CONTRIBUTED PHOTO College and Career Readiness Curriculum and Professional Development Leader Jenny Allen, Special Education Teacher Sandy Dale, Agriculture Science Teacher Tara Gray and Marshalltown High School Principal Justin Boliver represented the district at the 2025 STEM Day at the Capitol on Feb. 24. Gray was one of six educators to receive the 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award.

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council recently announced six teachers as the 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipients during a ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol. Each awardee represents one of Iowa’s six STEM regions.

The annual award honors six teachers across the state for their contribution and dedication to STEM education in Iowa and who work to inspire a passion for science, technology, engineering and math with their students.

Nominations were submitted by administrators, teachers, counselors, families, students and other STEM advocates across the state. Each of the teacher nominees were then given the opportunity to submit an application to showcase their work and curriculum. Following a review and selection process, the following six Iowa STEM teachers were chosen as 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipients, recognizing the significant difference they are making in the lives of students.

North Central STEM Region 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Tara Gray

Gray, an agriculture science teacher at Marshalltown High School, is in her ninth year of teaching. As a fifth generation farmer still involved in her family farm, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her agriculture lessons. Gray believes in a hands-on learning approach, striving to provide real-life experiences to advance student understanding and make relevant connections to everyday life.

The other five teachers chosen by region were: Northeast STEM Region 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Dan Kuchera; Southwest STEM Region 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Dustan Kern; South Central STEM Region 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Maddie Kampf; Southeast STEM Region 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Chuck Tonelli and Northwest STEM Region 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Alex Spooner;

The Iowa STEM Teacher Award is presented annually to one full-time, licensed PK-12 teacher in each of the six STEM regions in Iowa. Each awardee receives a monetary gift for their classroom and second for personal use.