My name is Stefanie Beargeon and I am a 3rd grade teacher at Cattell. I have been a teacher with Des Moines Public Schools for 18 years. I live with my three children and two dogs in West Des Moines, Iowa. As a family we love to watch Iowa State football, go to the movies, listen to live music, go on walks, bike rides, go boating and spend time at the lake. I love meeting new students each year and getting to know all of the wonderful families at Cattell.
This is my seventh-year teaching 4th grade at Cattell Elementary. I received my bachelors degree from Iowa State University and my masters degree from Drake University.
I have two children, Jordan who is ten years old and Aubrey who is two years old. Jordan plays football and baseball so that keeps us very busy but in our free time we enjoy being outdoors, playing with our Yorkie Teddy, and spending a lot of time with our friends and family.
I enjoy creating a positive classroom environment where students feel safe and loved!
Hi! My name is Kelsey Brandt and I am an academic interventionist. This is my 10th year with DMPS and my 6th year here at Cattell. I am an Iowa State graduate. Go State! I live in Pleasant Hill with my husband and my 2 children. I am an avid reader and a lover of coffee, warm weather, and traveling!
My name is Shelby Brockshus, and this will be my first year teaching on my own. I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in May of 2022. I completed my student teaching last year in Ankeny, and that is where I live now. I am so happy I decided to stay in this area to start my career. I come from a small town in southwest Iowa, so this is a big change for me. I love every bit of it! I look forward to forming relationships with all of the staff, families, and students that cross paths with me along the way. I have always been very passionate about helping others learn, and cannot wait to instill this passion in my classroom at Cattell.
Hello! My name is Amanda Calder and I am thrilled to be a part of the Cattell Elementary family. I am a 2017 graduate of Grand View University where I studied K-12 Art Education and Studio Arts. I began my teaching career in 2017 and have taught elementary art, middle school art, and high school art, as well as having spent a few years teaching K-12 art online in a virtual setting. While at Grandview I did my student teaching in the DMPS district and I am excited to be back teaching within the district here at Cattell.
In my free time I enjoy spending time with my three children, reading, gardening, practicing yoga, running and of course, creating art!
Hello! My name is Paulina Chambers and this will be my 3rd year teaching first grade at Cattell Elementary. I graduated from Iowa State in 2019 with my degree in Elementary Education. Go Cyclones!! I am married and have two dogs.
My favorite things to do are workout and go to Cyclone Football games! 1st grade has been such a great age to teach because of the student’s energy and enthusiasm to try their best. I am always looking for students to succeed in school and outside of school.
Please contact me through email or SchoolCNXT.
I graduated from Wartburg College with a Bachelors of Music Education Degree. In my 12 years of teaching I have taught general music, choir, and band. This my 5th year teaching at Cattell. I live with my husband, 3 children, and dog. My hobbies are baking, reading, and making crafts. I am so excited to continue to work with all of the students here at Cattell!
My name is Keeli Comito. This will be my 2nd year teaching Kindergarten at Cattell. I received my bachelors degree from the University of Iowa and my masters degree from Drake University. I live in Des Moines with my family and lots of pets. I am looking forward to a fun year!
I graduated with my bachelor’s degree from Drake University. I then went on to get my master’s degree from Viterbo University. I have been working in the Des Moines Public Schools for 23 years. Most of my career was spent teaching fourth-grade. This will be my fifth year working as an instructional coach in the district where I work mostly with the upper grade levels. I spend most of my free time with my husband and son. My son, Jacob, attends the University of Colorado Boulder. Go Buffalos! In my free time, I love enjoying the outdoors. I love biking, paddle boarding, yoga, and spending time with friends and family soaking up the sunshine!
The best way to connect with me is via e-mail or Snapcnxt.
Hi. I am a Special Education Associate here at Cattell. I am a part of the amazing SUPER SPED SQUAD! I have been working within the school district for over 8 years. I have worked with elementary school students grades age ranging from Pre-K – 5 grade levels. I started in our Metro Kids program and have been at many different locations. I am excited to be working at Cattell and be a part of the Mustang SLCB Speducation Program. I love all children and plan to further my education with the Des Moines Public Schools. It’s great to see new faces and wonderful smiles from our staff, teachers, and most importantly our students. Every student has their own persona and I am more than welcoming on understanding and finding out how each of them are different and working with their needs.
I graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School – class of 2007 ; “Hey all you RIDER fans, jump up and down and clap your hands. We’ve got the best team in the land. ROOSEVELT. RIDERS.”!!!!! GO ROUGH RIDERS ?
Hello, my name is Anna Hayden! I enjoy reading and spending time with my dog! I hold a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Drake University. I spent on year working at a school is Ghana and will be returning to Cattell for my sixth year of teaching! I am one of the English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers. I love working with my students and their families. Go Mustangs!
3rd year at Cattell. I have been in education since 2006, with DMPS since 2014. I have coached high school sports for 20+ years all over the state of Iowa. I have a Master of Arts in Coaching & Athletic Administration and Master of Science in Exercise & Sport Science, a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a Physical Education Endorsement. My hobbies include coaching my youngest daughter’s softball team, family time and watching sports. I am an avid Sooner fan and Iowa wrestling junkie!
This is my fifth year teaching 4th grade at Cattell Elementary School. I received my bachelors degree from Iowa State University. Go Cyclones!
Outside of school, I enjoy taking walks, reading, being with family and friends, and traveling. I live with my husband Jake and our 3 year old yellow lab Rhett. I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know your students this year!
I have taught first grade at Cattell for 9 years and I am a Grand View graduate.
I am passionate about education and will work hard to instill a love of learning in all my students. I encourage students to set goals and help them meet them through team problem solving, practical practice, use of technology, and parent collaboration. I continue to seek out effective, researched based teaching strategies that will help meet the needs of multiple learning styles while reflecting on how I can continue to grow as a teacher.
My name is Bethany Moon and I teach 3rd grade. I graduated from Grand View University and have lived in Des Moines area ever since. I have taught at Cattell Elementary for the last 15 years and have enjoyed getting to know all the students and families. I am passionate about education and will work hard to instill a love of learning in all my students. Please contact me if you have any questions. My office hours are 7:15-7:45 and 2:40-3:00.
Best Way To Contact- Email: bethany.moon@dmschools
Hello Cattell Mustangs!
I am excited to be the new principal at Cattell. I have been with DMPS for 13 years now – two years as an assistant principal at Riverwoods and ten years as principal of Windsor Elementary. Prior to that, I taught in Knoxville and Humboldt, both in Iowa.
At home I live with my wife, my daughter (when she is home from college), and our two dogs. I also have a son who is married and lives in SE Iowa. I love to read, play cards, and support the Cyclones. Feel free to stop by any time, even if it’s just to chat!
This is my 18th year of teaching, my 16th at Cattell. I have the following degrees/endorsements:
BA from Briar Cliff University
Teaching Endorsement from Texas
Teaching Endorsement from Iowa -Upper Iowa University
Masters in Teaching and Reading Endorsement – Morningside College
Learning should be a fun experience. I want to build community in my classroom by working hard and playing hard, while striving to build relationships with my students. At the end of the day I want to send them off with a smile and hug.
My husband and I have 6 children. We have two grandchildren , one grandturtle and one granddog.
I can be reached by phone (242-8403) from 7:00-7:15. You may call after this and leave a message. I will return your call when I am not attending to students.
Hi! My name is Kiendra Phanfil. I am excited to be your 2nd grade teacher this year. This will be my second year in 2nd Grade. This my 21st year working with students in the DMPS district. My husband, Lesther, and I have four children. This school year is going to be so much fun and I can’t wait to get to know you all better! I graduated from Lincoln College in Illinois with my degree in Early Childhood Education. I then continued my education several years later at William Penn University and received my B.A in Elementary Education.
Hello, my name is Emily Presler. I have been teaching in Des Moines Public Schools for 11 years. This is my ninth year at Cattell Elementary and my fourth year as an Academic Interventionist. I received my Bachelor’s Degree at Grand View University and my Master’s Degree at Drake University.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and traveling. I live with my husband Dan, and our two sons, Pace and Paxton. I am looking forward for another exciting year of learning and growing with my students and families! Go Mustangs!
My name is Kristi Schmidt. This is my second year as the school nurse here at Cattell Elementary. Before coming to Cattell I was at Urbandale High School for a year. Prior to becoming a school nurse I worked in the hospital on an Adult cardiac/telemetry unit for 4 years then in the Pediatric ICU for 10 years. I received my Associate and Bachelor Degrees in Nursing from Mercy College of Health Science here in Des Moines
I live in Ankeny with my husband and three daughters. We enjoy traveling, camping, boating and just spending time outdoors. As I take care of students throughout the day, I think of my own children and how I would want them cared for. I teach and encourage students to start to become more independent as they grow and advise them on making good decisions when it comes to their health. My goal is to help our students be successful in and out of the classroom.I have been working in education for 23 years in both Des Moines and in Wisconsin. I hold degrees from Marquette University, Upper Iowa University, Drake University, and Cardinal Stritch University. I enjoy spending time with my teenage daughter and 2 cats in my free time. We spend a great deal of time at swimming pools- as a swimmer and a coach. I also like to exercise, knit, and read.
I believe everyone learns in their own unique way. The classroom is a safe place for students to learn with and from each other. It is important for everyone to be comfortable making mistakes and growing from those experiences. The best way to contact me is via email (Julie.seckington@dmschools.org) or School CNXT.
This is my 15th year at Cattell as an ELL Teacher. Every year I am excited to meet our students and their families! I have also taught Kindergarten and 1st grade in Houston, Texas, Dodge City, Kansas & Burlington, Wisconsin. I graduated from Iowa State University, and I love cheering on the Cyclones! I am married and have 2 children. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, baking and shopping.
I earned my Bachelor’s from Grand View University. I earned my Master’s from Morningside College. I have been teaching in the Des Moines School District for over 20 years.
I am a special education teacher who will be supporting 4th and 5th grade students in their classroom. My educational philosophy is that all students are unique individuals that have the ability to learn and grow educationally, socially and emotionally. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to facilitate the learning and growth of students by creating a safe and challenging learning environment.
I have lived in the Des Moines area for 25 years now. I am a wife and mother of 3 active boys. We have 2 family dogs who require as much, if not more attention than my children. In my spare time I like to read, make jewelry and soap. I consider myself a lifelong learner and frequently take classes for fun.
OFFICE HOURS / BEST WAY TO CONTACT/EMAIL: The best way to contact me is through email: neomi.voeller-case@dmschools.org. I will check my email periodically throughout the day and reply as soon as I can. You can also reach me by phone 515-242-8403. If I cannot be reached by phone, please leave a message with the office and I will return the call as soon as I can.
Jennifer Wagoner
Seeing the children grow through the years and working with the wonderful families has brought me back for my 20th year at Cattell. Over these years, I have taught kindergarten, second grade and third grade. Now, I am an academic interventionist working with students in all grades to develop strong reading and math skills.
I live with my husband and my two busy teenagers. My family loves to travel and have been working to visit all 50 United States. We only have 15 states left!
Please note that Ms. Wiechmann serves multiple schools, email is the most effective way to reach out.
I attended the University of Northern Iowa for my bachelor’s degree, then went on to continue my education at Viterbo University for my master’s degree in education. This is my 26th year working for Des Moines Public Schools. I have taught 5th grade, 2nd Grade and Intervention. This will be my second year as an Instructional Coach working mostly with 2nd and 3rd grade. My passion for education guides my everyday life in the classroom. I care about building relationships with students and teachers and believe that is the foundation for learning to take place. I have high expectations but will provide the support each and every child and teacher needs to be successful. I spend most of my free time with my family. We love to travel together and explore new places.
Hi! I am so excited to be at Cattell again this year! This is my 7th year teaching! I have taught 4th grade and 2nd. I graduated from Grand View University with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. I received my master’s degree from Drake University in Urban Education with my Talented and Gifted Endorsement. In my free time, I LOVE to read books, and spend time with my husband and two boys. I also have two golden retrievers and a cat who keeps our family busy!
I believe that all students can learn. I understand that not all students learn the same way, so I create lessons that are engaging and meaningful for my students. I believe that it’s important to build a classroom community, so my students feel safe and welcome every day they walk into my classroom.