Hoover’s Amber Davison Honored by State

Des Moines Public Schools – including Hoover High School – were well represented at the annual Iowa Outstanding Teachers Recognition luncheon. Four DMPS teachers nominated for prestigious professional honors were among those feted at an awards luncheon today at the Science Center of Iowa sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education.

Amber Davison, a U.S. and World History teacher at Hoover High School, was a finalist for Iowa Preserve America History Teacher of the Year. She has been a teacher for severn years. Amber has a BA in social work and history from Wartburg College and a Master’s degree from Drake University.

Other DMPS teachers honored were:

• Heather Anderson of Cowles Montessori School was a finalist for the Iowa Teacher of the Year Award. She has taught for eight years. Heather has a BA in elementary education from Upper Iowa University.
• Josie Burg, a math teacher at the Downtown School and Zachry Christensen, a math teacher at Perkins Academy were both finalists for the Iowa Presiden tial Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Josie has been a teacher for eight years. She has a BA in elementary education from UNI and a Master’s degree from Drake University. Zac has taught for 11 years. He has a BA in elementary education and liberal arts from Simpson College and a Master’s degree from Viterbo University.

Rounding out the DMPS representation at the event, music was provided by a string quartet made up of recently named all-state musicians from Roosevelt High School: senior violinist, Sofia Kaut (a four-time all-stater); senior violist, Elaina Steenson, and two sophomore cellists; Lander Geadelmann and  Mila Kaut.