Hi my name is Brittan Bell and this is my third year teaching at Lovejoy. I am so excited to start my new journey in 3rd grade after two great years teaching 2nd. I graduated from Iowa State University with an endorsement in language arts and a minor in technology. I am excited to find new ways to incorporate technology into our daily learning.

Let’s have a great year!!!

Hello! My name is Devin Brown! I graduated from Grand View University in the fall of 2017 with an Elementary Education degree and endorsements in reading and English Language Art. At Grand View I participated on the softball team! When I’m not at school, I like to coach, play sports, and hang out with my friends, family, and dog Tillie! I am so excited to start my career with my little humans! I am excited to learn and grow with them this year! Go Cruisers!

Hello! My name is Linda Ehrhardt! I currently teach first grade at Lovejoy Elementary. I have been teaching within the Des Moines district since 2006. I earned my degree in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa. I also have a K-8 Reading Endorsement from Upper Iowa University. I have two adult children named Jess and Josh. In my free time I like doing any kind of outdoor activities and reading books.

Hi, my name is Kellie Fillman.  I have been teaching in Des Moines since 1984.  I received my undergraduate teaching degree in 1982 from Central University in Pella, Iowa.  In 1999, I earned my masters in education from Viterbo University.  I have been teaching fifth grade since 1984.

It is my belief that all children can learn. It is my goal to create a productive learning environment in my classroom.  Creating this optimum environment begins with good classroom management. In order for a child to learn, he or she must feel safe to take risks and try new things.

I strive for each child to develop a hunger for learning. I work to present the educational material through a variety of different techniques and learning styles. Classroom instruction includes music, drama, hands on, oral instruction, video, projects, and more.

I look forward to getting to know you and your student!

I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. I have my BA degree in elementary education with endorsements in language arts and special education. I have taught kindergarten, 7th grade science, k-12 special education and 2nd grade. I can remember always wanting to be a teacher.  I found myself trying to help others all the time.  I love seeing children’s smiling faces every day and seeing the growth that they make.  It is so much fun to see the moments when it just “clicks” in their heads.  I can’t imagine a better job.

I graduated from Roosevelt High School a long time ago and then went to The University of Iowa. I have been teaching for DMPS since 1994, most of that time in fifth grade. I taught at Capitol View and Greenwood before coming to Lovejoy in 2016. I have two adopted boys from Liberia and spend a lot of time at their sporting events. Things that are very important to me are family, friends, respect, responsibility, and patience. I do my best to keep these things a priority in my life and in my teaching.

Wendy Glenn-Art Specialist Lovejoy Elementary

Associate of Arts- DMACC

Bachelor of Art Education- Drake University

Endorsement in English Language Learning- William Penn

Masters of Arts in Teaching- Morningside College

I have taught at Lovejoy since 1995.  I have also taught part time in many other buildings in the Des Moines district.

I graduated high school from a small town west of Des Moines and continue to reside in the same school district.  I have one daughter who is also pursuing education as her major. Her husband is in Law Enforcement.

My favorite art medium is pastels as well as pencil and charcoal. I also love gardening, canning cooking, hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking and anything outdoors.

This is my 6 year teaching, but my first year at Lovejoy. I graduated from Drake in 2003 with a Journalism degree then went back to become a teacher. I received my Masters in Teaching in 2011 and spent several years subbing in Des Moines before starting at Brubaker in 2013. In the last six years I have taught in both Des Moines and Newton and grades 1st, 2nd, and 4th. When I’m not at school I enjoy reading, running and spending time outdoors with my husband and two children.

My name is Kenessa Jones, and I’m so excited to have your student in my class. I am eager to meet you, and to partner with you on your child’s educational journey! After teaching everything from kindergarten through eighth grade, as well as supporting high school

teachers this past year, I am joining Lovejoy Elementary to teach fifth grade. While this will be my first year at Lovejoy, it will be my twelfth year in the classroom, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

A few of my goals are to engage, challenge, and inspire growth in my students. I will do this by creating an environment of mutual respect and a sense of community. Our classroom is hands-on and designed to meet children where they are. I believe in challenging children when appropriate, but also providing supports needed for them to feel success.

I hold myself to the same standards that I hold my students. That is, I strive to become a skilled thinker and learner, and I believe that this process is life-long. Balance and a growth mindset are often critical to our success—both as young learners and adult professionals. With that said, I encourage my students to find the things in life that they’re passionate about, and that bring them joy. You may notice that a lot of the stories I share in the classroom revolve around traveling, music, and working on the farm, as those are the passions I’ve cultivated for myself over the years.

I look forward to getting to know you and your student during the course of the school year, and embracing opportunities for growth as well as celebrating our successes during the months ahead of us!

Please feel free to contact me at any time with any questions, comments, or concerns. I hope to work with you to create independent learners to ensure a seamless transition to middle school.

Sharing in the Journey,

Miss Jones

Mr. Jorgenson has been a music educator for 11 years, having taught K-12 vocal and general music. A Des Moines native, Mr. Jorgenson holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Drake University.  In addition, he holds a level 1 certification in Orff-Schulwerk.  As an active local musician, Mr. Jorgenson believes that music enriches our lives and our communities and is a vital part of educating a complete child.

Hello, my name is Jason Karaidos.  Prior to teaching at Lovejoy I spent 5 years at Meredith Middle School.  I received my bachelor degree from Luther College and later obtained my Master’s degree from Graceland University.  I’m also the varsity girls’ basketball coach at Hoover High School.  I’m a Des Moines native where I graduated from Hoover in 1999.  I currently live in Clive with my wife and 4 children.

Hello!  My name is Karen Knust.  I teach first grade at Lovejoy Elementary.   I received my degree at Iowa State University.  I went back to school at Upper Iowa University in 2007 to be certified in K-8 reading and as a K-8 instructional strategist I.   I have also taught fourth grade, second grade and was a part -time instructional strategist with fifth graders.  I have been at Lovejoy since 2007.

I knew I wanted to become a teacher at a very early age.  I have always enjoyed working and helping children.  The best part is seeing the “light bulb go on” when they get it.  I never get tired of that!  It’s also rewarding to see your first grade students grow through their elementary years!

Hello! My name is Emily Konrad. I teach 3rd grade here at Lovejoy Elementary. I graduated from Iowa State University in January of 2016 and started teaching in 2nd grade at Lovejoy just a few weeks after! This year will be my second year teaching 3rd grade.

I love teaching 3rd grade and working with the most fantastic, unique, and hardworking students. I truly feel like Lovejoy students are so special! When I’m not teaching I enjoy spending time with my friends and Fiancé, reading, and spending time outside!

Hello! My name is Kristin Miller. I have been teaching in Des Moines since 2010. I am originally from South Dakota and earned my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Black Hills State University in 2003. I taught first grade in South Dakota for 6 years before moving to Des Moines. In 2010, I earned my master’s degree as a Reading Specialist from the University of Sioux Falls. My first two years in Des Moines I taught kindergarten, but since that time I have been teaching first grade. When I am not at Lovejoy I enjoy decorating cakes, reading, shopping, watching movies, being with friends, and spending time with my husband and little boy. I love teaching because of the huge growth that the students make in first grade. Many first graders begin the year struggling with reading but leave reading any book they can get their hands on. Also, I enjoy watching former students advance through the grades and becoming enthusiastic learners and great citizens.

Hello! My name is Emily Norris and I teach kindergarten here at Lovejoy! I received my Elementary Education degree from Northwestern College in 2010, along with endorsements in Reading and Early Childhood. Since then, I have taught kindergarten, first grade, and fourth grade. My favorite part of teaching is seeing the huge amount of growth that students make over the course of the year. I am married and have three boys (ages 17, 12, and 1)! I love to go to church, read, be outside, watch movies, exercise, play games, and spend time with my family.

Hi, my name is Cari O’Connell and I teach 1st grade.  I have been teaching in Des Moines Public Schools since 2001.  I currently live in West Des Moines with my husband Paul and our 2 children Ethan and Morgan.   I am very excited for this school year, I love coming to school every day and seeing the smiles on the students faces.  My favorite part of teaching is seeing the growth that each student makes every year.

I recently graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education with Math and Literacy. I am very excited to start my career as a 3rd grade teacher at Lovejoy Elementary!

My name is Madison Schettler. I graduated from Iowa State University in May 2018 with a degree in Elementary Education and endorsements in reading and special education. This is my first year teaching and I am so excited to be teaching at Lovejoy Elementary. I love being a teacher Outside of school, I enjoy travelling, hiking, watching football, and reading. I love teaching because I want to spread my own joy of learning to my students.

My class is made up of 21 students.  We have 11 girls and 10 boys.  We are working very hard at reading by doing centers every day where we get to have the flexibility to choose activities that help us learn the best.  Mrs. Catron comes into our class and assists four days a week with small reading groups. Mrs. Meyer also works with some of our students in both small group reading and in math.  We work hard to be following the Cruiser Pledge, by being kind and trustworthy, and always trying our hardest to reach our goals.

I graduated from Iowa State University with a minor in Spanish.  I student taught in Houston, Texas, where I decided that my love was working with students that spoke other languages as a first language.  I taught two years in Houston, then moved back to the Des Moines area where I began teaching ELL.  I was an ELL teacher at Willard Elementary for ten years.  When my sons began kindergarten, I decided it was time for a change and I moved to Lovejoy Elementary and began teaching second grade.  In the five years that I have taught here, I have rotated between grades two and three.  I love both grades!

I love being a teacher because every day is different.  The students are fun and keep me on my toes!  We are always learning new ways to teach, and so I feel very lucky in knowing many different ways to teach skills to children.  I love seeing where students are at the beginning of the year, and seeing them grow!  It is amazing how much a child can learn in one short year!

I have been teaching for 8 years with Des Moines Public Schools. Throughout my career I have taught kindergarten, first grade and second grade. I have my Masters of Education in Teacher Leadership, as well as endorsements in Reading, Social Studies and English as a Second Language. I love coming to school every day to see students and help them make growth both socially and academically.

Hi! My name is Megan Williams, and I’m so excited to be joining the Lovejoy family this year! I am one of the English Language Learner (ELL) teachers. I graduated from William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa and began my teaching career with DMPS as a reading/math interventionist in 2015.

My boyfriend, David, and I live in Norwalk with our two children, Conner and Lucy. We enjoy traveling, spending time outside, going to the movies, and trying new things. I am looking forward to a great year!