Welcome

My name is Katie Claeys, and I am the Director of Teaching and Learning here at Ballard. I began my teaching career in Dubuque in 2000 at Resurrection School. I moved to the Des Moines area in 2002 and taught middle school in West Des Moines, Waukee, and Ankeny. In 2008, I left the classroom to become an instructional coach in Ankeny. I began my work here at Ballard during the 2015-2016 school year.

I graduated from Loras College with an elementary education degree. Since then, I have completed two Masters degrees: one in Curriculum and Instruction of Middle Level Education (UNI) and one in Administration (Drake). I have also obtained a middle school endorsement, a K-8 reading endorsement, and a K-12 literacy specialist endorsement.

My husband Michael and I live in Ankeny with our three sons, Brady, Charly, and Jack. When we are not chasing them, we enjoy watching the Green Bay Packers and the Iowa Hawkeyes.