Awards & Honors - Des Moines Public Schools

Honored for Excellence in Education

Des 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:

	6-Time Energy Star Partner of the Year
	PBS Digital Innovator 2017: Cathi Miller, Central Academy 2016: Joe McCright, Stowe Elementary School
	2016 ISPRA Communicator of the Year
	2016 AP Teacher of the Year
	2015 Magna Award National School Board Association
	2015 Iowa Teacher of the Year – Clemencia Spizzirri, Merrill Middle School Iowa Department of Education
	Ten National Award Winners Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
	District of Distinction District Administration Magazine
	2014 Elementary School Counselor of the Year Iowa School Counselor Association
	2014 School Social Worker of the Year Iowa School Social Workers Association
	2013 Elementary and Middle School Art Educators of the Year Art Educators of Iowa
	Nation’s Top College-Prep High Schools – Roosevelt Washington Post
	Five High Schools on the Iowa AP Top 50 Index Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education
	2016 NSPRA Golden Achievement Winner Award of Excellence (multiple years) National School Public Relations Association
	Certificate of Excellence Award Recipient (multiple years) Association of School Business Officials International
	Certificate of Achievement Recipient (multiple years) Government Finance Officers Association
	2012 Green Ribbon School – Central Campus 2013 Green Ribbon District – DMPS U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools

Other honors earned by Des Moines Public Schools include:

2016 Governor’s Arts Award
2016 Iowa Environmental Excellence Award
2016 HealthierUS School Challenge Award
2016 IDLA 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