Hi, my name is Matt Ballman. This will be my third year in education and my second year in second grade! I attended Iowa State University (Go Cyclones!!!) and graduated in 2015 with a degree in elementary education with endorsements in history, social studies, reading, and coaching. I believe that Willard is a very special place. We have an amazing staff that puts students first and we have great families in the community! When I’m not teaching, I love to travel, watch (and attend) Iowa State sporting events, and hang out with my dog, Trice!
Hello! I am Brittanee Grove and this will be my 5th year teaching at Willard. I have been a Willard Wildcat my entire teaching career! I am getting married this October so I will become Mrs. Chelleen. I love to read, be outside, and watch the Cubs play baseball!
Hello! My name is Katie Clater and I am the Teaching and Learning Instructional Coach at Willard Elementary. I started my teaching career in 2003, working as a middle school special education teacher at Moulton Extended Learning Center with Des Moines Schools. After teaching special education for three years at Moulton, I left the district and went to work for Carlisle Community School District. While in Carlisle, I taught both special and general education, ranging from fourth through sixth grade. I returned to the Des Moines Public Schools in 2011 and taught fourth grade at Willard Elementary before transitioning to instructional coaching.
I love teaching at Willard because we have the BEST students and teachers in the Des Moines area!!! All students and teachers come to school with a passion to learn!
In my spare time, you will find me enjoying time with my husband and three children. My children keep me very busy with sporting activities and their love for the outdoors! I also love to travel, work in my flower gardens and read.
My first year in education was 2006, where I started at Willard as a first grade teacher. I have taught kindergarten, first and second grade here over the years. I am in my 2nd year as a Mathematics Instructional Coach. My passion for mathematics started in college where I graduated from with a mathematics endorsement and continued into my graduate studies work. I am overjoyed and blessed with the opportunity to share my love for math with teachers and students at Willard!
Hi! My name is Tina Fulton. I have been teaching for over 30 years – in the classroom as a Preschool and 2nd Grade Teacher, and out of the classroom as a Reading Recovery Teacher and Title I Interventionist. I received my BA Degree in Education from the University of Northern Iowa and my Masters Degree from Viterbo University. I also hold endorsements in Early Childhood Education and Reading and am trained in Reading Recovery. As you might guess, kids and reading are my passions!
When not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, walking my 2 sweet dogs, traveling, cheering on my favorite sports teams and reading, of course!
My name is Patty and I am a part-time interventionist here at Willard. The leadership and climate at Willard are one of the many reasons I landed here. I got my undergraduate degree in elementary education and early childhood education from The Pennsylvania State University. I taught on the east coast for five years before returning to my home state of Iowa. Before I left I got my masters degree in reading/curriculum and Instruction at George Mason University in Virginia. I’ve done lots of stuff in education-some in schools and some out of schools. I own a store called be. that is a youth-focused retail business. I also work at Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines helping to organize the youth group. In my free time I like to travel. Anywhere. And if they are willing, I love hanging out with my kids who are in their late teens and twenties