Hello, I am Dr. Ancona and I’m so happy to be part of the McKinley Eagles community! I am originally from San Diego, California, where I started my teaching career and received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern California and a Masters in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University. My family moved to Iowa in 1995. I completed my Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Drake University in 2013 and have been teaching for Des Moines Public Schools for 10 years. I love sharing my passion for music with my students, and I love learning from my students as well! I enjoy spending time with my husband and 4 children and performing with my band, Opus Taylor.

I graduated from Roosevelt High School here in Des Moines in 2014. I attended DMACC for one year before I transferred to the University of Iowa to pursue my degree in elementary education. I graduated from The University of Iowa in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. I started my career at Des Moines Public Schools subbing for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year before joining the McKinley family in April of 2020.

I live in West Des Moines with my dog Sunny. I enjoy coaching softball, watching the Green Bay Packers, binge watching all my favorite shows and playing with my pup.

In 1998 I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Art History from Northern Arizona University. I received a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education in 2004 also from Northern Arizona University. In 2022 I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Culturally Responsive Leadership and an English Language Learner endorsement. I have taught numerous grades, but my heart is in first grade and I have been a first grade teacher the longest. I love the curiosity, fun, and hard work that happens with students in this grade level.

I am originally from Arizona and moved to Des Moines with my husband Tim who is from Iowa. I have two children, Sophia and Charlie and a deaf dog named Scruffy. I love to read, watch movies, hike, travel ,bake and crochet.

I am very fortunate to be teaching orchestra at several elementary schools in Des Moines. I have been teaching since 1990 and in Des Moines Schools since 2000. I have had a diverse career of teaching band, choir and orchestra at levels ranging from fourth through twelfth grade.

In 2016, I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Iowa along with a K-8 Reading Endorsement and minor in Social Work/Cultural Proficiency. In 2022, I received my master’s degree from Drake University in Culturally Responsive Leadership and Instruction through a partnership with DMPS. In 2023, I will receive my second master’s degree from Drake University in Educational Leadership. I enjoy being a lifelong learner and hope to continue my educational leadership journey in the future.

I live here in Des Moines with my husband, Ben, and our mini Goldendoodle, Mia. We enjoy traveling all over the world, eating and cooking delicious food, and spending time outdoors with friends. Outside of school, I enjoy making candles. thrifting, and decorating homes.

I graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in 2014 and Loras College in 2018. I have been at McKinley since 2018.

I am newly married to my husband and we have 3 dogs! My interests include: walking my dogs, podcasts, volunteering, traveling, exercising, eating yummy food with my friends and family, reading, flowers, animals, feelings, and art!

I graduated from Valley High School in 2009 and went to the University of Northern Iowa to gain my early childhood and elementary degree. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in 2013, I started teaching in DMPS and earned my masters in Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction in the winter of 2020. I have my reading endorsement and have loved working at McKinley since 2015!

I live with my husband, Greg, and two children, Delaney and Jaxson. We love going to the park and the library, reading is our favorite past time. Our favorite place to be is the family farm in Southern Iowa. We love cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Kansas City Chiefs!!

I am a graduate of Carlisle High School, Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa and I am currently pursuing a masters degree in administration through Drake University.

I enjoy traveling, teaching students at school and dance as well as spending time with my husband and dog.

I graduated high school in Sioux City, Iowa then attended University of Iowa (Go Hawks!) for my undergrad and graduated winter of 2013. I was a substitute teacher in Iowa City for a semester before moving to Des Moines in 2014. I was hired at McKinley Elementary and have been teaching here ever since! I received my masters at Drake University in 2019. I love being a McKinley Eagle!

I live in Des Moines and love it. I love to travel, hike, swim, read and go to concerts in my free time. I enjoy spending time with my nieces and nephews, boyfriends, and friends. I like exploring new events going on in Des Moines and trying new food.

I graduated from Southeast Polk High School in 1995. I received my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Grand View College in 1999. I graduated from the Buena Vista University with a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction along with an English as a Second Language endorsement in 2016. I started my career at Des Moines Public Schools in 1999 as a Special Education Teacher at McKinley Elementary. After 15 years as a Special Education Teacher I moved to teaching 5th grade in 2014 and since then have taught 3rd grade, 4th grade, and am currently teaching 5th grade.

I live in Altoona with my husband, Mike, and our two kids, Madelyn and Samuel. I enjoy reading, creating things with my Cricut, swimming, and spending time with my family.

I am a proud product of Des Moines Public Schools. I attended Woodlawn, Meredith and Hoover. I then earned my Bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University. Harding Middle School was my first home, as a teacher, for ten years. Then I taught Husky Pups for twelve years at Samuelson Elementary School. In 2017 I earned my Master’s Degree from Drake University. Starting in August of 2022, I was excited to continue my teaching adventures at McKinley Elementary.

My husband, Clint, and I have three “children”, Luke and Lilyana with two legs each and Pongo, with four. When I grow up, I would love to be a photographer for National Geographic or a novelist. Until then, I absolutely love working to make a difference in my students’ lives. In addition to teaching, writing, and photography, I love to travel, play outside, watch movies, listen to music, color, clean, and spend time with my family.

I have a master’s degree in education and this will be my 15th year teaching.

I am a mother of 3 grown children. In my free time, I like to read, visit my children, and go on motorcycle rides.

I graduated from the University of Iowa in 1994. I briefly taught art in Minnesota then left the profession for many years. After having kids and coaching and teaching them in a variety of activities, I got the itch to return to teaching and went back to get my Master’s Degree in Special Education from Drake University. This will be my 9th year teaching at McKinley.

My wife, Jenny, and I live in Ankeny with our three kids. Olivia will be a junior at Iowa State. Gabe will be a senior at Grand View Christian and Vangee with be in 8th grade at Ankeny. When we are not working, we like to play games, go for walks with our dogs and go to concerts.

I graduated from Wartburg College with a BA in education and later graduated with my Masters degree from Drake University. I began teaching for Des Moines Public Schools in 2005. I have taught 3rd, 1st and 2nd grade. Most of my career has been here at McKinley!

Outside of school I love to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy reading, spending time outside, and binge watching a good show.

Mr. Parker is the 5th grade band director for McKinley Elementary and has been with DMPS since 2012. He was the Band/Orchestra director for Hoyt Middle School for nine years. This year will be his second year as the 5th grade band director. Mr. Parker has taught music for Keota, Woodward-Granger, and Des Moines Christian Schools. In that time, many of his bands have been successful in the areas of concert, jazz and marching band. His highest accomplishments are winning a state jazz title and having his concert band perform as the class 2A representative at the Iowa Bandmasters Association convention.

Mr. Parker was born and raised in Ottumwa. He has traveled across the country and parts of Europe including Russia with a Christian based group, The Continental Brass and Singers. He resides in Waukee with his wife, Amanda and their two boys, Carson and Caleb who are 18 and 14. Mr. Parker also enjoys coaching baseball and time with his family

I graduated from the University of Norther Iowa and this will be my 18th year teaching. I have taught in Tokyo, Japan, Lewis Central in Council Bluffs and I have been with Des Moines Public Schools since 2005.

I live in the south side of Des Moines with my partner, Donnel. In our free time, we enjoy fishing, art and photography.

I graduated with my bachelors in Human Development from THE Ohio State University and worked as a social worker for 2 and a half years before deciding to get my Masters in Education. I completed my Masters in Teaching, Elementary Education from Western Governor’s University in 2021. I completed my student teaching in a 3rd grade classroom in Waukee Community School District. I then served as a long term substitute in 3rd grade. This will be my first year in my own classroom and I am super excited to begin my teaching career as a McKinley Eagle!

I live in West Des Moines with my husband Zach, and our dog Odie. I enjoy reading, baking and watching new movies. Every weekend in the Fall and Winter, you will find me watching football and cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes and Cincinnati Bengals!

I grew up and graduated from Waverly-Shell Rock, Iowa. From there, I attended Simpson College. I obtained an Elementary Education degree with endorsements in Special Education, Early Childhood, Reading, and English-Language Arts.

While I am not at the school teaching, I like to spend my time with my friends, family, and my dog. I enjoy reading and being outdoors.

B.S. Elementary Education/Early Childhood Education – Northwest Missouri State University

Masters Of Science in Special Education – Iowa State University

Administrative Endorsement – Viterbo University

I have three grown children and three granddaughters with a grandson joining the family in the winter. I enjoy spending time with my family and especially creating memories and enjoying adventures with my grandchildren. I love music, hanging out with friends and watching Hallmark movies. I have a cat whose name is Godiva – she is a diva and is chocolate in color, so the name fits her “purrfectly”. I am looking forward to being back at McKinley and getting to know the families and students who make this a great place to learn and grow.

I graduated from Denison High School in 2013. I received my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with reading and math endorsements in 2017 from Iowa State. In 2021, I graduated from Drake with a Master of Education and an ESL endorsement. I started my teaching career at Morris Elementary School in Kindergarten for five years. In Fall of 2022, I started a new adventure here at McKinley as a Kindergarten teacher.

I enjoy doing things outside, shopping, binge watching tv series, and spending time with family and friends. Traveling to new places is a favorite pastime of mine when I get the chance to getaway.

I graduated from Iowa State University in 2004. Go Cyclones! I started my teaching right here at McKinley in 2005 as a kindergarten teacher. In 2015, I received my Masters degree in differentiated instruction from Graceland University.

I live in Bondurant with my husband, Erron, and our two kids, Charlotte and Harris. Charlotte is in 5th grade and Harris is in 2nd grade. I enjoy biking, hiking, shopping, exercising, and reading. My family loves to go bowling, play games, and go to Adventureland in the summertime.