Special Education
Shayla Downing
Special Education Teacher
E: shayla.downing@dmschools.org
Biography
Education
- University of Northern Iowa- Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Education
Teaching Experience
- Special Education- 2 Years
Family/Hobbies
- I live with my husband Ryan and son Hunter. I enjoy spending time with my family, golfing and shopping.
Mallory Fraaken
Special Education Teacher
E: mallory.munson@dmschools.org
Biography
Education
- Iowa State University- Master's in Education with an endorsement in Level 2 Special Education
- Central College- Bachelor's Degree Elementary Education with endorsements in Reading and Special Education
Teaching Experience
- Special Education- 3 Years
- 4th Grade at Urbandale- 6 Years
Family/Hobbies
- When I am not at school I enjoy playing slow-pitch softball, reading on my deck, taking my dog Buster for a walk, and spending time with my family.
Julie Lersten
Speech and Language Pathologist
E: julie.lersten@dmschools.org
Biography
Education
- University of Northern Iowa- Master's Degree in Speech Pathology
Teaching Experience
- River Woods and Moulton Speech Language Pathologist
- Des Moines Public Schools- 15 Years
Family/Hobbies
- I am married and have 3 children who live in Denver, Boston, and Chicago- all great places to visit!
Kristeen Varvais
Special Education Teacher
E: Kristeen.Varvais@dmschools.org
Biography
Education
- Morningside College- Masters in Education
- University of Nebraska- Bachelor's in Elementary Education with endorsements in Special Education Instructional Strategist I and II and Reading
Teaching Experience:
- Instructional Strategist at River Woods- 1/2 a year
- Co-teacher/Instructional Strategist at North High School- 13 years
Family/Hobbies
- In July, 2015 my husband, Tim, accepted a job offer in Des Moines so we packed up our two dogs and one cat and a moving truck full of possessions and we made the move to Des Moines! A few months later I started subbing for DMPS and discovered that it was time for me to give up teaching high school and switch to elementary. I did a few long-term positions in the district until I found my niche at River Woods Elementary. I officially became part of the staff in January, 2017.
Tim and I have two kids. Our daughter, Courtney, lives in Rochester, MN and works for the Mayo Clinic. Our son, Austin, is an active member of the United States Air Force and lives with his wife and 3 fur babies in Minot, ND.