Ames Community School District

Welcome, Jenna Girard, the new 2nd Grade Teacher at Mitchell Elementary School! Jenna was inspired to become a teacher by the educators she looked up to growing up and the positive impact they had on their students. She hopes to create that same kind of safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environment where every child feels encouraged to learn and grow. This school year, she's excited to meet her students, build meaningful relationships with them and her colleagues, and become part of the Mitchell community.

One of the highlights of Jenna's summer was a vacation to Maine. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys shopping, spending time with her family, playing with her cat, listening to music, and trying new recipes in the kitchen. If she's stopping for coffee, her go-to order is an iced vanilla latte. Welcome to Ames CSD!

Welcome, Reanna Wanatee, the new Integrated Services Teacher at Ames Middle School! Reanna was inspired to become a teacher by the incredible mentors she had throughout her education. Their guidance showed her the importance of creating a supportive and welcoming environment where every student feels valued, capable, and empowered to succeed. As she begins her teaching career, she's most excited to build meaningful relationships with her students and watch them grow throughout the school year.

This summer, Reanna took a road trip to Grand Teton National Park, where she enjoyed hiking and exploring the area's historic landmarks. When she's not in the classroom, she loves spending time outdoors, taking her dog, Copper, for walks, and making memories with family and friends. If she's looking for a pick-me-up, her go-to drink is a Hyper Energy Sour Wave or Bomb Pop. Welcome to Ames CSD!

Welcome, Maggie Wood, the new Resource Teacher at Ames Middle School! Maggie was inspired to become a resource teacher because she has always been passionate about helping students become the best versions of themselves. Growing up with parents who were educators showed her the lasting impact teachers can have, and her own experiences supporting students confirmed that helping children build confidence, overcome challenges, and reach their full potential is exactly where she wants to be. This school year, she's looking forward to getting to know her students, becoming part of the Ames community, and celebrating each student's growth along the way.

This summer, Maggie took a road trip through South Dakota and Wyoming. When she's not at school, she enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and going for walks. If she's stopping for coffee, her go-to order is an iced caramel latte with cold foam. Welcome to Ames CSD!

Welcome, Alice Coats, the new 8th Grade ELA Teacher at Ames Middle School! Alice has always had a love for words and stories. From staying up late as a kid to finish a good book to being inspired by the incredible teachers who encouraged her along the way, her passion for language naturally led her to a career teaching English Language Arts. This school year, she's most excited to meet her students and help them discover their own love for reading and writing.

Outside of the classroom, Alice enjoys reading, writing, and thrifting with friends. This summer, she spent time working at a daycare, where she had the opportunity to work with children from infancy through 5th grade. Someday, she hopes to take a trip to Colorado with her dad. If she's grabbing a coffee, her go-to order is an iced vanilla latte with oat milk. Welcome to Ames CSD!

📣 In case you missed it...class schedules, teacher assignments & bus routes are now available!

Families can log in to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to view: https://trst.in/jWDsna

A few important reminders:
• Preschool teacher assignments will be available by 4 pm on August 18.
• Final kindergarten teacher assignments will be available by 4 pm on August 26.
• Questions about schedules or teacher assignments should be directed to your student’s school.

🚌 Transportation Information
Bus routes and pick-up/drop-off times are also available in Infinite Campus. As schedules are finalized, transportation information may change before the first day of school, so please check your route information regularly.

Need to update or cancel transportation?
https://trst.in/aRWVDo
Have transportation questions? Check out our FAQ:
https://trst.in/UOo1ig

Get all of the important back-to-school dates on our website: https://trst.in/RtOi94

Welcome, Avah Sykora, the new 4th Grade Teacher at Edwards Elementary! Avah was inspired to become a teacher because she wants to make a lasting impact on her students' lives. She loves watching students grow academically, socially, and emotionally, and says there's nothing more rewarding than seeing them gain confidence and believe in themselves. This school year, she's excited to meet everyone in the Edwards community and build relationships with students, families, and staff.

Outside of the classroom, Avah enjoys making coffee, exercising, and cheering on her favorite football teams. One of the highlights of her summer was traveling to Arizona with friends. If she's grabbing a coffee, her go-to order is a Banana Bread Blondie with mocha milk from 7 Brew. Welcome to Ames CSD!

Welcome, Quincy Foster, the new Physical Education Teacher at Fellows Elementary! Quincy was inspired to become a teacher after watching his sister work with kids in youth programs and seeing the positive impact his high school coaches had on their students. This school year, he's looking forward to meeting all of the students and staff and becoming part of the Fellows community.

This summer, Quincy enjoyed a trip to a resort in Branson, Missouri. When he's not at school, you'll likely find him on the basketball court or catching a movie. His go-to drink is a Cherry Coke, and he's excited to begin making connections with students throughout the school year. Welcome to Ames CSD!

The school board will hold a regular meeting on Monday, August 10, 2026, starting at 5:30 p.m. The meeting agenda is available on our website: https://bit.ly/3NWdnif. For members of the public interested in speaking at a board meeting, please review the information on our website: https://trst.in/lYrscF.

Welcome, Autumn Sharp, the new Special Education Teacher at Fellows Elementary! Autumn has always loved working with kids and believes every student deserves a place where they feel cared for, supported, and like they truly belong. This school year, she's excited to get to know her students, build new relationships, and teach in the community she calls home.

It was an exciting summer for Autumn, who traveled to Germany and got engaged! When she's not at school, she enjoys reading, getting creative with arts and crafts, and spending time with her cats and fiancé. If you see her with a coffee in hand, it's likely a Starbucks caramel macchiato or vanilla almond milk latte. Welcome to Ames CSD!

📚✨ Ready to find out who your teacher is?

Starting at 4 p.m. on Monday, August 10, families can log in to Infinite Campus to view:
✅ Teacher assignments
✅ Class schedules
✅ Bus pick-up and drop-off locations and times

Please note:
🧸 Preschool teacher assignments will be available by 4 p.m. on August 18.
🎒 Kindergarten teacher assignments will be available by 4 p.m. on August 26.

We can’t wait to welcome our Ames CSD students back for another great school year!