Maquoketa language arts teacher selected as Iowa's Teacher of the Year

Jane Schmidt, an eighth-grade literacy and language arts teacher at Maquoketa Middle School, is Iowa's 2014 Teacher of the Year.

Gov. Terry Branstad and Iowa Department of Education Director Brad Buck were on hand in Maquoketa for the announcement Friday afternoon.

Schmidt, who has been teaching for 33 years, was one of six finalists for the honor. They will attend a luncheon on Friday, Nov. 8 in Altoona in recognition of their achievement.

Iowa's 2013 Teacher of the Year and Cedar Rapids Community School District educator Tania Johnson, as well as individuals from various education organizations throughout the state, helped select this year's honoree.

As Teacher of the Year, Schmidt will travel throughout the state as an education ambassador.

Schmidt is in her first year as a teacher mentor for her colleagues at Maquoketa Middle School, where she's taught since 1997. She has also held positions in the Davenport Community School District and the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency.