Iowa Department of Education, Des Moines, IA Videos

Sparking Leadership Skills
What a COOL event! Earlier this summer, state officers from Iowa’s eight career and technical student organizations (CTSO) attended the CTSO Creating Outstanding Officers through Leadership (COOL) training at the Department of Education. Learn more about Iowa CTSOs. https://educate.iowa.gov/headline-story/2024-06-18/student-training-sparks-leadership-skills-school-year-and-beyond

LETRS feedback #2
Did you know? A recent survey on the Department’s LETRS training showed that 98 percent of respondents agreed that they can apply the skills and concepts learned from the sessions to their schools. Learn more about LETRS and how it can help strengthen literacy instruction in Iowa elementary classrooms. #LiteracyChangesLivesIA #BridgingTheGapIA https://shorturl.at/TQdTr

Flag Day
June 14 marks the annual celebration of Flag Day, which commemorates the adoption of the United States flag in 1777.

LETRS Feedback
Did you know? A recent survey on the Department’s LETRS training showed that 96 percent of respondents agreed that the session content will enhance their research-based practices in their role. Register by June 15 for the upcoming August LETRS cohort! LETRS can help strengthen literacy instruction in Iowa classrooms. #LiteracyChangesLivesIA #BridgingTheGapIA https://shorturl.at/TQdTr

Congratulations Class of 2024
The Iowa Department of Education joins families, educators, and communities in congratulating the High School Class of 2024 on their accomplishments and exciting next steps. Whether you’re pursuing a degree, industry-recognized credential, registered apprenticeship or serving our country in the military, you have chosen a path and decided to take on a challenge that will position you for the life you want and the opportunities you have earned! #

Did You Know?
In 2022-23, over 2,400 licenses were issued to teachers who completed a teacher preparation program in Iowa.

Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week
Please join Director Snow and the Department of Education team in celebrating the amazing teachers in your life! #teacherappreciationweek #iowaed #celebrateteachersia

Did You Know?
It’s a great time to be a teacher! There are over 39,200 full- and part-time teachers in Iowa. #CelebrateTeachersIA

TPRA Data
Did you know, the total number of apprentices for the Teacher Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship (TPRA) program is 765! Nearly 530 candidates are in four-year teacher preparation programs. The remaining TPRA apprentices are associates pursuing paraeducator certification and an associate degree. #CelebrateTeachersIA

2024 Iowa ProStart Invitational
Iowa's very own Hampton-Dumont High School will have a talented group of students competing in Washington D.C. at the National ProStart Invitational. Students will showcase their talents in culinary and restaurant management competitions. This is an amazing opportunity for students to further their education, have a chance to win scholarship money and connect with industry professionals from across the country. Here's what the state competition looked like this year: Iowa Restaurant Association National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation National Restaurant Association ProStart Program #CTE #culinaryarts

Why Nominate a Teacher: Jane Schmidt
There's still time to nominate an educator for the 2025 Iowa Teacher of Year. Anyone can submit a nomination for an outstanding K-12 teacher in Iowa for this prestigious honor. Learn more: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMW-TLDylk6I7lwCog4_SU2_2wi7IaC2rIVtjcMaXc5lhnAg/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0m7M3heLVBKf8D6Z4J3br-fznsNBS4WvKt0veJMqnLXNnQSo1m8fPlo-E

'looCon 2024
Hundreds of Iowa students from 29 schools learned more about the emerging field of cybersecurity and participated in exciting hands-on activities at the first 'looCon event at the Waterloo Career Center. Opportunities like this help Iowa students explore the many opportunities in computer science. Learn more about the event: https://educate.iowa.gov/headline-story/2024-03-12/cybersecurity-takes-spotlight-student-day-waterloo #STEM #cybersecurity #CTE Waterloo Community School District

Why Nominate a Teacher: Krystal Colbert
There's still plenty of time to nominate an educator for the 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year. Iowa Teacher of the Year 2023, Krystal Colbert shared her reason why it's important to nominate someone for this prestigious honor. https://educate.iowa.gov/headline-story/2024-02-21/nominate-outstanding-teacher-iowas-top-education-award?fbclid=IwAR0GyARKUGxMOMfBZrcxxkhJVGREzNXerU4Jt0nzlsG1AkzeRrtfAxiMI_k

TOY luncheon
Iowa's top teachers are gathering for the 2024 Outstanding Iowa Teachers Recognition Luncheon! Orchestra director Ann Osborne and students Allison Deluna, Mallory Welsch and Claire Johnson from Des Moines Public Schools welcomed honored guests at today's event.

Why Nominate a Teacher: Jane Schmidt
Who is Iowa’s next Teacher of the Year? The Iowa Department of Education is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Iowa Teacher of Year, and we want to hear from you! Anyone can submit a nomination for an outstanding K-12 teacher in Iowa for this prestigious honor. Submit your nomination by April 1! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMW-TLDylk6I7lwCog4_SU2_2wi7IaC2rIVtjcMaXc5lhnAg/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0m7M3heLVBKf8D6Z4J3br-fznsNBS4WvKt0veJMqnLXNnQSo1m8fPlo-E

Why Nominate a Teacher: Shelly Vroegh
Who is Iowa’s next Teacher of the Year? The Iowa Department of Education is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Iowa Teacher of Year, and we want to hear from you! Anyone can submit a nomination for an outstanding K-12 teacher in Iowa for this prestigious honor. Submit your nomination by April 1! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMW-TLDylk6I7lwCog4_SU2_2wi7IaC2rIVtjcMaXc5lhnAg/viewform

OER Week
Did you know? It’s Open Education Week. Open education resources, better known as OER, help break down barriers in higher education by providing open licensed materials and textbooks. This helps students cut costs and readily access higher learning.

Why Nominate a Teacher: George Anderson
Who is Iowa’s next Teacher of the Year? The Iowa Department of Education is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Iowa Teacher of Year, and we want to hear from you! Anyone can submit a nomination for an outstanding K-12 teacher in Iowa for this prestigious honor. Learn more about the 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year award and submit your nomination by April 1! https://educate.iowa.gov/headline-story/2024-02-21/nominate-outstanding-teacher-iowas-top-education-award?fbclid=IwAR0KmVsw6nkjTdXWhCrmhvShIhxH8cnHi-_vaG2wEuuT5BKim4WWvR8X0IA

Golden Owl Award Finalists
Iowa has narrowed down its search for the next top agriculture educator of the year. Congratulations to the seven finalists from across the state that are now in the running for the Golden Owl award. https://educate.iowa.gov/headline-story/2024-02-26/finalists-named-top-agriculture-educator-award National FFA Organization Iowa FFA Foundation Hawkeye Community College Linn-Mar Community Schools Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High Grinnell-Newburg Schools Lenox Community Schools Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District South Hamilton Community Schools

Why Nominate a Teacher: Sara Russell
Sara Russell shared one reason why it's important to nominate someone for Iowa Teacher of the Year. We want to hear from you! The Iowa Department of Education is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Iowa Teacher of Year. Anyone can submit a nomination for an outstanding K-12 educator in Iowa for this prestigious honor. https://educate.iowa.gov/headline-story/2024-02-21/nominate-outstanding-teacher-iowas-top-education-award