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IOWA (Iowa Media Wire) — Two northwest Iowa educators are being recognized by the Iowa Department of Education for their exemplary teaching.
Nine teachers across the state were named as the 2026 Iowa Regional Teachers of the Year, two of them being right here in Siouxland.
The Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year went to Stephanie Pritts of the Sheldon Community School District. She is a 23-year-old educator who has primarily taught first and third grades. Pritts leads the district’s new teacher mentor program.
Kristi Mentink, a kindergarten teacher at Harris-Lake Park Community School District, was named Prairie Lakes Regional Teacher of the Year. Mentink has 28 years of experience. She was selected to serve on the district’s leadership team and leads a proactive approach to problem-solving and improving teaching strategies.