Nevada Teacher Honored at Awards Banquet

Related Media

L to R Presnall, Cooper, Bern

DES MOINES, IA (12/06/2010)(readMedia)-- Kevin Cooper, an agriculture and natural resources teacher at Nevada High School in Nevada, is a 2010 Excellence in Education Award runner-up. The award is sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), the Iowa Farm Bureau, WHO Radio, KDSM Fox 17, and STAPLES. Cooper was among a top field of 50 teachers-all nominated by colleagues, students, parents, and community members-because of the difference they make every day in the lives of Iowa's schoolchildren.

"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 Chris Bern, president of the ISEA. "It has been described that Kevin's enthusiasm is infectious, spreading into a giant grin that leaves the students wanting more" said Bern. "I can't think of a better way to teach than to leave students wanting more. Kevin's classes are the largest growing department in the school system at Nevada, and he personally recruits students because he knows the experience they gain in public speaking, salesmanship, and group presentation is invaluable," Bern added. "He epitomizes what this award is all about-making an impact on his students and helping shape them for the better. We are so proud he is a part of our profession and we're honored to give him this award."

"The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) is proud to be a part of honoring those who devote their lives to guiding and shaping young minds; teachers, together with parents, provide the building blocks for the next generation of leaders. Kevin Cooper is the kind of teacher who exemplifies not just his profession, but the very ideals our organization holds dear; hard work, dedication and integrity," said IFBF Executive Director, Denny Presnall.

Now in its 11th year, the 2010 Excellence in Education Award honors the countless educators across the state like Kevin Cooper who go the extra mile to make a difference. Cooper received a $100 gift certificate from STAPLES during an awards ceremony and banquet on Thursday, November 18 at the Polk County Convention Center in downtown Des Moines, courtesy of the Iowa Farm Bureau.

The winner of the 2010 Excellence in Education Award is Mark Erickson, a third-grade teacher at Inman Primary School in Red Oak. Other runners-up will also be honored and include Betty Dittrich, a fifth-grade teacher at Eldora-New Providence Elementary in Eldora; Traci Nalevanko, a sixth-grade teacher at May Goodrell Middle School in Des Moines; and Bonnie Smith, a seventh-grade reading teacher at Clarke Community School in Osceola.

-- 30 --

The ISEA is a professional organization made up of more than 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!