Welcome to Walnut Hills Elementary School and the Waukee Community School District! I am pleased to serve as the Principal at Walnut Hills and I am looking forward to another exciting year for our students! Walnut Hills is home to just over 700 students and 90+ staff members, each of whom is dedicated to teaching and learning!
This will be my second year at Walnut Hills Elementary School and my fourteenth year as a school administrator. I am originally from Urbandale and am thrilled to be a part of the very community where I grew up. I attended Iowa State University where I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Educational Administration. I completed both my specialist degree and my doctoral degree at Drake University.
I began my teaching career in Ankeny, IA, where I taught second grade for two years and Kindergarten for four years. My first administrative position was as the Pre-K through Second Grade Elementary Principal and K-12 Curriculum Director with the Iowa Falls Community School District, a position that I held for 2 years.
On a more personal note, my family and I are pleased to be a part of the Waukee Community School District and Walnut Hills family. My wife, Allison, teaches four-year-old pre-school for the Johnston Community School District, and my 4 children are ages 16, 15, 11, and 7 years old. When not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family at their many events and riding bicycles together. I enjoy reading, cooking, and gardening. We are looking forward to getting involved in the many different community events that are unique to Waukee and hope to see you and your family out in the community.
As a Leader In Me school, we are learning that leadership really does matter! Throughout this school year, our staff and students will be learning about the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and applying them in our daily lives. We will focus on the building blocks of character that help students to be successful in school and in the community, but most of all in their own lives. We also make a point to celebrate our students and their leadership throughout the year at one of our many assemblies!
Again, let me extend the warmest welcome to the families of Walnut Hills Elementary School and the entire community as well. It is a pleasure to serve as the Principal at Walnut Hills and I very much look forward to working with you this school year!
