Three district and school leaders are celebrating 50 years at Des Moines Public Schools. Fifty, when you count from their first day of elementary school in 1970s. These three educators attended DMPS schools, including East High School where they all graduated together. They left for college and returned to build their careers in a district they had grown to love.
This year we honor Park Avenue Elementary principal Dianna Anderson, Director of Advanced Learning Dr. Jessica Gogerty, and Stowe Elementary principal Jennifer Williams. We have included photos from their first year of elementary school and first year of teaching. We caught up with them again outside their alma mater EHS this week for more current photos of these phenomenal and dedicated educators and leaders.
Dianna Anderson, (left) first year as a student, (right) first year as a teacher.
Dianna Anderson
Park Avenue Elementary School Principal
- Were you born in Des Moines? Yes, I was born in Des Moines.
- Where did you attend college? I attended UNI and have a Bachelors in Elementary Education from Iowa State University. I have a master’s in educational leadership from Viterbo University.
- What do you remember about your first day of school?
I was in half day kindergarten in the afternoon and my sister was in first grade. I remember going with my mom to walk her to school and then I had to go back home and wait until after I watched Sesame Street to go to school. - What do you remember about your first day of teaching at DMPS?
My mom came to my new school to take my picture on the first day in my classroom. I also remember being nervous because I taught at Lovejoy Elementary and it was an open space, and I thought for sure everyone was watching me. - How do you feel about your career with DMPS?
I love my career with DMPS. I can’t imagine working anywhere else. I actually started working for DMPS when I was a senior at East High School. I was part of the OEA Program my senior year. I would go to school in the morning and have a job in the afternoon. I got a job working in the office at Longfellow Elementary (now Carver Elementary). It was there I fell in love with teaching and the Des Moines Public Schools. I had no idea all of the programs and supports DMPS offered to our students to help them be successful and I knew I wanted to be a part of that. - How has teaching changed since you started?
When I started teaching, we didn’t even have one computer in the classroom and now every student has their own computer. - What would you tell others about choosing teaching as a career right now?
I will tell people if they want to make a difference in the world education is where it starts. You have the opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life every day. What could be more rewarding. - What is your favorite thing about being the principal at a school?
I love being involved with all of the student and staff, not just one grade level and one team. I get to work with everyone in the building every day.
Dr. Jessica Gogerty, (left) first year as a student, (right) first year as a teacher.
Dr. Jessica Gogerty
Director of Advanced Learning
- Were you born in Des Moines? I was born at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. My mother was a teacher and administrator in DMPS starting before I was born through her retirement. In 1970 my family moved to a house near Hoyt Middle School. It was closer to Douglas than Brubaker, so I attended Douglas. I lived there until I graduated. And, in 1992, I purchased the home I grew up in from my mother.
- Where did you attend college? I got my bachelor’s degree in Chemistry Education from the University of Northern Iowa in March 1989 (after student teaching) and immediately went to work as a substitute in Des Moines. In January 1990, I started my master’s degree in Science Education at Iowa during my first year of teaching with the encouragement of Harding’s Vice Principal, Gary McClannahan. In 2010, my first year as a School Improvement Leader, I started my Specialists degree at Drake University in Educational Leadership. Finally, in 2012, I began my Doctoral work in Educational Leadership at Drake.
- What do you remember about your first day of school?
Mrs. Hill, my kindergarten teacher, had a calming demeanor. She could harness 5-year-old energy so well. I remember being impressed that she was able to get everyone’s attention even at recess and nap time with just a song. When she gave me that PUG reader, where we were going to practice writing our letters, it felt like she was bestowing an award. I was so excited to learn to write. - What do you remember about your first day of teaching at DMPS?
I vividly remember my first staff meeting in August 1989. The acronyms and jargon were flying so thick, and I was writing down every word even if it didn’t make any sense. By the end of the meeting, I was so overwhelmed I went to my classroom and cried. I was terrified that I would let my students down. The next day there was a beautiful flowering plant in my classroom with a note that read, “I’m so glad you are part of this team. I know you are going to be great!” It inspired me to be an advocate for first year teachers as a mentor and facilitator in the Beginning Educator Support program from 1999- 2010. When my students showed up that first year, they were so generous and open-hearted as I worked to provide them with the kinds of opportunities I enjoyed as a student. We had a blast learning all sorts of interesting science concepts! Today one of my former students is on my teaching staff at Central Academy and another is the principal of one of our high schools. - How do you feel about your career with DMPS?
I am profoundly grateful for the opportunities DMPS has provided me personally, professionally, and as a parent. My education did not stop when I graduated. DMPS continued to challenge and invest in me through decades of professional development. School administrators opened doors for me as a teacher to continue learning by pointing me to master’s degree programs and National Board Certification opportunities that I would not have started without their encouragement. Both of my children graduated from DMPS and benefitted from the excellent opportunities in our schools. When I was growing up, the people I admired most were all part of DMPS. They were scholars and humanitarians with a passion for education and social justice. They poured themselves into me and my development. And so, through my career, I have tried to live up to that legacy by investing in the students and the teachers I serve. Some of the greatest joys of my life have been in DMPS classrooms. Our students are incredible– their wit and wisdom, persistence, and compassion. They continue to teach me so much! - How has teaching changed since you started?
We are much clearer about what successful instruction and learning looks like today. At the start of my career, I was given a textbook and a class list and set loose until the end of the year. But now curriculum includes far more than a textbook. Teachers have access to high level instructional tasks, clear benchmarks, and progress measures. Teachers are less isolated and more collaborative than my sink-or-swim first year. My first real teaching partner was Jean Schwendau in 2008. We learned so much from each other and I know my practice improved from the association. - What would you tell others about choosing teaching as a career right now?
Educators are essential to our society and even more crucial in times of great change. Teachers are the foundation upon which our future rests. One of the most profound aspects of being an educator is that your influence and impact will outlive you. Mrs. Hill, my kindergarten teacher, still lives in my memory as a vibrant and kind woman who taught me to write and she, along with so many others whose names are emblazoned upon my heart, still guides me today. - What is your favorite thing about being the Director of Advanced Learning?
Every student needs access to advanced learning opportunities. So, my job is varied, endlessly interesting, and rich.
Jennifer Williams, (left) first year as a student, (right) first year as a teacher.
Jennifer Williams
Stowe Elementary School Principal
- Were you born in Des Moines? Yes
- Where did you attend college?
I have a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University with Special Education and Reading endorsements, a master’s degree in education from Viterbo University with a Reading Specialist endorsement, and an Educational Leadership/Professional Administrator license. - What do you remember about your first day of school?
I remember walking to Garton school with my mom and listening to stories on the carpet. I remember a felt board with shapes and numbers, the big crayons, and my teacher Ms. Buechler. I also remember feeling pretty nervous, but excited at the same time. - What do you remember about your first day of teaching at DMPS?
My first day in Des Moines was at Rice elementary. I taught special education with students who were primarily in 2nd grade (Rice was a K-2 school). Like my first day of kindergarten, I was pretty nervous, but excited. I remember I had students make name tags and gave them glitter to decorate them. I never did that again! There was glitter everywhere for the rest of the year! I was on the third floor with another special education teacher, Lori Puffett. I learned so much from her! - How do you feel about your career with DMPS?
I have always felt I was fortunate to teach in Des Moines. I have received world class professional development and work with the top of the field who challenge me to continue to grow and be my best self. I have made lifelong friends. The kids are what keep me here. We have the most amazing students who bring gifts to this profession that make me a better person. I learn from them every day. I am proud to serve our community in this way. The icing on the cake is that DMPS is where my own kids grew up. I was fortunate enough to teach at the same building as them in elementary, and then again at East High. Both of my girls serve the DMPS community. Sydney is an art teacher at Moore Elementary, and Madison is the color guard coach at East. - How has teaching changed since you started?
When I started teaching, there was no common core, no NCLB, no directives for what or how to teach. Although there are some positives to that, it meant I taught in themes such as bears, dinosaurs, or the rainforest and had to come up with all of my own curriculum resources. There were very few computers, in fact, there were not copy machines! Now we have a viable curriculum and students are learning through units such as ‘Who We Are’ or ‘How the World Works’. It is a much harder profession, but so much more meaningful! - What would you tell others about choosing teaching as a career right now?
If you are wanting to make a positive impact on your community, teaching is the path to follow. In no other profession do you get to connect with our youth in such a meaningful way. It is powerful work, you don’t work banker’s hours or get all of your summer off, but teaching is the profession that will make this world a better place. - What is your favorite thing about being the principal at a school?
It is a responsibility I do not take lightly, and there are challenges, but I get to see love in action every day. Not a day goes by without witnessing an act of kindness from students, a child reaching their goal with a teacher cheering them on or a group of staff members collaborating to ensure we are providing the best for our kids and each other. My job is to make sure all that is able to happen.
