This is my 22nd year of teaching, all here at Merrill. I work with students who have math and behavior goals. My day is spent teaching social skills and co-teaching two 8th grade math classes. My goal is to help students reach their full potential and prepare them for high school.
I live in Clive with my husband and two girls. As a family we enjoy watching Gilmore Girls, Survivor, Amazing Race, and the Great British Baking Show together. In my spare time I enjoy reading, going on walks with our mini Goldendoodle, playing board games, and going on family vacations.
I am Shanna Freeman, sixth and Seventh grade Language and Literature teacher at Merrill. This is my twenty-Third year in education, a majority of those years have been teaching sixth grade. I received my bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Northern Iowa and my master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Thomas.
I live in Ankeny with my husband, our two daughters and our Labrador puppy. In my spare time, I love spending time with family and friends, vacationing anywhere near water, going for motorcycle rides with my husband and getting lost in a good book.
Some of my favorite things about teaching are watching my students’ minds grow, the challenges that come each day with teaching middle school and the fact that no day is ever the same.
I look forward to a year filled with personal and academic growth, fun and exciting learning and the pleasure of serving my students in their education.
I believe communication and a partnership between school and home is essential for a child’s success. Therefore, I welcome your questions and concerns throughout the year.
External Links
Sixth Grade Daily Planner:
It has been my highest honor and privilege to serve at Merrill teaching science since 2001. During my twenty plus years I have had the chance to teach all three grade levels of science. I am a graduate from both University of Northern Iowa and Viterbo University. Sorry Viterbo V-Hawks but I am a Panther!
In my free time, I enjoy a good road trip looking for local parks and attractions to visit. Along the way, I hunt for tiny local restaurants and bakeries to enjoy the best eats and treats in the country.
Hello! This is my 8th year teaching, all at Merrill. After 7 years of teaching science, I joined the math department and am enjoying my 6th grade math classes. I enjoy the ups and downs of middle school and hope to help my students see math as something they can relate to, enjoy, and be successful at.
In my free time I am a parent to 7 unruly children, 6 who attended Merrill and one who is on her way in just a few years. My husband and I attempt to get around to visit our adult kids and see live music when we get the chance.
I am from Des Moines and still live on the east side of town. I live with two roommates and three dogs – a field spaniel named Ollivander, a cockapoo named Ariana, and a Mini Berne doodle named Petunia. I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Drake University. In my free time I enjoy reading, watching old movies, spending time with my friends and family, watching (shouting out answers at?) Jeopardy!, seeing musicals, listening to K-pop, watching soccer (go Bayern Munich!), going to concerts, and playing board games and card games.
I am in my 12th year of teaching and all 12 of those years I have spent at Merrill. The majority of my time here I have taught 6th grade Social Studies, but I have also taught 6th-8th grade English Language Learning, 7th and 8th grade Social Studies, and 8th grade Language Arts.
Megan “Señorita” Vernon started teaching at Merrill in 2020. She has taught Spanish in South Korea, Arizona, Omaha and Northern Spain. She is a proud Cyclone married to a Hawkeye. Megan and her husband, Conrad, live with their sassy cat, Rubicita and an athletic, energetic cattle dog, Franky.
Class Description
This is my tenth year at Merrill as a teacher, and I also attended Merrill as a student, making it weird to go into the teacher’s workroom the first time! I am passionate about reading & love recommending good books to others. I also enjoy running, trying new foods, and traveling with my husband and two kids. I attended undergrad at Iowa State and have my Master’s in Education from Morningside.
External Links
Please check this link to see all the great things we are doing in room 118. I look forward to an amazing year!