Hello! My name is Sarah Carter and I am an instructional coach and behavior strategist at Jackson. I graduated from Iowa State University in 2010 with my B.S. in Elementary Education with endorsements in Social Studies and Coaching. I began working for Des Moines Public Schools as a substitute in January 2011, and was later hired full time as a 5^th grade teacher.  In 2017, I graduated from Drake University with a Masters Degree in Culturally Proficient Leadership and Instruction and an endorsement in Reading/Language Arts as part of the DMPS Blue contract. I transferred to Jackson Elementary in 2016, and I am so grateful that I did—the staff and students here are welcoming, caring, and so fun to be around!

Education

·         Central College – Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, Minor in Special Education/Instructional Strategist

·         Drake University – Master’s Degree in progress

Teaching Experience

·         Morris Elementary 2003(Autism Self-Contained Classroom & 1^st Grade Teacher)

·         Monroe Elementary-1^st Grade Teacher & Instructional Coach

·         Jackson Elementary- Instructional Coach

Student Environment/Class Description

·         I  started at Jackson Elementary in 2019 with our fantastic students, teachers and staff.  As a team, we are improving student learning to be prepared for this 21^st Century World. We want students and staff to feel empowered to learn throughout their school day.  We want students to challenge and push each other thinking. As a team of Jackson Stars we are all Learners and Leaders!

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.

• Teaching Experience
  • Jackson Elementary: 2018 – Present (Grades 2-3)

• Education
  • B.A. Elementary Education with Reading Endorsement – Grand View University, IA
  • In Progress: M.Ed. Administration + Principal Endorsement

Student Environment/Class Description

Students in our class will strive to be their best selves every day. We will work as a team, valuing the strengths that every student has to offer and work to overcome weaknesses together. Teamwork is at the center of how we engage in rigorous tasks, and instill the values needed to create student leaders, who can guide and support others in the class.

Students should enjoy school, and we take pride in ensuring students feel respected by all adults and classmates that are a part of Jackson. Our class is a community we want all students to want to be a part of. Students will take on board values that live on outside of the school environment, and lead by example in their homes and communities.

Hello! My name is Katie Pfannebecker. I received my BA in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics from UNI in December of 2004. I attended school while I was teaching to add a reading endorsement, and again later to get my Reading Recovery Certification.

I have held many roles at Jackson Elementary since I was hired in 2006. I have taught 4th grade, 5th grade, 1st grade, and been an Instructional Coach before settling into my current role as an interventionist.

Student Environment/Class Description

My role as an interventionist gives me the privilege to work with a variety of students ranging from Kindergarten to 5th grade. I provide small group instruction throughout the day that supports children where they are. The goal is to give them an extra boost of instruction that will help close gaps in their learning. Groups are short term and fluctuate throughout the year. I strive to create a community of learners in which students feel loved and challenged to work hard. I want them to love reading and see that hard work pays off.

Hi, Everybody! My name is Marla Sobel, and I am a professional school counselor. I work at Jackson full-time, and I have been lucky enough to be serving Jackson students, families, and staff for almost twenty-eight years (since 1992)! I have been employed by the Des Moines Public Schools since 1986, when I began my educational career as a classroom teacher for the first five years in the district. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Iowa in 1986 and a Master’s degree in School Counseling from Drake University in 1992.

I believe that ALL children have the ability to learn and to become productive, contributing, successful members of society. They also have the ability develop satisfying relationships and to manage their lives/feelings in a way that can bring them joy, fulfillment, and positive regard for themselves and others. It is my job as a counselor to help children learn and develop the skills for social-emotional-behavioral management to help them reach those goals.

EVERY child deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. EVERY child deserves to have a voice. EVERY child needs to be taught how to effectively manage the challenging ups/downs of real life. I hope to touch their lives in a positive way as I work with them in their classrooms, small groups, or individually.