I grew up on the East side of Des Moines. I attended Wallace Elementary, Hiatt Middle School, and North High School. I earned my teaching degree at Grand View College. I have been at Pleasant Hill for the last 22 years. I have taught Kindergarten for 19 years and Preschool for 3 years.

My husband, Travis, and I will celebrate our 24th anniversary this summer. We have 2 children. Zackery will be 21 this summer and hopefully attending Iowa State in the Spring. Kristin is 17 and will attend DMACC this Fall. We also have a golden retriever named Roscoe and a naughty cat named Ernie.

I am an avid reader and spend a lot of my free time reading. A few years ago I started running and have completed many 5K’s, 10K’s and 7 half marathons with my awesome running partner, Mrs. Horstman.

My name is Amanda Horstman.  I grew up in Colorado and moved to Iowa right after I graduated high school. I have always loved Iowa so here I am!  My family and I live in Pleasant Hill and love it here!  My husband Fred and I have been married 19 years.  We have four sons and a grandson (Yes my house is crazy!)  The youngest one, Hudson, is 12 and attends Southeast Polk Junior High. My 15-year-old, Harlan, is a sophomore at SEP high school this year.  My son Haden graduated in the spring and is attending Grinnell College.  The oldest Horstman, Jake, is 26.  Jake, my daughter in law Meghan, and my grandson Frankie, live about a mile from me and are at our house often!

I have been teaching kindergarten for 16 years and still love every minute. I love seeing the growth the students make throughout the year and the light in their eyes when they learn something new.  Being a teacher is the most rewarding job a person could have.  Kindergarten changes kids in ways most could never imagine.  They absorb everything and are always looking forward to new learning both socially and academically.

In my “free” time I love to be outside, go running, going to Hawkeye sporting events, and spend time with my family.  My biggest hobby is definitely running.   I have run 8 half marathons and countless 5K and 10K races as well.  My favorite teaching partner, running partner, and friend just happens to be Mrs. Bowman, the other kindergarten teacher.  I am always looking for a challenge for myself, my family, and my students!