Iowa STEM Council seeks teacher nominations

DES MOINES – The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is again partnering with Kemin Industries for the ninth year of the Iowa STEM Teacher Award. Nominations opened August 21, 2022, and will be accepted through Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.

The Iowa STEM Teacher Award recognizes one full-time, licensed PreK-12 teacher from each of the state’s six STEM regions whose passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) motivates their students to develop a lifelong interest in STEM fields—both in and out of the classroom. The six selected recipients will each receive an award of $1,500 for their classrooms and $1,500 for personal use.

“Iowa’s teachers of STEM are the front line of talent development steering young people to rewarding, high-demand careers that await across Iowa,” said Jeff Weld, executive director of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. “That makes teachers Iowa’s most important workforce developers toward a strong Iowa economy, and for that we are grateful to each and every one of them. For that reason, we’re proud to partner with Kemin Industries to recognize six exemplary representatives each year.”

Any individual can nominate a teacher by visiting iowastem.org/teacheraward-application and completing the nomination form by Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. Following nominations, eligible educators will fill out an application for review by a panel of judges. The award recipients will be announced in early 2023.

“An excellent teacher has been the impetus for many of our employees entering STEM fields and taking on careers at Kemin, and we are thrilled to recognize these outstanding educators for the life-changing work they do,” said Dr. Chris Nelson, president and CEO of Kemin Industries. “By shaping curious young minds and inventive spirits today, these teachers are preparing a competent, critical-thinking and imaginative workforce that will be well-prepared to face a rapidly changing future. We are deeply grateful for their role in helping find solutions to tomorrow’s challenges, and proud to recognize their efforts.”