Sioux City, Iowa – Jessie Cofield, a freshman seminar teacher at West High School, has been named the Sioux City Community School District Teacher of the Year. Cofield was recognized with the award during a surprise all-school assembly on Wednesday at West High School.
With 21 years of teaching experience, Cofield’s career in the District began in 1999 as a softball coach at East High School. In 2009, she joined West High School as an at-risk teacher. Additionally, Cofield served as a PE and keyboarding teacher in Chaska, Minnesota.
Cofield earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, and a Master of Arts from the University of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Dr. Rod Earleywine, superintendent of Sioux City Community School District, says Cofield’s ability to engage students and staff has made a lasting impact on the West High School community.
“Jessie unequivocally fosters a positive learning environment. Her tireless efforts to connect with students and co-workers has made her a valued colleague and outstanding educator,” says Earleywine. “The District is very fortunate to have Jessie on our team. She displays every quality that you would expect from an exemplary teacher.”
Each year, every school in the Sioux City Community School District selects a recipient as its Building Teacher of the Year. One teacher is selected amongst the group of building recipients to represent the District.
This year’s Building Teacher of the Year recipients include: Emily Cole, Bryant Elementary School; Desiree Shultz, East High School; Carol Heissel, East Middle School; Elise Burrows, Hunt A+ Arts Elementary School; Paige Peck, Irving Dual Language Elementary School; Taylor Wagner, Leeds Elementary School; Karla Grigg, Liberty Elementary School; Kyndra Callender, Loess Hills Computer Programming Elementary School; Jodie Mullally, Morningside STEM Elementary School; Booke Lang, Nodland Elementary School; Brooke McGlauflin, North High School; Deb Roe, North Middle School; Jim Martin, Sioux City Career Academy; Lisa Nelson, Preschool Initiative Program; Mary Duax, Perry Creek Elementary School; Nancy Staab, Riverside Elementary School; Robyn Rich, Spalding Park Environmental Sciences Elementary School; Molly Murman, Unity Elementary School; and Jamie Woodard, West Middle School.
Cofield’s name will be submitted to the Iowa Department of Education for consideration as the state’s Iowa Teacher of the Year recognition.