DMPS Announces New Principals at Moore and Callanan
Mary Minard will become principal at Moore Elementary School for the 2022-23 school year.
MOORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
A veteran educator will take over leadership at Moore Elementary School. Jefferson Elementary School principal Mary Minard brings more than three decades of experience with DMPS to the role. She replaces Beth Sloan, who is retiring at the end of the school year.
“Mary Minard is a transformational educator and leader who has served as an excellent principal at Jefferson Elementary and embodies and lives out each of her days as a leader who keeps students at the forefront of her every decision,” said Gregory Grylls, Director of Elementary Schools. “As the new principal of Moore Elementary, Mary will be relentless in her pursuit to be transparent, honest, and continue the strong sense of purpose felt throughout the Moore community.”
Minard got her start as a kindergarten teacher at McKinley Elementary School where she served for five years. She moved to Longfellow Elementary School where she served another five years in multi-age classrooms. She also taught kindergarten at Oak Park Elementary School. After 19 years in the classroom, Minard became Dean of Students at South Union Elementary, and most recently served as principal at Jefferson Elementary School. Minard has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Truman State University and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Drake University.
“I am excited to have this opportunity to return to my neighborhood school on the northside of Des Moines,” Minard said. “This work will be especially important to me because these families are my neighborhood families.”
Minard officially begins work at Moore on July 1 pending DMPS School Board approval. DMPS is currently searching for the next principal of Jefferson Elementary School.
Ryan Sharp will become principal of Callanan Middle School for the 2022-23 school year.
CALLANAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Des Moines Public Schools is pleased to announce that Oak Park Elementary School principal Ryan Sharp has been selected as the next principal at Callanan Middle School. He replaces Dawn Stahly, who is retiring at the end of the school year.
“Ryan has proven himself to be an effective leader at both elementary and middle school,” said Wayne Knutson, Middle Schools Director at DMPS. “His experience makes him the ideal leader to engage with the staff, families, and community at Callanan to realize the goals for student success.”
Sharp started his career at DMPS as a reading teacher at Harding Middle School in 2007, where he also served as the athletic director. In 2013, he went on to work as the School Improvement Leader at McCombs Middle School where he served for five years before becoming the principal of Oak Park Elementary School in 2018. Sharp has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Education Administration K-12, both from Iowa State University.
“I am looking forward to joining the Callanan team and serving the Callanan community as we work together to continue to provide an amazing educational experience for all,” Sharp said.
Sharp officially begins work at Callanan on July 1 pending DMPS School Board approval. DMPS is currently searching for the next principal of Oak Park Elementary School.
