Teachers
We are very proud of our staff at Minburn Elementary. We hope you can take the time to get to know them. Their email addresses are listed in their profile should you have questions regarding a class.
Mr. Jim DePue
Principal
I have worked at ADM for 8 years, and this is my first year as Minburn Principal. I am also a 1977 graduate of ADM. Minburn is a great building with great staff and students.
Email: jdepue@adel.k12.ia.us
Ms. Laura Brimm
Kindergarten / 1st Grade Teacher
I grew up near Macksburg, Iowa and attended Northwest Missouri State University. Now I live near Minburn with my husband Brandon. I love the caring and supportive environment at Minburn Elementary.
Email: lbrimm@adel.k12.ia.us
Ms. Lindsay Stanford
2nd Grade Teacher
I grew up around the Quad Cities. I graduated from North Scott High School & continued my education at the University of Northern Iowa. I was fortunate enough to play softball for the panthers all for years at college. After graduating with a double major in Elementary/Early Childhood Education, I went out to Akron, Ohio to play professional softball for the Racers. My career was short lived, since I fractured my wrist and was sent home.
Upon arriving back in Iowa I met my husband. Jason is a paramedic specialist for WDM & Dallas Co. We have been blessed with two darling children, Kennedy & Cael. Yes, 18 months apart! I wouldn’t have it any other way! I guess I can’t forget our dog Rascal!
When I’m not at school I enjoy spending time with my family & friends. My hobbies include scrapbooking, playing softball, and I am addicted to ebay!
I have a passion for teaching & look forward to teaching in the ADM schools for years to come!
Upon arriving back in Iowa I met my husband. Jason is a paramedic specialist for WDM & Dallas Co. We have been blessed with two darling children, Kennedy & Cael. Yes, 18 months apart! I wouldn’t have it any other way! I guess I can’t forget our dog Rascal!
When I’m not at school I enjoy spending time with my family & friends. My hobbies include scrapbooking, playing softball, and I am addicted to ebay!
I have a passion for teaching & look forward to teaching in the ADM schools for years to come!
Email: lstanford@adel.k12.ia.us
Miss Desiree Miller
3rd Grade Teacher
This is a year of threes for me! This is my third year of teaching, my third year at Minburn Elementary, and I teach third grade! I grew up in Altoona, Iowa and attended the Southeast Polk community school district K-12. I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in December of 2005, with degrees in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. Some of my favorite activities include skiing, boating, and scrapbooking!
Email: dmiller@adel.k12.ia.us
Ms. Kristin Kanaskie
4th Grade Teacher
Ms. Kanaskie is the new 4th grade teacher at Minburn! This is her first year teaching, as she is a recent graduate from the University of Northern Iowa. She had a double major of Elementary and Middle Level Education with Minors in Mathematics and Social Studies. She also co-founded a student organization for teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School where she was Nationally Recognized by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. She is from the area, graduating from West Des Moines Valley in 2003. She is also the Assistant Girls Basketball Coach for ADM. While getting her classroom together for the fall, Ms. K got married on August 9. She is excited to be a part of the Minburn and can’t wait to see what the year will bring!
Email: kkanaskie@adel.k12.ia.us
Mr. Mike Anderson
5th Grade Teacher
I grew up in Michigan. I have a wonderful wife and two beautiful little girls, Gabrielle and Alexandria. I love Minburn because of the creative and loyal learning environment.
Email: manderson@adel.k12.ia.us
Mrs. Lana Shea
Art / Music Teacher
This is my 20th year teaching Music, Art and Band at Minburn Elementary. I also taught music in Harlan, Iowa for 5 years, as well as many other teaching experiences outside of public school before coming to Minburn Elementary.
My paintings are on display and for sale on an Art website I developed a few years ago. I am also very active in music ministry at the church my husband pastors. I enjoy creative writing and have written stories and articles for various periodicals. My husband and I like walking in the country, sitting a few minutes by our garden pond, and spending time with our family.
I love teaching the Fine Arts at Minburn even though I live 30 miles away in Ankeny. At Minburn Elementary everyone really gets to know one another and learns to help one-another, somewhat like a large family.
My paintings are on display and for sale on an Art website I developed a few years ago. I am also very active in music ministry at the church my husband pastors. I enjoy creative writing and have written stories and articles for various periodicals. My husband and I like walking in the country, sitting a few minutes by our garden pond, and spending time with our family.
I love teaching the Fine Arts at Minburn even though I live 30 miles away in Ankeny. At Minburn Elementary everyone really gets to know one another and learns to help one-another, somewhat like a large family.
Email: lshea@adel.k12.ia.us
Mrs. Melissa Greer
Skills Educator
I grew up in Dallas Center. I graduated from DCG, then Upper Iowa University with a BA in Elementary Education with Reading and Special Education endorsements. I live in Adel with my husband, Scott.We have two wonderful children, Bryce &Ella.. Bryce is in second grade and Ella is 2. They keep us very busy, but we love every minute of it. This is my second year teaching in Minburn and I love it! We have great community support and all of the staff members are ready and willing to help each other out.
Email: mgreer@adel.k12.ia.us
Mrs. Becky Olson
Level 3 Teacher
I have been teaching in Minburn for 2 years. I love that the students and staff are so accepting and supportive of my students.
Email: bolson@adel.k12.ia.us
Ms. Hazel Purtell
GATE
Hi y’all! Why do I say y’all? I am a true Texas transplant. I moved to Iowa the fall of 2000 to work at Indian Hills Community College as an instructional technologist to guide the staff to infuse technology into their curriculum. I have been teaching since 1975 in elementary school and higher education. I started teaching immediately after receiving a BS in Elementary Education with a specialization in art from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. I have a Masters of Education in Instructional Technology from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. When I first started teaching for ADM five years ago I was the technology teacher for K-2. This fall I accepted the position to be the G.A.T.E. teacher for grades K-5. I am really enjoying working with the students as I challenge them to “think outside the box”. I only work for ADM 3 days a week and I also teach online education courses for Indian Hills Community College. I am presently a University of Iowa online student my self, while I work toward my Iowa G.A.T.E. endorsement. I enjoy spending time with my family especially my grandchildren since I am such a kid at heart. My husband and I enjoy traveling especially to Namibia Africa and spending time snorkeling on the barrier reef on the coast of Belize. When I am at free to do whatever - I love remodeling our 100-year-old farm home, cooking, and naturally going shopping mostly online. Last of all I am an avid Texas Tech Red Raider fan and love going to the games when they play ISU since my husband is an ISU grad.
Email: hpurtell@adel.k12.ia.us
Mr. Ron Brenner
Physical Education
I attended Morningside College in Sioux City,Ia. Graduated in 1970
and was offered a job at Templeton, Iowa. After teaching K - 8 P.E.
and 6 - 8 science for three years I returned to college at Wayne
State College in Wayne Neb. for two years. In 1975 I took a job at
then Adel - DeSoto and taught high school American and World History.
Later I taught Biology and Environmental Science at the high school.
In 1992 I transfered to the 6 - 8 Middle School and taught eight
grade American History until 2006 when I retired from teaching, so I
thought. In 2007 I returned to teaching 1/2 time, teaching Life
Science at the eight grade level. Currently I 'm teaching K - 5 P.E.
at the Minburn two days a week . I have coached several sports
through my thirty + years at ADM. The main sport has been H.S.
baseball which I coached for twenty-seven years as an assistant or
head coach.
My wife Laura also teaches at ADM, sixth grade science. We have
two daughters, Dr. Sara Brenner of Albany, N.Y., and Dana Brenner of
Des Moines.
and was offered a job at Templeton, Iowa. After teaching K - 8 P.E.
and 6 - 8 science for three years I returned to college at Wayne
State College in Wayne Neb. for two years. In 1975 I took a job at
then Adel - DeSoto and taught high school American and World History.
Later I taught Biology and Environmental Science at the high school.
In 1992 I transfered to the 6 - 8 Middle School and taught eight
grade American History until 2006 when I retired from teaching, so I
thought. In 2007 I returned to teaching 1/2 time, teaching Life
Science at the eight grade level. Currently I 'm teaching K - 5 P.E.
at the Minburn two days a week . I have coached several sports
through my thirty + years at ADM. The main sport has been H.S.
baseball which I coached for twenty-seven years as an assistant or
head coach.
My wife Laura also teaches at ADM, sixth grade science. We have
two daughters, Dr. Sara Brenner of Albany, N.Y., and Dana Brenner of
Des Moines.
Email: rbrenner@adel.k12.ia.us
Mrs. Kendra Wolf
Technology (3-5)
I’m Kendra Wolf and this is my eleventh year of teaching. I was a 5th grade teacher for seven years before coming to ADM to teach Technology for 3rd – 5th grades. I graduated from Iowa State University and have my master’s degree in Computers in Education from Teachers College – Columbia University, NY. I’m a big Iowa State fan and love going to women’s basketball games. I live in Grimes with my husband, a 6th grade teacher at North Polk, and my son, Ryan. We enjoy playing games, golf, puzzles, and being with friends and family.
Email: kwolf@adel.k12.ia.us
Mrs. Ann Geadelmann
Title I / Library
I grew up in Adel, attended Iowa State, then the University of Iowa where I graduated with at BA degree in elementary education. My first teaching assignment was second grade in West Branch, Iowa. Later I taught third and first grades at North Scott in Eldridge,then took several years off while my children were young.
In the mid-80s I moved back to Adel and once again taught third grade and first grade. Now I am part-time Title 1 with Media Center at Minburn Elementary. It is a privilege to work with the very professional staff in Minburn and also DeSoto Intermediate.
My husband Wayne and I live in Adel. We have five grown children between us and eight grandchildren. Our life together is busy attending sporting events and concerts for our local grandchildren. We also travel to Wyoming and Illinois to visit the “faraway grandchildren.”
In my free time I enjoy reading, traveling, swimming, walking, shopping and singing alto in the church choir. My very affectionate cat Murphy demands some of my time each day. He is happiest when sitting in my lap and I must admit that I’m happy too.
In the mid-80s I moved back to Adel and once again taught third grade and first grade. Now I am part-time Title 1 with Media Center at Minburn Elementary. It is a privilege to work with the very professional staff in Minburn and also DeSoto Intermediate.
My husband Wayne and I live in Adel. We have five grown children between us and eight grandchildren. Our life together is busy attending sporting events and concerts for our local grandchildren. We also travel to Wyoming and Illinois to visit the “faraway grandchildren.”
In my free time I enjoy reading, traveling, swimming, walking, shopping and singing alto in the church choir. My very affectionate cat Murphy demands some of my time each day. He is happiest when sitting in my lap and I must admit that I’m happy too.
Email: ageadelmann@adel.k12.ia.us
Miss. Debra Plasencia
Social Worker
Mi nombre es Deborah Plasencia, aka Ms. P. I work as a social worker for Adel Elementary, DeSoto Intermediate and Minburn schools. I use the term ‘Life Coach’ when describing what I do. My background includes graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Missouri State University in the field of Community Corrections and completing my Masters in Social Work through the University of Iowa. My most interesting experiences in college were: working in a medium security prison in Kansas City, taking a class in motorcycle riding/maintenance and spending a winter term studying Spanish language, herbology and cooking in Mazatlan, Mexico. My hobbies are reading and traveling. I have traveled to many countries including: Mexico, Ireland, France, England, Italy (x2), Belgium, Holland and a stop over in Canada. My next journey will take me to New Zealand where my son hopes to get a Maori tattoo. I have two children, Danielle, age 22, and Michael, age 16. My dog’s name is Jade.
Email: dplasencia@adel.k12.ia.us
Mrs. Kathy Book
Cook
Kathy Book has been cooking in the Minburn School kitchen for 20 years. Mrs. Book and her husband have been a part of the Minburn farming community and raised 6 children. She loves the kids and the kids certainly love her and her great food. She truly give school lunches a good name.
Email: kbook@adel.k12.ia.us
Mrs. Jennifer Hollingsworth
Adminstrative Assistant
This is my 3rd year at Minburn. I grew up in Perry and attended
college at AIB in Des Moines. I have a wonderful husband, Cary, and
two little girls, Maddy and Lily. We live in Des Moines along with
our three dogs; Morgan, Cael, and Maisey. I am a huge Iowa Hawkeye
fan and enjoy going to Hawkeye football games and wrestling meets.
college at AIB in Des Moines. I have a wonderful husband, Cary, and
two little girls, Maddy and Lily. We live in Des Moines along with
our three dogs; Morgan, Cael, and Maisey. I am a huge Iowa Hawkeye
fan and enjoy going to Hawkeye football games and wrestling meets.
Additional Staff of Minburn Elementary
Mrs. Paula Rolfes, K/1 Combined Associate / Pam Bond, Associate / Donna Dunsmoor, Associate / Nicole Hocamp, Associate / Sherlyn Sutton, Associate / Carrie Green, Associate / Cynthia Eby, Nurse / Bruce Stanley, Custodian /Julie Scott, Cook
We thank all our staff for their dedication to our children's education!
We thank all our staff for their dedication to our children's education!
