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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 legislature. The Iowa Department of Education established the Iowa Regional Teachers of the Year award in 2024 to recognize exceptional teachers, representing all nine education regions of the state, who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and who have made a significant impact on student outcomes and their fellow educators. The nine Regional Teachers of the Year serve as finalists for the Iowa Teacher of the Year award.
The awards provide an opportunity to recognize Iowa teachers across the state who advance student learning through evidence-based instruction, empower students with multiple pathways to postsecondary success, learn from and invest in fellow educators and serve students in partnership with families.
The Iowa Teacher of the Year serves as an ambassador for the Iowa Department of Education and a representative of and liaison for all Iowa educators.
Back to topNomination Information
Anyone, including school administrators, colleagues, students, parents, college faculty and associations, may nominate teachers for the award. Self-nominations and nominations by family members are not accepted. Winners are chosen by a committee that includes representatives of the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa State Education Association, the School Administrators of Iowa, the Parent Teachers Association, the past Iowa TOY, and representatives from higher education institutions.
The nomination period for the 2027 Iowa Teacher of the Year has ended. Nominations for the 2028 award will open in February 2027.
Back to topIowa TOY Speaker Request Form
Bring Inspiration to Your Community
The Iowa Teacher of the Year is available to speak at schools, conferences and education events. Submit a speaker request form and bring an award-winning educator to your audience.
2026 Iowa TOY Stephanie Pritts
Stephanie Pritts, a 23-year veteran elementary teacher and instructional coach from Sheldon Community School District is the 2026 Iowa Teacher of the Year.
See photos from the announcement event, watch the announcement video, and view an interview with Pritts.
“Stephanie Pritts is the kind of teacher whose impact extends well beyond the walls of the classroom, and she shares her expertise with educators in the district,” Governor Reynolds said. “Her desire to help every student succeed shows what’s possible when teaching techniques draw on proven practices grounded in evidence-based approaches, while also emphasizing tailored interventions for students who are struggling. This is what teaching looks like at its very best, and I was excited to present this award to Stephanie in the presence of her students and colleagues.”
The Iowa Teacher of the Year award recognizes exceptional teachers who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and who have made a significant impact on student outcomes and their fellow educators.
“Iowa is delivering remarkable results for students because of outstanding educators, like Stephanie, who accelerate student achievement through evidence-based instruction, support their colleagues in doing their best work, and reinforce learning through strong partnerships with families,” Director Snow said. “Stephanie leads a strong instructional support system to meet the unique needs of each learner, and she does so with incredible energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to her students, fellow educators, and community.”
Pritts was selected from nine finalists who were recently named as Iowa’s Regional Teachers of Year, representing all education regions of the state. Pritts also serves as the Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year.
“I believe that to engage students, teachers must have strong relationships, because great teaching and learning is built on the foundation of mutual trust,” 2026 Iowa Teacher of the Year Pritts said. “It is also important to challenge our students to engage in authentic learning and higher-order thinking, because we as educators are always working to prepare them for success.”
Pritts makes it a priority to build strong partnerships with families, hosting literacy nights to help reinforce at home what their children are learning at school. She also organized and facilitated a literacy conference for the school district aligned to the Science of Reading, and she supports the implementation of high-quality instructional materials with fidelity and strong multi-tiered systems of support for students.
“One of the fun and exciting parts of my leadership role as a PK-12 instructional coach is that it allows me to have an eagle-eye view of our teaching so that we can implement district-wide initiatives based on data and student needs,” Pritts said. “I’m incredibly proud—and grateful—to work alongside such wonderful teachers and administrators who care so deeply for students, strive for excellence and put in the necessary work and learning to do what’s best for our students.”
Pritts is committed to supporting both student achievement and teacher development, analyzing student data, implementing high-impact strategies and ensuring instructional effectiveness. That work guides her action plans, shapes instruction and keeps the focus on student achievement and growth. She also leads the district’s new teacher mentor program and facilitates the teacher leadership team to best support all learners.
2026 Iowa Regional Teachers of the Year and TOY Finalists
Central Rivers Regional Teacher of the Year
Allison Pargeon, Montezuma Community School District
Pargeon, a mathematics and computer science teacher at Montezuma Junior High and High School, has 26 years of experience engaging students in upper-level courses, including algebra, calculus, statistics and computer science. She has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education and applied computer science from William Penn University and a master’s degree in mathematics with a secondary teaching emphasis from the University of Northern Iowa. Pargeon also teaches college-level math and statistics and instructs pre-service teachers in algebra and geometry to prepare them to teach in K-8 classrooms. She is a former recipient of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching award and serves the district beyond the classroom as a grant writer, computer science career development liaison, National Honor Society sponsor and cheer coach. Pargeon believes that for students to be truly engaged, they must have fun and see how what they are learning is relevant to their lives.
Grant Wood Regional Teacher of the Year
Marissa Moore, Clear Creek-Amana Community School District
Moore, an English language arts teacher at Clear Creek-Amana High School, has a decade of experience creating a classroom of critical thinkers and engaged learners. She has a bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University and a master’s degree in education in study areas of English language arts and special education from the University of Pittsburgh. Moore currently teaches high school English, including AP language and composition and also has experience as a special education teacher in Westminster, Colorado. She enjoys working closely with her students, including in her role as student council advisor and advisor for the Clear Creek-Amana school newspaper, which was selected as a top 15 news team finalist by the Iowa High School Press Association last spring. She serves on numerous leadership teams within the district, and supports the individual learning needs of her learners, empowering them to take responsibility for their own learning.
Great Prairie Regional Teacher of the Year
Tony Onesto, Burlington Community School District
Onesto, an art teacher at Burlington High School, is a veteran teacher with 29 years of experience helping and supporting emerging artists explore their talents. He has a bachelor’s degree in art education from Morningside University, and master’s degrees in education and educational leadership from Viterbo University. Onesto is a former Iowa Middle School Art Educator of the Year and also leads the Allied Creators Studio to support young artists. Over the last three years, his students in his AP art classes have earned higher scores than the state and national averages. He has presented at state and national art education conferences, builds strong community partnerships and ensures that every student has the support and accommodations they need to succeed. In Onesto’s classroom, students can nurture their imagination and express their creativity with confidence.
Green Hills Regional Teacher of the Year
Kelly Myers, Murray Community School District and Homegrown Christian Learning Center
Having recently transitioned from Murray Community School District, Myers is currently a K-8 math and science teacher at Homegrown Christian Learning Center in Osceola. She has over 18 years of teaching experience also spanning Des Moines Public Schools, Interstate 35 Community School District and Clark Community School District, with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, general science from York College in Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in science education from Northeastern State University. Having served as dean of students, new teacher mentor, and model teacher, among other leadership roles, Myers impactfully contributes to the growth and success of her fellow educators. She is a state and national leader in STEM instructional innovation, including certification through the NASA Endeavor STEM program. Myers is an advocate for each of her students and creates a classroom community where students feel valued, confident and empowered to take risks in their learning.
Heartland Regional Teacher of the Year
Gregory Barord, Des Moines Public Schools
Barord, a marine biology teacher at Des Moines Public Schools’ Central Campus, is a teacher with 14 years of experience in the field. He has a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from Texas A&M University, and a master’s degree and doctorate degree in biology, both from City University of New York. He regularly integrates classroom instruction in his marine biology program with hands-on applications at the district, community, national and world levels, which strengthens student engagement and allows for students to explore and share their experiences more broadly. Barord serves on numerous leadership teams within the district, including as an instructional leader and new teacher mentor, teaches college-level courses, serves as an expert advisor, speaker and contributor to numerous scientific advisory groups and conferences. Barold believes in making science accessible and engaging through hands-on, experiential learning and encourages students to challenge themselves, through field study expeditions and applying for prestigious youth ambassador programs.
Keystone Regional Teacher of the Year
Jen Ries, Maquoketa Valley Community School District
Ries, a Spanish teacher at Maquoketa Valley High School in Delhi, has 16 years of experience. She has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and secondary education from Central College as well as a master’s degree in education and an English language learner endorsement, both from Morningside University. Ries is a bilingual curriculum developer and has established the Iowa State Seal of Biliteracy and the Global Seal of Biliteracy for Maquoketa Valley students, with an impressive 60% success rate for 11th and 12th graders. She serves as a leader within the district, including as a new teacher mentor and team building coordinator. She has led numerous student learning groups on international trips to Mexico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and just this July, to Spain. She believes that learning is most profound when it is personally relevant and when students are active participants in constructing their own understanding.
Mississippi Bend Regional Teacher of the Year
Dawn Rheingans, North Scott Community School District
Rheinigans, a 7th grade science teacher at North Scott Community School District, has 29 years of experience turning complex topics into approachable experiences that spark imagination. She has a bachelor’s degree in education from Drake University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Illinois at Springfield. She is committed to professional growth and has served for many years as a teacher leader on the building leadership team. In these roles, she has developed a data-driven approach to inform her instruction and develop timely interventions, ensuring all students receive the support they need to be successful. In addition, she also serves as a junior high school volleyball coach and a high school track coach. Rheingans believes that science is a process of discovery, not a collection of facts. She emphasizes the importance of collaborative learning and hands-on exploration to make science both accessible and exciting.
Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year
Stephanie Pritts, Sheldon Community School District
Pritts, an instructional coach at Sheldon Community School District, is a 23-year educator having primarily taught first and third grades. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Buena Vista University and a master’s degree in general education from Briar Cliff University. She leads the district’s new teacher mentor program and facilitates the teacher leadership team to best support all learners. Pritts has organized and facilitated a literacy conference for the school district aligned to the Science of Reading and supports the implementation of high-quality instructional materials and strong multi-tiered systems of support for students. She builds strong partnerships with families, hosting literacy nights to help reinforce at home what their children are learning at school. Pritts is committed to supporting both student achievement and teacher development, analyzing student data, implementing high-impact strategies and ensuring instructional effectiveness.
Prairie Lakes Regional Teacher of the Year
Kristi Mentink, Harris-Lake Park Community School District
Mentink, a kindergarten teacher at Harris-Lake Park Elementary School, has 28 years of experience. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Dana College and was selected to serve on the district’s leadership team and as a professional learning community lead due to her proactive approach to problem solving and commitment to improving teaching strategies that have the greatest impact on student outcomes. Mentink actively collaborates with her fellow educators, seeks professional development opportunities to enhance her teaching and generously shares her experience with new teachers. She has participated in the Iowa STEM Externship Program and continues to connect her classroom instruction to real-world experiences so young students can see how the literacy and math concepts they learn in the classroom can be used in everyday situations.
Back to topPast Iowa TOY Recipients
**One of four contenders for National Teacher of the Year
*National Teacher of the Year