Denise Carlson taught first and third grades at Gilbert Elementary School for 20 years. Next she spent 11 years as a mathematics consultant for Heartland Area Education Agency. During this time she provided professional development to elementary math teachers, assisted districts with mathematics curriculum adoption, as well as various other coaching and consulting duties. After retiring from the AEA she began working as a special education associate. Then in the fall of 2019 she took a job at Iowa State University as a lecturer in the School of Education.
I truly believe that I am fortunate to have had been able to teach in Iowa for so many years. I've enjoyed working and learning with my students and their families as well as so many gifted and talented educators. I have found my career to be rewarding and gratifying. In 2015 I decided to retire from education. After spending the summer cleaning house and organizing the closets I decided I'd start to substitute teach. (Because honestly I wasn't very good at being retired.) Substituting eventually led to an associate position at a school I love, and that led to an opportunity to return to my alma mater as a lecturer. I am grateful for the chance to be able to train the next generation of teachers and give back to the field of education.
1981 Iowa State University, B.S., Drake University, M.S.
