You are helping shape the future of education. Throughout your careers as educators, counselors, and leaders, you have access to a range of opportunities through the College of Education—from innovative resources and professional development to grant-supported programs that encourage growth, strengthen practice, and inspire lifelong learning.
By connecting expertise, research, and community partnerships, the college provides crucial support at every stage of your journey—helping you thrive, advancing student success, and strengthening K–12 and higher education.
The stories below highlight just a few of the ways education alumni are continuing to grow as leaders while making a lasting difference in classrooms, schools, and communities across the state. Through the college’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and strong partnerships, educators are advancing their careers and expanding their impact. Discover their stories—and explore how you can continue your own professional journey with us.
Belin-Blank Center award allows Marshalltown teacher to help young scientists grow
From bottle rockets and bath bombs to prosthetic hands and battery-powered motors, students in Beth Koester's fourth-grade class spent last fall designing, building, testing, and refining projects for the science fair.
The fair was the first of its kind at the Rogers, Fisher, and Franklin Elementary Schools in Marshalltown, Iowa, giving students in the elementary extended learning program (ELP) the opportunity to design and carry out their own scientific investigations.
The students brought boundless enthusiasm to their projects, but launching a program from the ground up required more than excitement. To get going, Koester would need resources.
“The Talent Development grant allowed us to buy all these things we needed because we were starting from scratch. I needed measuring cups, motors, tanks, a greenhouse...It was going to take a lot.”
This is where the Belin-Blank Center's Recognition Award for Talent Development made the difference. The $5,000 competitive awards support educators across Iowa in expanding opportunities for advanced learners by providing funding to create or grow innovative talent development programs. Visit belinblank.org/recognition for application dates and details.
For Koester, the grant supplied the materials that allowed students to pursue projects driven by their passions.
"Without the grant, we probably would have had to pick their projects for them. Having the grant allowed us to do it the right way — do it to the best of our ability. The sky was the limit."
The grant's impact extended well beyond the science fair. Koester also purchased three hydroponic systems — one for each elementary school she serves — allowing students to explore how plants can grow without soil.
Not every experiment went according to plan, but that became part of the lesson.
A drone broke on its first flight, inspiring one of her students to research drone quality and economics. Seven hermit crabs died over winter break, leading to a scientific debate and investigation over what led to their demise.
Through all the chaos and the learning — for her students and for herself — Koester is certain about one thing: these projects are here to stay.
“To me, this is long-term. Now I have the tanks and the materials I need. I’m very excited for next year. I’m ready to hit the ground running,”
Next year's students will bring a new set of questions, experiments, and passions. Koester's goal, however, will remain the same: challenge and inspire the bright young minds she's been entrusted to teach.
"Every kid deserves to learn something every day."
Rogers Elementary School in Marshalltown was one of seven projects funded this past year. To learn about the past year’s recipients, visit belinblank.education.uiowa.edu/students/recognition/.
Nearly 600 educators. One shared commitment: advancing literacy for every student.
The annual Iowa Reading Research Center (IRRC) Iowa Science of Reading Summit brought together educators from across Iowa and surrounding states—including teachers, school leaders, researchers, students, parents, and even Herky—to explore the latest reading research and evidence-based practices that help students become stronger readers.
Part of the College of Education and operating in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Education, the IRRC works to improve literacy proficiency for pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade students by connecting educators with research-informed strategies that make a difference in classrooms and communities. The center offers a variety of professional development opportunities year-round. Learn more at irrc.educaton.uiowa.edu under the Professional Services tab.
Scanlan Center helps build stronger student supports through lifelong learning and school partnerships
When East Ridge Elementary opened in Coralville, Iowa, in fall 2024, the school had a new building, a committed staff, and a shared vision: create a culture where every student could succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
For Principal Ryan Paulson, building that culture required more than a physical space—it required intentional systems, ongoing professional learning, and research-based strategies to support students and educators. East Ridge began its first year by implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), establishing school-wide expectations, strengthening relationships, and building a foundation for student success.
As the school looked to expand its supports, Paulson and his team participated in Advanced Tier 2 training through the University of Iowa’s Scanlan Center for School Mental Health. The professional learning experience helped the team develop more targeted approaches for students needing additional behavioral and social-emotional support.
“It only took me 90 minutes into the training to be fully bought in,” Paulson says. “What I loved about the training was that it was tangible and practical. It gave me something I could bring back into practice.”
Led by Allison Bruhn, executive director of the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health and Professor of Special Education at the University of Iowa College of Education, and Sara McDaniel, professor of Special Education at the University of Alabama, the training guided school teams in using data to identify student needs, select appropriate interventions, and create sustainable support systems.
For East Ridge, one of the most important lessons was understanding that Tier 2 support is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
“Previously, I thought the only Tier 2 intervention was Check-In/Check-Out,” says Blake Wilson, East Ridge Elementary Dean of Students. “During the training, we learned that, when using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, we can determine a more appropriate and personalized intervention for each student’s needs.”
After the training, East Ridge continued working with the Scanlan Center through coaching, team meetings, and data reviews. The school created systems to monitor student progress, evaluate interventions, and adjust supports based on student needs.
“East Ridge has been a model for taking a systems-based approach,” Bruhn says. They are putting the systems in place that allow those practices and implementation to happen.”
The results have been encouraging. Educators have seen improvements in student behavior, classroom engagement, and family communication. Students have also become more involved in tracking their own growth, building ownership and confidence in their progress.
East Ridge’s journey demonstrates how ongoing professional learning and university-school partnerships can translate research into meaningful change for students. Through opportunities like Advanced Tier 2 training, the College of Education helps educators across Iowa access evidence-based resources, strategies, and support to strengthen learning environments in their schools.
Interested in bringing research-based professional learning opportunities to your school or district? The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health offers professional development, workshops, and resources designed to support educators and improve student well-being. Contact scsmh-main@uiowa.edu or visit scsmh.education.uiowa.edu.