River Hills School is a publicly sponsored special school for students with moderate, severe, and profound developmental disabilities. The school serves students from kindergarten through age 21.
The unique setting is staffed by professionals with expertise in working with students with developmental disabilities. This expertise allows us to focus on the use of current and innovative instructional strategies while incorporating the latest technology into instruction.
Approximately 85 students from local school districts within Central Rivers AEA attend River Hills School. There are 20 classrooms, each staffed by a licensed special education teacher and a paraprofessional. Typical class sizes range from three to six students.
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- Special Educational Consultant
- Speech – Language Pathologists
- School Psychologist
- Special Education Nurse
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapist
- Work Experience Coordinator
- Adaptive PE Teachers
- Audiologist
- Instructional Support Teacher
- Access to hearing, vision and mobility specialists
Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Black Hawk County Gaming Association ($100,000), the R.J. McElroy Trust ($50,000), and the Pauline R. Barrett Charitable Foundation ($25,000) – along with strong support from our River Hills Consortium Member Districts and the Central Rivers AEA Foundation – we’re transforming the former River Hills pool into a state-of-the-art Sensory Room!
The underground pipes of the pool are structurally unsound and need some impossible repairs.
This new 2,500 sq ft space will better serve the 90 students from 30 districts who attend River Hills, offering expanded access to sensory equipment, movement opportunities and self-regulation tools they need to thrive. We’re honoring the past and building the future – together. Stay tuned as this exciting project comes to life!
Location
2700 Grand Boulevard, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
- Phone: (319)-268-7775
- Toll-Free: (800)-542-8375 (IA)
- Fax: (319)-268-1828
Building Hours
- During the school year: Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Closed during the summer months. Visit by appointment only. Please call (319)-268-7775.
Inclement Weather
For information on how to receive notification and/or information on school delays, cancellations and early dismissals, contact Rebekah Robbs, Administrative Secretary at River Hills School.
Our Staff
- Kelsey Baker, Principal
- Andrew Voss, SAM and Instructional Support Teacher
- Rebekah Robbs, Administrative Secretary
- Kim Kockler, Secretary
- Kenzie Heusinkvelt, School Psychologist
- Jessica Wheeler, School Nurse
- Abby Martin, Speech-Language Pathologist
- Beth Kaump, Consultant
- Jamie Van Erem and Heather Wiedman, Physical Therapists
- Tarissa Ollendieck, Occupational Therapist
- Jari Sherburne, Work Experience Coordinator
- Kayla Strempke, COTA
- Sharmin Koppes, Support Teacher
- Maggie Dirks, Complex Communication Assistant
- Sara O’Brien, Audiologist
- Cortney Dierks, Teacher of Deaf & Hard of Hearing
- Andrea Gibbs, Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Room 1:
- Deb Boldt, Teacher
- Samantha Hunt, Educational Assistant
Room 2:
- Jessica Murphy, Teacher
- Esther Gutosky, Educational Assistant
- Brian Halupnick, Educational Assistant
Room 3:
- Jordan Tenney, Teacher
- Abbie Blockhus, Educational Assistant
Room 4:
- Sophie Buckley, Teacher
- Hannah Porter, Educational Assistant
- Mahaley Dirks, Educational Assistant
Room 6/7:
- Laura Wallin, Teacher
- Brittany Sudbeck, Educational Assistant
- Jessica Knox, Educational Assistant
- Diane Lavenz, Educational Assistant
- Donna Thompson, Educational Assistant
Room 8:
- Lorri Mehmen, Teacher
- Kailey Karnatz, Educational Assistant
Room 9:
- Heather Martin, Teacher
- Courtney Langel, Educational Assistant
Room 10:
- Tressa Hanisch, Teacher
- Drueana McFadden, Educational Assistant
- Ben Middleton, Educational Assistant
Room 11:
- Marie Swalin, Teacher
- Sage Sherburne, Teacher
- Krystal Riha, Educational Assistant
Room 12:
- Katelyn Shultz, Teacher
- Shealynn Pasillas, Educational Assistant
- Rylee Hanson, Educational Assistant
Room 13:
- Holly Gerber, Teacher
- Amber Chancellor, Educational Assistant
- Katie Pedersen, Educational Assistant
Room 14:
- Lexi Guelner, Teacher
- Martesha Jones, Educational Assistant
- Ashleigh Jensen, Educational Assistant
Room 15:
- Amber Sly, Teacher
- Theodore Collins, Educational Assistant
- Jane Reynolds, Educational Assistant
- Sue Fread, Educational Assistant
Room 16:
- Megan Immel, Teacher
- Brandi Yates, Educational Assistant
- Sharman Atkinson, Educational Assistant
Room 17:
- Kyla Krouse, Teacher
- Shandra Mitchell, Educational Assistant
- Chloe Becker, Educational Assistant
Room 18:
- Miranda Johnson, Teacher
- Hilary Youngblut, Educational Assistant
- Wiley Jenison, Educational Assistant
Room 19:
- Suzette Miller, Teacher
- Jacob Mukanya, Educational Assistant
- Lacey Overkamp, Educational Assistant
Room 20:
- Sarah Jepsen, Teacher
- Fran Hanisch, Educational Assistant
- Hannah Glaspie, Educational Assistant
Room 21:
- Mike Jenison, Teacher
- Alex Burford, Educational Assistant
- Kathy Pearson, Educational Assistant
Room 22:
- Trinity Zesch, Teacher
- Niki Aldrich, Educational Assistant
- Chloe Hilyard, Educational Assistant
Room 23:
- Candi Helvie, Teacher
- Melanie Simpson, Educational Assistant
Room 24:
- Diana Scott, Teacher
- Jennifer Estlack, Educational Assistant
- Candice Spooner, Educational Assistant
Physical Education:
- Krystal Putz, Teacher
- Thad Peck, Teacher
- Cheryl Goins, Educational Assistant
- Angie Halverson, Educational Assistant
- Theodore Collins
- Sue Fread
- Lydia Wilson, Job Coach
- Tammy Knox, Job Coach
- Kelsey Pinkham, Sub School Nurse
- Chris Bennet, Educational Assistant
- Tracy Lynn, Educational Assistant
- Kevin McKenzie, Supervisor of Buildings/Maintenance
- Jessica Devries, Custodian
- Cory Teepe, Custodian
- Todd Thompson, Custodian
Why Work at River Hills School?
We continue to seek applications from qualified individuals for full and part-time certified/licensed positions (i.e., teachers) and full and part-time classified positions (i.e., classroom paraprofessionals). Certified/licensed positions would be any position that requires a license or certificate from the State of Iowa Department of Education. Classified positions do not require a license or certificate from the State of Iowa Department of Education. Visit the Central Rivers AEA careers page for more information about employment opportunities.
Why River Hills?
Important Contacts
