Wanted: Outstanding STEM Teachers for Recognition

The 2019 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipients were honored at STEM Day at the Capitol last February.
The 2019 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipients were honored at STEM Day at the Capitol last February. The period to nominate an outstanding STEM teacher is now open.

Iowa has many outstanding and dedicated educators. Most Iowans can likely recall a teacher who inspired STEM learning and a future of innovative thinking. Nominations are now being accepted to recognize those teachers with the Iowa STEM Teacher Award.

The STEM Council is partnering with Kemin Industries for the seventh year of the Iowa STEM Teacher Award. The award recognizes one full-time, licensed PreK-12 teacher from each of the six Iowa STEM regions for their passion in motivating their students to develop a lifelong interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The six teachers selected will each receive an award of $1,500 for their classrooms with an additional $1,500 for personal use.

Gov. Reynolds, Kemin President and CEO Chris Nelson and STEM Council Executive Director Jeff Weld kicked off the nomination period opening with a video that aired on August 23 during virtual STEM Day at the Fair. Nominations will be accepted starting August 23 through Friday, October 9, 2020.

“Every STEM professional, and every adult Iowan, remembers that special teacher who made a difference, who brightened their future,” said Jeff Weld, executive director of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. “Today’s educators plant the seed in preparing young minds for a successful future filled with economic vitality and productive community engagement. We’re delighted to highlight some of the best educators in our state.”

Any individual can nominate a teacher by going to iowastem.gov/teacheraward-application. Following the nomination, teachers will fill out an application that will be reviewed by a panel of judges. Award recipients will be announced in January 2021.

“The tremendous efforts of Iowa STEM teachers are making a difference in the lives of our students and the future of our state,” said Dr. Chris Nelson, president and CEO of Kemin Industries. “We are honored to have the opportunity to acknowledge their exceptional work in building an environment where students are passionate about STEM. Within Kemin, we see firsthand the importance of STEM in today’s workforce and appreciate the efforts to further ignite excitement in schools.”

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