Meet Mrs. Riddle

Hello! My name is Audra Riddle and I am the PK-3 school counselor for the Clarinda Community School District!

My husband, Aaron, and I live in rural Page County with our sons, Cooper and Cole. We have one dog, Major, a Chocolate Lab. We have a small hobby farm that includes two goats, Ricky and Lucy, countless chickens, and farm cats. As a family, we enjoy being outdoors working in our garden, swimming, and bicycle rides on the Wabash Trace. I love baseball and wrestling, college wrestling and football (especially the Iowa Hawkeyes and UNI Panthers), and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. I enjoy home improvement projects and spending time with family. I love to read and consider myself a lifelong learner!

I grew up in Clear Lake, Iowa and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa, GO PANTHERS!!! with undergraduate degrees in K-6 elementary education, K-8 special education, K-8 reading and coaching. I taught elementary special education for 4 years in Independence, IA, Pasadena, CA and Ankeny, IA before coming to Clarinda as the elementary school counselor in 2010. I completed my Masters of Science in Professional School Counseling degree from Buena Vista University and graduated with honors.

As a child and young adult, I was influenced by many teachers I had growing up including my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Brager and a high school teacher, Mrs. Meyers who took time to watch and cheer on me and other students who participated in extra-curricular activities. I was most influenced to become a teacher by my mom, who was an elementary special education teacher and is currently a Literacy Leader (reading teacher), she still inspires me to advocate tirelessly for my students and to give them my best, everyday!

Some interesting bits of knowledge about me:

-During my youth I was a competitive figure skater

-I enjoy hunting and fishing

-I love baking and decorating cakes and cupcakes

My favorite thing about being an elementary school counselor is working with our students!!

I hold memberships in the following professional organizations:

- Iowa School Counselors Association

-American School Counselors Association

-National Education Association

-Iowa State Education Association