Davis Elementary teacher recognized with national honor

GRINNELL — A Davis Elementary School teacher in Grinnell was recognized last week with a national teaching honor and a cash award for making a difference in the lives of her students.

Holly Hunter, a third grade English Language Arts teacher, was honored with the National Milken Educator Award in a surprise schoolwide assembly Jan. 16.

Milken Educator Awards Vice President Jennifer Fuller presented the honor to Hunter, together with Iowa Education Director McKenzie Snow, in front of cheering students, colleagues, dignitaries and media.

The Award comes with a check for $25,000 that Hunter can use however she chooses. She is the only teacher in the state to receive the award in the 2024-25 school year.

“Across Iowa, dedicated educators like Holly are ensuring every student receives evidence-based instruction that empowers them to be proficient readers by the end of third grade,” said IDED Director Snow.

“Holly is a leader in schoolwide Science of Reading implementation, modeling best practices that have the greatest impact on student achievement and growth. She inspires fellow educators, builds strong relationships with students and families, and delivers results for all learners.

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“On behalf of all of us at the Department of Education, congratulations, Holly.”

“Holly Hunter’s outstanding leadership and commitment are reflected in every endeavor she pursues, from her creative classroom curriculum to her mentorship of other educators at Davis Elementary and throughout the district,” noted Milken Educator Awards Vice President Fuller, herself a Milken Educator from Texas in 2017.

“Holly’s passion empowers her young students to thrive and instills the value of lifelong learning in her school, district, and the broader community.”

Joining Hunter at the assembly and award presentation was Davis Elementary School Principal Brian Conway, Grinnell-Newburg Community School Superintendent Lisa Beames, Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow, Milken Educator Awards Vice President Jennifer Fuller and Iowa Department of Education Program Consultant Molly McConnell.

Hunter is National Board-Certified teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in literacy from the University of Northern Iowa, graduating in 2015.

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“This award means so much to me,” said Hunter. “I think it just validates my dedication to my students.

“I go above and beyond each day trying to make sure that my classroom is a safe, happy and welcoming place for all of my students to learn. I make learning fun and make sure that all of my students’ needs are met every day.

“This award has helped show me that I am making a difference.”

“I believe after reflecting over the past weekend on the event and recognition it would be the great sense of pride one has for Holly, as a representative of all of our districts teachers, our state's teachers and all of the teachers across this nation that pursue excellence in preparing our students for their future,” said Grinnell Superintendent Lisa Beames.

“This sense of pride is also for Grinnell-Newburg Community School District as Holly is a graduate of our school system. Along the way, many amazing teachers, too, touched her life that in some way kindled her desire to become a teacher and prepare her to attain this success.

“Congratulations to Holly for this recognition and for all of our teachers past and present who have and continue to impact the lives of our children.”

At Davis Elementary, Hunter carries a beaming smile and brings a positive, welcoming nature that lights up the lives of her students, colleagues and the Grinnell community every day.

In her classroom, she specializes in capturing student interest with engaging projects, such as using a 3D printer to make objects that accompany writing pieces, or researching, writing and printing their own non-fiction books.

Hunter incorporates the Science of Reading into her literacy curriculum, working with students frequently on phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. She helps students take ownership of their learning by setting goals, analyzing work and data to make informed decisions, and receiving continuous, constructive feedback.

Also building confidence and empowerment at a young age, Hunter’s class reads Wendy Ewald’s “The Best Part of Me,” which turns into a wider discussion, writing, and photography project in which students identify and articulate parts of themselves that they value.

A lifelong learner, Hunter seeks to increase her own knowledge and instructional skills. At Davis Elementary, she serves as the leader of the third grade ELA professional learning community, where she models best teaching practices and assists her colleagues with curriculum, instruction, assessments and lesson planning.

Hunter’s role on the school’s leadership team has allowed her to have a role in implementing the Science of Reading schoolwide, organizing class schedules, hiring new staff, reviewing data, and more.

Further supporting her colleagues, she teaches monthly competency-based professional development as part of the social emotional learning committee, serves on the positive behavior instructional support team and has supervised student teachers.

At the district level, Hunter is a model teacher, opening her classroom door to districtwide observation while also serving on the SEL team, Teacher Leadership and Compensation Plan committee, and ELA committee.

Hunter has taught eight years at Davis Elementary, saying she has always wanted to be a teacher thanks to all the amazing teachers she had as a student in the Grinnell School District, which made her decision easy.

“I wanted to be that special teacher to students,” she said.

At the end of each school year, Hunter highlights each of her students with a spotlight poster, where classmates can leave positive messages and memories about that student for them to have as a keepsake.

She works to involve families year-round with constant communication, invitations to her classroom, and the opportunity for students to present their projects.

The Milken Educator Award reaps lifelong benefits

The $25,000 cash award is unrestricted. Recipients have used the money in diverse ways. Some recipients have spent the funds on their children’s or their own continuing education, financing dream field trips, establishing scholarships, and even adopting children.

Honorees receive powerful mentorship opportunities for expanded leadership roles that strengthen education practice and policy.

Milken Friends Forever pairs a new recipient with a veteran Milken Educator mentor; the Expanding MFF Resource and Explorer Program fosters individual veteran Milken Educator partnerships around specific topic areas; and Activating Milken Educators promotes group collaboration in and across states to bring solutions to pressing educational needs.

The honorees will attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles this April, where they will network with their new colleagues as well as veteran Milken Educators and other education leaders about how to broaden their impact on K-12 education.

Veteran Milken Educators demonstrate a wide range of leadership roles at state, national and international levels.

Hunter is very close to her family, which lives in Grinnell. She has two boys, Jack, 7, a second grader at Bailey Park Elementary and Cole, 4, a preschooler at Fairview Elementary School.

When asked about her plans for the money, Hunter said she doesn’t have any idea at this time.

“I haven’t really even had a chance to think about it,” she said.