Hi, my name is Matt Ballman. This will be my 8th year of teaching. I’ve taught at Willard for all eight of those years! I love Willard. I believe that we have the best teachers and students. I’ve taught 2nd and 3rd grade but I am currently a k-5 academic interventionist. I love my job as an interventionist because I am able to work with students from all grades and have the chance to make an impact on many students!
I graduated from Iowa State in 2015 with a degree in Elementary Education. I graduated from Drake University in 2020 with a Masters in Effective Teaching in Urban Education.
When I’m not at school I love spending time with my family. Last year, my wife and I welcomed our first child. We also have two dogs at home. I am a huge Iowa State fan and love to watch my Cyclones!
Welcome to fourth grade! My name is Mrs. Burns and I am one of the 4th grade teachers here at Willard Elementary. I received my elementary education degree from Iowa State University, Go Cyclones! I also received my master’s degree in education from Drake University. This will be my eighth year teaching, seventh year at Willard and third year teaching 4th grade. When not teaching I enjoy spending time with my husband, my daughter, family, friends, reading, and exercising. I look forward to another wonderful year of working with all of the students, families, and staff here at Willard!
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.
I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa (Go Panthers!) with my Bachelors in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education and Morningside University ( Go Mustangs!) with my Masters in Teaching. I also have my Reading and ELL endorsements.
I live a busy life outside of school in West Des Moines with my husband and 3 children. I have a daughter that attends the University of Northern Iowa (Go Panthers!) for Music Education, another daughter in 7th grade, and a son in 4th grade. We are involved with many things Music, Basketball, and Baseball.
Before coming to Des Moines, I taught Preschool, Special Education, and 3rd grade. A fun fact about me is that I graduated from the Des Moines School District. I attended Granger Elementary (now South Union Elementary, Brody Middle School, and Lincoln High School.
My first year in education was 2006, where I started at Willard as a first grade teacher. My whole teaching career has been at Willard Elementary. I have taught kindergarten, first and second grade here over the years. I most recently have been the Mathematics Instructional Coach for the past 3 years. I love Kindergarten! I love watching 4-5 year olds learn to do things independently. The amount of growth in Kindergarten is amazing to watch and I get a front row seat. I’m blessed to work with Willard Kindergartners and their families.
Hello and welcome to Mrs. Dorgan’s first grade classroom! I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa – Go Panthers! When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, shopping and biking the trails around Des Moines.
I love teaching at Willard Elementary because of the amazing staff, students and families. Teaching is such a wonderful responsibility – I truly love what I do! I am incredibly excited to begin this school year with my first grade students!
Hello! My name is Lindsie Hallman and I am the Art Teacher here at Willard. I received my major in Art Education, along with minors in Special Education and Art History, at the University of Northern Iowa. I will be starting my tenth year here at Willard teaching art, I absolutely love the Willard family! Outside of school I enjoy painting, doing crafty projects, and spending time with my family and friends.
This year I start my 18th year in education. During my time I have taught kindergarten, first grade, reading and math interventionist, instructional coach, and assistant principal. This year I will also start my 8th year at Willard. This will be my first year in the special education role.
When I am not at Willard I live in Norwalk with my husband, Weston and our three kids. Kiernan (13), Slate (7) and Berkley (5). We love to golf, hike, spend time outside, and run!
I am super excited for the school year to begin!
Hi!! My name is Miss. Johnson, and I teach 5th grade! This is my fifth year of teaching. I graduated from Iowa State University in 2018 (Go Cyclones!!) with an Elementary Education degree. I have endorsements in Reading, ELA, and Mathematics. In my free time, I like to read, travel, hangout with my family, and cheer on the KC Chiefs! I LOVE animals! I am a fur-mom to three kitties, and one dog named Charli. I am looking forward to another awesome year at Willard!
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a Literacy Endorsement from the University of Northern Iowa and this will be my 10th year teaching at Willard. Willard is an amazing place for students to grow and I am very fortunate to be a part of the amazing staff. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my husband and two sons. We enjoy spending time with our families, watching the Royals, and going on family bike rides.
Hello from Room 205! My name is Katie Neal, and this will be my 12th year at Willard. I have taught 1st grade for 8 of those years, and this will be my fourth year in 2nd grade! I attended the University of Northern Iowa. (Go Panthers!) When I am not teaching, I love traveling to see my family in Oregon, reading, and drinking coffee. I am looking forward to another great year at Willard Elementary!
Hello – My name is Kristin Schaff, and this is my first year teaching! I attended Grand View University where I received my BA in Elementary Education, with ELA and Reading endorsements. I’m excited to be a Willard Wildcat and get to know all of the students and staff. When I’m not at school, I love to do yoga, rollerblade, golf and spend time with my family, my dog June and my cat Kitty.
Welcome to First Grade! My name is Mrs. Tabibi. This is my twenty-sixth year of teaching and my eleventh year at Willard. I feel so lucky to work at Willard because of the wonderful staff and students! I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with degrees in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Go Panthers! Besides teaching, my loves include being with my family, reading, and shopping. I can’t wait to learn and grow with my firsties! We are going to have a great year together!
Welcome to the Peacemaker class!
My name is Sherry Thompkins and I am excited for my eighth year as a second grade teacher at Willard Elementary! I am in my 21st year of teaching and have experience as an
Aurally Handicapped and Special Education educator. As you can see I am passionate about teaching and learning! I also enjoy teaching a cooking class during 21st Century and some of my favorite recipes come from the Willard families and extended families! I am active in multiple leadership roles within our school and love opportunities to grow as a professional.
I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Elementary Education and Special Education with an emphasis in teaching deaf and hard of hearing students.
I later completed my Master’s Degree in Special Education, at Iowa State University.
When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband and adult children. I also enjoy walking, reading, and experimenting with new recipes. My favorite part about being a teacher is watching students become independent thinkers and team players. I love to watch students grow!
Hello! My name is Tyson Valentine and I’m a third year special education teacher. I graduated from Buena Vista University with a degree in physical education in 2016 and have added my special education endorsement onto my license since then. Outside of school I coach baseball, enjoy watching sports, and spending time with friends and family. I’m excited for another great year at Willard!
Hi, I’m Hilary Van Erem! This is my 11th year at Willard. I’ve taught kindergarten, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade. I attended the University of Northern Iowa where I received my BA in Marketing then attended Iowa State University a few years later where I received my BS in Elementary Education with a Reading Endorsement so I could pursue my true passion of teaching children. I was born and raised in Humboldt and now reside in Ankeny with my husband, Nick, and our two kids, Pearl (9) and Eddie (6). We also have a new little teddy bear puppy named Rosie. They keep us busy with all of their sports, piano, and other activities! I love working at Willard for so many reasons, mainly the students and staff. The kids are amazing, and we love what we do here. I can’t wait to make this the best year yet!
My name is Julie Vitek and I have been a teacher at Willard Elementary since 2012. I have been teaching for Des Moines Public Schools since 1991. I graduated from Upper Iowa University and earned my master’s degree from Viterbo University. I have a reading endorsement as well as an ESL-English as a Second Language endorsement. Before coming to Willard, I taught second, third, fourth grades, title reading, and reading recovery. I have a passion for kids, teaching reading and for students from other countries, who speak another language! I enjoy helping students become independent & confident problem solvers. One of my biggest joys is to watch students succeed, and watch them grow from being a non-English or limited English speaker to a student who can understand, speak, read and write in English confidently. My husband and I live in Altoona, and we have two children.
Hello! My name is Peyton Wenger, and I am the K-1 Academic Interventionist here at Willard. I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and an endorsement in K-8 Reading from Central College (Go Dutch!) in 2022. I began my teaching career at Willard in the fall of 2022 and absolutely love it here! We have the best students and staff! While at Willard, I have taught 3rd grade and served as an academic interventionist for both K-5 and now K-1. I am so excited to be working with kindergarteners and 1st graders this year on their reading and math skills! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two fur babies, Esther and Stella, as well as traveling, baking, and reading. Let’s have another amazing year!