Deadline approaches for Gold Star award

With Gold Star Awards coming up fast, students will have a shot at recognizing teacher who have made big impacts in their lives.

This year R.J. McElroy Trust and KWWL television will celebrate their 27th award ceremony which will recognize those teachers with the Gold Star Award for Outstanding Teaching, an award that 10 outstanding teachers throughout this area will receive. They receive a $1,000 cash award and the title of being a Gold Star teacher. More than 350 teachers have received this award, and last year one CFHS teacher received this award.

Math teacher Rich Strike, who has been teaching for 34 years, received this award last year. Regarding his biggest inspiration to become a teacher Strike said, “My dad was a math teacher for 35 years, and out of those 35 years, he was my teacher for three years.”

After learning of the award, Strike said, “I was beyond surprised and truly honored.”

“Our goal is to affirm the importance of the teaching profession in our communities,” said Dr. Stacy Van Gorp, McElroy Trust Executive Director.

Nominees must hold a current teaching certificate, be non-administrative staff and be teaching at a state certified preschool, elementary, intermediate or high school approved by the Iowa Department of Education and located in Black Hawk County.

To nominate a teacher, students can fill out a form on the Gold Star Teachers website www.GoldStarTeacher.com by Feb. 20. The teachers will be notified and will have to submit an application by March 2.