Davenport teacher chosen as an Iowa regional teacher of the year

A Quad-City teacher has been selected as an Iowa regional teacher of the year.

According to a release from the Iowa Department of Education, Mitchel Dierickx is teacher of the year for the Mississippi Bend region.

Dierickx, a first grade teacher at Davenport Community School District’s Madison Elementary School, has spent the past nine years creating a positive learning environment and supporting the growth of young learners. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa and is expected to complete a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Grand Canyon University later this year. Dierickx is a teacher leader in his school and district, serving on the building student assessment team, leading the first grade professional learning community and serving as a model teacher in lesson structure, instructional planning and student behavior management.

According to the release, Dierickx was named an inaugural recipient of Davenport’s Heart of Excellence Award in 2025.

Nine teachers from across Iowa were selected as regional teachers of the year. Representing one of Iowa’s nine education regions, the teachers were chosen for their outstanding achievements in PK-12 instruction and positive impact on student outcomes and success. Other Iowa regional teachers of the year include Ashley Cardamone, Jessica Howard, Tracy Madsen, Lynne Glackin, Jana Dewhurst, Tera Bunn, Roselyn Schillerstrom and Abby Goodlaxson. Nominations were received from educators, administrators, students, families and other community members. As regional teachers of the year, those selected advance as finalists for the 2027 Iowa teacher of the year award.

“As we continue to celebrate excellence in teaching in every corner of our state, the department is proud to recognize nine outstanding educators with the third-ever regional teacher of the year designation," Iowa Department of Education director McKenzie Snow said. “Like their dedicated colleagues across Iowa, these teachers work in partnership with families to provide every child with what they need to meet high expectations and realize their incredible potential.”

Established in 1958, the prestigious teacher of the year award honors an Iowa teacher who advances student learning through evidence-based instruction, empowers students with multiple pathways to postsecondary success, invests in fellow educators and serves students in partnership with families. Iowa’s regional teacher of the year program was established in 2024.

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