Sheldon teacher named 2026 Iowa Teacher of the Year

SHELDON, Iowa (KCAU) — A Sheldon teacher and instructional coach from Sheldon High School was named the 2026 Iowa Teacher of the Year.

Stephanie Pritts was named the 2026 Iowa Teacher of the Year on Thursday in front of a full house at the Sheldon High School gym.

“It is just phenomenal. It’s actually really hard to describe because there are just so many people involved with what I do for a career. It was amazing to have all K-12 in one building,” Pritts said. “I should say Pre-K through twelve. Just all that extra added support for it just added to this experience. It was just exciting and so much fun.”

Pritts is a Sheldon native and has been a teacher for 23 years. She was selected out of a pool of nine teachers from across the state. Pritts also serves as Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year.

“It’s important to recognize the importance of good teaching; it’s important to recognize the importance of good education. This is the future of this great state, and we want to make sure we are giving them every opportunity to be the best they can be, and this is a way we can help celebrate that,” said Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.

For Pritts, it was important for her students to see her win this award.

“I really hope that students really see that you put your mind to something, you have good work ethic, that you will move mountains and go so far,” Pritts said.

Now, as part of being the teacher of the year, she’ll travel the state to speak to other school districts and work with them, and hopefully learn from them also.

“I thrive off collaborating with other school districts. I look forward to not only helping support those school districts, but I look forward to learning from them as well,” said Pritts. “Because, like I said, we do a lot together and we can learn from one another. So, I do. I give but also receive.”