Longtime School Leader Becomes New Central Campus Director

The new Director of Central Campus: Tascha Brown.

Des Moines Public Schools is pleased to welcome Tascha Brown as the new director of Central Campus. She is transitioning from her school leadership role at Roosevelt High School to take over for Aiddy Phomvisay, who left Central Campus to pursue graduate work full time.

Brown is a DMPS graduate and has been working in secondary education for 15 years — beginning in Ankeny, where she worked in speech, debate, literacy, and with at-risk students. She joined DMPS in 2011 as a literacy leader at Harding Middle School, and has served as school improvement leader at Roosevelt High School for the past five years. Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Northwest Missouri State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Drake University. She was named 2011 Iowa Alternative Educator of the Year by the Iowa Alternative Education Association for her contributions to the field of alternative education in the state.

“Tascha Brown is dedicated to ensuring students find their passion and connect their educational experiences with what they see themselves doing after high school,” said Executive Director of Secondary Tim Schott. “She was chosen from a strong field of candidates by a diverse group of staff from Central Campus and a wide range of district leadership stakeholders.”

Central Campus offers unique academic and career opportunities that direct, inspire, and motivate a diverse group of students. The regional academy provides students an integrated academic curriculum with career exploration and preparation in more than 30 college career programs.

“I am passionate about serving the families of DMPS and giving back to the system that allowed me to have the opportunities I have today,” said Brown. “I believe DMPS is changing the world one kid at a time. There are so many incredibly smart, talented and driven people in DMPS, I wouldn’t want work anywhere else.”

Brown begins work as Director of Central Campus on July 1.