Teacher of the Year

2023 Teacher of the Year

Lindsay Grosse, third grade
Westridge Elementary, West Des Moines

“This is my 19th year of teaching.  I have taught kindergarten, first grade, second grade (online!), and third grade. I have taught in Breckenridge, Colorado; Waukee; and now West Des Moines.

I am originally from Spencer, Iowa.  I graduated from the University of Iowa and have also completed my master’s in education.  My husband, Jamie, and I live in West Des Moines with our four daughters: Natalie (11) CC (9) and twins Mary and Laura (5).  All of us are at Westridge together this year!

I am a huge Packers, Hawkeye, and White Sox fan, and I love coffee, reading, being by the water, and spending time with my kids.”

Teacher of the Year award

Teachers of the Year are recognized at Living History Farms’ annual Farmstasia event and receive:

• A commemorative plaque
• An invitation to become an ad hoc member of the Living History Farms’ Education Advisory Committee
• Free admission to the Farmstasia event for two people (valued at $300)
• A free field trip for up to 50 students during the general visitor season. (Valid during general season hours and dates; does not cover the cost of transportation; not valid for adults; advance registration required; value $10 per student.)

Eligibility

• The recipient must be a K-12 teacher who incorporates a program or tour of Living History Farms into their classroom curriculum.
• Members of the LHF Education Advisory Committee are not eligible.

Who Can Nominate a Teacher

Nominations can come from the teacher, the teacher’s principal, superintendent, peers, or a parent of one of the teacher’s students.

Nomination Form

Deadline is noon September 30, 2024.

Previous Award Winners

2010: Veralynn Schilling, second grade, Abbie Sawyer Elementary School, Ames

2011: Betty Peterson, third grade, Baxter Elementary School, Baxter

2012: Jackie Scieszinski, seventh grade, Indian Hills Junior High, West Des Moines

2013: Kris Bigler, fifth grade, North Winneshiek Schools, Decorah

2014: Jeanine Lynch, second grade, Lawson Elementary School, Johnston

2015: Lynda Niffenegger, fifth grade, Crossroads Park Elementary School, West Des Moines

2016: Jenny Sinclair, fourth grade, Lakewood Elementary, Norwalk

2017: Sr. Donna Demmer, fifth grade, Resurrection Catholic School, Dubuque

2018: Darice Pamperin, third grade, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, West Des Moines

2019: Debbie Wiley, third grade, Eason Elementary, Waukee