Special Education
Susan David
Special Education Teacher
Biography
Hi. My name is Susan David. This is my second year of teaching special education at Hillis. I'm so glad to be working with students here! I love working with students and seeing their excitement as they work toward meeting their personal goals in math, writing and reading. Before joining the team at Hillis, I taught at Wallace Elementary and Monroe Elementary. I also taught conversational English in northern Japan for three years. It was a fantastic experience!
In my spare time I enjoy playing the piano and reading. My husband and I also love to try new restaurants and travel. It is our goal to visit all seven continents.
Colleges Attended: Northwestern College, University of Northern Iowa, Viterbo University
Highest Degree Earned: Master's Degree
Endorsements: K-6 Elementary Classroom, K-8 Social Studies, Mildly Disabled, Learning Disabilities, Multicategorical Resource/Mild, Instructional Strategist 1: Mild/Moderate, English as a Second Language
Years of Experience: 20
Years at Hillis: 2
Original Hometown: Pella, Iowa
High School Attended: Pella Community High School
Greg Laraia
Special Education Teacher
E: gregory.laraia@dmschools.org
Biography
Biography: My name is Greg Laraia and I am a second year teacher at Hillis Elementary. I grew up in Ankeny, Iowa. I attended Des Moines Area Community College and graduated from Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, playing golf, and spending time with family. I enjoy each day that I get to work with my students and am proud of the hard work that they constantly show!
Colleges Attended: Des Moines Area Community College, Grand View University
Highest Degree Earned: Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education
Endorsement: K-8 Instructional Strategist I, Reading, Language Arts
Years of Experience: 2
Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa
High School Attended: Ankeny High School
Beth Miller
Special Education Associate
Biography
My husband Bruce and I live in Des Moines with our three children, Tristen, Evelyn and Elsie. We enjoy playing outside, watching movies and we are active in our church.
Colleges Attended:DMACC,
Simpson College
Highest Degree Earned:BA Elementary Education
Endorsements:Early Childhood,
Reading
Years of Experience: 2 years teaching preschool, 15 years volunteer teaching Sunday School, 5 years Special Education Associate
Years at Hillis: 5 years
Original Hometown: Des Moines
High School Attended: Norwalk High School
Kaitlyn Norgaard
Special Education Teacher
E: kaitlyn.norgaard@dmschools.org
Biography
My name is Kaitlyn Norgaard, this is my second year of teaching and my second year at Hillis, I am so happy to be here! I am originally from Walford, Iowa where I attended high school at Cedar Rapids Prairie. I graduated in May of 2015 from Central College in Pella, IA with a major in elementary education and endorsements in special education and reading. While at Central I met my husband Jack and we got married this past summer!
Tammy Olson
Associate
Biography
I attended UNI majoring in Publics Relations/Communications
Travel and Tourism Degree
Property and Casualty Insurance License- Insurance Industry for 6 years.
Project Management for 8 years.
I have worked at Hillis 6 years.
My hometown was Chatsworth, IL.
I attended Sigourney High School.
My family at home includes my husband, Mark, and daughter Taylan.
I am an Iowa State Cyclone Fan. My family and I are avid hiker's. We love to travel whenever we have the time.
Jeff Plotz
Special Education Associate
Dara Sam
Special Education Teacher
Biography
My name is Dara Sam. I am a Third year teacher. I teach K-2 behavior. I grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. I attended college at Simpson where I received my degree in elementary education. I absolutely love and adore all of my students and look forward to seeing the progress and hard work each of my students will give this year!
Class website: http://chandarasam.wix.com/myclassroom
College(s) attended: Simpson
Highest Degree Earned: Bachelors
Endorsement(s): Reading and Special Education
Years of Experience: 4
Years at Hillis: 3
Original Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
High School Attended: Des Moines North