CEDAR FALLS, IOWA (March 1, 2022) — The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is proud to announce the recipients of the 2022 Iowa STEM Teacher Award, sponsored by Kemin Industries.
Northwest Region
Susan Oehlertz
K-12 Technology Integrationist and Computer Science Teacher
Pocahontas Area Community School
Pocahontas, IA
North Central Region
Jamie Pudenz
Agriculture Science Teacher
Aplington-Parkersburg High School
Parkersburg, IA
Northeast Region
Donna Schmitt
LRC / Technology Coach, Student and Teacher Services
Carver Elementary School
Dubuque, IA
Southwest Region
Adam Cox
7-12 Grade Science Teacher
Woodbine Community Schools
Woodbine, IA
South Central Region
Kristen Recher
Fifth grade teacher
Northeast Elementary School
Ankeny, IA
Southeast Region
Terri Smith
Technology STEM Teacher
Central DeWitt Middle School
DeWitt, IA
Now in its eighth year, the award is given annually to one full-time, licensed preK-12 teacher from each of the six STEM regions in Iowa. Each recipient is honored for their efforts to foster enthusiasm and inspire a passion for STEM that goes beyond the classroom and helps prepare students for future high-demand careers.
Each recipient was nominated by a colleague, student, parent or community member before completing an application showcasing their work and curriculum. This year, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council received more than 125 nominations and more than 50 applications from highly qualified teachers.
As a recipient of the 2022 Iowa STEM Teacher Award, each educator will receive $1,500 to use for their classroom and $1,500 for personal use. Each teacher was recently recognized with their award and a small celebration at their schools. All six educators will also be honored in a recognition ceremony during STEM Day at the Fair at the Iowa State Fair in August 2022.
About the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council
Established in July 2011 via Governor’s Executive Order, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership of educators, companies, and Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa’s educational system focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The STEM Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path, regain our state’s historic leadership position in education, and provide a vital competitive economic advantage now, and for the future, to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The 62-member STEM Council is co-chaired by Governor Kim Reynolds and Foundation Analytical Laboratory Owner and Director of Technical Services Diane Young. For more information, visit https://iowastem.org.
About Kemin Industries
Kemin Industries (www.kemin.com) is a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for eighty percent of the world with its products and services. The company supplies over 500 specialty ingredients for human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textile, biofuel, and animal vaccine industries.
For over half a century, Kemin has been dedicated to using applied science to address industry challenges and offer product solutions to customers in more than 120 countries. Kemin provides ingredients to feed a growing population with its commitment to the quality, safety, and efficacy of food, feed, and health-related products.
Established in 1961, Kemin is a privately-held, family-owned-and-operated company with more than 3,300 global employees and operations in ninety countries, including manufacturing facilities.
