Kathie Danielson to be Director of High Schools

Des Moines Public Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of a veteran principal, Kathie Danielson, as the district’s new Director of High Schools. She will succeed Alisa Farmer, who has accepted a position in Texas.

“Kathie has dedicated her career to the education of our students in Des Moines,” said Superintendent Tom Ahart. “From the classroom to the principal’s office, she has been an exceptional educator and leader whose experience will be a valuable addition to our district’s administrative team.”

“It is a great honor to be a part of this school district for nearly four decades, and to work with so many exceptional teachers and students,” added Danielson. “I am excited for the opportunity to work with our high school principals and staff to support and continue the progress they have been making in recent years.”

As Director of High Schools, Danielson will help oversee and evaluate the leaders of six DMPS high schools and related programs. Working with the support of a recent $3 million dollar grant from the Wallace Foundation aimed specifically at improving the instructional skills of school leadership, Danielson will be part of an expanded Office of Schools team focused making the district a national model of excellence in education.

Danielson began her career in education with DMPS in 1975 as a literature, speech and theater teacher at Hoover High School. She also taught at both Lincoln and East high schools. In 2000, she became the vice principal at Hoover and from 2003-07 was the principal of Callanan Middle School. Danielson was the principal of Roosevelt High School from 2007-13. For the past year she has been a regional director for the Heartland AEA.

Danielson holds a BA in English and theater/speech from Iowa State University and a Master of Education in Effective Teaching, Learning and Leadership from Drake University as well as an Administrative endorsement.