Hello families!

My name is Caitlin Dicken, and I will be your child’s Montessori Associate! I have been working for Des Moines Public Schools for 5 years with the preschool program and have a passion to learn and grow alongside each and every student.

While I am not teaching, I enjoy cooking and baking, lifting weights, bike riding, shopping, and decorating. I live in Des Moines with my husband and little dog Lady Bird.

I am so excited to join the Pleasant Hill family and have a successful school year with your children!

Hello, Pleasant Hill students and families. My name is Spenser Ford! I’m excited for another year at Pleasant Hill Elementary School.

I graduated from the University of Iowa in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in both anthropology and linguistics with an emphasis on teaching ESL. Following college, I moved to South Korea, planning to teach English for a year. I quickly learned that teaching was my passion and continued my teaching career by remaining in Korea for the ensuing twelve years as a language instructor. During my last year there, I pursued further education through the University of West Florida to become a certified teacher.

My wife and I recently moved back to the United States to become teachers in our home country in 2022. We love spending time outdoors, doing activities, like long-distance running, cycling, camping and fishing. I grew up in Iowa, and she is from upstate New York. We are ecstatic about living in Iowa and continuing our adventure together, here in the Midwest!

Hi! I’m excited to be teaching 4th grade at Pleasant Hill! I have lived in Des Moines all my life-attended Moore, Meredith, and graduated from Hoover. I attended Iowa State University and Viterbo.

This will be my 34^th  year teaching-I have been with Des Moines Public schools all 34 years. Teaching 4^th grade is brand new for me. I look forward to learning along with the kids.

I live in Des Moines-just me, my dog, Lily, and 2 cats-Minnie and Pommie (I’m an animal lover). I enjoy gardening-love the growing season- reading and cooking in my free time.