Why Work for DMPS? - Des Moines Public Schools

DMPS. IOWA’S LEADER IN EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION

Not only do you get a career with a competitive salary and great benefits, but at Des Moines Public Schools you will be part of the most innovative school district in Iowa with more choices for students and families than anywhere in the state.

Des Moines Public Schools may be the biggest provider of public education in Iowa, but we take anything but a one-size-fits-all approach to educating our students. In fact, families in Des Moines can find more educational options than anyplace in the state, including:

Advanced Placement. Central Academy, attended by students from 39 central Iowa middle and high schools, is Iowa’s top AP program, dedicated to providing a challenging curriculum. The Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development placed Central Academy “in a class by itself” as a college preparatory school. In addition, DMPS is in the midst of a significant expansion of AP course offerings throughout all five high schools, providing thousands of student access to rigorous and advanced courses.
International Baccalaureate. Home to the only IB program in Iowa, DMPS offers this world-class educational opportunity at four elementary schools (Hubbell, Park Avenue, Stowe, and Walnut Street), four middle schools (Brody, Goodrell, Meredith, and Merrill) and Hoover High School. In addition, Central Academy is currently the only school in Iowa to offer the renowned International Baccalaureate diploma.
Central Campus. Find learning opportunities in several high-skill areas, including graphic design, broadcasting & film, culinary arts, fashion, and automotive technology. In addition, DMPS is home to one of only three high school aviation programs certified by the FAA and has the largest marine biology of any non-coastal high school.
Higher Education Partnerships. Des Moines Public Schools’ proximity to Drake University, Iowa State University and Des Moines Area Community College has created numerous partnership and collaborative efforts that support and educate DMPS students, teachers and administrators.
Downtown School. The Downtown School, located at Central Campus, is a national model where students learn in multiage classes. The school has been nationally recognized for its innovative education program and as a great option for working parents.
Montessori. Cowles Montessori School is the only public Montessori program in Iowa, serving students in grades K-8. Students learn in multiage classrooms and children’s natural curiosities are explored to the fullest as they advance at their own pace.
Traditional Programs. Phillips Elementary School has a dress code and features increased emphasis on basic academic skills. The school also stresses personal respect, responsibility and discipline as cornerstones of a place where academic achievement can be maximized.
Alternative Programs. Future Pathways, Scavo Alternative High School, Orchard Place, Casady Alternative High School, and McKee Alternative Middle School offer programming for students who may be struggling with attendance requirements at a comprehensive school or have other personal issues and need alternative programming.
Ruby Van Meter. Ruby Van Meter School provides high quality instruction to physically and mentally disabled students.

DMPS is honored to be named one of America’s Best Midsize Employers by @Forbes, one of only 10 Iowa employers on the list. The ranking is based on a survey of ~45K American workers at companies and institutions with 1,000 to 5,000 U.S. employees. https://t.co/MOKus1HwwX

— DM Public Schools (@DMschools) February 17, 2023

When you work for Des Moines Public Schools, you will be part of a group of educators and staff who are recognized as being among the very best in their fields. These are just some of the awards and honors they have earned in recent years:

2022 Iowa School Social Workers Association Friend of Children Award
2022 Iowa Council Teachers of English Barb Schubert Award
2022 Iowa World Language Educator of the Year
2021 Iowa Council Teachers of English Iowa High School Teacher of Excellence
2021 Iowa History Teacher of the Year
2021 Eight-time Energy Star Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence
2021 Iowa Association of Agricultural Educators Outstanding Administrator Award
2021 Iowa School Public Relations Association (25 communications awards)
2020 Iowa High School Press Association Administrator of the Year
2020 Iowa School Social Workers Association Iowa School Social Worker of the Year
2019 Twelve-time ASBO Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting winner
2019 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics & Science Teaching Finalist
2019 National School Boards Association Magna Award
2018 Capital City Pride Ally of the Year
2018 Iowa Juneteenth Mary McCleod Bethune Award
2017 NSDA Iowa Educator of the Year
2017 ISSWA Friend of Children Award
2017 Stephen Tsai Award for Excellence in Autism Education
2017 IHSPA Administrator of the Year
2017 PBS Digital Innovator
2017 ISPRA Blue & Gold Award
2017 Facilities Management Decision magazine’s Achievement Award
2017 Recognized American School Counselor Association Model Program
ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year
2016 AP Teacher of the Year
2016 Social Studies Teacher of the Year
2016 ADK Excellence in Education Award
2016 ISPRA Communicator of the Year
2016 DMR Coach of the Year
2016 5-Time Energy Star Partner of the Year
2016 PBS Tech Innovator of the Year
2016 MLK Make a Difference Award
2016 ADBOI Meritorious Budget Award
2016 Science Bound High School of the Year
5 High Schools on the Iowa AP Index
2016 NSPRA Golden Achievement Winner
2015 DMR Creative of the Year
2015 Iowa Teacher of the Year – Clemencia Spizzirri, Merrill Middle School
2015 Magna Award, National School Board Association
2015 District of Distinction Award, District Administration magazine
2015 Iowa Alternative Educator of the Year – Randy Botkin, Scavo High School
2014 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching finalists
2014 Prostart Educator of Excellence Award
2014 Iowa School Social Worker of the Year by the Iowa School Social Workers Association
2014 Four Rotary Educators of the Year
2014 Rising Star by the Journalism Education Association
2014 Two Finalists for Iowa Teacher of the Year
2013 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching winner
2013 Dr. Robert E. and Phyllis M. Yager Exemplary Teaching Recognition Award
2013 Steve France Lifetime Achievement Award
2012 Finalist for Iowa Teacher of the Year
2012 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching finalists
2011 James Madison Fellowship for the state of Iowa
2010 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching winner
2010 Edyth May Sliffe Award for Distinguished High School Mathematics Teaching by the Mathematical Association of America
2010 Excellence in Education Award runner-up
2010 Toyota International Teacher Program honoree
2010 James Bryant Conant Award in High School Teaching.
2009 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching finalists
Art Educator of the Year by the Art Educators of Iowa
Outstanding Secondary Art Educator by the Art Educators of Iowa
2009 Edyth May Sliffe Award for Distinguished Junior High/Middle School Mathematics Teaching
Certificate of Achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association for the school district’s comprehensive annual financial report.
Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year for the state of Iowa by the National Association of Biology Teachers
Educator of the Year by the Printing Industry of the Midwest
Daughters of the American Revolution US History Teacher of the Year nominee
Financial Literacy Educator of the Year for the state of Iowa
Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials
2009 James Madison Fellowship in American History
Iowa Industrial Technology Education Middle School Teacher of Excellence