Past Excellence in Science Teaching Awards (ESTA)
The Iowa Academy of Science awarded the first Excellence in Science Teaching Awards in 1969. Outstanding teachers of all grade levels and areas of science have been recognized for their work and innovations in science education. Nominations are encouraged from administrators, colleagues, or a teacher may self-nominate. Selections are made by the Awards and Recognition Committee. Winners are honored at a luncheon during the Iowa Academy of Science Annual Meeting. Awardees receive a plaque and a $200 award. Scroll down to see past ESTA winners.
2022 ESTA Winners
Tyler Wedemeir, Elementary Education
Alida Acosta, Elementary Education
Michelle Seddon, Life Science
Lindsay Barnard, Earth Science
Katie Borton, General/Multiple Science
Jenn Hobbs, STEM Science, High School
2021 ESTA Winners
Carrie Gordon, Elementary Education
Terri Samuelson, Elementary Education
Courtney Wolken, Life Science
Jennifer Wells, Earth Science
Devan Walker, General/Multiple Science
Nancy Duncan, STEM Science
2020 ESTA Winners
Elyse Webb, Elementary Education
DeEtta Anderson, Earth Science
Sarah Borzo, Middle/Junior High Science
2019 ESTA Winners
Presented at the 131st IAS Annual Meeting
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls
April 26, 2019
Anne Turner; Elementary Education
Connie Courbat, Elementary Education
Cheryl Kluesner, General Science
Mike Skopec, Life Science
Julie Crozier; Middle/Junior High Science
Jayme Smith; Physical Science
Amanda Sanderman; Science Supervisory
Alicia Schiller-Haynes; STEM Science
2018 ESTA Winners
Presented at the 130th IAS Annual Meeting
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake
April 20, 2018
Scott Black; Earth, Space, Environmental Science
Phil Lala; General or Multiple Science
Linda Peitz; Elementary Science
Collin Reichert; STEM Science
Ernest Schiller; Science Supervisory
2017 ESTA Winners
Presented a the 129th IAS Annual Meeting
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls
April 21, 2017
Dr. Dawn Del Carlo; Science Supervisory
Ramona Jolliffe Satre; Middle/Junior High Science
Holly Hinkhouse Garcia; Physical Science
Kevin Schneider; Life Science
Casey Giraud; General/Multiple Science
Vonna Watson; Elementary Education
Brenda Kaufman; Elementary Education
2016 ESTA Winners
Presented at the 128th IAS Annual Meeting
Grand View University, Des Moines
April 22, 2016
2016 Excellence in Science Teaching Awards Winners at 128th IAS Annual Meeting
Left to Right
Glen Robert Unwin, Physical Science, East Buchanan Community Schools, Winthrop
Arie Schiller, Middle - Junior High Science, Keokuk Middle School
Robert Campbell, Life Science, Moravia Community Schools, Moravia
Gail Marie Kunch, Earth, Space, and Environmental Science, Holy Trinity Junior/Senior High School, Fort Madison
Marc Benedict, General - Multiple Science, Graettinger-Terril Community School District
Dr. Yvette Kolek McCulley
Science Consultant, Iowa Department of Education
Science Supervisory
2015 Excellence in Science Teaching Awards Recipients
DeEtta Andersen
Center Point Urbana High School
General - Multiple Science
Collin Reichert
Ames Middle School
Physical Science
Kathryn Borton
Nevada Middle School
Middle/Junior High Science
Maureen Griffin
Hoover High School
Science Supervisory
Thad Sheldon
City High School, Iowa City
Life Science
2014 Excellence in Science Teaching Award Recipients
Ariana Krueger
Dallas Center-Grimes Middle School
Middle/Junior High Science
Patrice Teigland
Dallas Center - Grimes Northridge Elementary
Elementary Science
Chris Like
Bettendorf High School
Physical Science
Michael Todd
Ames High School
Earth/Space Science /Environmental Science
Brooke Maine
Dallas Center-Grimes High School
Life Science
Shelly Vanyo
Boone High School
General/Multiple Science
Tami Plein
Great Prairie Area Education Agency
Science Supervisory
2013
Troy D. Schwemm, Southeast Polk High School, Pleasant Hill; Earth/Space/Environmental Science
Lisa Jo Chizek, North Tama Elementary, Traer; Elementary Science
Matthew Stier, City High School, Iowa City; General/Multiple Science
Kacia Ann Cain, Central Campus, Des Moines; Life/Biological Science
Sue Sparrow Meggers, Interstate 35 School, Truro; Middle School/Junior High Science
Matthew Harding, West High School, Iowa City; Physical Science
2012
Teri Wiese, North High School, Davenport; Earth/Space/Environmental Science
Christine Sutherland, Kreft Primary School, Council Bluffs; Elementary Education
Donna R. Johnson, Neil Armstrong Elementary School, Bettendorf: Elementary Education
Kris Groff, Sheldon High School: General/Multiple Science
Mike Goudy, Oskaloosa High School; Life Science
Joan Moorhead, Williams Intermediate School, Davenport; Middle/Junior High Science
Kevin McGinity, Ottumwa High School; Physical Science
2011
Kathy D. Hobson, Atlantic High School, Atlantic: Earth, Space, & Environmental Science
David D. Langtimm Riverdale Heights Elementary School; Elementary Science
Jesse L. Wilcox, Valley Southwoods High School, West Des Moines; General/Multiple Science
Teri L. Wiese, North High School, Davenport; Life Science
Justin R. Johnson, Central Middle School, Muscatine; Middle/Junior High Science
Aileen Mahood Sullivan, Ames High School; Physical Science
2010
Christy A. Bolt, Longfellow Elementary, Council Bluffs; Elementary Science
Carol Boyce, Orange Elementary, Waterloo; Elementary Science
Molly Crock, Monticello High School; Earth, Space, Environmental Science
Mary Lestina, City High School, Iowa City; General/Multiple Science
Laura L. McCreery, North High School, Davenport; Life Science
Melissa Hesner, East Buchanan Community School District; Middle/Junior High Science
Traci Maxted, Jefferson High School, Cedar Rapids; Physical Science
2009
Joshua Hanna, Muscatine High School; Life Science
2008
Kaitlynn Hood, Perkins Academy, Des Moines; Elementary Science
2007
Larry Swinger, West Central Valley, Stuart; Physical Science
2006
Jody Stone, Price Lab School, Cedar Falls; Physical Science
Christopher Parrish, Keota Junior & Senior High School, Keota; General/Multiple Science
Lesley Taylorson, Hoover Middle School, Waterloo; Middle/Junior High School
Craig Leager, Des Moines Public Schools, Des Moines; Elementary Education
2005
Alicia Schiller, Central Lee High School, Donnellson; Life Science
Amanda Schiller, Marquette Middle School, West Point; Middle/Junior High Science
Travis Benner, Bluegrass Elementary School, Davenport; Elementary Science
2004
Lori Ihrig, Williamsburg Jr./Sr. High School; Life Science
Jeff Siewert, Pella Community High School; Physical Science
Doug Richardson, Norwalk Middle School; Middle/Junior High Science
2003
Matt Robie, N. Polk Central Elementary School; Elementary Science
Chris Robinson, Washington High School, Cedar Rapids; Earth/Environmental
Starla Pottorff, Corning High School; Life Science
Nichole Scott, City High School, Iowa City; Physical Science
2002
Susan Vogel, Jefferson High School, Cedar Rapids; Earth/Environmental
Michael Blair, Roosevelt High School, Des Moines; Physical Science
Lynn Campbell, Woodward-Granger High School; Middle/Junior High Science
2001
Scott R. Schoneberg, Des Moines Central Academy, Des Moines Earth/Environmental
Shannon H. McLaughlin, Norwalk High School; Physical Science
2000
Joanna O. Oppenheimer, Shimek Elementary, Iowa City; Elementary Science
Robyn Hageman Vsetecka, Turkey Valley Community Schools, Jackson Junction,Elementary Science
Laura K. Crowl, Sioux City East High School, Sioux City; Earth/Environmental
Kathy S. Kleen, Spirit Lake High School; Spirit Lake; Life Science
Jeffrey J. Zaugg, Lincoln High School, Des Moines; Physical Science
Roxanne Baumgartner, Prairie Middle School, Cedar Rapids; Middle/Junior High Science
Susan J. Vogel, Jefferson High School, Cedar Rapids, Middle/Junior High Science
Michael D. Bechtel, Saydel High School, Saydel; General/Multiple Sciences
1999
Jane Haugen, Kennedy Elementary School, Dubuque, Elementary Science
Carolyn White, Penn Elementary School, Iowa City; Elementary Science
Barbara J. Kinneer, James Madison Middle School, Burlington; Earth/Environmental
Beverly A. Iverson, Marshalltown High School, Marshalltown; Life Science
Karen C. Breitbach, Malcolm Price Laboratory School, Cedar Falls; Physical Science
Peggy Barbour, Ames Middle School, Middle/Junior High Science
Kevin McGinity, Ottumwa High School, General/Multiple Sciences
1998
Mary Jane Sullivan, N. Mahaska Elementary, Elementary Science
Julie Timmins, Lincoln Elementary, Washington, Elementary Science
Karen S. Wignall, North High School, Des Moines; Earth/Environmental
Vicki Manders, Andrew High School, Andrew; Life Science
Sara B. Coleman, Norwalk High School, Norwalk, Physical Science
Margaret Sadeghpour-Kramer, N. Cedar Middle School, Clarence’ Middle/Junior High Science
Catherine M. Wilson, City High School, Iowa City; General/Multiple Sciences
1997
Kay Treiber, Malcom Price Laboratory School, Cedar Falls; Elementary Science
Susan J. Vogel, Ft. Madison Community Schools, Ft. Madison; Earth Science
Dennis Schlicht, Central City Community Schools, Central City, Environmental Science
Mark LePorte, New Hampton High School, New Hampton; Physics
Richard C. Wells, Davenport Central High School, Davenport, Chemistry
William A. Forsee, Abraham Lincoln High School, Council Bluffs; Biology
Brenda Garbe Greaves, Parkview Middle School, Ankeny; Junior/Middle
Janet L. Dunkel, Charles City Middle School, General/Multiple
1996
Elizabeth Luaghlin, North Hill Elementary, Burlington; Elementary Science
Margaret Sadeghpour-Kramer, Lincoln Community Schools, Mechanicsville; Environmental Science
Ronald Newland, Prairie High School, Cedar Rapids; Physics
Bruce Wilson, City High School, Iowa City; Chemistry
Tina Koepnick, City High School, Iowa City; Biology
Nadine Weirather, Central Lee Junior High School, Donnellson; Junior/Middle School Science
Kevin Brasser, South O'Brien High School; General/Multiple
1995
Nancy Goodlove, Central City Community Schools; Elementary Science
William Desmarais, Washington Senior High School, Cedar Rapids; Environmental Science
Christina Schmitt, Dowling High School, West Des Moines; Biology
Ross Iverson, Millder Middle School, Marshalltown; Junior/Middle School Science
Terence Coleman, City High School, Iowa City; General/Multiple
1994
Ernest Fisher, Monroe Elementary School, Des Moines; Elementary Science
G. Dave Lewis, Northwest Junior High School, Coralville; Earth Science
Danielle M. Spaete, Pleasant Valley High School; Physics
Richard E. Ehlers, Perry High School; Chemistry
Kevin Koepnick, City High School, Iowa City; Biology
Roger A. Beane, Oelwein Middle School; Junior High Science
Edward R. Brown, Bondurant-Farrar Jr-Sr High School; General/Multiple Science
1993
Barbara A. Ehlers, Wings Park Elementary, Oelwein; Elementary Science
Beverly A. Iverson, Marshalltown Community High School, Marshalltown, Earth Science
Charles R. Gesiriech, Urbandale High School, Des Moines; Physics
Jeffrey B. Hepburn, Dowling High School, West Des Moines; Chemistry
Richard H. Kruse, Ankeny Senior High School; Biology
Lyn Countryman, Malcolm Price Laboratory School, Cedar Falls; Junior High Science
Michael F. Zeller, Woodward-Granger Community Schools; General/Multiple
1992
Mark E. Schneider, Washington Township, Kalona; Elementary Science
Mark A. Brockmeyer, City High School, Iowa City; Earth Science
Douglas E. Nauman, Washington High School, Cedar Rapids; Physics
Vernon Slaymaker, Ottumwa High School, Ottumwa; Chemistry
Sharon Fisher, North High School; Biology
Chris S. Soldat, Mid-Prairie Jr. High, Wellman; Junior High Science
James A. Grife, Colfax-Mingo High School; General/Multiple Science
1991
Margaret Sadeghpour-Kramer, Lincoln Elementary, Mechanicsville; Elementary Science
Patricia M. Witinok, Northwest Junior High, Coralville; Earth Science
Peter G. Bruecken, Bishop Heelan High School, Sioux City; Physics
Jim Kubichek, West Marshall High School; Biology
Hector Ibarra, West Branch Middle School, West Branch; Junior High Science
Owen A. Primavera, Jr., Okoboji High School, Milford; General/Multiple Science
1990
Virginia L. Elliott, Tama Intermediate School, Tama; Elementary Science
Stephen M. Baker, Abraham Lincoln High School, Council Bluffs; Earth Science
Dean Gorrell, West High School, Iowa City; Physics
Mary K. Muehl, Linn-Mar High School, Marion; Chemistry
Ernest Schiller, Central Lee High School, Donnellson; Biology
Jeanne A. Rogis, Central Clinton Community, DeWitt; Junior High Science
Gail B. Wortmann, Ottumwa High School, Ottumwa; General/Multiple Science
1989
Joan McShane, Jefferson Elementary, Davenport; Elementary Science
Thomas B. Ervin, Wood Junior High, Davenport; Earth Science
James Ray Hurley, Waverly-Shell Rock High Scjpp; Physics
Verlin Fleagle, Central Clinton County Community Schools; Chemistry
Bill Klein, West High School, Sioux City; Biology
Elizabeth Koehn, West Middle School, Muscatine; Junior High Science
Mary Jane Husband, Tri-County Community Schools; General/Multiple Science
1988
R. D. Lemon, Mentzer Elementary; Elementary Science
Ed Rezabek , Glidden-Ralston Community Schools; Earth Science
Rollan Freel, Marshalltown High School, Marshalltown, Physics
Bernard Hermanson, Sumner High School, Chemistry
Doug Herman, East High School, Sioux City; Biology
Bonita Anne Sankot, South Tama Middle School; Junior High Science
1987
Candace Kilburg, Center Point Consolidated; Elementary Science
H. John Verdon, Waverly-Shell Rock High School, Waverly; Earth/Environmental Science
Gary L. Garton, City High School, Iowa City; Life Science
Peter H. Sweedy, Bettendorf High School, Bettendorf; Physical Science
Lynn Altemeier, Indian Hills Jr. High, Des Moines, Middle/Junior High Science
1986
Rebecca M. Andresen, Eisenhower School, Davenport; Elementary Science
John D. Rudisill, East High School, Des Moines, Earth Science
Dennis Hewett, Fort Dodge Senior High School, Fort Dodge; Physics
Christine Fink, Abraham Lincoln High, Council Bluffs; Chemistry
Paul D. Knapp, Linn-Mar High School, Marion; Biology
Lowell Wiele, Garfield Junior High, Chariton; Junior High
1985
Pyllis Frichen, Ottumwa Community Schools, Ottumwa; Elementary Science
William J. Desmarais, Washington High School, Cedar Rapids; Earth/Environmental Science
Lloyd Phillips, Knoxville Jr. High School, Knoxville; Middle/Junior High Science
Don Schaefer, Bettendorf High School, Bettendorf, Physics
John Emerson, Ogden High School, Ogden; Chemistry
1984
Jan Anderson, Cedar Heights Elementary, Cedar Falls; Elementary Science
Bruce Iverson, Spencer Jr. High School, Spencer; Earth/Environmental Science
Freida Griffin, McCombs Transitional, Des Moines; Middle/Junior High Science
Dan McGrail, Carlisle High School, Carlisle; Physics
David Vogel, Oskaloosa High School, Oskaloosa; Chemistry
Sister Lois Wagner, Wahlert High School, Dubuque; Biology
1983
Cameron Vanni, Hoarace Mann Elementary, Iowa City; Elementary Science
Lewis Stoneking, Ottumwa High School, Ottumwa; Earth/Environmental Science
Sharon Fisher, Meredith Jr. High, Des Moines; Middle/Junior High Science
Robert Wilson, Belmond Community High School, Belmond; Physics
Kenneth Hartman, Ames High School, Ames; Chemistry
Gene Ulrich, Sioux City North High School, Sioux City; Biology
1982
Chris Rohret, Penn Elementary School, N. Liberty; Elementary Science
Karen Murphy, Weeks Jr. High School, Des Moines; Earth/Environmental Science
Donald J. Perschau, Meredith Jr. High, Des Moines; Middle/Junior High School
Claison Groff, Grand Community Schools, Boxholm; Physics
Larry A. Dean, Saydel High School, Saydel; Chemistry
Eugene Balk, Mason City High School, Mason City; Biology
1981
Marlene Gaston, Mid-Prairie Community Schools; Elementary Science
Richard A. Worm, Hempstead High School, Dubuque; Earth/Environmental
Linda J. St. Clair, Pekin Middle School; Middle/Junior High Science
Charles A. Windsor, Ames High School, Ames; Physics
G. Henry Veldhuis, Sheldon High School, Sheldon; Chemistry
Peggy I. Steffen, Fremont Comm. High School, Fremont; Biology
1979 & 1980 records missing
1978
Gale (Courtney) Vermeulen, Tri-County, Thornburg; Chemistry
additional 1978 records missing
1977
Owen Primavera, Milford; Biology
Henry Caudle, Davenport; Chemistry
Ross Iverson, Marshalltown; Earth Science
Diana Brill, Ankeny; Elementary Science
Barbara Davis, Ft. Dodge; Junior High Science
James Jones, Ames; Physics
1976 records missing
1975
James Kelly, Cedar Falls, Biology
Gerald Huss, Marshalltown; Chemistry
Gerald Cunningham, Marshalltown; Earth Science
John Doran, Mt. Pleasant; Mathematics
Walter Gohman, Cedar Falls; Physics
1974
James Hungerford, Marshalltown; Biology
David Highland, Harlan; Chemistry
Maynard Bittle, Mt. Pleasant; Earth Science
Edward Rolenc, Jr., Mt Pleasant; Mathematics
Henry Biere, Anamosa
Milbert Krohn, Spirit Lake; Physics
1973
Kirk Brill, Runnels; Biology
Harold Wengert, Cedar Falls; Chemistry
Jerry Aldrich, Alden; Earth Science
Irwin Van Haaften, Garwin; Mathematics
Kennon Schaffer, Mason City; Physics
1972
Lena Keithahn, Mason City; Biology
Henry Becker, Davenport; Chemistry
Dennis Hoffnagle, Davenport; Earth Science
Joseph Becker, Dike; Mathematics
Henry Veldhuis, Sheldon; Physics
1971
George Chapman, Dubuque; Biology
Frank Gorshe, Bettendorf; Chemistry
Robert DeLoss, Sioux City; Earth Science
Joseph Zimmerman, Des Moines; Mathematics
Alan Ewers, Des Moines; Physics
1970
Donald Narveson, Waterloo; Biology
Donald Murphy, Des Moines; Chemistry
Donald Lange, Davenport; Earth Science
Leroy Huegli, Osage; Mathematics
Wesley Warner, Algona; Physics
1969
Richard Trump, Ames; Biology
Ken Frazier, Ames; Earth Science
Jerry Aldrich, Alden; Physics
1968
George Magrane, Ottumwa; Biology
Milbert Krohn, Spirit Lake; Chemistry
Richard L. Morris, Spirit Lake; Mathematics
Herman Kirkpatrick, Des Moines; Physics
1967
Daryl Stuhr, Sac City; Biology
Frank Starr, Waterloo; Chemistry
Ethel Cain, Des Moines; Mathematics
William Kacena, Des Moines; Physics
1966
Iola Tillapaugh, Cedar Rapids; Biology
Oliver Eason, Cedar Falls; Physics
1965
Sister Antonio, Dubuque; Biology
Vern Gunderson, Mason City; Physics
1964
David V. McCalley, Cedar Falls; Biology*
1963
Bill Hauser, Des Moines; Biology*
*as Outstanding Biology Teacher Award, NABT
Click here to view or download the ESTA Brochure.
To read the history of the ESTAs click here.