Education: University of Northern Iowa: BA Psychology, M.A. Counseling
Endorsements: K-12 School Counseling
Years of Experience: Since 2020
Years at Cowles: Since 2022
Original Hometown: Mason City, IA
Education: Drake University, BS Education; Viterbo, MEd Reading Specialist, AMS
Endorsements: K-6 Classroom, K-6 Social Studies, K-12 Reading Specialist, Montessori Center International Birth-6-Standard and Advanced Diplomas, Gulf Coast Montessori Teacher Training Center (AMS) 6-12.
Years of Experience: Since 1997
Years at Cowles: Since 2002
Original Hometown: Boston, MA
Previous Career: Principal Dancer and Director of Education for Ballet Iowa
Education: University of Iowa, Bachelor’s Degree
St. Xavier University, Master’s Degree in Teaching and Leadership
Endorsements: Reading and Science
Years of Experience: Since 2000
Years at Cowles: Since 2023
Original Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Education: University of Iowa, Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts
Years of Experience: Since 1993
Years at Cowles: Since 2017
Original Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA
Education: UNI, University of Iowa
Years of Experience: Since 2001
Years at Cowles: Since 2001
Original Hometown: Storm Lake, IA
Education: UNI, Drake. Masters
Endorsements: Elementary Education, Middle School, Administration
Years of Experience: Since 2004
Years at Cowles: Since 2017
Original Hometown: Ft. Madison, IA
Education: Iowa State University and Wiles University, M.A.
Endorsements: Early Childhood Education, Masters of Early Childhood Literacy
University of Nebraska- Kearney, Montessori Training
Years of Experience: Since 2004
Years at Cowles: Since 2019
Original Hometown: Newhall, IA
Education: University of Iowa, B.A. Communication Studies
Drake University, MST Education, MSE Educational Leadership
Endorsement: Early Childhood
Years of Experience: Since 2004
Years at Cowles: Since 2022
Original Hometown: West Des Moines, IA
Education: Simpson College, Liberal Arts and Elementary Education
Endorsements: Early Childhood (0-Grade 3), Special Education (K-8), English/Language Arts (K-8), Reading (K-8)
Years of Experience: Since 2018
Years at Cowles: Since 2018
Original Hometown: Dubuque, IA
Education: NIACC, UNI. BA
Endorsements: Elementary Education, Art, Reading
Years of Experience: Since 2001
Years at Cowles: Since 2009
Original Hometown: Mason City, IA
Art education at Cowles is a choice-based class. It is a combination of Discipline-Based Art Education (the base knowledge of art) and Teaching for Artistic Behavior (the process of creating individual art) that meets the needs of the Montessori artist.
Education: Indiana State University, PhD Education Administration
Purdue University, M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction
Hofstra University, B.A. Speech Arts and Sciences
Years of Experience: 30
Years at Cowles: Since 2023
Original Hometown: Hicksville, NY
Education: University of Wyoming, Bachelor’s in Education
Endorsements: Early Childhood
Years of Experience: Since 1998
Years at Cowles: Since 2014
Original Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Education: University of Northern Iowa: BA Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary Education
Endorsement: Early Childhood (Upper Iowa)
Years of Experience: Since 1995
Years at Cowles: Since 2018 (Associate), Since 2020 (Teacher)
Original Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Education: University of Iowa, Drake. Masters in Special Education
Endorsements: K-6 Elementary, PK-K Teacher, K-8 Behavioral Disabilities, K-8 Mental Disabilities, K-8 Multicategorical Resource, K-8 Multicategorical Special Class with Integration, K-12 Instructional Strategist 2, K-8 Instructional Strategist 1
Years of Experience: Since 1989
Years at Cowles: Since 2002
Original Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Education: Simpson College, BA
Endorsements: Reading/Early Childhood
Years of Experience: Since 2013
Years at Cowles: Since 2013
Original Hometown: West Des Moines, IA
Education: University of Iowa, BFA
Years of Experience: Since 2019
Years at Cowles: Since 2019
Original Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Education: Upper Iowa, BA in Human Services and Psychology
Years at Cowles: Since 2020
Original Hometown: Grimes, IA
Education: B.S. Iowa State University, M.S.T (Master of Science in Teaching) Drake University
Endorsements: Reading
Years of Experience: Since 2014
Years at Cowles: Since 2016
Original Hometown: Johnston IA
Education: Iowa Methodist School of Nursing
Years of Experience: Since 2009
Years at Cowles: Since 2019
Original Hometown: Iowa Falls, IA
I have been an RN for the past 32 years and have experience in both the hospital and clinic setting. The last 15 years I have enjoyed being a school nurse.
The thing I love about being a school nurse is that each day is different. A typical day may include: first aid, direct care, health assessments, communication with parents and staff, and so much more. I love being able to support student learning by promoting healthy lifestyles and managing chronic conditions. I love building relationships with my staff, my students, and their families. School Nursing is the best!
Education: Iowa State University, Bachelor’s Degree
Drake University, Master’s of Science in Teaching
Endorsements: Reading and Instructional Strategist I
American Montessori Society Elementary I Certified
Years Experience: Since 2013
Years at Cowles: Since 2021
Original Hometown: West Des Moines, IA
Education: Wartburg College. Master’s in Education Administration
Years of Experience: Since 2002
Years at Cowles: Since 2017
Original Hometown: Waukon, IA
Education: Iowa State University, Viterbo
Endorsements: Middle School English and Science, Administration PK-12
Years of Experience: Since 2006
Years at Cowles: Since 2006
Original Hometown: Ames, IA
Education: DMACC, Upper Iowa University, BA
Endorsements: Reading and Language Arts
Years of Experience: Since 2008
Years at Cowles: Since 2011
Original Hometown: Newton, IA
Education: Drake University, BA Marine Biology
Years of Experience: Since 2012
Years at Cowles: Since 2012
Original Hometown: Omaha, NE
Years of Experience: Since 2000
Years at Cowles: Since 2009
Original Hometown: Des Moines, IA
College Attended: The University of Iowa (undergraduate) & Drake University (graduate)
Highest Degree Earned: Masters of Science in Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction
Endorsements: Science, English Language Learning
Years of experience: Since 2014
Years at Cowles: Since 2020
Original Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Years at Cowles: Since 2023
Original Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Education: Drake University, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Specialist, Doctorate
Endorsement: Educational Leadership
Years in Education: Since 1991
Years at Cowles: Since 2022
Original Hometown: Bowling Green, MO
Education: UNI, BA K-12 Music Education
Drake University, Master’s Degree in Culturally Responsive Leadership and Instruction
Drake University, Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership- School Administration
Endorsements: General Music, Band, Orchestra, Vocal Music, K-12
Years of Experience: Since 2010
Years at Cowles: Since 2010
Original Hometown: Urbandale, IA
I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two dogs, traveling, and reading. I perform with two music ensembles in the Des Moines area. I play clarinet in the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble and the Thornwood Clarinet Quartet.
Hannah Riedinger
Name: Hannah Riedinger
Position: Preprimary Teacher
College Attended: Luther College
Highest Degree Earned: Bachelor of Arts
Endorsements: Reading, Early Childhood
Years of Experience: Since 2019
Years at Cowles: Since 2020
Original Hometown: Urbandale, IA
Education: Grandview University, B.A. in Elementary Education
Endorsements: K-8 Reading and K-8 Language Arts
Montessori training in progress at the University of Wisconsin
Years in Education: Since 2011
Years at Cowles: Since 2021
Original Hometown: Des Moines
Education: Grand View University, BA in Criminal Justice, Minor is Physiology
Years of Experience: Since 2013
Years at Cowles: Since 2016
Original Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Sam Sindlinger
Name: Sam Sindlinger
Position: Lower Level Teacher
College Attended: University of Northern Iowa
Highest Degree Earned: BA
Endorsements: Science and Social Studies
Years of Experience: Since 2019
Years at Cowles: Since 2020
Original Hometown: Charles City, IA
Education: BA Journalism and Early Childhood Education
Endorsements: Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies
Years of Experience: Since 2006
Years at Cowles: Since 2023
Original Hometown: Cedar Rapids
Education: Upper Iowa University
Endorsements: Coaching, Health
Years of Experience: Since 2009
Years at Cowles: Since 2011
Original Hometown: Johnston, IA
Education: Iowa State University, B.S. Elementary Education
Viterbo University, Masters of Education
Houston Montessori Center, Early Childhood Certification
Endorsements: Early Childhood
Years of Experience: Since 1996
Years at Cowles: Since 2007
Original Hometown: Lake City, IA