and Danitza Cardenas

Where do you teach?

Duncombe Elementary

What grade/subject do you teach?

We are the K-4 grade ELL (English Language Learner) team

Why do you teach?

We teach because being able to give an individual the tools to be the most successful version of themselves is an amazing experience. We hope we can inspire our students to see the value in education and challenge them to reach their potential.

What is your favorite part of the school day?

We enjoy greeting students in the morning, seeing a smile on a student’s face after working hard and finally achieving a goal, and anytime we get to interact with the kids.

What are you working hardest on right now?

We worked hard to finish the school year strong by using every minute of each day to work toward increasing English proficiency in our students and to help each student finish the year strong.

What are you most proud of as a teacher?

We are most proud of how much confidence each of our students have gained and the growth they’ve made not only in the English language, but in their academics overall. It is wonderful to see them light up when we go back and look at where they started and how far they have come. We’re also proud of the relationships we’ve made with students and their families.

What makes you happiest as a teacher?

The things that make us happiest as educators are seeing students and their families succeed in school and life, helping students and their families, and knowing we have made a positive impact in a young person’s life.

How do you contribute to/how are you involved in our community outside of school?

Outside of school, we all volunteer in the community through various avenues such as youth sports and church.

What are your interests/hobbies outside of school?

We all enjoy spending time with family. Ms. Cardenas enjoys traveling, and attending her children’s events. Ms. Litwiller enjoys training with her family in taekwondo and jiu jitsu and also likes to cook. Ms. Curley loves being outdoors, hiking and exploring playgrounds with her family.

What do you wish your students/families knew about you?

We wish they knew how much we learn from them. We see how they persevere through challenges, collaborate with others and make great effort to support their children. Their work ethic and resilience inspires us. We wish they knew how truly grateful we are to have an opportunity to work with every student at Duncombe Elementary.

What does Together We Rise mean to you?

Together We Rise means each student’s success at Fort Dodge Schools is part of a collaborative effort. It means that everyone has a stake in success. It means that when students, staff, family and the community work together to nurture a student’s goals and dreams, the impossible becomes possible.