Sioux Central agriculture teacher Melanie Bloom is the 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year. The governor and Department of Education director made the announcement during an assembly at the school in Sioux Rapids Monday morning. Bloom says she was shocked when she learned she was named the Iowa Teacher of the Year.
The Teacher of the Year award recognizes exceptional teachers who demonstrate excellence in the classroom, and who have made a significant impact on student outcomes and their fellow educators. The Teacher of the Year will spend the year traveling the state to work with other teachers.
Bloom said her favorite part of teaching is seeing student’s faces light up and smile when they solve a problem. Bloom has been a teacher for 16 years. She established Sioux Central’s first full-time agriculture program, and serves as the F-F-A advisor. Bloom says keeping up with the technology and changes in the ag industry is a challenge.
Bloom was one of nine Regional Teacher of the Year winners who were finalists for Teacher of the Year. The Iowa Teacher of the Year award was established in 1958.
