Jodi Banse ~ 25 Years of Service!
Please join us in congratulating Jodi Banse for 25 years of service at ADM!
Mrs. Banse is the Principal at Meadow View Elementary School. She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio until the middle of elementary school when she moved to West Des Moines, Iowa. Jodi received her BA from the University of Iowa and her MA from Viterbo University. She was a 3rd grade teacher in Chicago Schools before moving back to Iowa and coming to ADM. Here, she taught 5th grade, 3rd grade, and 2nd grades before shifting to an administrative role. She has been a principal at ADM for 18 years, at both DeSoto Intermediate School and Meadow View Elementary School. This is Jodi’s 28th year in education.
Education has always been a significant part of Jodi's life. Her mother was a teacher, and from as early as she can remember Jodi wanted to follow in her mother's footsteps. Jodi recalled having a classroom set up in her basement while she was growing up, and she shared that some of her favorite childhood memories are of pretending to be a teacher in that classroom. Regarding these memories, she shared, “My stuffed animals were my first students who received quite a bit of homework! When I went to college, my major was already determined and I never looked away from that path.”
Jodi was drawn to ADM as a teacher because of its strong commitment to literacy instruction and collaborative teamwork. She shared that from her very first interview, she felt valued, supported, and welcomed as part of a team.
Her reasons for staying with ADM still align with this. In addition, Jodi shared that she stays because of the people and the community. She believes deeply in the work that ADM is doing and in the instruction being provided for ADM students. Jodi shared, “Collaboration is not only valued here, it is essential to our success. I appreciate being part of a team that welcomes different perspectives and works together toward a shared purpose. The support and partnership of our parents and community make the work even more meaningful. Most of all, the people I work alongside are incredible. Having the opportunity to learn, grow, and do important work with such dedicated colleagues is truly a gift.”
Spending time in classrooms is what Jodi enjoys most about her role as the principal at Meadow View. She believes that being in classrooms allows her to see great instruction in action and she is continually in awe of the talent, dedication, and skill of the teachers at ADM. Regarding this, Jodi shared, “I believe observation can be some of the most powerful professional learning we experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside our teachers and see firsthand the impact they have on students each day.”
Outside of school, Jodi enjoys reading, watching a good TV show, and playing board or card games. Her greatest joy comes from spending time with family, especially when they can combine it with traveling together. Some of her favorite memories have come from the amazing trips that her sister has planned for their crew.
Thank you, Jodi Banse, for your 25 years of service with ADM!
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