Nearly 5,000 people work to provide and support a quality education to more than 30,000 students in Des Moines. From school administrators and educators to bus drivers and technology professionals to food and nutrition providers to financial experts, these dedicated DMPS employees are committed to providing the best possible experience for students and families. Each month the Become Here Spotlight will shine on an administrator, an educator and a staff member to share a little more about the many people working to teach and support the children and students of our community, and in the words of those who nominated them for the recognition.

Jean FoxJEAN FOX
Academic Interventionist
Capitol View Elementary

Jean Fox is an Academic Interventionist at Capitol View Elementary. She is passionate about early literacy and the impact it has on students. Jean started her career in DMPS at Moulton Elementary and has been at Capitol View for the past five years. Recently, she helped secure a Beyond the Bell grant for the school. This allows over 50 students to have access to after school tutoring in either math or literacy. Jean believes in making strong connections with families and ensuring they seem themselves as partners in the work of the school. Jean is the spiritual leader of Capitol View – she sets an incredible example with her work ethic and passion. She is a lifelong learner who never passes up on an opportunity to improve herself and her craft.

Danielle TaylorDANIELLE TAYLOR
Associate Principal
Merrill Middle School

Danielle Taylor is no stranger to Merrill. She began her teaching career here in 2005 as a Family and Consumer Science teacher. She made stops at McCombs and Hoover before returning to Merrill in 2011 as a teacher then instructional coach and International Baccalaureate Coordinator. In the role of Instructional Coach and IB Coordinator, Ms. Taylor partnered with teachers to develop units of inquiry. As an associate principal since 2023, Ms. Taylor has taken on the role of comprehensive scheduler, is an expert in Standards Referenced Grading, and continues to collaborate with teachers as they develop high quality classroom experiences. Thank you, Ms. Taylor, for your unwavering support of Merrill students, staff, and families!

Ryan DaughtertyRYAN DAUGHERTY
Associate Principal
Merrill Middle School

Ryan Daugherty has served the DMPS community since 2007 as a teacher at Hoyt, a behavior strategist at Goodrell, as an associate principal at Callanan, and currently as an associate principal at Merrill Middle School. Mr. Daugherty has strengthened Merrill’s MTSS process, bringing the Tier 1 and Tier 2 systems in alignment – ensuring every student gets what they need. Additionally, along with a team of teacher leaders and students, Mr. Daughtery helped establish our Merrill collective commitments – Mustang PROUD – Be Prepared, Be Responsible, Take Ownership, Be Understanding, and Dream Big. Thank you, Mr. Daugherty, for your dedication to DMPS students, staff, and families! The mission at Merrill Middle School is to create a better and more peaceful, liberated world. Thank you, Mr. Daugherty for living out our mission each and every day!

Ronald ReganRONALD REGAN
Mechanic Assistant
Transportation Department

Ronald Regan born 1952, raised in Waukon is a Mechanic Assistant at DMPS. A transplanted farmer from Northeast Iowa is always on time and ready to help at the fuel island and wash bay with a smile on his face. Throughout a typical day Ron covers a variety of tasks including oil changes, washing buses, fueling vehicles for the district, repairing seats, dropping units off at other repair shops for body and warranty repairs, always doing so with a big smile on his face. Ron is a large piece of what it takes for the DMPS shop team to perform and for that we thank him.

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