Graduated Ankeny High School in 1986. Got my Physical Education degree from Iowa State 1991. Received my Masters in Administration from Prairie View A&M University in 1996 in Texas.
Taught Elem PE Lamar CISD, Rosenberg, TX 1991-1994. Taught MS PE at Hodges Bend MS in Fort Bend ISD 1994-1997. Taught Elem PE in OverlandPark, KS Blue Valley Schools 1997-2001. Taught HS PE/Health Blue Valley North HS 2001-2002.
Played football Iowa State University 1987-1990, 4 year lettermen.
Coached MS football, basketball, track 1991-1997 Lamar CISD, Fort Bend ISD.
Coached Varsity Football, Basketball, Softball Blue Valley North HS 1997-2002.
2002-2015; worked in personnel department for the New York Jets.
2017, taught Health, FACS 2 Baxter MS/HS. Coached MS boys basketball.
Presently coaching Varsity football and Frosh track for Ankeny Hawks.
Married to my wife Amy for 27 years, she teaches 4th grade in Ankeny. We have 3 kids, Jordan our oldest son is 24, currently a pilot for SkyWest Airlines. Our daughter, Ashlynn, is 22, just graduated from University of Iowa, is currently working in the Univ. of Iowa Athletics department. Our youngest son, is 16, a sophomore at Ankeny High School.
Teaching Experience
• 2002-Present- DMPS Orchestra Director
• 1999-2002- Urbandale School District, Orchestra Director
Education
• Morningside College – Bachelors of Music Education, Cello
• Los Angeles County High School for the Arts- Jazz Performance & Composition, Cello
Family / Hobbies
My husband Jaime and I have three kids, Conner, Isabel and Aydan. My oldest graduated from Hoover High School in 2013 and my younger two went to the Downtown School and then Merrill until we moved out of the district. I spend my free time playing cello in multiple venues around town and in the studio.
Education
Master of Music Education – University of Southern Mississippi
Bachelor of Music Education – University of Northern Iowa
Teaching Experience
King Elementary Music 2018-2019
Lakewood Elementary Music 2016-2018
Seattle Public Schools, Elementary Band & Strings 2015-2016
Williamsburg Band 7th-12th Grades 2012-2015
Collegiate Teaching @ Southern Miss 2010-2012
West Central Valley Bands 5th-12th Grades 2008-2009
Family & Hobbies
I play instruments and sing every day, not just at school. My main instruments are drumset, piano, and guitar. I do play all of the band instruments. I enjoy spending time with my partner Jeanina and my ornery old dog Spaghetti. I grew up in Des Moines and my parents, my brother, and his family also live here. My sister just got married in August and lives in Nevada – I performed the wedding! I’m ordained online and have officiated three weddings. My favorite movie is Ghostbusters and I like to put up Ghostbusters stuff in my classroom.
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
• University of Northern Iowa – Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education
Teaching Experience
• King Elementary – Art
Hobbies
• I recently moved to downtown Des Moines from Cedar Falls, Iowa. I enjoy spending my free time exploring the Des Moines area, shopping at Target, and hiking with my dog, Fly.