Hello! My name is Robin Aslesen. This year is my 9th year working in Des Moines Public Schools and I am excited to start my second year at Madison. I graduated from Augustana with a degree in special education and elementary education. I earned my masters from Drake in literacy education.
My husband and I live in Ankeny and have a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son.

My name is Kristi Bahr and I am a halftime instructional coach and halftime interventionist.  I love working with the students, families and teachers at Madison.  We are all a great team working together to support our students.   I earned my BA from Central College and my Masters from Viterbo University.  I have taught special education, 5th grade and an instructional coach in Des Moines Public Schools and Sioux City Community Schools.

My husband and I live in Van Meter with our two elementary age children.

I love teaching and I am looking forward to another wonderful year at Madison!  I really want kids to believe in themselves and to believe in their own ability to learn and grow.  In the past, I have taught 5th grade, English Language Learners from all grades and worked as a Dean of Students.  I graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois and completed a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Viterbo University in Wisconsin.  My husband is also a teacher and we have two children.  In my spare time, I love to read, exercise, and spend time with my friends and family.

I have been teaching 3rd grade at Madison Elementary School my entire career. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from William Penn University.

In my spare time I enjoy cooking, baking, and kayaking with my husband.  We also love spending time with our niece and nephew.

I believe all students are unique and special. I enjoy teaching and learning about my students, and I love watching them grow and thrive throughout each school year. I am looking forward to many more wonderful years at Madison! Go Lions!

I am a Des Moines native attending Woodlawn Elementary, Meredith Middle School and Hoover High School. I earned my Bachelors Degree from Grandview University and my Masters in Education from Viterbo University.
I have been teaching in Des Moines Public Schools since 2002 teaching everything from preschool through 4th grade and I have loved teaching every grade.  I am currently the Behavior Interventionist at Madison Elementary.  I work with students and teachers to support and coach behavior.
I am married and have 4 wonderful children. When I am not at school I enjoy spending time with my kids, reading, running, and biking.

Hello! My name is Alyssa Doeden and this is my 17th year teaching in Des Moines. I have a degree in Elementary Education, with a focus on Instructional Strategies to help struggling learners, and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. This begins my 10th year of teaching at Madison Elementary; I love this school, it’s community and I’m proud to be a Madison Lion. I am one of the support teachers at Madison, working with K-5 students focusing on Social Emotional Learning. I live in Ankeny with my three fur-babies and I love traveling, shopping, and cooking. I look forward to building strong positive relationships with you and your students this year!

When I am not teaching I spend most of my free time listening to, jamming, practicing and performing music with my friends, family and new acquaintances.

Although I like lots of types of instruments, whistling is my favorite way to make music. Apart from music I spend my time eating, sleeping and climbing trees.

I am looking forward to all of the opportunities that await during my eighth year of teaching at Madison!

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Education from Louisiana Tech University and my Master’s degree from Drake University. I also have a Reading Endorsement and ESL Endorsement. Before at Madison, I taught fourth grade in Chicago, ELL in Des Moines, and kindergarten/first grade in Intensive English Language Center.

I truly feel very lucky to have the best job in the world!!

I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education and my Master’s degree in Reading. I taught Special Education in Maryville, MO and Newton, IA before coming to Madison. This will be my 22nd year of teaching at Madison. I have taught Title Reading, 3rd grade, 2nd grade, and Special Education.

My husband and four sons live in Grimes. I enjoy camping, reading, and attending my kids’ activities. I have a dog named Bear.

I am so thankful to be part of the Madison “Magic”!

My name is Scott Hammonds and I am glad to be a part of the staff at Madison Elementary. I have taught in Des Moines Public Schools as a classroom and ELL teacher. I graduated from Iowa State University and still proudly support my beloved Cyclones.
I enjoy spending time with my two amazing children and stay busy attending their various activities.
It’s a gift to be able to come to work every day and do my part to provide an equitable, excellent, and enjoyable education to students.

My name is Missy Hanasz. I grew up through the Des Moines Public School system as a student. I have had the great opportunity to have worked for our school district since 1994 as a high school softball and volleyball coach and 1998 as a teacher. I have been teaching third grade at Madison since 2006. I feel as if I am “back home”. Madison is the elementary school I attended as a K-5 student. I received my BA from Grand View College in 1998. GO LIONS!!

I graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Elementary Education and a math endorsement. I also graduated from Viterbo University with my Master’s degree in Education and my Reading Endorsement .
I have taught at Madison Elementary for the past 18 years as a K-5 Title Math and Reading teacher. I love helping the students learn both in the classroom and outside the classroom.

My name is Kayla Bates, I grew up in the Des Moines public school system and I am excited to now be a teacher with Des Moines. I recently graduated from Grand View University with a degree in art education and studio art, along with a minor in photography. My love of teaching began at age 14 while coaching gymnastics and continued to grow over time.

When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, going to new places, and creating art works of my own.

I am thrilled to start my first year of teaching at Madison Elementary!

Hello! I am fortunate to work with students in kindergarten through 5th grade on reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English. I love seeing how students grow in their abilities and confidence from year to year. I have a bachelor’s degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids and a master’s from Drake University. My areas of specialty are reading and English as a second language. I taught English abroad for 3 years before coming to Iowa, and I’ve worked in several buildings with Des Moines Public Schools. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I look forward to working with you!

I graduated from Iowa State University.
I have been teaching Physical Education in the Des Moines Public Schools since 1992.

I grew up in the Midwest and graduated from Eastern Washington University, where I studied Music and German.  I teach orchestra -violin, viola, cello and bass – to 5^th grade at ten different schools on the north side and near Hoover.  This is my 23^rd year teaching in Des Moines and I have taught at many of the elementary schools on the north, east and south sides of Des Moines as well as a couple middle schools.  In my spare time I enjoy learning foreign languages, crafting, playing one of my instruments and spending time with my dogs.  My favorite part of teaching is seeing the amazing transformation in students from their first lesson to our concerts in the spring!

Welcome to an exciting new school year! I am looking forward to my fourth year at Madison Elementary and working with your child to accomplish many great things! Our year will be filled with lots of learning and fun experiences! I love teaching, working with, and inspiring students to become life-long learners.

I am a Des Moines native and a proud graduate from Roosevelt High School. I received a chemistry degree from UNI and my teaching degree from William Penn University. I love all subjects, but math and science are my favorite! I enjoy being outdoors and hanging out with family & friends.

Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns you may have. I am looking forward to a fantastic year!

My name is Mrs. Rodgers! I got married last summer! I am very excited to start off our school year together! I received my education degree from the UNI with endorsements in Reading and Math. One of my favorite things about teaching is getting to watch the students and myself grow over the course of the year. My goal is to help each student find a book that they are interested in reading. When I am not at school, I enjoy hiking, cooking and being with my wife and cat! Let’s make this year wonderful!

I graduated from Northern State University with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education in 2008. I have worked with young children throughout my entire career. I believe in a close relationship with parents because children need to know that there is a whole team of people who care about their well-being and education.
My husband and I have four children, two boys and two girls. In my spare time, I like to read, go shopping, and play with my rambunctious kids!

I earned my Elementary Education degree from Drake University and my Master’s in Mental Health counseling from Drake University.
I’ve lived in Des Moines my entire life. Teaching is my passion; it’s what I love doing more than anything else.

Hi! My name is Mrs. Wittenwyler and I am so excited to be part of the Madison Elementary Kindergarten team. I was born and raised in Des Moines and attended Holy Trinity Elementary School and Dowling High School. I received my Early Childhood and Elementary Education degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 2006. I earned my reading endorsement through Upper Iowa University in the spring of 2021. I have taught for DMPS for 15 years. I taught First Grade for nine years and Kindergarten for the past seven years.

My husband and I have three boys and enjoy traveling, bike riding, swimming, visiting family, fishing, boating, and the Iowa Hawkeyes! This is my third year at Madison Elementary and I know it will be the BEST year full of fun, laughter, learning, and imagination!