I am so excited for my first year of teaching and to be a part of the Perkins community! I recently moved from Southern California to Iowa to be with my boyfriend, Daylan, and closer to his family. I am the 2nd child of four in my family and the only girl. I graduated in 2021 with my Bachelors in Teaching from Point Loma Nazarene University. I attended Pepperdine University and recently graduated with my Masters in Teaching. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, watching sunsets, cooking and baking, watching movies, and playing with our puppy, Daisy.

My name is Janelle Conry and I have been teaching since 2000. I taught at Perkins Elementary for my first 13 years in special education and 2nd grade. I made the difficult decision to leave Perkins and teach 4th grade in my hometown for a year and spent the next three years as the Instructional Coach in Earlham. I missed the Perkins community and came back in 2017 and taught 1st grade. I am now teaching 2nd grade. I feel so fortunate to be back at Perkins! I attended Northwest Missouri State University and obtained my Masters in Education through Viterbo.

I live in Earlham with my husband Jeremy and our three children. During my free time I watch my children play sports. Between the three of them I watch softball, baseball, basketball, volleyball, track, and football. I also spend a lot of time with my dog, Clyde.

2nd Grade

I have been teaching with Des Moines Public Schools since the fall of 2003.  I was a support teacher for a year.   Then I taught 5th grade for 7 years before switching to 2nd grade in 2010.  I attended Grand View University where I majored in Elementary Education with endorsements in Math and Reading.  In my free time I love spending time with my family and participating in recreational sports such as slow-pitch softball and sand volleyball.

2nd Grade

My name is Kelsey Wadden, and this is my third year of teaching. I was born and raised here in Des Moines, graduating from East High School in 2018. I continued my education at Iowa State University, receiving my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2022. I am so thankful to get a chance to start my teaching career here at Perkins. Outside of teaching, I enjoy going on runs, teaching yoga, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family!