Western Dubuque Teacher Named ‘Iowa Regional Teacher of Year’

A Western Dubuque teacher has been named an Iowa Regional Teacher of the Year.

The Iowa Department of Education on Monday announced nine teachers, representing all education regions of the state, as the first-ever Iowa Regional Teachers of the Year. The nominations were submitted by educators, students, families and fellow Iowans. Each teacher represents outstanding achievements in K-12 instruction within Iowa’s nine education regions.

Alyssa Dalsing, an elementary education teacher at Epworth Elementary in the Western Dubuque Community School, was named the Keystone Regional Teacher of the Year. Dalsing has over ten years of experience in the district working with pre-K through fourth grade students. Raised in Dubuque, she pursued her elementary education degree at Clarke University. Dalsing has served in numerous leadership roles within the district and challenges her students to think critically and creatively, connecting classroom learning to the community and world around them.

Along with Dalsing, the other Regional Teacher of the Years include Kevin Gartman, Susie Stark, Samantha Freeman, Sarah Stephens, Blake Hammond, Kaitlin Mahoney, Beth Oolman and Melanie Bloom. Each of these teachers will now serve as finalists for the 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year award, which will be announced later this year.

photo courtesy of Iowa Department of Education