Ann Mincks is an English for Speakers of Other Languages(ESOL) Coordinator for West Des Moines Community Schools. Previously, she served as an English Language Learner (ELL) teacher and instructional coach in Des Moines Public Schools for seventeen years.

Mincks earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Education with a Minor in Spanish and an endorsement in English Language Learner instruction from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Later, she earned her Master of Arts in Education with a Reading Endorsement and Literacy Specialist Endorsement from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Mincks has had various roles during her education career, including professional learning community (PLC) leader, model classroom teacher, teacher mentor, curriculum developer, instructional coach and adjunct professor. She was recently recognized as the 2024 Iowa Teacher of the Year and received the MIDTESOL Excellence in Education award.

A lover of language and education, Mincks considers her most important job to support students with the language skills they need to navigate the forces that affect their lives. Her passion is working with both students and staff to support the language development of all learners. Seeing students grow inspires Mincks to continue to evolve in her teaching practice each year.