are cooking, flower gardening, reading and spending time with my family.

My hope for children is that they always have a favorite book and a desire to read.

I have worked in the Des Moines Public Schools since 1986.  I was an elementary classroom teacher and middle school teacher for my first five years in the district.

After earning my Master’s Degree in School Counseling at Drake University in 1992, I became the full-time counselor at Jackson Elementary.  I have been here ever since! I love the Jackson students, families, and staff.  Every day I walk through these doors, I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with such amazing people.

My husband (Phil) and I have been married for for twenty-five years, and we have two wonderful teenage children.  We have two hilarious, loving dogs– Zoe, a black standard poodle, and Ollie, a Newfoundland mix. When I’m not working, my hobbies include:
writing children’s stories, singing, reading, and goofing off in any way possible.

My dream is to someday have a house that is as neat and organized as the fantasy one that exists in my brain.

Classroom Guidance – taught by Marla Sobel, Counselor

Classroom Guidance lessons are taught to all K-5 students at Jackson.  A good education includes not only learning to read, write, and do math, but learning good social skills and life skills that will also help them be successful at school and in the workplace.

Guidance lessons follow the Des Moines Public Schools comprehensive curriculum and teach skills such as: getting along with other people, making good decisions, controlling anger, accepting responsibility, staying safe, being aware of one’s strengths/weaknesses, handling stress, developing effective study skills, understanding the world of careers, etc.

As the counselor, I am also available to help students who are facing particular life difficulties.   Such family disruptions as illness, death, divorce, incarceration or substance abuse may affect your child’s progress in school.  I am available to counsel students individually or in groups, should that be necessary.   School staff and parents can make referrals for counseling.  If you have any concerns about your child that you would like to discuss with me, feel free to call me at school.  I can be reached at 242-8415.