Team

Matt Lakis, Principal

Matt Lakis has more than a decade of experience and a track record of success in public education. As Principal of Woodward-Granger High School, he fostered an environment of high academic achievement, with students reporting emotional safety at nearly twice the state average and physical safety at 14% higher than the state average (2024 Conditions for Learning Survey).

Prior to Woodward-Granger, Matt worked in Des Moines Public Schools as an Associate Principal and Literacy Coach, and in Johnston Community Schools as a High School English Teacher and Teacher Leader. When he’s not serving his students and community, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.
 

CONTACT

mlakis@desmoinesprep.org

Megan Woster, Dean of Academics

Megan brings 13 years of combined teaching and administrative experience in secondary education. She has taught High School English, Written Expression, Executive Functioning, and Career and College Readiness at a private high school in Arizona. For four of those years, she led as Director of Transition, guiding a team dedicated to supporting students in preparing for college and the workforce. Most recently, Megan served as a high school administrator, currently holding the role of Head of High School. In this position, she has worked closely with educators to ensure strong instruction and student-centered learning.
 

CONTACT

mwoster@desmoinesprep.org

Nathan Evans, Dean of Culture

Nate brings a wealth of experience from West Des Moines Community Schools and Des Moines Public Schools, where he’s served as a Social Emotional Behavior Specialist, SUCCESS Case Manager, At-Risk Coordinator, and Restorative and Safety Coordinator.

CONTACT

nevans@desmoinesprep.org

Jenna Seley, Dean of Operations

Jenna Seley serves as the Dean of Operations at Des Moines Prep. Prior to joining Des Moines Prep, Jenna spent 10 years at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines Public Schools, where she worked in a behavior intervention classroom supporting students.

Jenna joined Des Moines Prep during its founding year in 2025–26 as the Secretary of Student Life, supporting students and families. She has since transitioned into the role of Dean of Operations, where she works to ensure the school’s day-to-day operations run smoothly while creating a welcoming and supportive environment for students, families, and staff.

CONTACT

jseley@desmoinesprep.org

Jean Muhammad, Founding School Counselor

Jean Muhammad is an educator, social worker, and community advocate with more than a decade of experience supporting children, students, and families. Her career has spanned child welfare, K-12 education, mental health and family services; with a particular focus on trauma informed and equity centered practice.

Before joining Des Moines Prep, Jean developed and led mental health and academic intervention programming, student support services, and homeless student services for her previous school district. She was the recipient of the 2020 Ambassador of Hope Award and was recognized for Outstanding Service to Youth and Families by ACSD. In 2021, ACSD also received the School Mental Health Organization of the Year award.

When she’s not working Jean loves being outside, spending time with her family, and reading.

CONTACT

jmuhammad@desmoinesprep.org

James Troupis, Chief of Schools

James is the Chief of Schools, responsible for leading the development of our growing school network. He brings over 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, instructional coach, principal, district leader, and edtech start-up founder. James was the founder and principal of Gary Comer College Prep on Chicago’s South Side; with 100% college enrollment and city-leading ACT growth, he won the Ryan Award as the nation’s top principal. He was also the Chief People Officer at Noble Schools in Chicago and co-founder of OpenSeat, an organization that helps schools provide personalized, one-to-one, social-emotional support to students.
 

CONTACT

jtroupis@opportunityeducation.org