Hello, I am Michelle Baker and I am a 1st Grade Teacher. I have a Bachelor’s Degrees in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education and a Master’s  Degree in Elementary Education and a Reading Endorsement. I did my Undergraduate studies at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA and graduate studies at Viterbo University in Lacrosse,  WI. I have been teaching in the Des Moines District for over 20 years. I have taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades.

I am passionate about my family, friends and students. In my spare time I like to spend time with my family, preferably outdoors. I am married with one child named Michael, and two German Short-Haired Dogs who will forever act like puppies! My husband and I enjoy traveling in the summers on our motorcycle.

Please email me with any questions or concerns at michelle.baker@dmschools.org.

I am Stu Card and I am the PE Teacher. I have degrees in K-12 Physical Education and 7-12 Grade Biological Sciences. I grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Hoover High School and Drake University. I have taught in the Des Moines Schools since 1991.

In my spare time I like to mow, play basektball & tennis, go to Estes Park Colorado. I love Chihuahuas. I’m married to my wife Kim and we have 3 dogs, 1 cat and 11 nieces and nephews.

The best way to reach me is via email at:  stewart.card@dmschools.org

Hi!  My name is Melanie Fedders.  This will be my 12th year teaching Kindergarten at Jefferson!  I have also taught at the Downtown School and Studebaker Elementary in Des Moines.  I attended Iowa State University and am forever a Cyclone!   My husband Lyle is the Activities Director at East High School.  We enjoy spending time with our three girls Lauren, Mackenzie, and Natalie.

I love kindergarten and all the exploring, learning, and fun we get to have!

My name is Alyson Skahill.  I graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College with degrees in Flute Performance, Business Administration and Music Education.  I then taught music in Ankeny for 11 years.  During that time I received my Master’s from Drake University in Education.  I taught at Weeks Middle School for 6 years.  I have been teaching at Jefferson since then.  My husband and I have 2 daughters, a son and Libby, our dog.

My name is Mrs. Christine Vanwyhe (van-why)

I am a third grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary. I am a south side Des Moines high school graduate. Go Rails! I have an elementary bachelor’s degree (K-6) from Upper Iowa University.  I received two endorsement in that field. One in language arts and the other is in reading. I also have a master’s degree in education from Graceland University. In addition to those degrees, I have attended over thirty credit hours of training at Heartland Area Education Agency.

Before teaching, I worked at Flowers by Anthony and continued to do that for seventeen years on the weekends and in the summer. Then I graduated after going to school full-time and working full-time.  I spent fifteen years teaching middle school on the south side of Des Moines at Brody. Go Cardinals! I taught a variety of reading, language arts, social studies, math, and science classes over the years, mainly 6th grade but some 8th grade. I moved to elementary several years ago. Now, here I am. Over twenty years of teaching experience, and still every day is a brand new experience.

In my spare time I’m a mom to a high school teenage girl, a wife, a step-mom to a tweener, a crafter, an up-cycler, a dog lover, a volunteer, a holiday decorator, a shopper, a nature lover, and always try to have a fun event to attend.  I am always on the go and wouldn’t change a thing.

The one thing I am truly passionate about is being happy in my professional and personal life. I try to look for the bright side, speak of only positivity and surround myself with positive people. I want to promote a positive vibe wherever I am. I want it to be contagious. I am an educator, but I am also only human.  I try my very best every day to live, work, and play happily learning MY every day lesson in life.