Kristen Rickey, superintendent of the West Delaware County Community School District, has been named the 2022-23 Iowa Superintendent of the Year by the School Administrators of Iowa.
In response to receiving the award, Rickey commented, “There are so many educators working hard to serve our communities and our families. It is an honor to be recognized for the work we are doing, and I am so pleased to be able to contribute to this important work.”
Kristen Rickey has served as the district superintendent and director of special education since 2011 and was previously principal at McKinley Middle School in Cedar Rapids. Her career began as a special education teacher at Marion High School in Marion. She is a University of Iowa graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s in special education, and a doctorate in educational policy and leadership studies.
SAI Executive Director Lisa Remy said, “Kristen is a true leader and an excellent choice by her peers as the 2023 Iowa Superintendent of the Year. She serves the whole child, including social-emotional needs, career readiness, diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and so much more. She does so through collaboration and by listening to all voices in decision-making from students, parents, teachers, and community members. Dr. Rickey is a leader who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and has the courage to develop that potential.”
She was nominated by her peers and selected for the award by a committee of Iowa superintendents. Iowa’s Administrator of the Year award recipients will be honored at SAI’s Annual Conference next summer. She will also represent the state in the National Superintendent of the Year Program® sponsored by AASA, The School Superintendents Association.
