We are welcoming many new faces to the district, as well as some familiar face transfers. Congratulations to all on their new roles!
Lonna Anderson – Curriculum Coordinator
Dr. Lonna Anderson is joining the CRCSD as a Curriculum Coordinator. She brings a variety of administrative experience from the building, district, and regional levels. Dr. Anderson is joining us most recently from the Ottumwa Community School District where she was the PK-12 Director of Curriculum and Instruction. She’s looking forward to jumping in, meeting staff and supporting the district in creating a guaranteed and viable curriculum.
Justin Blietz – Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy Principal
Justin Blietz has been named the Principal of Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy. He has previous experience as a teacher, associate principal and secondary director of climate/culture transformation. These experiences will enrich RCCBA and further strengthen the magnet school theme of community. “I’m looking forward to working collaboratively to ensure that every student at RCCBA has a plan, passion and pathway for their future. We will ensure high academic achievement for all of our learners by providing rigorous instruction through our magnet theme and working collaboratively with families and the community.”
Kimberly Carter – Kenwood Leadership Academy Principal
Kimberly was previously the Associate Principal of Instruction at Hanawalt Elementary School in Des Moines, and she will be joining the CRCSD as the new Kenwood Leadership Academy Principal for the upcoming school year. She has lived in Iowa for 4 years, and has also previously worked as an ELL Teacher. Kimberly is looking forward to being in a position to inspire her staff and advocate for her students, while providing an environment that welcomes parents to be participants, and continuing to push the district goals towards equity. She knows that KLA is a pride in the community, and is excited for this great experience!
Cafer (Adam) Cengiz – Johnson STEAM Academy Principal
Adam began his education career as a computer and math teacher. After working in various school capacities, Cafer was named in 2009 as the founding principal of the Michigan Math and Science Academy. He most recently returned to Iowa after serving as a K-8 principal in Phoenix, Arizona. Adam is excited to meet with people, get to know the community, his students, the district, goals for the school and work with the staff to bring the school to new heights.
Eriece Colbert – Cedar Rapids Education Association President
Eriece has spent her teaching career at the middle school level here at CRCSD. She has taught students at McKinley, Wilson, and Franklin. She spent one year at Harrison early in her career teaching a grade 2/3 classroom. Most people are surprised to learn that she originally wanted to be a 2nd grade teacher. Eriece shares she loves reading aloud to students of all ages. Previously, Eriece was an Instructional Coach at Franklin and a district Equity Coach. In the role of president of CREA, Eriece is looking forward to continuing to support and serve teachers in all phases of their careers.
Ernie Cox – Principal of Madison & Grant Elementary Schools
Ernie Cox has served as principal at Madison Elementary school for two years and Cedar Rapids Virtual Academy for one year. He will become the shared principal for both Grant and Madison Elementary Schools. “I am looking forward to serving Grant and Madison communities and building strong relationships with families,” says Cox.
Dan DeVore – High School Magnet/BIG Principal
Dan has been the Principal at Metro High School for the past 5 years, but will be moving into a newly-developed position as the High School Magnet/BIG Principal for the upcoming school year. Dan is excited about the future of the new high school, especially helping to create and open a school that is dedicated to community based learning. He’s eager to help students find their passions while exploring their futures.
Monica Frey – Principal of Truman Early Learning Center
Monica Frey will be moving from principal of Grant Elementary to principal of the new Truman Early Learning Center. She is excited to take on this new role, because it provides such a wonderful opportunity for families in our community. “To be able to have the strong start to school that we’ve been missing in the last couple of years. We know we need that strong foundation for kids to be prepared and ready for school. And to be able to be leading that charge is unbelievable.”
Jon Galbraith – Director of Operations
Jon has been the CRCSD Buildings and Grounds Manager for four years and with CRCSD for seven years. His new role will oversee Buildings and Grounds, Custodial and Maintenance, Transportation, Safety, and the Facilities Master Plan work. Jon is most excited about being in a brand new role, figuring out what that role fully entails and continuing to work with a lot of the same people, but on a more in depth level.
Chris Gates – Building and Grounds Manager
Chris Gates is returning to the CRCSD as the Buildings and Grounds Manager. He comes to CRCSD from Linn-Mar school district, where he was the Buildings and Grounds manager for 1.5 years. Prior to that role, Chris was a CRCSD Construction Specialist for 7.5 years.
Lisa Glenn – Executive Director of Special Services and Student Supports
Lisa joins CRCSD from Iowa City Schools, and is incredibly excited to be joining the Cedar Rapids team. She has had the privilege of working with students and families in several districts in Iowa as a teacher, AEA consultant, and district-level administrator for the past 29 years. “Ensuring equity of educational opportunity for all students through support of an inclusive vision and mindset is my true passion and purpose.”
Mark Groteluschen – Principal of Metro High School
Mark comes to the CRCSD from South Tama, where he has been the high school principal for the last two years. Prior to that, Mark was an assistant principal for four years at Muscatine High School. He also spent ten years teaching science at Metro High School before becoming an administrator. Mark is excited to be back in the place where he grew up and was a teacher. He really enjoys the opportunity that students have to find their individual success at Metro, and to play a role in that.
Karla Hogan – Executive Director of Business Services and Board Treasurer
Karla has been the CRCSD Payroll Supervisor for the last 5 years, and will now be the Executive Director of Business Services and Board Treasurer. Karla has been the CRCSD Payroll Supervisor for the last 5 years, with a background in accounting and payroll services that also includes School Business Official (SBO) experience at Central City, and Monticello school districts. She also worked at Solon CSD. She’s looking forward to the district’s plans of the building of the new elementary schools, as well as the expansion of facilities for other grade levels. Fun fact: Karla loves to travel! She has a condo at the Lake of the Ozarks and goes as often as possible to spend time boating and hanging out by the pool. She’s also excited to be visiting Alaska this year!
Tammi Kuba – Principal of Viola Gibson Elementary School
Tammi Kuba will be moving from Principal of Truman Elementary School to Viola Gibson Elementary School. She will take over this position from Denise Pape, who retired at the end of the 2021-22 school year. “I am looking forward to this new opportunity. I feel incredibly grateful to have served as the principal at Truman Elementary for the past 13 years,” says Kuba.
Jessica Luna – Director of Culture and
Climate Transformation
Jessica comes to CRCSD from Solon Community School District. Over the last 12 years she has been involved in many roles in education: volunteer, associate, teacher, literacy coach, and administrator. “I find great value in relationships, and feel there is no greater accomplishment than having a positive impact on the lives of others. I am honored for the opportunity to continue the strong equitable, inclusive, and student centered culture of CRCSD and the community. I look forward to meeting you all, and to our future collaboration towards the success of all students!”
Abbie Parker – Franklin Middle School Principal
Abbie comes to CRCSD from Linn-Mar High School, where she has been the Dean of Students for the past three years. Prior to her role at Linn-Mar, Abbie was an instructional coach and teacher in the Alburnett Community School District for four years. Abbie holds an undergraduate degree in Mathematics Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Northern Iowa.
Ryals Parker – Special Services Director
Ryals is returning to the CRCSD as a Special Services Director. He joins us from Keokuk, where he has been a Middle School Principal. He was formerly a CRCSD Facilitator at Tanager, as well as a Social Studies Teacher. He really loved working within Special Services when he was here as a teacher; working with unique students and helping students pursue their education. The rubber really hits the road with special services and getting every learner, future ready. Ryals is ready to take his previous experiences to help administrators better guide that work, as it’s a true passion.
Aminata Taylor – Payroll Manager
Aminata Taylor joins the CRCSD as Payroll Manager. She comes to CRCSD from United Way of Anchorage, Alaska, where she was the chief financial officer.
Doreen Underwood – Curriculum Coordinator
Doreen joins the CRCSD from Keokuk Community Schools where she was the Director of Instructional Services. She’s looking forward to having the opportunity to work with the curriculum leads in developing the systems and processes for a guaranteed and viable curriculum in the district.