KS
5402 SW 7TH STREET, DES MOINES, IA 50315
RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
 Coordinates opportunities for
student involvement at Prairie
Ridge, such as Expeditions,
Girls on the Run, and
Community Engagement.
 Created an on-boarding and
rounding process for
associates, focused on
training and retention
 Implemented Check-
In/Check-Out to support
students based on Tableau
Data
SKILLS
 Strategically plans through
systems thinking
 Uses data to inform the
decision-making process and
monitor student, building,
and district achievement
 Implements building
behavior management system
with fidelity
 Adept at the design and
delivery of professional
development rooted in school
and district initiatives; such
as, PBIS, Marzano’s
Instructional Framework,
Cultural Proficiency, and
Standard Referenced Grading
 Integrates technology to
enhance teaching and
learning
 Displays self-discipline,
organization, professionalism,
a positive self-esteem, and
effective communication skills
KATHLEEN STEFFEN
(515) 360-4120
KATHLEEN.STEFFEN@ANKENYSCHOOLS.ORG
EDUCATION
MASTER OF SCIENCE • EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP • AUGUST 2017 • DRAKE
UNIVERSITY
Endorsed in K-12 Principal Licensure (Iowa Evaluator Approval) with an
overall GPA of 4.0/4.0
BACHELOR OF ARTS • ENGLISH EDUCATION • MAY 2011 • WESTERN
ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Endorsed in (5-12) English/Language Arts with an overall GPA of 3.69/4.0
and major GPA of 3.666/4.0
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Student and Building Support Specialist, 2018-Present
Prairie Ridge Middle School, ACSD, Ankeny, IA 50023
 Assists in the planning and organization of school events, such as Jag
Camp, conferences, orientation, and picture day
 Responsible for behavior, discipline, and attendance of students
 Maintains the PBIS system by leading the PBIS team, analyzing data,
training staff, and seeking student input
 Established Check-In, Check-Out to support students based on
Tableau Data
 Collaborates with counselors on a weekly basis to review student data
and interventions
 Supervises and interacts with students during lunch
 Supervises students at the bus loading zone after school to ensure
safety
 Supervises student activities, as assigned
 Communicates with bus drivers on a daily basis and problem solves
with Durham when bus issues arise
 Coordinates opportunities for student involvement at Prairie Ridge,
such as Expeditions, Girls on the Run, and Community Engagement
classes.
 Communicates with families regarding student involvement
opportunities and upcoming events
 Provides staff with strategies and/or feedback related to classroom
management and responding to student behavior
 Interviews and hires classified staff (associates)
 Coordinates scheduling for classified staff
 Manages the supervision and evaluation of classified staff

PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
 Standards Referenced
Grading
 Positive Behavioral
Interventions and Supports
 Schools for Rigor
 Marzano's Instructional
Framework
 Growth Mindset
 Cultural Proficiency
 Mental Health and Youth
Trauma First Aid
 Adverse Childhood
Experiences
 Social Emotional Learning
 Arts Integration
 Common Core Curriculum
Revision and Implementation
 MTSS
 Writing to Learn
 SIOP Model Training
 TLC Mentor Training
 PLC Leader Training
 The Domino Effect
 Culture and Climate Summit
 Tier 1 Base Camp
 TechCon (presenter and
attendee)
PROFESSIONAL
AFFILIATIONS
 School Administrators of Iowa
(SAI)
 Drake Continual
Improvement Network
 Association for Supervision
and Curriculum Development
(ASCD)
 National Education
Association (NEA)
 Iowa State Education
Association (ISEA)
 Created and adheres to an on-boarding and rounding process for
associates, focused on training and retention (94% retention rate for
the 2018-2019 school year)
 Coordinates substitutes for Classified staff
 Determines coverage plan for Classified and Certified staff in the case
of an unfilled absence
 Monitors and approves printing requests and print usage
Administrative Practicum with Lara Justmann (K-5 Principal), 2016-2017
Karen Acres Elementary School, UCSD, Urbandale, IA 50322
 Acquired 300+ administrative hours focused on personal SMART goals
 Key focus on ISSL Standard 1 (shared vision) and ISSL Standard 4
(collaborating with family and community members)
Administrative Practicum with Joy Linquist (6-8 Principal), 2015-2016
Warren Harding Middle School, DMPS, Des Moines, IA 50313
 Acquired 120+ administrative hours focused on personal SMART goals
 Key focus on ISSL Standard 1 (shared vision) and ISSL Standard 6 (legal,
cultural, and global context)
School Leadership Team (Formerly Building Leadership Team), 2011-2018
Warren Harding Middle School, DMPS, Des Moines, IA 50313
 Assisted in planning and facilitating Professional Development related
to SIP goals as well as building and district initiatives
 Initiated revision of school mission and vision statement and led
stakeholders through revision process
 Developed Cultural Proficiency projects related to family and
community engagement
 Planned, organized, and delivered a student-led conference format for
2017 Fall/Spring Conferences
Tier One Team (Formerly Vice Principal Committee), 2011-2018
Warren Harding Middle School, DMPS, Des Moines, IA 50313
 Reviewed school-wide Behavior Management system
 Collaboratively planned and reviewed Tier One behavior interventions
 Assisted in planning for and facilitating PLC discussions around
Cultural Proficiency and the effects of childhood trauma (Social
Emotional Learning, ACE study)
PLC Leader, 2011-2018
Warren Harding Middle School, DMPS, Des Moines, IA 50315
 Led 8 th grade Literacy teachers through effective, rigorous
standards-based teaching and learning through all phases –
planning, delivery, reflection, and adjustment.
 Organized PLC agenda notes, student data, common formative
assessments, planning materials, and teaching materials
 Assisted PLC with establishing norms, priorities, and guidance
TLC Mentor, 2016-2018
Warren Harding Middle School, DMPS, Des Moines, IA 50315
 Mentored a first and second year teacher in goal setting and reflection
 Led mentee through weekly reflection and then created a weekly
action plan based on goal area
 Collaboratively planned lessons and interventions for students
 Observed and provided feedback based on goal areas
 Assisted in creating a teaching portfolio for Standard Licensing
DMPS Curriculum Revision Team, 2013-2018
Des Moines Curriculum and Instruction, DMPS, Des Moines, IA 50315
 Selected to the district committee responsible for collaboratively
revising 7th and 8th grade Literacy curriculum
 Effectively discussed and provided feedback around the Literacy
District Pacing Guide
 Evaluated the Iowa Common Core and vertical alignment between
grade level pacing guides
 Created and revised District Common Formative Assessments that
aligned with Iowa Common Core standards

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

TEACHER • DES MOINES PUBLIC SCHOOLS • AUGUST 2011 – JUNE 2018

 Provided differentiated instruction in Literacy to students with various
interests and learning styles
 Accommodated students based on 504 plans and IEPs
 Created and implemented unit plans based on the DMPS Pacing Guide
and Common Core standards
 Coordinated classroom activities in PLCs with content-area team
members and Special Education teachers
 Analyzed data from classroom assessments – formal and informal – to
drive instruction
 Utilized MTSS support staff for the 5-20% of students who struggled to
show proficiency
 Implemented effective classroom management techniques
 Communicated with families through in-person meetings, phone calls,
and emails
 Active participant at weekly grade-level PLCs and Professional
Development at the building and district level
 Sought professional, constructive feedback from administration and
colleagues
 Voluntarily participated in Learning Cycles with Instructional Coach to
improve in desired areas of Marzano’s Instructional Framework
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

JIM WICHMAN
PRINCIPAL, PRAIRIE RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL
1010 NW Prairie Ridge Drive, Ankeny, Iowa 50023
jim.wichman@ankenyschools.org
563-321-2582

KELSIE GOODMAN
ASSOCOATE PRINCIPAL, PRAIRIE RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL
1010 NW Prairie Ridge Drive, Ankeny, Iowa 50023
kelsie.goodman@ankenyschools.org
515-669-8498

AMANDA BALK
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER (STRAT II), PRAIRIE RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL
1010 NW Prairie Ridge Drive, Ankeny, Iowa 50023
amanda.balk@ankenyschools.org
563-599-6819

JASON SNOW
VICE PRINCIPAL, WEEKS MIDDLE SCHOOL
901 E Park Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50315
jason.snow@dmschools.org
515-250-9350

RANDAL PETERS
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DRAKE UNIVERSITY
2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50311
randal.peters@drake.edu
515-201-2994