Honored for Excellence in Education

Â鶹¹û¶³ Moines Public Schools is proud to be home to thousands of educators and other professionals who work hard each and every day to help the students of our community succeed.

The good work performed by our teachers and staff has earned awards, honors and recognition at the state and national level.

Highlights of some recent honors include:

Energystarpartnerlogo

12-Time Energy Star Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence

SpecialOlympics 2021 Special Olympics National Unified Champion School
PBS Innovators

PBS Digital Innovator
2017: Cathi Miller, Central Academy
2016: Joe McCright, Stowe Elementary School

ISPRA new 2021-23: ISPRA President Leadership Recognition
ISPRA Blue and Gold Winner (Mulitple Years)
2016 ISPRA Communicator of the Year
Iowa School Public Relations Assocation
Ap logo

2016 AP Teacher of the Year

nsba-logo-bw 2015 Magna Award
National School Board Association
idoe 2015 Iowa Teacher of the Year – Clemencia Spizzirri, Merrill Middle School
Iowa Department of Education
presidentialaward Twelve National Award Winners
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
districtofdistinction District of Distinction
District Administration Magazine
iowaschoolcounselor 2014 Elementary School Counselor of the Year
Iowa School Counselor Association
iowaschoolsocialworkers 2014 School Social Worker of the Year
Iowa School Social Workers Association
arteducators 2013 Elementary and Middle School Art Educators of the Year
Art Educators of Iowa
washingtonpost Nation’s Top College-Prep High Schools – Roosevelt
Washington Post
belinblank Five High Schools on the Iowa AP Top 50 Index
Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education
nspra 2016 NSPRA Golden Achievement Winner
Award of Excellence (multiple years)
National School Public Relations Association
asbo Certificate of Excellence Award Recipient (multiple years)
Association of School Business Officials International
gfoa Certificate of Achievement Recipient (multiple years)
Government Finance Officers Association
greenribbonschools 2012 Green Ribbon School – Central Campus
2013 Green Ribbon District – DMPS
U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools

Other honors earned by Â鶹¹û¶³ Moines Public Schools include:

  • 2024 Iowa Teacher of the Year (Ann Mincks, Hoover High School)
  • 2023 Forbes Magazine – One of American’s Best Midsized Employers
  • 2023 University of Iowa’s Career Impact Award
  • 2023 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award (12x winner)
  • 2023 Iowa School Public Relations Associations Blue and Gold Honors
  • 2023 9th Annual International Mathematical Modeling Challenge Qualifier, Central Academy
  • 2023 Iowa High School Girls Track and Field 3 Â鶹¹û¶³ Titles, Hoover High School
  • 2023 Iowa High School Boys Soccer Tournament qualifier, Hoover High School
  • 2023 Iowa High School Boys Basketball Tournament qualifier, Hoover High School
  • 2023 (May) WHO-TV Golden Apple Award
  • 2023 Rotary Club of Â鶹¹û¶³ Moines Teachers of the Year
  • 2023 NIAAA Certified Master Athletic Administrator
  • 2023 IHSAA Character Counts Coach of the Year
  • 2023 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Crystal Pillar Student Award
  • 2023 Iowa Junior Olympics 3P Air Rifle Â鶹¹û¶³ Champions
  • 2022 Iowa Association of Track Coaches Hall of Fame
  • 2022 Iowa School Social Workers Association Friend of Children Award
  • 2022 Iowa High School Press Association’s Rod Vahl Award
  • 2022 National Association of Social Workers Catherine G. Williams Lifetime Diversity Achievement Award
  • 2022 Iowa Council of Teachers of English Barb Schubert Award
  • 2022 Iowa Â鶹¹û¶³ Fair Blue Ribbon Collectable Pottery Â鶹¹û¶³igner and Producer
  • 2022 National High School Mediation Student Champion – Central Academy
  • 2022 Class III Contemporary Â鶹¹û¶³ Dance Champions – Roosevelt
  • 2022 Iowa High School Press Association News Team of the Year – East, Hoover, North
  • 2022 Iowa Alliance Conference Inaugural Volleyball Tournament Champs – Roosevelt
  • 2021 Iowa Council Teachers of English Iowa High School Teacher of Excellence
  • 2021 Iowa History Teacher of the Year
  • 2021 Eight-time Energy Star Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence
  • 2021 Iowa Association of Agricultural Educators Outstanding Administrator Award
  • 2021 Iowa School Public Relations Association (25 communications awards)
  • 2020 Iowa High School Press Association Administrator of the Year
  • 2020 Iowa School Social Workers Association Iowa School Social Worker of the Year
  • 2019 Twelve-time ASBO Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting winner
  • 2019 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics & Science Teaching Finalist
  • 2019 National School Boards Association Magna Award
  • 2018 Capital City Pride Ally of the Year
  • 2018 Iowa Juneteenth Mary McCleod Bethune Award
  • 2017 NSDA Iowa Educator of the Year
  • 2017 ISSWA Friend of Children Award
  • 2017 Stephen Tsai Award for Excellence in Autism Education
  • 2017 IHSPA Administrator of the Year
  • 2017 PBS Digital Innovator
  • 2017 ISPRA Blue & Gold Award
  • 2017 Facilities Management Decision magazine’s Achievement Award
  • 2017 Recognized American School Counselor Association Model Program (Findley Elementary School)
  • 2016 Recognized American School Counselor Association Model Program (Madison Elementary School)
  • 2016 Governor’s Arts Award
  • 2016 Iowa Environmental Excellence Award
  • 2016 HealthierUS School Challenge Award
  • 2016 Iowa Distance Learning Association Innovator Award
  • 2016 ADK Excellence in Education Award
  • 2016 Social Studies Teacher of the Year
  • 2016 PBS Tech Innovator of the Year
  • 2016 MLK Make a Difference Award
  • 2016 ADBOI Meritorious Budget Award
  • 2016 Science Bound High School of the Year
  • 2014 EPA Battle of the Buildings 1st Place (Findley Elementary School)
  • 2014 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching finalists
  • 2014 Prostart Educator of Excellence Award
  • 2014 Iowa School Social Worker of the Year by the Iowa School Social Workers Association
  • 2014 Four Rotary Educators of the Year
  • 2014 Rising Star by the Journalism Education Association
  • 2014 Finalists for Iowa Teacher of the Year
  • 2013 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching winner
  • 2013 Dr. Robert E. and Phyllis M. Yager Exemplary Teaching Recognition Award
  • 2013 Steve France Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2012 Finalist for Iowa Teacher of the Year
  • 2012 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching finalists
  • 2010 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching winner
  • 2009 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching finalists
  • 2011 James Madison Fellowship for the state of Iowa
  • Art Educator of the Year by the Art Educators of Iowa
  • Outstanding Secondary Art Educator by the Art Educators of Iowa
  • 2010 Edyth May Sliffe Award for Distinguished High School Mathematics Teaching by the Mathematical Association of America
  • 2009 Edyth May Sliffe Award for Distinguished Junior High/Middle School Mathematics Teaching
  • Certificate of Achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association for the school district’s comprehensive annual financial report.
  • Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year for the state of Iowa by the National Association of Biology Teachers
  • Educator of the Year by the Printing Industry of the Midwest
  • 2010 Excellence in Education Award runner-up
  • Daughters of the American Revolution US History Teacher of the Year nominee
  • Financial Literacy Educator of the Year for the state of Iowa
  • 2010 Toyota International Teacher Program honoree
  • Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials
  • 2010 James Bryant Conant Award in High School Teaching.
  • 2009 James Madison Fellowship in American History
  • Iowa Industrial Technology Education Middle School Teacher of Excellence