Our Family
Every student can learn, some just need a different approach or a little more time.
Mrs. April Drew
I am one of two Early Childhood Special Education teachers in the Independence Community School District. I work with children ages 3-5 who require special education in the preschool setting.

I grew up on a dairy farm near Plainfield, IA and graduated from Nashua-Plainfield High School. I was actively involved in 4-H, FFA, FHA, FTA, choir, band, and drama. I proceeded to be involved with band in college and was a member of the UNI Panther Marching Band for two years. I still have a passion for anything music or agriculture and look for ways to be involved with both. I enjoy participating in my church choir and community bands. I play the french horn and the mellophone (marching french horn).
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My family and I are excited to be back in Independence. We love the culture and emphasis on kindness that come with this school district. My husband is a previous employee for the district and is now the Counselor at West Elementary, and our daughter attends school at East Elementary. I keep busy attending basketball games that my husband coaches, and dance events and competitions with our daughter.

I am always looking to improve myself personally and professionally. I have a love of learning and strive to share that love and interest in learning with my students. I believe that every student can learn, some just need a different approach or a little more time.
Education
I graduated with my B.A. in Elementary Education in 2003 from the University of Northern Iowa.
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I completed my M.A. in Early Childhood Special Education in 2016 also from the University of Northern Iowa.
Past Experience

I taught Kindergarten in Arizona on the C.R.I.T. (Colorado River Indian Tribes) Reservation, and Kindergarten Special Education in Oelwein, IA.
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I have also worked as a substitute teacher and para-professional in multiple districts in Iowa.
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I ran an in-home daycare for 5 years in Cedar Rapids after the birth of our daughter.