Central High School educator receives top award

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L to R: Tammy Wawro and Kyle Van Ausdall

DES MOINES, IA (05/05/2016)(readMedia)-- Kyle Van Ausdall, a finance and business teacher at Central Lee High School in Donnellson, is a 2016 Excellence in Education Award runner-up. The award is sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). Van Ausdall was chosen among a top field of educators-all nominated by colleagues, students, parents, and community members-because of the difference they make every day in the lives of Iowa's students.

"This award is truly about recognizing the educators who work hard on a daily basis and rarely get the recognition they so richly deserve," said Tammy Wawro, President of the ISEA. The nominations we receive are a testament to the dedication and compassion Iowa educators have for their students and the communities in which they live. Clearly, our educators go above and beyond to help shape the lives of the students they teach."

Van Ausdall's dedication to his profession and his students is evident in the many roles and positions he holds outside of his business education classes. Each year Kyle leads students as a Science Fair advisor, challenging and nurturing participants in their projects as they gain confidence and explore the exciting field of science. In his computer science lab, he reaches students as they learn skills for the 21st century economy with teaching strategies that fit student's different learning styles and needs. He takes interest in guiding students outside of his classroom sharing words of encouragement and continued communication to parents and students.

"It is clear that Kyle's creativity, passion, and work all combine to make a tremendous impact in his classroom and beyond, and we applaud his achievement," said Wawro. The Excellence in Education Award celebrates educators like Kyle who are invested in the lives of their students and go beyond what is expected to make an exceptional experience for them."

Now in its 16th year, the Excellence in Education Award honors educators around the state who make a difference in the classroom. Nominations are solicited beginning in January through March.

Van Ausdall received a $100 gift from the ISEA during an awards ceremony and banquet on Tuesday, May 3, at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines, courtesy of the ISEA.

The winner of the 2016 Excellence in Education Award is Kevin Cooper, an agriculture and natural resources teacher at Nevada High School in Nevada. Cooper received $1,000 courtesy of the ISEA. Other runners-up also honored included Joyce Lansing, a special needs instructor at Maquoketa High School in Maquoketa; Kathryn Richey, an English Language Arts teacher at Tate High School in Iowa City; and Laura Tracy, a kindergarten teacher at North Butler Elementary in Allison. All runners-up received $100 courtesy of the ISEA.

The ISEA is a professional organization made up of more than 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality education for all Iowa students.

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