Hello, My name is Carlos Alonzo and I’m the SUCCESS case manager. I graduated from Iowa State University and I have worked at Willard since 2006. I am proud to be part of the Willard family and feel fortunate to be able to work along such an amazing staff, students and their families.
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 the 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!
My name is Mrs. Hildebrand and I started at Willard in 2006. I am currently as a Special Education Associate, and I love working with kids and the great staff we have at Willard, I call my family! My favorite color is purple and I love camping and spending time with my family and friends.
My name is Mary Love and I am the special education consultant. This will be by 24th year in education. I earned by Bachelor’s Degree from University of NE at Omaha in English/Language Arts/Special Education. I have a Master’s Degree in educational administration from Concordia University, Nebraska. I am an adjunct professor in education at Upper Iowa University. I am married and have three children. In my free time I enjoy spending time with them. I am excited to be here at Willard Elementary!
Hello! My name is Grace Reeve and I am the school social worker. I graduated from Drake University with my bachelor’s in public relations and received my master’s in social work from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. My husband and I recently moved back to the Des Moines area after spending 5 years in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. We have a toddler that keeps us very busy and a golden retriever that keeps our toddler busy. Excited to be working at Willard Elementary this year!
Hello, my name is Christine Sikes and this is my 3rd year at Willard, but my 32nd year in Des Moines Public Schools! I received my Specialist degree in School Psychology at Iowa State in 1991. I have served many of the elementary schools in Des Moines over the years and spent 10+ years working with preschool and birth to three. I’m excited to work with everyone again this year!
My name is Jen Vasey and I provide speech-language support for our district students at Willard Elementary , Pleasant Hill Elementary, Brubaker Elementary and St. Joseph Catholic School. This year will be my 12th year at Willard. I enjoy working with the students, staff and families at this school. I’m looking forward to another great year!
I’m Nurse Krysten and I love being the School Nurse at Willard. I have been in school nursing for 5 years and work in the Emergency Department in my “spare” time! I am a wife and mother of two children ages 9 & 5. I graduated with my Registered Nurse and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mercy College of Health Sciences 13 years ago. A few of my favorite things include graphic tees, rainbows, paper mate flair pens, nurse “swag”, coffee mugs/tumblers, Amazon, Target, Rae Dunn, Diet Dr. Pepper, and Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi. As a family, we love spending time outside near the beach or pool, relaxing on our patio and traveling. My office is always open for any questions, concerns or just to chat. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!