Local Mason City educator receives statewide honor

MASON CITY – Tracie Dedor a first-grade teacher at Hoover Elementary in Mason City is the Iowa State Education Association’s 2022 Excellence in Education Award winner. Dedor was selected among a field of educators nominated by co-workers, students, parents, and community members because of the difference they make every day in the lives of their students.

As the ISEA 2022 Excellence in Education Award winner, Dedor is also a nominee for the NEA Foundation California Casualty Awards for Teaching Excellence. All California Casualty awardees receive expenses-paid travel to Washington, DC, for the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in February 2023. Five awardees are selected for the Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence and receive $10,000 each. The NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence recipient, selected from the five Horace Mann awardees, receives $25,000 in cash and a commemorative gift.

“The Excellence in Education Award is truly about recognizing the educators who work hard on a daily basis and rarely get the recognition they so richly deserve,” said Mike Beranek, President of the ISEA. The nominations we receive are a testament to the dedication and compassion educators have for their students and the communities in which they live. Showcasing how some go above and beyond to help shape the lives of their students is what this award is all about,” added Beranek.

As her nominator said, Dedor’s classroom is more than four walls. It is described as a living example of hope and family, and Dedor is a ray of sunshine who is committed to teaching her students how to succeed. Dedor refers to her students as scholars, explaining the use “scholar” helps demonstrate that her students are capable of more than they might believe. That belief has traveled through the school building and Dedor’s class is referred to as “scholars” by the entire school.

Dedor teaches her students to be proud of their cultures using among other things, sign language and Spanish to help students celebrate their individuality. Dedor takes an active role in all school activities, dresses up as children’s book characters to bring learning to life, and serves as a mentor and advocate for her colleagues. She is loved and respected by everyone she works with.

“Tracie’s creativity, passion, and work all combine to make a tremendous impact in her classroom and beyond. The Excellence in Education Award supports educators like Tracie who are invested in the lives of their students and go way beyond what is expected to make an exceptional experience,” said Beranek.

Now in its 22nd year, the Excellence in Education Award honors educators around the state who make a difference in the classroom. Nominations are solicited January 15 through March 1.

Dedor will be honored at the ISEA Summer Leadership Conference in August.

Two runners-up will also be honored. Tom McLaughlin, from Lewis Central Senior High School in the Lewis Central Community School District and Kristine Salmon, from Schaller-Crestland Elementary School, Schaller-Crestland Community School District.