Jill Burke to be Howe Elementary’s Next Principal

Des Moines Public Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of Jill Burke, currently the dean of students at Monroe Elementary School, as the next principal of Howe Elementary School.

She will succeed Dianna Anderson, who is the new principal of Park Avenue Elementary School. Burke will begin her new role at Howe on August 1.

“Since joining our school district two years ago, Jill has proven herself to be both an effective educator and leader,” said Tom Ahart, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools. “I’m pleased she has taken on this new responsibility working with the students, staff and families at Howe.”

“It’s a great honor to be Howe’s next principal,” said Burke. “I am looking forward to working with everyone in the school’s community to build upon Howe’s solid foundation to help every student succeed.”

Howe Elementary School is located at 2900 Indianola Road in Des Moines, and educates approximately 300 students in grades K-5.

Jill Burke began her educational career in Iowa as a middle school reading and language arts teacher in Colfax-Mingo. She spent several years as an educator in Arizona, where she served as a teacher, academic coach and assistant principal with the Buckeye Elementary School District. Burke returned to Iowa in 2011 to become the dean of students at Monroe Elementary School.

Burke has a BS in elementary education from Iowa State University and a M.Ed. in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University.