Hello! My name is Joann Bierl. I graduated from Drake University with a Master of Education with a focus in ESL (English as a Second Language) endorsement. This is my 20th year of teaching. I chose to become a teacher because I have a passion as a life-long learner and for the opportunity to impact and make a difference in the lives of children. I hope to expand students’ limits and push their creativity.
I am married and have 2 sons and 2 bonus daughters. My favorite things to do are: puzzles, reading, traveling, shopping, and decorating.
Go BULLDOGS and Iowa State (if you ask my husband) 🙂
I’m Mindy Bigelow and this is my second year teaching Kindergarten at Edmunds. In 2020, I got my teaching degree from Graceland University. I live in West Des Moines with my fiancé and our two hilarious cats, Binx and Baxter. My hobbies include crafts, scrapbooking, and traveling. My favorite dinosaur is the Brachiosaurus. An education is one of the most important things a person can have and I am overjoyed to be a part of that for my students.
I’m David Borzo and I’m excited to work with Edmunds Kids! This is my 13th year of teaching art at Edmunds, and I am inspired by your children’s art every day. My philosophy of art is simple: art is all around us and we use it daily. All of our students have talent!
I was born and raised in Des Moines, earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master’s Degree in Education (MST) from Drake University. I have won dozens of awards in art show over the years, and I’ve had artwork printed in many publications, local and National. I love to use my art experience to help our students learn to love art – and to help them succeed throughout their school experience!
Hello! I am excited to be starting my sixth year at Edmunds Elementary – I love the students and families I have gotten to know and work with in this community! After finishing college at Central College in Pella, Iowa, I was lucky enough to make my way back to my hometown of Des Moines to do what I love – teach! My most favorite thing to do is travel, and I go to France as often as I can. I love to read and learn new things, and I am committed to social justice and anti-racism work.
Jamie Feldt
Hello my name is Ms. Feldt. I am very excited to be a third grade teacher at Edmunds. This is my third year teaching. Last year I taught 4th grade at a private school but I am very excited to move to 3rd Grade. I grew up in the Des Moines Area and went to Coe College to earn my degree in Elementary Education and to play basketball. Teaching runs in my family so I knew I wanted to be a teacher at a very young age. In my free time I love spending time with my family, playing sports, and reading. I love teaching and seeing students grow and become more confident in themselves. I can’t wait for a great school year!
My name is Autumn Gannon, and I am a second-year kindergarten teacher here at Edmunds Elementary! I grew up in a small town called Churdan in central Iowa. I went to Iowa State University and majored in Early Childhood Education Unified with special education and reading endorsements. Now, I live in Ankeny! In my free time, I love to read and learn how to do new things! Some of my hobbies are gardening, creating in the kitchen, crafting, and doing outdoor activities! I am looking forward to the school year!
Jordan Harris
This is my second-year teaching in a classroom of my own and am so excited to be able to do so in 4th grade! I graduated from the University of Iowa in the spring of 2021 with a B.A. in Elementary Education. When I am not teaching I enjoy spending time outside and cooking new dishes!
Welcome! I graduated from University of Northern Iowa with a Early childhood and Elementary education double major! I have been teaching for 14 years. I am so excited for another year of teaching 4th grade! In our classroom we are a community that learns and works together! We do many hands on real life activities that prepare us for the next stage of our life!
Hello everyone! I attended and graduated from the University of Iowa and graduated in 2022. Go Hawks! I recently moved to the Des Moines area and I am so excited to be teaching 2nd grade. In my free time, I enjoy traveling with my boyfriend, being outside, or curling up with a good book. I am most looking forward to meeting my students and building relationships with both them and their families. I have a huge love for learning new things and I’m looking forward to sharing that with my students.
Hello!!!! I am honored to be starting my 12th year at Edmunds as a SPED. Assistant.
I love the fact that I am able to at least make a few children smile everyday.
My passion is to be able to capture as many kids hearts as possible.
Our children are our future lets help them make it bright.
#SavingGrace
Josie Maasdam
Hey everyone! My name is Josie Maasdam and this will be my second year at Edmunds Elementary. I have just recently graduated from Northwestern College with my bachelors degree in elementary education, along with endorsements in special education, reading, and coaching! Ever since I was young, I have had a strong love for teaching, so I’m very excited to connect and empower the minds that will change the world. I’m also very excited to move to the Des Moines area to make new friends, try new things, and gain a new experience!
Welcome to fifth grade! My name is Brooke Maxwell and teaching at Edmunds is my passion because I love our students and families. My favorite part of being a fifth grade teacher is encouraging a love for learning and watching students grow. I like passing on my love for math to students and engaging them in challenging concepts. I attended Drake University, Upper Iowa, and UNI, When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and going on walks.
My name is Madi Miller, and this will be my second year teaching general music at Edmunds. I recently graduated from Luther College in small town Decorah, Iowa, and I’m eager to live and work in Des Moines. Some of my favorite things to do include reading, running, biking, and singing. I am so excited to build relationships, make lots of music, and have fun with the students and staff at Edmunds!
My name is Taylor Moore and I have been the school counselor at Edmunds since 2015! I provide education, prevention, and intervention activities to promote student success and support well-being. Outside of school, I love spending time with my family, reading, and cheering on the Chiefs and Hawkeyes!
I graduated from Iowa State University with my Bachelors in Elementary Education. I continued my education at Drake University where I got my Masters in Effective Teaching and Cultural Proficiency! Teaching and working with kids are my passion. In our classroom, we strive to build a community of care so we can achieve our academic goals. One of my favorite parts of teaching is seeing how our classroom climate and culture evolves as well as our academic growth!
Aside from teaching, I am a foodie! I love trying new restaurants and the foods they have to offer. I love it so much it landed me a job working part time at a restaurant. Along with food, I love to move my body with yoga or spending time outdoors. I am looking forward to another school year of learning and growing with your child!
Hello! My name is Liz Reilly and this will be my 4th year at Edmunds! I graduated from Iowa State University with my bachelors degree and currently, I am attending Upper Iowa University to earn my Intellectual Disabilities endorsement. I grew up in Ames, Iowa and recently moved to the Des Moines area. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family and reading. I love teaching because I am able to build relationships with students and help them everyday.
I have had the good fortune of starting my career at Edmunds in 2004. I graduated from Grand View College with a major in British Literature and minor in writing. At Upper Iowa University I earned my degree in teaching and from Drake I earned my Masters in 2007 where I walked across the stage ready to have my baby boy. I have taught in all grade levels and have been taught from them as much as I have taught them. I love spaghetti and Mexican food. I have traveled to many countries around the world and many states in the U.S. I love reading and writing, love my chocolate labs, and binge watch shows on Netflix, I am a huge HAWKEYE fan and love to watch and go the games
Hello! I am very excited to begin my first year teaching at Edmunds. I recently graduated from Iowa State University and I am so excited to begin my teaching journey in Des Moines! In my free time I love to read, cook, listen to music, and be outdoors. I can’t wait to get this school year started and work hard with all of my students!
Hello! I’m so excited to begin a new school year! I have worked at Edmunds since 2013! I went to Grand View University for my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I also obtained my Master’s Degree at Grand Canyon University in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages! I have endorsements in Reading, Language Arts, and English as a Second Language I absolutely LOVE what I do and could not imagine doing anything else.
My husband and I live in Woodward, a VERY small town northwest of Des Moines. I have two children, Ava and Wesley. We also have three dogs! My family and I enjoy spending time outdoors every chance we get. We love to go camping! I look forward to working with and getting to know all my students and their families this year!
#GoWildcats!
Linda Torres
Hi! My my name is Linda Torres and I am one of the ELL teachers at Edmunds. I have been a teacher for 7 years and love it! I am originally from Boston, Massachusetts. Moved to Iowa in 2010 to get my teaching degree at William Penn University in Oskaloosa, IA. I have a four year old boy who keeps me busy. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my son, watching movies, listening to music and visiting my family in Boston.
My name is Nathan White and this will be my second year at Edmunds and I am beyond excited! I taught Health at Callanan last year and am excited to be teaching Physical Education this year. I believe kids learn best by being physically active and I want to teach them the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle in a fun and engaging way!
Hello! My name is Corinne Wiese and I am so excited to be teaching kindergarten this coming school year! I am from Orange City, IA. I recently graduated from Northwestern College in my hometown. I absolutely love to read, color, watch sunsets, and spend time with family and friends. I grew up around educators my entire life, so I knew from a young age I wanted to be a teacher and love on students. I am easily entertained and love finding joy in life. I am so excited to be a part of the Edmunds Team!