Thursday, September 27, 2007
Governor Culver Announces 2008 Iowa Teacher Of The Year
Norwalk high school teacher receives state’s top teaching honor
(Des Moines) Today, Governor Chet Culver announced that the Iowa Department of Education has chosen Andrew Lee Mogle as the 2008 Iowa Teacher of the Year.
“The Teacher of the Year award provides an opportunity to recognize an Iowa teacher who motivates, challenges and inspires excellence,” said Governor Culver. “As a former teacher and coach, I am proud to congratulate Andy on his selection as Iowa Teacher of the Year.”
Iowa Department of Education Director Judy Jeffrey notified Mogle on Wednesday of his selection. “Iowa has many outstanding individuals who serve as educators. This award allows us to honor not only Andy and his work, but also a profession that is truly one of the most rewarding and fulfilling,” she said.
Mogle is a family and consumer science teacher at Norwalk High School in Norwalk. He has taught grades nine through 12 at Norwalk since 1999. Mogle has a bachelor of science degree in liberal studies and a master of education in family and consumer science education studies from Iowa State University. Mogle was the Norwalk Teacher of the Year in 2007.
Prior to becoming a teacher, Mogle was a chef and restaurant manager for more than 15 years. This past experience is evident in his work as an educator. He has created the Warrior Café, a fully functioning restaurant in his classroom where students receive hands-on experience in the culinary arts. “The students in my classroom accept and thrive under the high expectations I have for them,” Mogle said. “I have watched as students of all academic levels take control of their educational opportunities. I believe this sense of empowerment will serve the students long after they leave the safety of the classroom.”
Finalists for the award were Claudette Bees a mathematics teacher at Hempstead High School in Dubuque, Debora Masker a vocal music teacher at Kirn Junior High School in Council Bluffs, Sheila Coyle a visual arts teacher at North Middle School in Sioux City and Peggy Beatty a gifted and talented teacher at Decorah Middle School in Decorah.
Mogle and the finalists will be recognized at a luncheon, sponsored by Qwest Communications, to be held on October 26 at the Science Center of Iowa. Mogle’s tenure as Iowa Teacher of the Year will run from January to December of 2008. The Iowa Teacher of the Year Award was established in 1958 and is sponsored Iowa Department of Education through an appropriation from the Iowa legislature. For more information on the Iowa Teacher of the Year program, please visit the Iowa Department of Education website at http://www.iowa.gov/educate/content/view/686/664/.
The Iowa Department of Education works with the State of Iowa Board of Education to provide oversight, supervision and support for the state education system, which includes public elementary and secondary schools, nonpublic schools that receive state accreditation, area education agencies, community colleges and teacher preparation programs. The department is committed to high levels of learning, achievement and performance for all students, so they will become successful members of their community and the workforce.