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Daena Peterman poses with a child next to a life-size replica of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, made out of Lego bricks.

posted August 19, 2025

Daena Peterman joins us this year as a middle school special education teacher! This is Mrs. Peterman's first year teaching, but her twelfth year within the district. We asked her some questions so you could get to know her a bit before the school year begins.

Why did you want to teach at Cardinal?
Cardinal is a great school with great students and staff. This will be my 12th year at Cardinal.

What do you like about teaching special education?
Special Ed is where my heart is. I am excited to be a part of this team.

What is your favorite part of teaching?
Changing lives.

What is your ultimate goal as a teacher?
To connect with as many students as possible to help them thrive.

What do you hope students take away from your class this year?
Self pride in their accomplishments.

Fun Facts/Hobbies:
Lately, we have been attending concerts as a family, and my son and I like to go to plays. We have been to several of both this summer. My husband, Dwain, and I celebrated thirteen years of marriage this summer, and my son, Cash, is a senior this year at Cardinal. I'm not ready for that! We have 3 dogs that we miss when we are on our outings. Quorra is our almost 15-year-old blind Boston terrier (named after a character from Tron: Legacy, Flynn is our handsome 3 year Boston and was also named after characters in Tron, and Alex(andra) is our 1/2 Boston/ 1/2 Frenchie, almost 3, who Cash named after Alexander Hamilton.

My real endorsement of Cardinal Schools and its faculty and staff can be seen each morning when I hand them the one irreplaceable and most valuable thing in my life: my kids. No letter I write could be a greater endorsement than that simple act. I give them my kids, and I do it with a huge smile on my face because I trust them to do what they are most outstanding at: building our future.
Kevin S. Maggio · Cardinal Parent
Cardinal School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age (for employment), socioeconomic status (for programs), religion, disability, creed, national origin, marital status (for programs), sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity in its educational programs and employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or grievance related to this policy, please contact the district’s equity coordinator, Cindy Green.

The Cardinal Community School District offers career and technical  programs in the following service areas:
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Health Science
Human Services
Business, Finance, Marketing, and Management

Cindy Green - cindy.green@cardinalcomet.com
Middle School Principal/Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Equity Coordinator
4045 Ashland Rd.
Eldon, IA 52554
(641) 652-7531

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