Iowa
‘By no means was I intentionally being racist’: Iowa child services worker speaks out after firing
CHARLOTTE, Iowa (IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – A child-services worker alleges she was fired from her job and accused of racist behavior after playing “cowboys and Indians” with the children in her care.
State records indicate that in 2025, Lisa Bartels of Charlotte worked with autistic children on their social and behavioral skills while employed as a registered behavior technician for Beyond Behavior Applied Behavior Analysis, an organization that provides support services for families throughout Iowa.
The records indicate that on July 3, 2025, Bartels was disciplined for playing the game “cowboys and Indians” with the children at Beyond Behavior. On Aug. 14, 2025, Bartels was allegedly disciplined a second time, in that instance for singing the nursery rhyme “One Little, Two Little, Three Little Indians” with the children.
According to Bartels, her superiors at Beyond Behavior considered the game and the nursery rhyme to be “racist” in nature, presumably because the word “Indian” was being used to describe Native Americans.
On Oct. 13, 2025, Bartels was having a private conversation with a co-worker about their pets when she referred to her own dog as “retarded.” An employee allegedly complained to management about Bartels’ use of the word, and Bartels was fired two days later for violating the organization’s code of conduct by using unprofessional language.
Bartels applied for unemployment benefits, which led to a Feb. 3, 2026, hearing before Administrative Law Judge Stephanie Adkisson.
In a recent ruling, Adkisson concluded Bartels was disqualified from collecting benefits due to job-related misconduct, in part for having “used an offensive word” in describing her dog.
“Given the type of work she performed, she knew or should have known that the use of the word is unacceptable,” Adkisson stated in her ruling. “The fact that (she) did not use the word to refer to a person does not change that fact that she should have been aware it was a word that others would find offensive.”
Adkisson observed that Bartels “had received two prior warnings regarding using offensive words. (Bartels) knew she needed to be aware of her use of language and that her job was in jeopardy. Despite these warnings, (she) continued to engage in the use of offensive language.”
Bartels said Wednesday her actions last summer weren’t motivated by racism.
“By no means was I intentionally being racist,” she said. “My daughter has American Indian blood running through her. Her father was part American Indian and the man I’m dating now is American Indian. He has a tattoo of Sitting Bull on his right arm.”
Describing herself as a Christian conservative, she said that after the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last fall, she wore red to work in honor of Kirk, but added that she “would not dare share that with my place of employment for fear of being reprimanded for it.”
No one from Beyond Behavior participated in Bartels’ unemployment hearing, and Alyssa Hennings, the organization’s CEO, declined to comment on the case Wednesday. She referred the Iowa Capital Dispatch to the organization’s human resources department. No one who identified themselves as being from the department responded to the news organization’s inquiry Wednesday afternoon.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone, but not without the Iowa Hawkeyes once again sending a healthy group to the next level. Iowa saw another class of NFL prospects hear their names called and find out where their new homes will be.
As is the norm for Iowa, this draft class was headlined by offensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive line talent, which is fitting. This is how Iowa wins so many games under Kirk Ferentz, and it is a direct correlation to this program’s ability to mold and develop talent into NFL stars.
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While this class of draft prospects gets set to make their way to their new NFL homes, check out the recap of where each player is headed, along with where they were taken in this year’s draft.
Logan Jones
Oct 11, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Logan Jones (65) celebrates a touchdown in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ross Harried-Imagn Images
Team: Chicago Bears
Round: 2
Pick: 57
Gennings Dunker
Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Gennings Dunker (67), center, stands with teammates for the national anthem Nov. 8, 2025 before a Big Ten Football game against the Oregon Ducks at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Round: 3
Pick: 96
Kaden Wetjen
Sep 19, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Kaden Wetjen (21) celebrates with teammates after returning the opening kick off for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Round: 4
Pick: 121
Beau Stephens
Iowa offensive lineman Beau Stephens (70) celebrates with running back Kaleb Johnson in the second quarter against Nebraska during a NCAA football game on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Iowavsneb 20221125 Bh
Team: 4
Round: 148
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Karson Sharar
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA – NOVEMBER 28: Karson Sharar #43 of the Iowa Hawkeyes forces a fumble from Jacory Barney Jr. #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers on a punt return during the second half at Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Round: 6
Pick: 183
T.J. Hall
Oct 11, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back TJ Hall (2) celebrates after an incomplete pass against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ross Harried-Imagn Images
Team: New Orleans Saints
Round: 7
Pick: 219
Max Llewellyn
Sep 14, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Max Llewellyn (48) reacts after a sack during the third quarter against the Troy Trojans at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Team: Miami Dolphins
Round: 7
Pick: 238
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : Iowa football 2026 NFL Draft recap, player’s picks, selections, teams
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and president of football operations John Schneider met with media following day one of the NFL draft and discuss the decision to stay and pick at 32, what makes running back Jadarian Price special, how Price will fit into the offense and more at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue beefing up their offensive line in the 2026 NFL Draft after previously taking Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round.
After trading picks No. 99 and 216 to the Seattle Seahawks for No. 96, the Steelers selected Iowa’s Gennings Dunker.
Dunker was a right tackle for the Hawkeyes, where he was a huge part of helping the team win the Joe Moore Award in 2025 as the nation’s top offensive line.
As for how he projects to the next level, however, Dunker is likely to move inside for the Steelers at 6-foot-5 and 319 pounds and could compete with Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman for the starting job at left guard.
Dunker is a better run blocker than pass protector, but he is feisty in all facets of the game and possesses a ton of strength while also being rather technically sound.
A fan-favorite with his mullet and contagious personality, Dunker should fit right in with Pittsburgh.
James Campen Offers Thoughts on Dunker
Speaking with reporters after the pick was made, Steelers offensive line coach James Campen listed some of the traits that drew him to Dunker.
“He is an aggressive kid,” Campen said. “Good football player. They’re so well-coached at Iowa. They come out and have established pad level and footwork. I’ve got a lot of respect for that football program, and the people who run it, but to be able to get a guy like him, a big, powerful kid that has position flexibility and has shown leadership in his play, his play style is really unique.”
While confirming that he is slated to primarily line up at guard, Campen also shared that Dunker’s Senior Bowl participation allowed his leadership to shine through.
“You always look for guys that are first in line doing things that are challenging or different like he did at the Senior Bowl. He was first in line to go and do new drills and things like that. So I’m sure there’s some leadership qualities there too.
“But we’re very excited to have him and to add to the O-line room. We’ll get him in here and take a look at him. I think at this point he’ll be at the guard position, and tackle will be his second position. But again, when you get players like this, you can always try to figure out which way he’s going to go. So, competition is good in those areas. So, he’ll probably end up playing a little bit of both, but primarily guard.”
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