Nevada teacher will be honored at awards banquet

Excellence in Education Awards thank teachers who make a difference

DES MOINES, IA (10/29/2010)(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. "All of the nominations are a testament to the dedication and compassion Iowa educators have for their students and all of them demonstrated how Iowa's educators go above and beyond the scope of their work to change the lives of the students they teach."

Cooper plays a vital leadership role in school and in the community. In addition to teaching classes, he also leads the area chapter Future Farmers of America (FFA). Both his classes and the FFA bring his agricultural expertise to life for the students in creative ways through projects such as the FFA Survivor Challenge, which made learning topical and entertaining; and his Agriculture Mechanics class where students can build an 18-foot car trailer from scratch.

"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."

Now in its 11th year, the 2010 Excellence in Education Award honors the countless educators across the state that, like Kevin Cooper, go the extra mile to make a difference. Nominations were solicited beginning in September through October 1, and forms were available from the ISEA and at local county Farm Bureau offices.

Cooper will receive a 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. All runners-up will receive a $100 gift card, courtesy of STAPLES.

All of the nominees, along with the individuals who nominated them, are invited to attend the awards banquet at no charge.

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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 public education for all Iowa students. Great Education. It's an Iowa Basic!