Staff Recognition
For more than 30 years, the community-based Staff Recognition Committee has organized the Staff Recognition celebration to honor the West Des Moines Community Schools retirees and staff with milestone years of service.
Save the Date! Staff Recognition Celebration
4 p.m., May 7, 2025
Smash Park, 6625 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines
Staff Recognition Honorees: 2024-25
Retirees
Crestview School of Inquiry
- Jane Hallman, Teacher
Fairmeadows Elementary
- Jane Abens, Teacher
- Anne Baumhover, Teacher Assistant
- Michelle Bennet, Teacher
- Rhonda DeRocher, Teacher
- Lori Hendricks, Teacher Assistant
- David Meeks, Teacher Assistant
Hillside Elementary
- Jenne Feldt, Teacher
- Lynn Knudson, Office Staff*
- Grace Sayon, Custodian
Indian Hills Junior High
- Alan Muenzenmay, Teacher
- Roger Scott, Teacher
Jordan Creek Elementary
- Courtney Pierce, Teacher
Learning Resource Center
- Starr Himes, Payroll Coordinator
- KJ Yaeger, Kids West Program Specialist
Stilwell Junior High
- Phyllis Cowan, Custodian
- Liz Horn, Nurse
Transportation
- Pam Hull, Teach Coach
- Robin Pickard, Director
Valley High School
- Denise Beeman, Teacher Assistant
- Ryan Cooley, Teacher
- Larry Mandernach, Counselor
- Brad Rose, Athletics and Activities Director
Valley Southwoods
- Katherine Geerlings, Nutrition
- Kelly Hingl, Teacher
- Susan Septer, Teacher Assistant
- Jose Solis, Custodian
Western Hills Elementary
- Patricia Lambert, Teacher Assistant/Kids West
- K. Susan Roberts, Teacher Assistant
Westridge Elementary
-
Angela Hopson, Teacher
*We are deeply saddened to share that Hillside secretary Lynn Knudson, who served WDMCS for 16 years, died suddenly Tuesday, Feb. 18. Read Lynn's obituary online, and please join us in keeping her family and friends in your thoughts.
35-40 Years
30 Years
Names are listed in alphabetical order.
- Darci Carver, Teacher | Crossroads Park Elementary
- Robert Chapman, Teacher | Westridge Elementary
- Jennifer Cone, Bus Driver | Transportation
- Amy Hachmann, Teacher | Jordan Creek Elementary
- Aziz Haffar, Teacher Assistant | Valley High School
- Kelli Ladd, Counselor | Stilwell Junior High
- Amy Onstot, Kids West Site Leader | Clive Learning Academy
- Rochelle Svestka, Teacher | Stilwell Junior High
- Willie Thornton, Teacher | Valley High School
25 Years
Names are listed in alphabetical order.
- Bradley Bixby, Teacher | Indian Hills Junior High
- Kristy Dietzenbach, Title I Coordinator | Learning Resource Center
- Jason Eckhoff, Teacher | Fairmeadows Elementary
- Pam Hull, Bus Driver | Transportation
- Amy Jenkins, Teacher | Crossroads Park Elementary
- Annette Kooker, Teacher| Crestview School of Inquiry
- Mindi Myers, Teacher Leader | Jordan Creek Elementary
- Barbara Samuelson, Teacher | Hillside Elementary
- Sara Weis, Home School | Learning Resource Center
20 Years
Names are listed in alphabetical order.
- Kelli Alexander, Teacher | Crestview School of Inquiry
- Richard Anderson, Facilities | Community Education
- Christina Bahe, Teacher | Jordan Creek Elementary
- Anna Brown, Teacher | Crestview School of Inquiry
- Bobbi Burns, Teacher | Westridge Elementary
- Lisa Cibula, Teacher | Valley High School
- Kathleen Dawson, Teacher | Crossroads Park Elementary
- Lisa Deatrick, Teacher | Clive Learning Academy
- Shawn DeBoef, Teacher | Valley High School
- Rhonda DeRocher, Teacher | Fairmeadows Elementary
- Randy Dohmen, Teacher | Stilwell Junior High
- Susan Duve, Office Staff | Crossroads Park Elementary
- Amanda Farrell, Teacher | Jordan Creek Elementary
- Kirsten Garland, Teacher | Crestview School of Inquiry
- Jessica VanSickel, Teacher | Crestview School of Inquiry
- Lynnae Gilmore, Nutrition Financial Secretary | Learning Resource Center
- Jill Kluesner, Teacher | Crossroads Park Elementary
- Sandy Koenen, Nutrition | Valley High School
- Wendy Mann, Teacher | Crestview School of Inquiry
- David Maxwell, Principal | Valley High School
- Justin Miller, Teacher | Indian Hills Junior High
- Heather Oetken, Teacher | Western Hills Elementary
- Sarah Petersen, Teacher | Crestview School of Inquiry
- Brandon Pierce, Principal | Fairmeadows Elementary
- Michael Russell, Custodial | Valley High School
- Grace Sayon, Custodial | Hillside Elementary
- Theresa Schweitzer, Teacher Assistant | Westridge Elementary
- Mark Verbrugge, Teacher | Valley High School
- Leslie Welter, Teacher | Crestview School of Inquiry
15 Years
Names are listed in alphabetical order.
- Tara Camacho, Teacher | Valley High School
- Tammy Cooper, Teacher Assistant | Jordan Creek Elementary
- Christine Drottz, Nutrition | Walnut Creek Campus
- Natalie French, English for Speakers of Other Languages Director | Learning Resource Center
- Jennifer Hellman, Teacher | Jordan Creek Elementary
- Chantel Karns, Teacher | Valley Southwoods
- Allison Lewis, Teacher | Hillside Elementary
- Emily Lewis, Teacher | Crestview School of Inquiry
- Tonya McCarville, Teacher | Crestview School of Inquiry
- Jeremy Mikesell, Teacher | Walnut Creek Campus
- Heather Nail, Teacher | Valley High School
- Chris Novak, Associate Principal | Valley HIgh School
- Brooke Phelps, Teacher Leader | Crossroads Park Elementary
- Robin Pickard, Director | Transportation
- Corey Rasmussen, Teacher | Valley High School
- Joseph Rich, Counselor | Indian Hills Jr High
- Mary Rios, Teacher | Indian Hills Jr High
- Tamara Skinner, Teacher Assistant | Crestview School of Inquiry
- Cesia Smith, Teacher | Stilwell Jr High
- Daniel Stoa, Teacher Leader | Learning Resource Center
- Sandra Thurston, Teacher | Crestview School of Inquiry
Staff Recognition Honorees: Past Years
- 2023-24 Retirees
- 2023-24 Staff Recognition
- 2022-23 Retirees
- 2022-23 Staff Recognition
- 2013-22 Staff Recognition
2023-24 Retirees
Clive Learning Academy
- Lisa Clark, Elementary Teacher
- Sonya Coy, Elementary Teacher
Crestview School of Inquiry
- Ruth Dorr, Elementary Teacher
- Mary Johnson, Elementary Teacher
- Robin Nelson, Elementary Teacher
- Mark Sloan, Custodian
- Steven Swinehart, Custodian
Crossroads Park Elementary
- Kelly Chambers, Elementary Teacher
- Jill Grossklaus, Elementary Teacher
- Lisa Tasler, Elementary Teacher
Fairmeadows Elementary
- Casey Llewellyn, Elementary Teacher
Hillside Elementary
- Kathleen Moorman, Nutrition
Jordan Creek Elementary
- Janice Bergman, Elementary Teacher
- Michelle Comito, Elementary Teacher
- Catherine Moratz, Teacher Assistant
Learning Resource Center
- Paul Bobek, CFO
- Amy Dvorak, Kids West Program Superivsor
- Peggy Epstein, Board Secretary/Supt. Secretary
- Sue Otte, Continuing Education Coordinator
Stilwell Junior High
- Peri Halma, Secondary Teacher
Transportation
- Craig Malmberg, Bus Driver
- Thomas Sherwood, Bus Driver
- Joel Wilson, Bus Driver
Valley High School
- Carol Engelmann, Secondary Teacher
- Christine Gilbertson, Secondary Teacher
- Sally Harris, Secondary Teacher
- Michael Jasienski, Custodian
- Jonathan Williams, Secondary Teacher
- Genevieve Wolfe, Teacher Assistant
Valley Southwoods
- Kim Fitzgerald, Study Hall Supervisor
- John Fry, Custodian
- Peter Hunter, Secondary Teacher
- Ann Miles, Secondary Teacher
Walnut Creek Campus
- Kevin Burkett, Custodian
Western Hills Elementary
- Del Brink, Elementary Teacher Librarian
Westridge Elementary
- Barbara Hansen, Kids West
- Mary Kimpston, Elementary Teacher
- Jerilyn Kobberdahl, Elementary Teacher
- Lisa Weiser, Kids West
2023-24 Staff Recognition
Names are listed in alphabetical order.
35 Years
- Jan Bergman, Elementary Teacher | Jordan Creek
- Jennifer McLaughlin, Elementary Teacher | Jordan Creek
- Robin Nelson, Elementary Teacher | Crestview
- Tami Prescott, Home School Assistance Program Coordinator | LRC
30 Years
- Tom Bakey, Secondary Teacher | Valley
- Bill Bloom, Facilities | Community Education
- Nicholas Bogue, Secondary Teacher | Indian Hills
- Kris Gardner, Kids West | Community Education
- Julie Kaufman, Elementary Teacher | Westridge
- Alan Muenzenmay, Secondary Teacher | Indian Hills
- Felicia Murillo, Elementary Teacher | Fairmeadows
- Jasmeen Overlin, Secondary Teacher | Indian Hills
- Rosalie Rollins, Facilities | Community Education
- Lisa Sobotka, Secondary Teacher | Valley Southwoods
- Barb Tigges, Counselor | Jordan Creek
- Travis Young, Secondary Teacher | Valley
25 Years
- Pamela Ballard, Elementary Teacher | Jordan Creek
- Anne Baumhover, Teacher Assistant | Fairmeadows
- Carrie Boik, Teacher Leader | Fairmeadows
- Judy Card, Elementary Teacher | Jordan Creek
- James Clearman, Warehouse
- Krista Cooley, Secondary Teacher | Valley
- Michelle Dirks, Elementary Teacher | Hillside
- Ruth Dorr, Elementary Teacher | Crestview
- Holly Gilmore, Elementary Teacher | Hillside
- Linda Hamm, Facilities | Community Education
- Jennifer Mendenhall, Elementary Teacher | Jordan Creek
- Heather Hope, Secondary Teacher | Valley
- Karen Klinge, Elementary Teacher | Fairmeadows
- Kimberly Knight, Teacher Assistant | Valley
- Lori Logan, Elementary Teacher | Hillside
- Larry Mandernach, Counselor | Valley
- Marc McKechnie, Technician | Operations
- Dr. Kristine Milburn, Teacher Leader | LRC
- Catherine Moratz, Teacher Assistant | Jordan Creek
- Andrea Peters, Elementary Teacher | Jordan Creek
- Steve Pond, Secondary Teacher | Indian Hills
- Michael Sheeder, Custodian | Western Hills
- Nathan Speichinger, Secondary Teacher | Valley*
- Lisa Tasler, Elementary Teacher | Crossroads Park
- Jeff Verhelst, Elementary Teacher | Jordan Creek
20 Years
- Julie Carroll, Secondary Teacher | Valley
- Melissa Clayton, Secondary Teacher | Stilwell
- Kellaney Coffman, Facilities | Community Education
- Sarah Willoughby, Teacher Leader | LRC
- Jeanne Feldt, Elementary Teacher | Hillside
- Amy Garrison, Elementary Teacher | Jordan Creek
- Brady Johnson, Counselor | Stilwell
- Emily Johnson, Elementary Teacher | Westen Hills
- Victoria Juarez, Nutrition | Crossroads Park
- Jerilyn Kobberdahl, Elementary Teacher | Westridge
- Janell Mikels, Secondary Teacher | Valley
- Maria Ortega, Nutrition | Stilwell
- Sarah Pate, Teacher Assistant |Valley Southwoods
- Angela Randolph, Secondary Teacher | Indian Hills
- Eric Traynor, Counselor | Valley
- Karen vanOostenrijk, Data Support Specialist | LRC
- Lisa Welch, Teacher Assistant | Westridge
15 Years
- Denise Beeman, Teacher Assistant | Valley
- Megan Booth, Teacher Assistant | Jordan Creek
- Michelle Campos, Office Staff | Stilwell
- Kathryn Dorrell, Secondary Teacher | Valley Southwoods
- Jill Egger, Secondary Teacher | Valley
- Ann Ellinger, Elementary Teacher | Westridge
- Kristine Elliott, Elementary Teacher | Hillside
- Karl Goldsmith, Secondary Teacher | Valley
- Keysto Kelly, Elementary Teacher | Crestview
- Andrew Lansink, Secondary Teacher | Valley Southwoods
- Andrew Mitchell, Secondary Teacher | Valley Southwoods
- Michelle Mullins, Elementary Teacher | Westridge
- Brad Rose, Activities/Athletics Director | Valley
- Rhonda Schmidt, Teacher Leader | LRC
- Trenae Small, Elementary Teacher |Jordan Creek
- Marcia Trinrud, Teacher Assistant | Hillside
- Donald Werner, Custodian | Clive
- Meridith Wies, Elementary Teacher | Fairmeadows
- Kristie Yencer, Secondary Teacher | Indian Hills
*We are deeply saddened to share that Nathan Speichinger, a Valley High School Science teacher for 25 years, died Monday, March 18, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. Read Nathan's obituary online, and please join us in keeping his family and friends in your thoughts.
2022-23 Retirees
This list is in alphabetical order by last name.
*We are deeply saddened to share that Terri Scully died Sunday, April 23, after being diagnosed with stage four cancer in January. She was most recently a bus driver for our special education students, who grew to know and love her as their bus driver. Read Terri's obituary and visitation information online, and please join us in keeping her family and friends in your thoughts.
- Laura Axman: Western Hills Elementary Teacher | 35 years
- Barbara Bailey-Mead: Walnut Creek Teacher Assistant | 27 years
- Mona Bell: Valley High School Teacher Assistant | 10 years
- Roni Benson: Westridge Elementary Elementary Teacher | 10 years
- Mike Beranek: Western Hills Elementary Teacher | 35 years
- Lynn Cerjak: Western Hills Elementary Teacher Assistant/Kids West | 16 years
- Julie Conzett: Crossroads Park Elementary Teacher | 22 years
- Tarry Cory: Transportation Bus Driver | 11 years
- Tracy Crew: Hillside Elementary Teacher Assistant | 18 years
- Rachel Cunningham: Stilwell Jr High Teacher Assistant | 18 years
- Sue Decker: Jordan Creek Elementary Teacher Assistant | 12 years
- Michelle Dodd: Crestview School Of Inquiry Elementary Teacher | 32 years
- Duane Duncan: Valley High School Teacher Assistant | 33 years
- Nancy Foley: Westridge Elementary Teacher | 17 years
- Jill George: Valley Southwoods Secondary Teacher | 29 years
- Susan Healy: Jordan Creek Elementary Teacher | 29 years
- Jill Hixson: Westridge Elementary Teacher Assistant | 15 years
- Becky Hoyng: Crossroads Park Elementary Teacher Assistant | 17 years
- Betsy Hrdlicka: Western Hills Elementary Teacher | 28 years
- Carey Hunerdosse: Western Hills Elementary Teacher | 32 years
- Yurika Kanai-Molloy: Valley High School Secondary Teacher | 33 years
- Sangeeta Kaul: Valley Southwoods Secondary Teacher | 10 years
- Kristy Keeler: Westridge Elementary Teacher | 28 years
- Lori Kerr: Crestview School Of Inquiry Elementary Teacher | 28 years
- Katie Kozlowski: Jordan Creek Elementary Teacher Assistant | 17 years
- Laura Larsen: Valley High School Teacher Assistant | 10 years
- Ann Lykke-Jaros: Westridge Elementary Teacher | 32 years
- Polly Maly: Valley High School Office Staff | 12 years
- Barb McCall: Valley High School Teacher Assistant | 23 years
- Kim Miller: Clive Learning Academy Elementary Teacher | 33 years
- Kris Miller: Jordan Creek Elementary Teacher | 24 years
- Lynda Niffenegger: Crossroads Park Elementary Elementary Teacher | 31 years
- Ann Noring: Crossroads Park Elementary Teacher | 33 years
- Kathy Olson: Jordan Creek Elementary Teacher Assistant | 21 years
- Rosa Pagan: Valley High School Bilingual Family Liaison | 22 years
- Sheryl Reed: Western Hills Elementary Teacher | 19 years
- Robin Rodich: Valley Southwood Nutrition | 22 years
- Terri Scully*: Transportation Bus Driver | 19 years
- Karen Sipfle: Fairmeadows Elementary Teacher | 17 Years
- Tamara Tjeerdsma: Crestview School Of Inquiry Principal | 19 years
- John Upah: Valley Southwoods Secondary Teacher | 18 years
- Suzanne Walsh: Hillside Elementary Teacher | 30 years
- Kim Windergerst: Valley High School Office Staff | 16 years
- Lisa Wright: Valley High School Nutrition | 27 years
2022-23 Staff Recognition
35 Years
- Jane Abens: Fairmeadows Elementary Teacher
- Laura Axman: Western Hills Elementary Teacher
- Mike Beranek: Western Hills Elementary Teacher
- Jane Hallman: Crestview School Of Inquiry Elementary Teacher
- Courtney Reel: Jordan Creek Elementary Teacher
30 Years
- Peter Bissinger: Stilwell Jr. High Teacher
- Del Brink: Western Hills Elementary Librarian-Teacher
- Ryan Cooley: Valley High School Teacher
- Allyson Day: Home School Teacher
- Shannon Johnson: Valley High School Teacher
- Laura Kleve: Hillside Elementary Teacher
- Carol Kramer: Rex Mathes (Home School Assistance Program)
- Jonathan Lewis: Stilwell Jr. High Teacher
- Nicole Matthias: Stilwell Jr. High Teacher
- Suzanne Walsh: Hillside Elementary Teacher
25 Years
- Brian Boerner: Indian Hills Jr. High Teacher
- Michelle Comito: Jordan Creek Elementary Teacher
- Liz Horn: Stilwell Jr. High Nurse
- Courtney Mottet: Valley High School Teacher
- Adam Nidey: Crestview School Of Inquiry Teacher
- Sue Otte: Learning Resource Center Community Education
- Julie Pargeon: Fairmeadows Elementary Teacher
- Cari Rothfus: Clive Learning Academy Teacher
- Shane Scott: Learning Resource Center Director
- Jory Smith: Jordan Creek Elementary Librarian-Teacher
- Maria Steffen: Fairmeadows Elementary Librarian-Teacher
- Mark Vance: Operations Technician
- Joy Zuber: Learning Resource Center Registrar
20 Years
- Megan Abens: Learning Resource Center Elementary Teacher
- Anne Broderick: Valley High School Teacher
- Teresa Gallentine: Jordan Creek Elementary Teacher
- Lori Hendricks: Fairmeadows Elementary Teacher Assistant
- Jenni Jones: Learning Resource Center Teacher Leader
- Kelli Moore: Valley High School Teacher
- Renee Newman: Crossroads Park Elementary Office Staff
- Jodi Nyberg: Hillside Elementary Teacher
- Annie Orsini: Jordan Creek Elementary Principal
- Erin Perry: Valley High School Teacher
- Dawn Reed: Hillside Elementary Teacher
- Brant Reif: Valley High School Teacher
- John Schall: Western Hills Elementary Custodial
- Rob Schebel: Valley High School Teacher
- Michael Schill: Stilwell Jr. High Teacher
- Tom Trygstad: Indian Hills Jr. High Teacher
- Julie Warren: Crestview School Of Inquiry Teacher Assistant
- Tony Wieland: Valley High School Counselor
15 Years
- Alicia Alvarado: Valley High School Nutrition
- Anne Apland: Crossroads Park Elementary Teacher
- Karen Baldock: Fairmeadows Elementary Teacher Assistant
- Trevor Barrett: Valley High School Secondary Teacher
- Anne Bennett: Stilwell Jr High Secondary Teacher
- Michelle Bennett: Fairmeadows Elementary Teacher
- Raquel Berber: Stilwell Jr High Nutrition
- Becky Burger-Olson: Learning Resource Center Teacher Leader
- Alan Carlsborg: Valley High School Custodial
- Kimberly Chapman: Home School Teacher
- Carmen Clark: Valley High School Teacher
- Kyle Coppola: Crestview School Of Inquiry Teacher
- Phyllis Cowan: Stilwell Jr High Custodial
- Tory DeVries: Valley High School Teacher
- Tracey Dollison: Clive Learning Academy Teacher Assistant
- Hilary Fort: Crestview School Of Inquiry Teacher
- Alice Fuglsang: Indian Hills Jr. High Teacher
- Melissa Gress: Learning Resource Center Teacher Leader
- Michael Gress: Indian Hills Jr. High Teacher
- Jill Hixson: Westridge Elementary Teacher Assistant
- Erin Hunt: Indian Hills Jr. High Teacher
- Brandon Jensen: Valley High School Teacher
- Lynn Knudson: Hillside Elementary Office Staff
- Debra Leventhal: Westridge Elementary Teacher
- Tonya Mendez: Crossroads Park Elementary Teacher
- Laura Nailor: Crossroads Park Elementary Teacher
- Ann Nichols: Valley High School Teacher Assistant
- Timothy Nichols: Stilwell Jr. High Teacher
- Rhys Pate: Valley Southwoods Teacher
- Robin Prier-Ross: Crossroads Park Teacher Assistant
- K. Susan Roberts: Western Hills Teacher Assistant
- Renee Roese: Indian Hills Jr High Teacher Assistant
- Jackie Slusinski: Clive Learning Academy Office Staff
- Christina Smith: Crossroads Park Elementary Teacher
- Crystal Tate: Valley High School Teacher
- Megan Thomsen: Valley High School Associate Principal
- Lindy VanDike: Jordan Creek Elementary Teacher Assistant
- Jennifer Waring: Crossroads Park Elementary Teacher
- Jessica Willenborg: Hillside Elementary Teacher
- Twyla Wisecup: Valley Southwoods Teacher
2013-22 Staff Recognition
View Staff Recognition newsletters or programs from 2013-14 to 2021-22:
- 2021-22 Staff Recognition Newsletter
- 2020-21 Staff Recognition Newsletter
- 2019-20 Staff Recognition Newsletter
- 2018-19 Staff Recognition Program (PDF)
- 2017-18 Staff Recognition Program (PDF)
- 2016-17 Staff Recognition Program (PDF)
- 2015-16 Staff Recognition Program (PDF)
- 2014-15 Staff Recognition Program (PDF)
- 2013-14 Staff Recognition Program (PDF)