[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 200 (Monday, December 1, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S8409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     2026 IOWA TEACHER OF THE YEAR

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, 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.
  I visit about 10 to 12 high schools a year to have a Q&A with young 
people because they never come to my open town meetings. One of the 
surprises that happens at a high school is meeting Iowa's ``Teacher of 
the Year.'' This year, that was Stephanie Pritts, and I congratulate 
her for a second time.
  I yield the floor.

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