Susan Tallman Officially Chief of Human Resources

Susan Tallman’s transition from interim chief to Chief of Human Resources was approved by the Board on June 16.

Des Moines Public Schools is pleased to announce  Susan Tallman is now the permanent Chief of Human Resources. She has served as interim chief since August of 2019.

Tallman started her DMPS career in 1991 as a classroom teacher and served for more than a decade at McKinley, River Woods, Jefferson and Lovejoy elementary schools. She went on to become the assistant principal at River Woods and Jefferson, and then principal at Wright and Morris elementary schools. In 2008, Tallman became a regional executive director, also serving as the program supervisor of the English Language Learner Department and the supervisor of the enrollment center. She accepted the position of Elementary Executive Director in 2012 and was named the Executive Director of Schools in 2019.

Tallman received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Iowa, her Master of Education from Iowa State University and her post-graduate certifications in Administration & Supervision, and Superintendent Licensure, from Drake University.

Tallman played a key role in implementing the Wallace Foundation grant to improve the quality of training for principal supervisors, empowering them to support building principals and create a pipeline of new talent for district leadership. The district’s success with the Wallace Foundation grant has been nationally recognized.

Tallman’s transition from interim chief to Chief of Human Resources was approved by the school board on June 16. Des Moines Public Schools is one of Central Iowa’s largest employers.