Hi my name is Laurie Bennett. I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with my bachelors in elementary education and completed my masters from Viterbo University. I have been teaching in the Des Moines School District for 21 years. I have taught kindergarten and fourth grade as well as been an instructional coach. I joined the Capitol View team in 2015 as a math and reading interventionist. Working with students who need a little extra help in reading and math is my passion. Seeing kids grow and learn is so rewarding! Outside of school of school I like spending time with my husband and two boys as well as friends and family.

Welcome to Room 216! My name is Kelli Bosch and I am one of the 4th grade teachers at Capitol View. It is a joy and a privilege to learn and grow each day with your child. Thank you for sharing them with us! I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a Reading Endorsement from Iowa State University. I also obtained a Master of Education degree in Administration with a Principal’s Endorsement from Northwestern College. When I am not at school, I spend my time with my husband cheering on our five children with their school, work, and sporting activities. Please contact me at any time with any questions or concerns. Looking forward to working with you and your child this school year!

I have been teaching orchestra in Des Moines Schools since 2000. I have experience teaching band and choir as well. I have lived in or near Des Moines my whole life, and even went to college here at Drake University. Outside of school I enjoy playing trumpet, riding motorcycles, and traveling.

Welcome to fourth grade! My name is Melanie Burdick. I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in Elementary Education with a Reading Minor. This is the start of my seventh year of teaching and my fourth year at Capitol View. I love fourth grade. Outside of school, I keep busy with my family and dogs. We enjoy anything outdoors. I also really enjoy reading, and painting. Please contact me with any questions or concerns. Thank you for allowing me to work with your amazing students. I am excited for a great year.

Hi! My name is Angel Carman and I am so excited to be starting my 6th year at Capitol View. This will be my 21st year of teaching and I absolutely love it! I began my teaching career at Moulton, as a 1st grade teacher, for 5 years. I then went to Cattell Elementary for 10 years, where I taught 1st grade, was an academic interventionist, and spent my last 4 years there teaching 3rd grade. I joined CV as a 3^rd grade teacher, but this year, I have moved into the 4^th grade classroom!  Teaching is one of my greatest joys!

I graduated from Grand View in 2000 with my elementary education degree and an endorsement in reading. Several years later, I went back to school and got my master’s in education from Morningside in 2012. I just finished my ELL endorsement this summer!  When I am not teaching, I love spending my time with my family, my daughter Josie, and my son Cole. I am looking forward to a wonderful year with your child…thank you for sharing him/her with me!

Hello! My name is Emily Case and I am one of the fourth grade teachers at Capitol View. I graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Elementary Education and endorsements in reading and social studies. I have also graduated from Drake University with my master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and kids! I am so excited to have the privilege of teaching your students this year!

My name is Sherry Clingman.  I love working at Capitol View as an interventionist.  I have taught in the Des Moines Public Schools for 25+ years.  I have taught Kindergarten-2^nd grade and Reading Recovery.  I have my undergraduate degree from NMSU (now Truman State University) and my masters from Drake.  In my free time, I love to spend time with my daughter and son.  During the week I love to read and practice yoga.  I am excited to see what students will learn in their classrooms this year!

Hi, my name is Leah Cone. I am a teacher for deaf ed. My college background includes Northern Illinois University for BA in Vocational Rehabilitation; University of Northern Iowa for BA in Early Childhood Special Education and MA in Special Education; and University of Nebraska-Lincoln for a Certificate in Deaf Education: Birth-21. I’ve worked for Des Moines Public Schools since 2000. I have two children and enjoy spending my free time with them.

My name is Amy Erwin and I am excited for my fourth year on the Capitol View team!  I am in my 21st year of teaching and have experience in lower elementary as well as upper elementary special education.  I am active in multiple leadership roles within our school as well as within the Des Moines district and love opportunities not only to grow as a professional, but to help other teachers do so!

I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education and a coaching endorsement.  I completed my Master’s Degree in Special Education at Drake University. 

When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband and children.  I also enjoy exercising, reading, and socializing with friends.  My favorite part about being a teacher is watching students become independent thinkers and team players.  I love to watch students grow!

My career began in 2004 teaching health and physical education as well as coaching at a high school in Florida. I moved back to Iowa in 2008, and since then I have been teaching in Des Moines Public Schools. I taught elementary PE at Samuelson for a year, then PE and health at Harding Middle School for one year. I then spent eight years teaching PE at King Elementary. I am thrilled to bring my program to Capitol View this year! I also serve on the PE leadership team for Des Moines. One of our focuses is to create our district curriculum for K-5 Physical Education. My program’s purpose is to provide students with a progression of basic skills: locomotors, movement concepts, manipulative skills, and fitness to help students become physically literate.

I received my undergraduate degree from Iowa State University, my graduate degree from Nova Southeastern University and my ELL Endorsement from Grand View University. I enjoy attending PE conferences and learning more about the current trends and best practices in PE to improve my own program. I live in Bondurant with my husband and two boys. We love going to football, basketball and baseball games as a family when we can.

I came to Capitol View in 2013. After graduating from Hoover High School, I attended Iowa State University and Drake University, where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I have been employed with the Des Moines Public Schools for sixteen years.

My name is Amy Gummert. I graduated from Simpson College (Indianola, IA) in May 2010 with a BA in Elementary Education and an Endorsement in Reading. This will be my 4th year teaching in Des Moines Public Schools. During my free time I like to read, watch movies, and hang out with my friends/family. I am excited to be a part of the Capitol View family and look forward to a great year in fifth grade.

Hello! My name is Emily Harvey and I teach special education. I graduated from Central College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and endorsement in reading, special education, and coaching. In 2015 I graduated from Graceland University with a master’s degree in differentiated instruction.  I am currently in my 8th year of teaching at Capitol View.

Welcome to Capitol View!  I am instructional coach which means I support teachers with curriculum, instructional strategies and creating actions based on student data.  I went to college at the University of Northern Iowa and received my master’s degree at Viterbo University.  I have taught 4th and 5th grade and worked with small groups of student’s k-5 in the area of literacy.  I love being in the Capitol View classrooms and seeing all the great things our teachers and students are doing.   I have been a Capitol View Tiger for the past 13 years.  In my free time I stay very busy with my own three kids and I enjoy spending time at our family lake home.  You’ll always catch me cheering for the UNI Panthers, and the Iowa Hawkeyes.  I hope to see you at our family events…it’s going to be a great year at Capitol View!

Hello! My name is Nora Krieger and I am one of the ELL teachers at Capitol View. I graduated from Buena Vista University with a major in elementary education and endorsements in ELL and special education. I taught ELL in Storm Lake for 3 years before moving to Des Moines with my husband. In my free time I love going fishing, riding bikes, and spending time with my family. I feel so fortunate to be part of the Capitol View family and look forward to working with your students!

I’m so happy to be part of Capitol View’s 5th grade team!  I began teaching with DMPS in 1999 at Willard School, then Madison before finding my home here at Capitol View.  My own education trail was Willard, Hiatt, and then a proud alumni of East High School.  I attend Central College in Pella with a BA in Elementary Education.  I am a mom to three boys.  My older two are both in college, and my youngest is still in elementary school.  I love working with students and watching them grow and learn.  One interesting fact is that my current classroom looks out onto the street I grew up on!

Welcome! My name is Jessica Manning and this is my sixth year teaching for Des Moines Public Schools and my second year at Capitol View! I graduated from Upper Iowa University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Reading and Language Arts. I am currently working on my Master’s Degree through Grandview University with an ELL Endorsement. I am looking forward to a fabulous year.

Hello! Welcome to room 139! My name is Erin McDonough.  I graduated from Upper Iowa University in 2013 with a degree in Elementary Education.  I am so excited to be a first grade teacher here at Capitol View.  I live here on the East Side with my dog, Macy.  I will graduate from Drake University with a Master’s in Education this December.  I look forward to having your students in my class this year!

Hello! My name is Angela Miller, and I am in my 11th year of teaching at Capitol View.  I currently work with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.  I graduated from UNI with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a minor in strategist 1 special education. I recently went back to UNI and received an endorsement in strategist 2 for special education. 

I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Following graduation, I began my career as an Elementary Teacher. While teaching, I continued my education and earned a master’s degree in Education. As a professional, I have earned endorsements in Reading, Reading Specialist, Special Education and English as a Second Language. I have been a proud member of the Capitol View team since 2014.

“If you teach a child to read you have done your job. If you teach a child to love to read, you have changed their life forever.”

Hello! My name is Mrs. Pals and I am one of the 1st grade teachers at Capitol View. I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree from Iowa State University, and also have a Master’s Degree in Education from Drake University. This is my 8th year of teaching, and 7th year at Capitol View. I have also taught 7/8th grade science and 4th & 5th grade. In my free time, I l like to go for walks with my family and snuggle up with a good book or movie. 

My name is Kristy Roberts.  I studied early childhood education at DMACC and elementary education at the University of Northern Iowa.  I have been a Kindergarten teacher at Capitol View since 2016.  I taught one year of 2nd grade and one year of K-3 Reading Intervention for the district prior to that.  I love working in early childhood education!  Before becoming a teacher with DMPS I owned and operated a preschool and child development home in Polk County, Iowa.   This is such an important time for social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth and development.  I want to help your child develop a LOVE for learning!  Outside of school you will find me spending time with my husband and three sons.   I love to watch them play football, basketball, baseball and drive race cars!

My name is Tim Robinson, and I’ve taught at Capitol View since 2007. I received my BA in music from Drake University, and then went on to receive my MS in Elementary Education, also at Drake University. I love teaching kindergarten because it’s one of the most important introductory parts of a child’s school career, and it’s amazing to see how excited they are to learn and grow! When I’m not at Capitol View, I enjoy weightlifting, reading, and spending time with my friends and family.

Hello! My name is Elizabeth Schildroth and I am a special education teacher at Capitol View Elementary. I have been teaching special education at Capitol View Elementary for 7 years. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Iowa State University.

I have been teaching art for 25 years in the Des Moines School District, 13 of those years have been at Capitol View.  I have enjoyed every minute.  I am passionate about  teaching children how to create beautiful works of art that they can keep forever, I hope.   I graduated from Buena Vista College  in Storm Lake, Iowa. After spending the summer at a girl scout camp in Vermont I decided my destiny was to teach art so I came back to Iowa and got my teaching certificate from UNI.  I have been in Des Moines ever since.   In my free time I  enjoy walking, making glass beads in my garage for jewelry and traveling as much as possible.

Red Apple Gallery featuring Capitol View Elementary

Primary Color Mixing

Welcome to Room 145! My name is Mary Sieloff. I have been teaching in the Des Moines School District for 27 years. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa and my master’s degree from Viterbo. My husband, 2 sons, and I live in Indianola.

I am a proud graduate of UNI. After graduation, I immediately accepted a job with the Waterloo School District. During my time with Waterloo Schools, I was blessed to receive several teaching awards. Most notably, the Gold Star Award for outstanding teaching. In 2000, I was asked to teach for Des Moines Public Schools. Throughout my time with DM Schools, I’ve been blessed to work with many principals and have received accolades from three separate Superintendents. In 2002, I was named as a “Who’s, Who of American Teachers!”

Hello! My name is Stacy Wood. I have worked at Capitol View since 2003! I love this school, the staff, the students, and the families. I am an instructional coach which means I support teachers with curriculum and instruction in their classrooms. I attended Drake University for my undergraduate degree and Iowa State for my master’s degree. I have three children of my own ages 14, 11, and 5. We stay very busy with soccer and gymnastics. It is going to be a great year at Capitol View!