Special Education
Libby Bouma
Special Education Teacher
P: 515-242-8438 | E: elizabeth.bouma@dmschools.org
Biography
Bachelor’s Degree (Criminology and Sociology) from University of Northern Iowa 2003
Master’s Degree (Master’s in Education with a Special Education and Reading Endorsement) from Drake University: 2013
International Baccalaureate Training:
Category III: Inquiry
Teaching Experience:
I have been teaching since 2014.
Family/ Hobbies:
I love spending time with my husband and son. I enjoy cooking, reading, playing games and traveling.
Kelley Johnson
Special Education
E: kelley.johnson@dmschools.org
Biography
My name is Kelley Johnson. I have a BA and MA in Elementary Education. I also have a Special Education Endorsement and Reading Endorsement. I received my BA from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA and my MA from Viterbo University, Des Moines, IA location. I have been teaching in the Des Moines District for fifteen years. I taught special education at Brody Middle school for four years. I taught special education K-6 for two year at Capitol View Elementary School and two years for grades 4/5 at Oak Park Elementary. While at Oak Park, I decided to give the classroom a try and taught first grade for three years. I was then asked to teach Title Reading and Math for two years. I went back into the classroom and taught first grade for two more years. This brings me to now, and I am happy to be joining the Walnut Street School staff as a Special Education teacher! I have enjoyed all of my many roles in education and feel privileged to be given the opportunities I received as a teacher in the last fifteen years.
I live in Ankeny with my son Ryker who is 11 years old and going into sixth grade in the Ankeny School District. We have two pets, a dog named Bella, and a cat named Lego. During my free time I enjoy reading, watching movies, playing golf, and spending time with my family and friends.
Brianna Meyer
Special Education
E: brianna.meyer@dmschools.org
Biography
Associate of Arts: Marshalltown Community College, 2013
Bachelor’s Degree: University of Northern Iowa, 2016
Major: Elementary Education
Minor: Special Education (strategist 1)
Teaching Experience:
I student taught here at Walnut Street, and I am starting my first year as a full-time teacher.
Family/ Hobbies:
I have one, older, brother and a lot of extended family in the metro area that I enjoy spending time with. I also enjoy running, reading, hiking, and spending time with my friends.
Tonia Morales
Special Education Associate
P: (515) 242-8438 | E: tonia.morales@dmschools.org
Biography
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Buena Vista University
Experience: I was a preschool teacher / director for 19 years. I have been a Sped. Associate at WSS since 2012..
Family / Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling to visit zoos. I enjoy reading, word find puzzles and adult coloring
Lesa Smith
Sped. Associate
Biography
Experience: I have a son with Autism and a stepson with pervasive development disorder so I am very aware of the ability to handle/care for special need children. Although this is my first year as a sped. associate, I love helping the children and look forward to coming to work.
Family/Hobbies: I've been married for 8 years and have two children (one girl and one boy), my husband has twins (both boys). We love to travel, go to movies and see live music.