Music has been a major part of my life since 1991, when I started taking piano lessons. I then went on to play the flute/piccolo in marching band and the bassoon in concert band. After graduating from the University of Iowa (Go Hawks!), I lived out a childhood dream of becoming a shark biologist in Jacksonville, Florida. The Midwest and music brought me back to Iowa to share my passion for music with students. In my spare time, I enjoy watching football (especially the Hawkeyes and the Packers!) and spending time with my two kittens, family, and friends.
Music
Hello, I would like to introduce myself to the Perkins family. My name is Mindi McCoy and I am in my late 40’s and live in Urbandale. I am from Council Bluffs, IA and have lived in the Des Moines area since 1998. I am single, and live with a Yorkie/Maltese mix named Ellie, and a Calico cat named Molly Cat. My hobbies include yoga, gardening, walking my dog, dining out with friends (I don’t cook but, love to eat) going to the downtown farmers’ market, seeing movies, and watching some bad TV to relax at the end of each day. I enjoy reading on my patio in the summers although, don’t read as much as I would like to during the school year.
My degree is in Art Education from Northwest Missouri State University, where I graduated in 1994. I was also commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army when I graduated. I was able to pay for my own college by going through Army ROTC. After graduating, I spent a little time at Ft. Ben Harrison doing some active duty training before it closed, and then I worked as a K-12 Art teacher in a small town in Missouri for 3 years before moving to Des Moines.
Since moving to Des Moines I have worked as an elementary art teacher, and a high school alternative teacher, and I also worked for DMACC in the high school completion program for 5 years. Then I came to DMPS and worked at Callanan and as an adjunct professor at DMACC. I do hold a Masters degree from Iowa State. Go Cyclones! I am certified in the State of Iowa to teach K-6 Art, 7-12 Art, and 7-12 Multicat.
I am no longer in the Army Reserve. I did enjoy it, during my time, I got to do things that a lot of people never get to do! I have gone skydiving, rappelling, rode in Blackhawks, and tanks, and I even got to blow stuff up! I do have some fun scars from my time. I have a little scar on my elbow from my one and only attempt at an Aussie repel.
I am happy to be in an art classroom where I belong. I do have to say the students at Perkins are GREAT! They are enthusiastic learners and I have had the pleasure of seeing some real artistic talent. I am excited to guide them through the process of learning about the various art media and techniques as well as different artist styles throughout history. We will also spend some time talking about our art and critiquing it. I do make an effort to connect what we are doing in the art room to what the students are learning in social studies and science, and to reinforce the language arts concepts in the art room.
Please feel free to stop in the Art room any time and check out what is going on!
Art
I have been working in Des Moines for the past 6 years. I am a proud graduate of Central College where I majored in Exercise Science. After college I started working for the district at Hoyt middle school. After 3 years at Hoyt I moved to Perkins elementary where I have been currently teaching for the past 3 years. I consider myself a sports time and most of my hobbies revolve around athletics. When I am not teaching you can find me with my family, on the golf course, or watching whatever sport is in season. I love the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Cleveland Browns, the Indiana Pacers, and the Chicago Cubs.
Physical Education