I have had the privilege of working with Des Moines Public Schools for 30 years.  I graduated from Iowa State University with my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Early Childhood Development in 1989 (go Cyclones). I received my Master’s Degree in Education from Viterbo University in LaCrosse, Wisconsin in 2006 (and my Reading Endorsement from Viterbo).  I have taught kindergarten, second, and third grade as a classroom teacher, as well as a K-5 Interventionist. This year I am a full time Instructional Coach and will be  working with all age levels and teachers.  I have been married for 27 years, have 2 amazing daughters, one who is working in Sweden and the other attends ISU.   We enjoy doing anything outside, especially tennis and golf, love to travel, and we attend many music concerts to hear Talen sing with the Iowa State Singers. I am so lucky to have a job that challenges me on a daily basis. My passion to make learning fun is an important goal.  Please email me if you ever have any questions about your child’s education!

TLC Instructional Coach

I have been a 2nd grade teacher at Perkins since the 2004-2005 school year.   I received a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies at the University of Iowa.  After working in publishing in both California and Chicago, I returned home to Des Moines with a desire to teach.  I received my Masters of Science in Education at Drake University.  I can truly say that I love what I do.  I get great satisfaction from watching my students work hard and reach their goals.  I love spending time with my son, Ollie,  reading, art, and speaking French.

TLC Instructional Coach

I have been teaching in Des Moines ever since I graduated from Simpson College 15 years ago. I started teaching 1st grade at Perkins and then spent three years working in the district curriculum office before returning here to teach 4th grade in 2006. Since then, I have been a math teacher, the math leader and an instructional coach. This is my first year teaching 2nd Grade. In addition to teaching 2nd grade, I spend part of my day as an instructional coach, working with teachers in our building. In my free time, I coach football and enjoy spending time with my wife, our two kids, and our two dogs. I am a huge sports fan and especially like it when the family attends ISU sporting events. Go Cyclones!

K-5 Math Interventionist

My name is Cindy Manning and I am a K-5 Literacy and Math Interventionist here at Perkins.   I am also a trained Reading Recovery teacher, completing my training through Drake University in 2000.  I graduated from Upper Iowa University in 1997, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree, along with Early Childhood and Reading endorsements.  I began teaching in the Des Moines district in 1997.  After having my second child in 2002, I stayed home with my two daughters and ran an “in-home” daycare for 3 years.  I returned to the district in 2005, where I began teaching at Perkins.  I live in Grimes with my husband, Stan, and our two adult daughters, Emily and Erica.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, attending sporting and music events, reading and boating.

K-5 Literacy and Math Interventionist