Des Moines area educator wins statewide award

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L to R: Heather Anderson and ISEA President Tammy Wawro

DES MOINES, IA (11/21/2013)(readMedia)-- Heather Anderson, an elementary teacher at Cowles Montessori School in Des Moines, is the 2013 Excellence in Education Award winner. The award is sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). Anderson was chosen among a top field of over 60 educators – all nominated by co-workers, 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."

Heather's creative lesson plans bring her content to life. Visitors can step into her classroom and find 26 children working independently or in pairs, all speaking in quiet voices and engrossed in their work, each moving at this or her own pace. Heather guides her students, using the Montessori philosophy to focus on solutions, self-regulate, and work through issues instead of blame. As a nominator wrote in her essay about Heather, "perhaps we could send Heather to Washington to teach more of those principles to Congress." Heather has a particular passion for science and fitness, which pays big dividends for her students at Cowles. She founded – and staffs – an after-school running club for the kids, created a soccer clinic, and received a grant for a new Family Fitness Fun Night event and 5k run for the school.

"It's clear that Heather's creativity, passion, and work all combine to make a tremendous impact in her classroom and beyond," added Wawro. The Excellence in Education Award is about teachers like Heather who are invested in the lives of their students and go way beyond what is expected to make their educational experience exceptional.

Now in its 14th year, the Excellence in Education Award honors educators around the state who make a difference in the classroom. Nominations are solicited beginning in September through October.

Anderson received a cash prize of $1,000 from the Iowa State Education Association during an awards ceremony and banquet on Monday, November 18, in Des Moines.

Four runners-up were also honored at the Excellence in Education banquet. John Baker, a community college instructor from Scott Community College in Bettendorf; Beth Fettweis, an English teacher at City High School in Iowa City; Melinda Orris, a social studies teacher at Maquoketa High School; and Sarah Wessels, a middle school special education teacher in the Coulter – Alexander – Latimer School District; All runners-up received $100 courtesy of the ISEA.

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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. Great Education...It's an Iowa Basic!