Merrill Middle School teacher receives statewide award

DES MOINES, IA (04/18/2013)(readMedia)-- Merrill Middle School civics teacher Dave O'Connor received the Charles F. Martin Award on Friday, April 12, at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines before a group of nearly 400 educators attending the 2013 Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) Delegate Assembly.

The prestigious Charles F. Martin Award is ISEA's highest honor and is awarded to a member who has made significant contributions to the teaching profession through Association involvement. The award is named in honor of the late Charles F. Martin who served as ISEA president in 1945 and then as executive director from 1946 to 1961.

"Dave is an outstanding educator and a leader in the Association," said Tammy Wawro, president of the ISEA. "He is a tremendous asset to the classroom, his local, our state, and our national Association. He is a compassionate and caring role model, a source of strength, and a guiding voice of reason for our profession. We are so proud of Dave and know that every student who walks into his classroom benefits from that experience," added Wawro.

In 2003, Merrill Middle School identified bullying as a problem that required immediate action. O'Connor was one of the driving forces behind the development and implementation of an anti-bullying curriculum involving staff, students, and their families. The actions taken at Merrill increased awareness of bullying, empowered the community to act to prevent bullying, and improved the climate at the school.

In 2004, as a member of the steering committee of a grassroots organization called Education First, O'Connor helped organize a rally of over 2,000 citizens on the steps of the Iowa State Capitol in sub-zero weather to demand adequate funding for K-12 education in Iowa.

O'Connor is an 8th grade civics teacher at Merrill Middle School in Des Moines.

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The ISEA is a professional association made up of nearly 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students. Great Education. It's an Iowa Basic!