Iowa Teacher of the Year

Iowa Teacher of the Year

The Iowa Teacher of the Year (TOY) 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.

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Nomination 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.

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2026 Iowa TOY Speaker Request Form

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Request Form

Bring inspiration to your community!

Invite 2026 Iowa Teacher of the Year Stephanie Pritts to speak at your school, conference or education event.

Stephanie Pritts serves as the Iowa TOY from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

Submit a speaker request
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Honored Teachers

2026 Teacher Bios, Pictures and Videos

Meet Stephanie Pritts and regional honorees from 2026. The 2026 program runs from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

See all 2026 teacher honorees

2027 Teacher Bios, Pictures and Videos

Meet Jessica Howard and regional honorees from 2027. The 2027 program runs from July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028.

See all 2027 teacher honorees
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Complete List of TOY Honorees

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