We Are WDMCS

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

As I sit here today and reflect on the past couple of months the following three words come to mind: Hopeful, Inspired, Grateful.

Hopeful. I continue to be hopeful for the return of our staff and students to our buildings. I know the return will not be yet this school year and that makes me sad, but I choose to look forward to the days our halls are filled with reunions and laughter between students and staff.

Inspired. I am inspired by all the great work happening in our district. Thank you, thank you, and thank you for supporting our students! I know that vocalizing my appreciation for you is one small gesture; you deserve so much more. As I’ve said before, to me there is no greater career than educating students. The hard work you do deserves to be noticed and honored every day. During this unprecedented time your service to our students and families has not gone unnoticed. You quickly adjusted to providing continuous learning online. Thank you!

Grateful. I want you to know how much I appreciate your efforts. Every day, you face the challenge of educating our students because you understand that it is an investment in our future. Thank you for all you do to ensure that students leave our system possessing the critical attributes in the WDMCS Portrait of a Graduate.

Thank you for all you've done this past year, and continue to do, for our WDMCS students and families.

Lisa Remy, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Congratulations are in order to the following 17 staff members who have given of themselves, shared knowledge, and provided inspiration to thousands of students. Their contributions are rich and abundant!

Together they have served a cumulative total of 404 years in our district. We are thankful for these colleagues who have dedicated their lives to students in so many ways. They have played a key role in developing future citizens and leaders of the 21st century.

We honor and thank them for their service, for their caring, for their energy and vitality,
and for making a difference in students’ lives.

35 years

Language Arts Teacher at Valley Southwoods

What was a memorable story/event that took place during your service in the district?
The opening of Valley Southwoods Freshman High School. We spent a lot of time collaborating with staff and working with students. Because it was all new, students and staff had a shared experience that bonded us together.

10 Years

Custodian at Stilwell Junior High

What book did you select to be donated to a WDMCS school library?
"Watchers" by Dean Koontz

15 Years

Bus Driver with WDMCS Transportation

What book did you select to be donated to a WDMCS school library?
"The Night Gardener" by Jonathan Auxier

10 Years

Custodian at Crestview School of Inquiry School

What book did you select to be donated to a WDMCS school library?
"The Science of Cars" by Larry Heiman

24 Years
Science Teacher at Walnut Creek Campus

What book did you select to be donated to a WDMCS school library?
Hal Leonard Guitar Method, Complete Edition: Books 1, 2, and 3 Plastic Comb version, by Schmid

13 Years

Math Teacher at Stilwell Junior High

What plans do you have after retirement that you would be willing to share?
I would like to travel with my husband, spend more time reading, and live in the moment more.

34 Years

Kindergarten Teacher at Fairmeadows Elementary

What plans do you have after retirement that you would be willing to share?
I have taken a part-time job with my church. I work with adults who want to learn about becoming Catholic. The job has a lot of flexibility and I get to build my schedule. I am thrilled for this opportunity!

20 Years

Principal Secretary at Fairmeadows Elementary

What was a memorable story/event that took place during your service in the district?

I enjoy students and their problem-solving abilities. I remember one student who was habitually tardy. She decided rather than laying out her clothes the night before school, she would just sleep in them so she’d be ready in the morning. She might have been slightly wrinkled, but she wasn’t tardy again!

25 Years
Social Studies Teacher at Stilwell Junior High

What plans do you have after retirement that you would be willing to share?

Sleeping in(!), being a stay-at-home kitty mommy, reading, binge watching, painting/remodeling, etc.… while I wait for my spousal unit to retire in two years.

20 Years
Transportation Specialist with WDMCS Transportation

What are your hobbies, interests, and talents?

I am a person with many talents, but I claim to be a master of none. I appreciate the district for being offered the positions I have held, and having confidence in me to show my detailed, organizational and personal skills. Aside from my computer skills, gardening, woodworking, plants and animals, wildlife and habitat, and making me more available for my kids and grandkids are the interests and hobbies.

15 Years

English and French Teacher at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School

What was a memorable story/event that took place during your service in the district?
In 2016, I was a top-five finalist for the Iowa Teacher of the Year from the Iowa Department of Education. I showed up to my interview dressed in the Napoleon outfit I use in my French classes during my unit on France. I have been President of the Iowa World Language Teachers Association, which represents all world language teachers in the state. I was also chosen as the Iowa High School Foreign Language Teacher of the Year.

14 years
Teacher Librarian at Crestview School of Inquiry

What was a memorable story/event that took place during your service in the district?
I’ll always remember the outpouring of support for the Crestview family whose first-grader, Camryn Storbeck, lost her fight to cancer in 2014, which led to the evolution of “Camryn’s Corner” – a memorial shelf where library books and a handcrafted 3D dragonfly overhead honor her, a substitute teacher, the spouse of a local artist and their collective love for great books that lift our spirits.

12 Years

Custodian at Valley High School

What are your hobbies, interests, and talents?
Never had time for a hobby. My interest was to be able to strive to get through from one challenge to the next of daily living.

21 Years
Kids West Assistant Leader at Fairmeadows Elementary

What book did you select to be donated to a WDMCS school library?
"Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum" by Dr. Seuss

19 Years
Custodian with WDMCS Operations

What book did you select to be donated to a WDMCS school library?
"The List of Things That Will Not Change" by Rebecca Stead

31 Years
Sixth-Grade Teacher at Western Hill Elementary

What plans do you have after retirement that you would be willing to share?
I will continue with my hobbies – just spend more time on them. I currently have a Disney World trip planned when school starts in the fall. I also am going to Patagonia in February 2021.

35 Years

Kindergarten Teacher at Hillside Elementary

What was a memorable story/event that took place during your service in the district?
I was a part of the design team that helped plan Hillside. It was great to move into a new classroom, fully-equipped with the latest technology and beautifully designed with kids in mind (and everything I always wanted in a classroom.) Moving to full-day kindergarten in a fantastic space during my 20th year was truly memorable!

Laine Mendenhall-Buck
buckl@wdmcs.org

515-633-5023

Alexandra Wade

wadea@wdmcs.org

515-633-5022

Aaron Young

younga@wdmcs.org
515-633-5016

Email: scroffice@wdmcs.org
Website: www.wdmcs.org
Location: 3550 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA, USA
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Twitter: @WDMCS