Jennifer Medina of East High School has been named Iowa’s Educator of the Year by the National Speech & Debate Association.

Jennifer Medina has been named Iowa’s Educator of the Year by the National Speech & Debate Association. The national winner will be announced on March 2, 2018, National Speech and Debate Education Day.

“I am particularly honored because I was nominated by two administrators here at East, Sherry Poole (School Improvement Leader and Elizabeth Ahrens (Vice Principal),” Medina said. “It’s always nice to be recognized by people who work with you.”

Medina has taught at East for 16 years and even if everyone’s blood wasn’t scarlet, she would bleed that color.

“I’m 4th generation East,” she said proudly in the historic school’s vestibule where other names from her family are inscribed on some of the memorial plaques displayed there. “My daughter is a current student, too,” she added.

Each state winner must write a personal statement about the role that speech and debate plays in the education of a student, and explain how the environment of their classroom meets the needs of 21st century students. The due date for that assignment is December 15th. Got your homework done, teacher?

Congratulations, Jennifer, and best of luck in the nationals! National finalists will be announced next month.