My name is Maddie Bianchi! I grew up on the East side of Des Moines where I went to a private school until 5th grade. Then switched to the Saydel Community School District. I recently graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in December of 2021. I did my student teaching in a 4th grade classroom in Cedar Rapids and a 2nd grade classroom in North Liberty.

I have a big, loud Italian family. I have three sisters who I am very close with. I also have two nephews and one niece! I love to spend my weekends with my family and friends. You can almost always find me at the dog park playing fetch with my dog.

I am so excited for this upcoming school year and cannot wait to build the best 4th grade community!

Hello, Pleasant Hill students and families. My name is Spenser Ford! This will be my 2nd year teaching at Des Moines Public Schools, and 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 fiancée and I recently moved back to the United States to become teachers in our home country. 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!