Viola Gibson Elementary Teacher in Cedar Rapids Nominated for Iowa Teacher of the Year!

When I think back on the early days of my education and the teachers that had a major effect on me, I think of many of them fondly. But, I don't know if that is a feeling that would be returned.

I was a complete and utter maniac in most schools. Elementary, nuts. Jr. high, crazy as the day is long. And in high school I was a wing nut with a cause.  What cause? All of them!

I wish they would institute combat pay for teachers, mine would have qualified.  They had to go through a lot (a minefield of me), and always kept their cool.  I'm not saying they didn't want to punch me square in the face, but school rules didn't allow it.

I ran into one of my favorite teachers years later, Mr. Brady, and wow, the trouble they endured to teach.  And, they had to deal with me. The guy was a saint!  I told him how much I appreciated his help.  There are several teachers I'd like to do that with, like Ms. Barnes and Mr. Pappas, and with Facebook sometimes ya can!

She's Nominated for Iowa Teacher of the Year

I was reading the Cedar Rapids Gazette, when I came upon an article about Susie Stark, a second-grade teacher at Viola Gibson Elementary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who’s been named one of the finalists for the 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year award. Stark has built a reputation for being incredibly dedicated to her students, focusing on creating strong connections with them and their families.

She makes it a point to communicate with parents before the school year even starts, sending letters, making calls, and even giving out her cellphone number to keep that open line of communication. She believes that when families are involved in the learning process, students are more successful. 

One of Stark’s biggest joys is teaching reading, especially to younger students. She finds it incredibly rewarding when kids who are struggling with reading make progress. 

Tough Love We Could All Use

Interestingly, Stark didn’t become a teacher until later in life—at age 35. She initially went to college to become a veterinarian, but shifted gears after some tough feedback from an advisor.  Sometimes we all need feedback like that.   

I got it from a welding instructor when I was thinking about a career change, and decided to try new things.  He asked if I would be moving forward, and I said no.  He took my final project, unfinished, and said, “don’t worry about it, this isn’t for everyone.”  My final grade was a B. Had I continued, what grade would I have gotten? We’ll save that for a rainy day.

Back to Susie’s story. The Gazette says she didn’t give up, she found her true calling in education. Before becoming a teacher she worked a variety of jobs, including managing a daycare, and even learning how to fix car brakes at a dealership.  Here's the part where I should say that didn't stop her drive to education.  Brakes, drive... see what I did there?

The Gazette Let's Ya know

After earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, she began teaching in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. Though she loved teaching fifth grade, the pressure of preparing kids for middle school took its toll, so she switched to teaching second grade four years ago.

Now, she gets to focus on helping kids develop their reading skills, and she’s especially proud of how her students leave second grade with the ability to read. 

The Nomination Came In

Stark was nominated for the Teacher of the Year award by someone, though she’s not sure who. Was it you? Fess up, I won’t tell.   

She’s surprised to be a finalist, but hopes her recognition can encourage other teachers to stay in the profession. Stark knows that many young teachers leave early because of the challenges of the job, and she wants to inspire them to stick with it and find a balance between work and home life. 

Those challenges are what I spoke of earlier in the article with Mr. Brady.  Challenges that can drive you out early.  It's what drove several of our friends and family members who were teachers out of the profession.  I bet you're thinking it was because of maniacs like me..... maybe.

Her colleagues at Viola Gibson Elementary sing her praises, too. They describe her as dependable and supportive, and always willing to share teaching materials and resources to help others. 

If Stark wins the award, she would take a year off to serve as an ambassador for Iowa’s educators, though she admits she’d miss being in the classroom. Regardless of the outcome, Stark’s dedication to her students and her passion for teaching shines through, making her a well-deserved finalist for the Iowa Teacher of the Year award. 

The 2024 Iowa Teacher of the Year

Susie hopes to follow in the footsteps of other TOY Award winners, like 2024's TOY.  May I introduce you to Ann Mincks, a teacher with 15 years of experience who was named the 2024 Iowa Teacher of the Year at a special assembly at Hoover High School in Des Moines, as you can see here.

The award honors outstanding teachers who go above and beyond in the classroom, making a real difference in their student's lives and helping their fellow educators. At 39, Mincks teaches English to high school students who are learning English, many of whom are new to the country, at the Des Moines Community School District.

Coming from a family of teachers, she’s all about helping her students succeed—especially when it comes to improving literacy skills. By using research-backed, effective methods based on the Science of Reading, she’s played a huge role in boosting literacy at her school.

Who Can Nominate for Iowa's Teacher of the Year?

Anyone can nominate - whether it's a friend, family member, student, or colleague—someone they believe deserves to be considered for the Iowa Teacher of the Year award. If a teacher is chosen as the winner, they receive a prize package that includes: 

• A certificate of recognition to honor their achievement. 
• A $1,000 award as a cash prize. 
• A set of classroom resources, which will be donated to the school library in the teacher’s name.
• An invitation to attend a summer seminar hosted by the Gilder Lehrman Institute, which is likely a professional development opportunity for educators. 

Additionally, the winner of the Iowa Teacher of the Year award will be eligible to be recognized as the National History Teacher of the Year, which is a prestigious national title. 

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History of the Iowa Teacher of the Year (TOY) Award

The Iowa Teacher of the Year (TOY) Award, which was established in 1958, is given to an outstanding teacher in Iowa who meets several important criteria. The teacher selected for this honor is someone who: 

• Motivates and challenges their students to strive for excellence. 

• Is respected by both students and their fellow educators. 

• Is a dedicated professional who helps bring out the hidden talents and abilities of their students. 

• Is creative, caring, and goes beyond traditional teaching methods like textbooks and blackboards. 

• Helps redefine what education looks like in the U.S. through exceptional teaching. 

The winner of the Iowa Teacher of the Year award is also invited to serve as the Iowa Ambassador to Education.

In this role they would represent education in Iowa, acting as a liaison between schools and the public and helping to promote and improve education throughout the state. Essentially, they would be a spokesperson for Iowa’s educators, sharing their expertise and advocating for education initiatives. 

Who is Viola Gibson?

My wife and I drive by Viola Gibson Elementary on a regular basis. Seems a significant gesture to place a person's name upon an important structure. I learned quite a bit about Viola Gibson that I did not know before.  If you'd like to read about her amazing accomplishments and the great things she did for the Cedar Rapids area, check her out here (Viola Gibson)

Lowering stress is a good thing, and seeing a beaver eat cabbage is oddly cathartic.