BVU Graduate Earns Top Iowa Superintendent Honor
School Administrators of Iowa laud Storm Lake Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Stacey (Weaver) Cole ’96, Superintendent of the Storm Lake Community School District, was named the 2023-24 Iowa Superintendent of the Year by the School Administrators of Iowa.
“Dr. Stacey Cole is deserving of this award as evidenced by her determination, dedication, and love for all the students she serves. Stacey is committed to nurturing the Storm Lake school community, acknowledging their contributions, celebrating their students and families, fostering future leaders, and producing unconventional solutions. She inspires countless students, teachers, and community members to show up as their best selves. Dr. Cole exemplifies educational stewardship,” said SAI Executive Director Lisa Remy.
Cole has served as the Storm Lake Superintendent of Schools since 2018. She was previously Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment with the Fort Dodge Community Schools. Her career began as a Special Education and At-Risk teacher at Schaller-Crestland in grades 9-12.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from Buena Vista University, master’s degree from Southwest Minnesota State University, administrator and English-language learner endorsements from Morningside University, superintendent endorsement from Iowa State University and educational doctorate from the University of Florida.
She was nominated by her peers and selected for the award by a committee of Iowa superintendents using the following criteria for measurement:
• Leadership for learning – creativeness in successfully meeting the needs of students in the school system;
• Communication – strength in both personal and organizational communication;
• Professionalism – constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team; and
• Community involvement – active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national and international issues.
Iowa’s Administrator of the Year award recipients will be honored at SAI’s Annual Conference next summer. Cole will also represent the state in the National Superintendent of the Year Program sponsored by AASA, The School Superintendents Association.
The SAI is recognizing an incredible leader whom all of us at BVU have known for quite some time, noted Dr. Brittany Garling, Dean of the School of Education.
“Dr. Cole’s commitment to students, her creativity and resolve in finding educational solutions for students, families, teachers, and staff members is unmatched. We at BVU are so fortunate to have an alumnus who enthusiastically partners with us on a variety of initiatives that range from summer school to student-teaching placements to a landmark teacher-apprenticeship program that could serve as a model for districts across the country,” Garling said. “The SAI made an excellent choice in Dr. Cole as Iowa Superintendent of the Year!”