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!

EDUCATION

• Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Drake University, August 2016.
• Specialist in Educational Leadership, Drake University, August 2012.
• Masters of Science, Science Education, University of Iowa, December 1993.
• Bachelors of Arts, Chemistry Education, University of Northern Iowa, March 1989.

HONORS

• White House Champion of Change for School Turn Around (2012).
• Awarded Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching for State of Iowa (2009).
• National Board Certification in Adolescence and Young Adulthood Science (1999).

EXPERIENCE

• School Improvement Leader: Roosevelt, North.
• Panelist, White House meeting on STEM Master Teacher Corps proposal, July 2012.
• Member, Governor’s Taskforce on Teacher Quality and compensation, March 2012– June 2013.
• Testifier, US Senate Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education Act (NCLB) March 2011.
• Published, work cited in Heritage, M. (2010). Formative Assessment: Making it Happen in the Classroom. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin. P. 47 & 61.
• North High School: Physics, Chemistry and Applied Science.
• East High School: Earth Science
• Harding Middle School: Physical Science and Life Science; G/T class.
• Building Coordinator for Gifted and Talented programs at Harding Middle School.

Brad Jacobson has been with Central Academy since 2016, teaching AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C: Mechanics, and AP Physics C Electromagnetism. He received his BA in Physics from Drake University and his Masters of Arts and Teaching from Drake University. Prior to joining the Academy staff, Brad taught Chemistry, Physics, and AP Physics C: Mechanics at Johnston High School.

AP Physics 1

AP Physics 2

AP Physics C: Mechanics

AP Physics C: Electro-magnetism

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

College Accelerated AP Language and 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.

Please use the Infinite Campus Parent Portal for attendance for your student(s). Using the portal to excuse your student will alert ALL buildings that your student attends, i.e. Central Academy, Central Campus, and Home Schools.

Directions for Infinite Campus Parent Portal Attendance Use

central.attendance@dmschools.org