Hello! I am Natalie Madsen (formally Miss Young). I am originally from Mount Prospect, Illinois (a northwest suburb of Chicago). I first came to Des Moines when I attended college at Drake University! Go Bulldogs! I have my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and an endorsement in Reading. I also completed my Master’s degree in 2013 which focused on Curriculum and Instruction. I student taught at Pleasant Hill in spring of 2009 with Nancy Jennings in 3rd grade. I loved it so much, I had to come back and teach here!
I have been teaching at Pleasant Hill since 2010 and this will be my tenth year teaching second grade. I live in Ankeny with my husband Brian and our son Wyatt was born in late January earlier this year. We also have two dogs that we adopted from AHeinz 57, Julius and Kip! When I’m not teaching, you can probably find me playing with Wyatt, running and working out, walking Julius and Kip or reading books! I am looking forward to a wonderful school year in person!
Hello! It is hard to believe but Pleasant Hill Elementary has been my home for 25 years now. I began teaching at Pleasant Hill Elementary in 1997. During my years at Pleasant Hill I have taught a first/second grade combination class for one year, a fourth/fifth grade combination class for one year, fourth grade for ten years, kindergarten for two years, intervention groups for one year, third grade for two years, fourth grade for two years, and this will be my sixth year teaching 2nd grade!
I grew up in the small town of Denison, Iowa where I was 1 of 12 children. One of my greatest joys is being an aunt! It is always chaotic and loud when we are all together, but I love it and wouldn’t want it any other way. After high school I attended AIB (American Institute of Business) in Des Moines where I earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and Office Management. I worked for 7 years as an office manager for a small sales business in Des Moines. I then decided to go back to school at Upper Iowa University in Des Moines and earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I also earned endorsements in Reading and Early Childhood. A few years ago, I earned my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
In my free time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, shopping, and going to movies. I also enjoy watching or attending sporting events. I am a HUGE Denver Broncos fan, Iowa State Cyclones fan, as well as a Kansas City Royals fan! However, I am the biggest fan of my family, friends, and students!!!