Some of the state's top teachers were honored at the annual Iowa's Teachers of the Year Luncheon on Friday, October 22, 2010. The event recognized Iowa’s finalists and winners of the following education awards:
- Iowa Teacher of the Year
- Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
- Preserve America History Teacher of the Year
"Teachers play a critical role in shaping Iowa's future, and the teachers being honored today are among the very best in the nation," said Governor Chet Culver. "As a former teacher, I appreciate that the dedication and commitment of Iowa's teachers is an inspiration, and that their work plays a critical role in preparing our children for success in the 21st century."
"The teachers we honor today are each an example of the first-rate work taking place in Iowa classrooms throughout the state, providing leadership in their schools as we all work together to make sure every Iowa student is prepared to succeed in their future."
A total of 15 teachers from 12 schools districts across the state were recognized today. The event was hosted by the Iowa Department of Education and sponsored by Qwest Communications and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
Background on Honorees
2011 Iowa Teacher of the Year
Molly Boyle: Brookview Elementary School, West Des Moines
Molly is a third grade teacher at Brookview Elementary School, part of the Waukee School District and located in West Des Moines. Molly has also taught kindergarten through eighth grade and served as a K-8 literacy strategist and an instructional coach in the Waukee Community School District. She has 15 years of teaching experience. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Reading Education from the University of Northern Iowa.
2011 Iowa Teacher of the Year Finalists
Thomas Cuvelier: Dubuque Senior High School, Dubuque
Thomas is a science teacher at Dubuque Senior High School in Dubuque. He has been teaching for 25 years. Thomas received Bachelor of Arts degree in Science Education from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Donna Sue Lawler: Southeast Elementary, Ankeny
Donna is an instructional coach at Southeast Elementary School in Ankeny. She has been teaching for 19 years. Donna has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and her Master of Educational Administration in Elementary Administration from Iowa State University.
Debora Masker: Kirn Middle School, Council Bluffs
Debora is a vocal music teacher at Kirn Middle School in Council Bluffs. She has been teaching for 33 years. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Secondary Education from Northwest Missouri State University and her Master of Science in Elementary Administration from Creighton University.
Laurie Powell: Smith Elementary, Sioux City
Laurie is a fourth-grade teacher at Smith Elementary in Sioux City. She has been teaching for 20 years. Laurie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Briar Cliff University and her Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Wayne State College.
2010 Iowa Preserve America History Teacher of the Year
Brian Connick: Algona High School, Algona
Brian is a teacher at Algona High School. He has taught for nineteen years. Brian has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education from Kearney State College, Kearney, Nebraska and a Master of Science degree in Education from Southwest Minnesota State, Marshall, MN.
2010 Iowa Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Finalists
Renea Reichenbach: WACO High School, Wayland
Renea teaches at WACO Community School District. She has taught for 12 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies from Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio. She studied abroad for a term at the University of Ulster at Magee, Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
Brady Weber: Stilwell Junior High School, West Des Moines
Brady teaches at Stilwell Junior High School in West Des Moines. He has taught seven years. Brady has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science Education from the University of Northern Iowa.
2009 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching –
Math Winner
Matt Miller: George Washington High School, Cedar Rapids
Matt is a high school mathematics teacher at George Washington High School in Cedar Rapids. He has taught thirteen years. Matt received both a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a Master’s degree in mathematics education from the University of Iowa.
2009 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching –
Math Finalists
John Butz: Jefferson Elementary Traditional School, Des Moines, Iowa
John is a second grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary Traditional School in Des Moines. He is in his 18th year of teaching and has also taught fifth grade in Des Moines and Lake Mills, Iowa. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa.
Zachry Christensen: Perkins Elementary School, Des Moines
Zac is a Math and Reading teacher, and the Math Leader at Perkins Elementary School in Des Moines. He is in his 10th year of teaching in Des Moines. Zac has taught both first and fourth grades and served as an Elementary Math Trainer. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education at Simpson College and Master of Arts in Education from Viterbo University.
Barbara Leise: Downtown School, Des Moines
Barbara is a Kindergarten/First Grade multiage teacher at the Downtown School in the Des Moines District. She has been teaching for 20 years. Barbara received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Iowa State University and Master of Science in Early Childhood Education at Drake University.
2009 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching –
Science Winner
Jessica Gogerty: Des Moines Public Schools, Des Moines
Jessica is a School Improvement Leader at North High School in Des Moines. She has been teaching science in Des Moines Public Schools for 23 years. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry Education at the University of Northern Iowa and a Master’s degree in Science Education from the University of Iowa.
2009 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching –
Science Finalists
Mason Kuhn: Shell Rock Elementary School, Shell Rock
Mason is a fourth grade teacher at Shell Rock Elementary in the Waverly-Shell Rock School District. He has been teaching for eleven years. Mason has a Master of Science degree in Education with a specialization in Science from Walden University and is schedule to graduate with a Master of Science degree in Special Education from the University of North Dakota in the spring of 2011.
Brandon Schrauth: Beaver Creek Elementary School, Johnston
Brandon is a first grade teacher at Beaver Creek Elementary in Johnston. He has been teaching for 10 years. Brandon has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and his Master of Science in Science and Math Education from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
Background on Awards
Iowa Teacher of the Year Program
The Iowa Teacher of the Year Award was established in 1958 and is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education through an appropriation from the Iowa General Assembly. The award provides an opportunity to recognize an Iowa teacher who motivates, challenges, and inspires excellence; who is respected by students and peers; who is a dedicated professional that helps nurture hidden talents and abilities; who is a creative, caring individual; who takes teaching beyond textbooks and blackboards; and who is an exceptional teacher helping to redefine American education.
Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Program
The Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Award was established in 2004. The award recognizes outstanding American history teachers who possess a strong commitment to teaching American history and exhibit creativity and imagination in the classroom. The award is sponsored by The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Preserve America and HISTORY™.
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Program
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching program was enacted by Congress in 1983. The awards recognize teachers for their contributions to teaching and learning and their ability to help students make progress in mathematics and science. The award is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
2010-10-22