Chuck Grassley: “as I travel in Iowa throughout the year, I meet some very special people. Last month, in Sheldon, IA, at the high…”

“as I travel in Iowa throughout the year, I meet some very special people. Last month, in Sheldon, IA, at the high school, I had the honor of meeting Stephanie Pritts, who was recently named Iowa's 2026 "Teacher of the Year." Now, it goes way back to 1958 that Iowa started the "Teacher of the Year" award, honoring an exceptional Iowa teacher each year. There is very tough competition each year among Iowa's many outstanding educators to find the one who best represents student learning through evidence-based instruction, empowering students with multiple pathways to postsecondary success; the teacher who learns from and invests in other fellow educators and, at the same time, serves students in partnership with their families. The annual program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education, and it is funded by an appropriation of the Iowa Legislature. Now that she is 2026 "Teacher of the Year," Stephanie will serve as an ambassador to schools, an ambassador to higher education, and an ambassador to various communities across the State. I would like to congratulate Stephanie, again, and thank her for her service to our State. Iowans can be very proud that teachers like Stephanie call our State their home.”