Hello King lions! I’m so excited to be to be a part of the King team this year as the art teacher. I grew up in the Des Moines area and recently moved back. I have a bachelors degree in art education and in studio ceramics from Northwest Missouri State University. After graduating in 2015, I spent 6 years in education in the Kansas City metro area. I currently live in Des Moines with my husband, our son, 2 dogs, and 1 cat. Outside of school my family spends our time playing board games, and cooking for our friends and family. I practice my own art through making pottery in my home studio.

Cathy Kearney is from Northwest Iowa and is an alumnus of Drake University. She teaches band in ten Des Moines Schools including here at King. Her main instrument is clarinet, but a fun part of her job is that she gets to play so many different instruments. They are ALL fun.
Cathy’s husband Pat is the TLC grant coordinator for the Johnston Community School District. They have one son, Brogan, who is studying music education at Drake University. They also love their rescue dogs, Billie and Mora.

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

Originally from Indianola, I’m excited to have come home to Iowa. In 2000 I left to attend Western Washington University. After earning my degree in Music Education, I decided to explore this fascinating world. I worked overseas from 2006 until June 2022. I’ve made my home in Japan, Brazil, Nigeria, South Africa, Angola and India. I enjoy listening to world music, learning languages (I speak Portuguese and a bit of Japanese), doing yoga, hiking, biking and reading fiction. I love to sing and have been learning the violin for a few years. Most of all I love teaching Elementary music, exploring and making music with students.