Education

• Grand View University: Elementary
• Drake University: Masters in Culturally Responsive Leadership and Instruction Teaching

Experience

• Phillips Elementary: 1st grade
• Findley Elementary: K-5 Intervention
• Valerius Elementary (UCSD): Special Education Associate

Family/Hobbies

I am married with two children and a 110 pound chocolate lab. Willow is 6, idolizes Dolly Parton and is going into the first grade. Krew is 3, believes he has Hulk powers, and is rocking the daycare life. We love all things outdoors, time with family, and trying new things! I am beyond excited to start my 10th year in DMPS with King!!

Hi!  My name is Sara Bitting and I am one of the behavior strategists at King Elementary.  This is my first year at King and I am so excited to join this team!  I am from Des Moines and went to Jackson, Weeks, and Lincoln.   After my years in Des Moines schools I graduated from Drake University.  I absolutely love being a teacher and am excited to join the community at King.  Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and gardening.

Education –

Iowa State University –Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education –

Iowa State University –Masters in Education Administration

Teacher Experience –

Oak Park Elementary (9 years): Academic Interventionist K-5, First grade, Behavior Strategist, and an Instructional Coach.  I started working at King as an Instructional Coach in 2019.

Family/Hobbies: I have two beautiful boys, Sawyer and Hunter. We enjoy taking the dog for walks, going to the zoo, reading books, watching football and spending time with family.

Education
Drake University
● Masters in Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction – December 2018
● Literacy Specialist – December 2018
Upper Iowa University
● Elementary Education Degree – May 2013
● K-8 Reading Endorsement – May 2013

Teaching Experience:
I have taught at King Elementary since August of 2013. I love teaching first grade because I get the honor of teaching children to read. I feel fortunate to work with the awesome students and staff at King. Go King Lions!

Family/Hobbies
My husband Brent and I have three children, Isla, Sayer, and Lachlan. We also have one dog, Copper. As a family we enjoy going camping, swimming, and also just relaxing at home. When I have free time I love to read and go to Starbucks. You might also spot me at Target from time to time

Education:
Simpson College, Indianola, IA. Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Endorsement, Reading Endorsement, Coaching Endorsement.

Teaching Experience:
1999-2017 1st grade teacher Norwalk Elementary
2017-present King Elementary Interventionist

Family/Hobbies:
I live in Indianola, Ia. with my husband and my 3 boys. Two are in high school and I have 1 boy in elementary. We love to spend time together and my husband and I enjoy watching my boys play sports.

My name is Betsy Yates and I am an Academic Interventionist at King. I work with small group of students to practice math and reading skills. The 2021-2022 school year is my 12th year teaching at King and my 19th year teaching overall. My first six years of teaching I taught 5th grade and when I started at King I taught first grade for three years before moving to an interventionist position.

I am originally from Missouri and attended college at Truman State University and played on the golf team. While at Truman, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and my Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Since teaching at King I have also earned my Reading Endorsement from Upper Iowa University.

I have two teenagers and we stay busy with their activities and our dog. During the Covid-19 pandemic we started fostering kittens and haven’t stopped!

I am so excited to be returning to King and see our students learn and grow this year!!