Sherry Brooks has been with Central Academy since 2001. She has taught every course except for 9^th grade. Currently, she teaches College Accelerated Literature and Composition and Accelerated Language and Literature 1. She received her MAT from the University of Iowa in 1997. Prior to teaching at Central Academy, Ms. Brooks taught for four years at North High School. She has received the Who’s Who Among American Teachers Award twice and received the Distinguished Secondary Teacher Award through Northwestern University in 2019, the Yale Educator Award in 2020, and the Rotary Club Educator of the Year in 2021. Ms. Brooks earned her Gifted and Talented Endorsement in 2019 and is her department’s Professional Learning Community lead and the head of the English Department.

College Accelerated Literature and Composition AP Literature and Composition

Accelerated Language and Literature 1

Accelerated Language and Literature: Humanities Capstone

Accelerated Language and Literature: Literature and Film Capstone

College Accelerated Literature and Composition AP Literature and Composition

Accelerated Language and Literature 1

Anne has been with Central Academy since 2007, teaching almost all science courses offered to 8th and 9th graders and beyond.  She received her BS from Nebraska Wesleyan University, Masters of Education from Doane College in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Gifted and Talented Endorsement from Viterbo University.  Prior to joining the Academy staff, Anne taught at Crete High School in Lincoln, Nebraska, instructing Biology, Applied Chemistry, Applied Physics and Environmental Science.  Anne serves on several district committees and is a Professional Learning Community lead and department chair for the science department.

Conceptual Physics

Accelerated Biology

Accelerated Chemistry

Francesco DallaVecchia just arrived this year to join the group of World Language Instructors at Central Academy, and he will be teaching Italian in lieu of Giovanni Leo. DallaVecchia was born in Padua, Italy, where he graduated in Italian Literature in 2001. Then he moved to Iowa City to complete a PhD in Musicology. While at the University of Iowa, he taught Italian Language & Culture at college level for about eight years. He published two simplified versions of G.Boccaccio’s “Andreuccio” and C. Goldoni’s “La locandiera”. After graduating, he briefly worked as an instructor at the Italian Cultural Center of San Diego, CA. DallaVecchia is also a member of the Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa, and the Sister States Association that promote cultural exchanges between the State of Iowa and the Italian Veneto Region.

Hello!

I am the first, and only, associate principal for Central Academy. I am excited to be at Central Academy for so many reasons and I am looking forward to supporting our students and staff. I started my administrative career at Hoover High School in 2021 after teaching science and Spanish in multiple districts in Colorado, Kansas, Utah and finally here in Iowa, most recently teaching Chemistry at Dowling Catholic High School. I earned my Master of Arts in Education from Viterbo University and my B.A. from the University of Colorado at Boulder. I consider myself an eager lifelong learner who finds passion in helping others on their path to lifelong learning and I am here to serve the needs of our students and staff so that they can become the best version of themselves.

I have a lot to learn as I transition here to Central Academy but my door is always open and if I don’t know the answer we will find it together. It’s going to be an awesome year!

Lindsay Fredregill teaches Accelerated Language and Literature I and Accelerated Language and Literature III. Ms. Fredregill earned her BA in English and Spanish and her Master of Arts in English and Spanish Education from the University of Iowa. She joined the Central Academy faculty in 2008, teaching Spanish ab initio and Spanish B courses in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Prior to teaching at the Academy, Ms. Fred taught Spanish levels I through AP for six years at Roosevelt High School and taught English for one year at Lincoln High School. She earned her K-12 Gifted and Talented Endorsement in 2016 and currently serves on the School Leadership Team.

Accelerated Language and Literature I (8th)

Accelerated Language and Literature III (10th)

Dara Green joined the Academy faculty in 2008 teaching DMPS’ first class dedicated to teaching students how to throw on a pottery wheel. Ms. Green graduated from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1998 and taught for Chicago Public Schools before moving to Des Moines, Iowa. She received her National Board Certificate in Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood Art in 2004 and 2014. Ms. Green’s classes are structured using Flipped Learning and Training to Teach models. Please explore the links below to learn more.

Throwing Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced

Karen has been supporting students for over 15 years. She brings with her a robust background in mathematics and sciences, having taught AP Calculus and AP Chemistry, among other courses.  Her students have participated in the Penn State NACK Program, Science Olympiad, Mu Alpha Theta National High School and Two-Year College Mathematics Honors Society, and National Science Honor Society. In addition to taking part in the Horry County Schools Science Curriculum Writing and the Math Curriculum Writing teams, she has also worked with the AdvancEd STEM Accreditation and Cognia STEM Accreditation teams. Additionally, she has presented at the NCAIS Biennial Teacher Conference and the South Carolina Science Council Conference. Karen’s favorite part of teaching is learning about her students’ passions as a way of guiding them toward success.

Kristin came to Central Academy in 2001.  She earned her BA in English from Luther College in 1993 and her Masters in Counseling from Drake University in 1997. Before coming to Central she served as high school counselor at Norwalk High School from 1997-2001.  She began her career as a middle school English teacher, first in Remsen, Iowa and then at Norwalk Middle School.

Darci joined Central Academy in 2014, where she taught World Literature, Advanced Placement Language and Composition, and Advanced Placement Literature. Previously she taught DMACC Composition and Introduction to Literature at Roland-Story High School. During the summer, she also teaches for Grand View University and Des Moines Area Community College. She received her BS in English Literature and her Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Environment from Iowa State University.

Instructional Coach

Prep Academy 7th Grade Math

8th Grade Math

Rad Acc II – Semester 2 Algebra 2/Pre-Calculus

Michael Marcketti joined the Central Academy staff in 2007. He has taught Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Radically Accelerated Math 1, IB Mathematics SL Year 2, AP Calculus AB, and Advanced Math Problem Solving. He received his BA in Mathematics from Grinnell College, and his M. Ed from Graceland University, with additional courses from ISU, U of I, and Southern University. Mr. Marcketti has previously taught at West High School in Iowa City, The Episcopal School in Baton Rouge, Roosevelt High School and is an instructor for the Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education. He is a two-time recipient of the Edyth May Sliffe Award for Distinguished Secondary Mathematics Teaching. Additionally, he has been an American Regions Mathematics League Coach, an officer of the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Algebra 1

Algebra 2

AP Calculus AB

Advanced Math Problem Solving

Jeff Marks joined the Central Academy in 2018 and is currently teaching in the Prep Academy program as well as Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Radically Accelerated I. He received his B.S. in engineering at Iowa State University as well as his secondary mathematics teaching endorsement. He received his Masters in Education at Viterbo University and has taken additional graduate level mathematics courses at other universities. Mr. Marks started teaching at Hoyt Middle School in 1991, moved to Brody Middle School for 14 years, then switched to Roosevelt High School for the 12 years prior to moving to Central Academy. He has been published in two NCTM publications: Promoting Purposeful Discourse and Teaching Middle School Mathematics. He is a National Board Certified teacher in early adolescence mathematics and was the state of Iowa finalist for Presidential Award for the Teaching of Mathematics and Science.

Prep Academy mathematics

Algebra 1

Algebra 2

Radically Accelerated Mathematics I

Canada Snyder teaches College AP US history, College Middle East history & Islam, College history of Latin America, AP Seminar and advises Model UN. Canada was the State of Iowa’s secondary history team leader for the new state standards. She has worked for the Iowa Secretary of State Office in creating the official Caucus curriculum for the state. She also created the secondary US history online curriculum for the State of Iowa in 2021-22. Ms. Snyder was selected as 1 of 6 teachers nationwide by the World Affairs Council-Dallas/Ft. Worth to participate in an education study tour to the United Arab Emirates in Spring 2019. She has traveled extensively both with students and backpacking on her own. She is an active member of several professional organizations including the National Council of History Education, the National and Iowa Council of Social Studies, and the National and Iowa Geographic Alliance as well at the Organization of American Historians. She has presented at several national, state and local conferences. Ms. Snyder was selected as the Rotary Club’s Teacher of the Year in 2020. Canada Snyder is also the recipient of the Belin Blank Award for Excellence in Teaching. Ms. Snyder is an Advanced Placement exam reader and previously taught IB history courses.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Iowa and a Master’s degree in education, with an emphasis in curriculum writing from Drake University. She has been teaching for 24 years.

College AP US history,

College History of the Middle East & Islam

College History of Latin America

AP Seminar

Model UN

https://youtube.com/shorts/jXr8U-yPmng?feature=share

Ms. Pinkney earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, and she completed the Cameron Secondary Teacher Education Program. Ms. Pinkney taught 9th, 10th, 11th grade English in Lawton before relocating to Des Moines in 2005. She teaches 8th grade Advanced Language, Literature, and Composition at Central Academy, and she is the Dream to Teach instructor at Central Campus.

Ms. Pinkney has a variety of interests outside of school. Her main interest is music. She is a drummer who has been a member of several hard rock bands, and she has recorded three CDs. Currently, she is the drummer for Headsmut. Ms. Pinkney is an avid concert goer. She is also a sports enthusiast, and she is a jogger. Ms. Pinkney also enjoys movies, board games, listening to music, traveling, cleaning, and spending time with her husband.

Language, Literature & Composition

Kelly Randleman was hired into the district in 2005 after earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a sociology minor from Grand View and a master’s degree in education with a reading endorsement from Drake. She received her Talented and Gifted Endorsement from the University of Iowa’s Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education (Go Hawks! 😉).

Her experience before teaching advanced learning included teaching core reading, math, science, and social studies as well as teaching reading and math intervention. She has taught students in general education, special education, and students who were learning English as newcomers to the United States. Because she has worked with such a wide variety of student populations, she is able to understand and better support the various, unique needs of advanced learners.

She enjoys spending her free time boating, camping, and living the country life with her husband and two kids. She is an avid solver of the daily Wordle and Quordle puzzles every morning, and she finds it rewarding to work with data.

Brian Reece joined the Central Academy staff in 2007.  He received his BA in Mathematics from Central College, and his MSM from Iowa State University.  Brian has previously taught at Lake Mills High School, Melcher-Dallas High School and Johnston High School. In 2010, Brian completed a real world externship with Hy-Vee.  Brian is a member of the National Council of Mathematics Teachers, a 2008 Edith May Sliffe Award recipient, a 2013 awardee of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Geometry,

AP Calculus BC

AP Computer Science Principles

Arabic I

Arabic II

Arabic III

Arabic IV

Kara has been with Central Academy since 2018 teaching AP Chemistry and Accelerated Chemistry and Biology. She received her BA in Chemistry from Wartburg College and her Masters of Arts in Education from UNI as well as her Gifted and Talented Endorsement from Viterbo University. Prior to joining the Academy staff, Kara taught Chemistry and several Biology classes at Roosevelt High School.

Accelerated Chemistry

Accelerated Biology

AP Chemistry