Sixteen Iowa teachers honored at recognition luncheon

Award-winning teachers from across the state were celebrated yesterday at the 2026 Iowa Outstanding Educators Recognition Luncheon, hosted by Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer and Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow.

Held at the Iowa Culinary Institute at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Ankeny, the annual luncheon honored 16 top educators, including the 2026 Iowa Teacher of the Year, nine Iowa Regional Teachers of the Year, 2025 Iowa History Teacher of the Year and six Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipients.

View photos from the Outstanding Iowa Educators Recognition Luncheon on Flickr

Director Snow led the luncheon’s ceremony, congratulating the honored teachers for their exceptional contributions and highlighting the remarkable results of all teachers over the past year. Governor Reynolds and DMACC Interim President Liang Chee Wee also provided remarks and shared how teachers have impacted their lives and lives of students across the state.

Featured speakers at the luncheon included Melanie Bloom, 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year and agriculture educator from Sioux Central Community School District. She extended her praise for this year’s outstanding teacher awardees and shared her experiences as Iowa’s ambassador to education.

“As an ambassador for the professional, I’ve gained a broader perspective on education, highlighting both innovative practices and persistent challenges across different contexts,” Bloom said. “The opportunity to reflect on my philosophy of teaching, to grow my speaking and leadership skills and to build a powerful professional network has been transformative. I am so excited to take all of this back to work with agricultural education students at Sioux Central next year.”

This year’s keynote speaker for the luncheon was 2026 Iowa Teacher of the Year and Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year Stephanie Pritts, a 24-year instructional coach and educator at Sheldon Community School District. Pritts is noted for her incorporation of high-quality instructional materials and evidence-based practices to ensure students are receiving world-class instruction and opportunities for success. She will begin her role as the 2026 Iowa Teacher of the Year in July and is looking forward to her upcoming year of service.

“My mission this year is simple: to advocate for the proven tools that give our teachers solid ground—high-quality instructional materials and evidence-based strategies,” Pritts said. “This isn’t about reinventing the wheel. It’s about refining it. I am honored to spend this year celebrating the good that is happening in every corner of our state.”

The luncheon featured a gourmet three-course meal, prepared and served by students in the DMACC culinary program, under the direction of Chef John Andres. Music for the event was provided by saxophone and mixed woodwind ensembles from Johnston High School, both led by band director Jason Heeren.  

Established in 1958, the Iowa Teacher of the Year award honors an Iowa teacher who motivates, challenges and inspires excellence with students and within the field. The award program was extended in 2024 to include nine Regional Teachers of the Year.

Additionally, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History sponsors the Iowa History Teacher of the Year award to recognize the importance of teaching American history to future generations. The Iowa STEM Teacher Awards, now in their 12th year, are sponsored by Google and honor six regional teachers for their contributions to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Along with Pritts, the following teachers were celebrated at the 2026 Outstanding Iowa Educators Recognition Luncheon:

2026 Iowa Regional Teachers of the Year

• Central Rivers Teacher of the Year: Allison Pargeon, Montezuma Junior High and High School, Montezuma Community School District
• Grant Wood Regional Teacher of the Year: Marissa Moore, Clear Creek Amana High School, Clear Creek Amana Community School District
• Great Prairie Regional Teacher of the Year: Tony Onesto, Burlington High School, Burlington Community School District
• Green Hills Regional Teacher of the Year: Kelly Myers, formerly Murray Elementary School, Murray Community School District
• Heartland Regional Teacher of the Year: Gregory J. Barord, Central Campus, Des Moines Public Schools
• Keystone Regional Teacher of the Year: Jen Ries, Maquoketa Valley High School, Maquoketa Valley Community School District
• Mississippi Bend Regional Teacher of the Year: Dawn Rheingans, North Scott Junior High School, North Scott Community School District
• Prairie Lakes Regional Teacher of the Year: Kristi Mentink, Harris-Lake Park Elementary School, Harris-Lake Park Community School District

2025 Iowa History Teacher of the Year

• Jessica Dowell, Johnston High School, Johnston Community School District

2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award

• North Central STEM Region Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Anna Brooks, Ames High School, Ames Community School District
• Northeast STEM Region Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Dylan Shaffer, Monticello Middle School, Monticello Community School District
• Northwest STEM Region Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Alan Bandstra, Sioux Center Christian School
• South Central STEM Region Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Jared Almandinger, Waukee APEX, Waukee Community School District
• Southeast STEM Region Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Pamela Joslyn, Muscatine Middle School, Muscatine Community School District
• Southwest STEM Region Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Justin Heckman, Abraham Lincoln High School, Council Bluffs Community School District