Hello!  My name is Benjamin LaConner and I am the principal of Samuelson Elementary.  I love being part of the Samuelson community due to our student-centered practices, dedicated families, and committed staff.  We are proud to teach a diverse group of students and we believe that this diversity makes our community stronger and improves the learning that happens in our building.  I enjoy working with our partner schools in the Hoover-Meredith feeder-pattern and throughout DMPS to meet the ambitious goals that we have for our students.

I hold master’s degrees from The City University of Seattle and Northwestern College.  I’m passionate about providing holistic supports and making school systems meet student needs.  It’s important to me to create meaningful connections with students, families, staff, and community members.  I love that Samuelson is a neighborhood school and I want to continue to build on this strength.

Personally, I live in the Drake neighborhood with my wife, Kristina, and our son.  We like to bike, read, and spend time with our extended family.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if I can support you in any way.  Welcome to Samuelson!

Hello! My name is Amy Wiegmann and I am the Associate Principal at Samuelson. This is my ninth year at Samuelson and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with all of the students and families over the years! I have been with Des Moines Public Schools for 33 years. I started as a special education teacher in an autism cluster program at Hanawalt Elementary. I also worked as a behavior interventionist at Merrill Middle School, then moved onto a district position as a behavior support person. My next adventure was the dean of students at Brubaker Elementary. I was then the School Improvement Leader at Smouse School. I moved back to Brubaker and was the principal there for two years before moving back to Smouse as the principal for two years. That has led me to my last nine years at Samuelson as the associate principal.

I hold two master’s degrees from Iowa State University. I am passionate about providing a safe and nurturing environment where students can thrive in their social, emotional, and academic learning. I believe it takes a village to raise a child and am so proud to be an integral member of the Samuelson staff where we care about each and every child who enters our doors and is in our care.

A little bit about myself: I have a husband named Jake, three sons and four grandchildren. I have a dog named Duke and love to take him on walks. I enjoy working in my flower gardens and watching my koi fish in the pond. I also love to travel, spend time with my family and friends, and take naps. If you ever need anything, just reach out. I am here for you!