North Butler elementary educator receives top award

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L to R: Tammy Wawro and Laura Tracy

DES MOINES, IA (05/05/2016)(readMedia)-- Laura Tracy, a kindergarten teacher at North Butler Elementary in Allison, is a 2016 Excellence in Education Award runner-up. The award is sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). Tracy 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."

Laura's tireless efforts go well beyond her kindergarten classroom as she ensures parental involvement in student's academic growth and achievements. She texts important reminders home and sends weekly newsletters that include pictures of what students did in class. Along with the newsletter, Laura includes a learning activity or game with materials and reading homework each Friday so students have fun challenges that take them through until school resumes. She effectively meets with students one-on-one or in small groups daily which ensures learning for all of her precious students making them feel important and valued. Laura recognizes that each student brings something different to the classroom. She celebrates the differences with enthusiasm and a zest for learning that is contagious.

"It is clear that Laura's creativity, passion, and work all combine to make a tremendous impact in her classroom and beyond, and we applaud her achievement," said Wawro. The Excellence in Education Award celebrates educators like Laura 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.

Tracy 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 Kyle Van Ausdall, a finance and business teacher at Central Lee High School in Donnellson. 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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