Elsa Schmidt, the agricultural educator and FFA advisor at Mid-Prairie High School was honored on Oct. 6 with the Iowa Ag Educator of the Year Award.

The Golden Owl Award, sponsored by Nationwide Insurance, is accompanied by a monetary award of $3,000 to be used to help fund future educational efforts.

The Iowa FFA Foundation received 253 nominations for 75 different Ag teachers across the state of Iowa.

“It speaks to the quality of ag educators in the state of Iowa that we get so many nominations and such a large group of teachers that we get to choose from,” said Matthew Eddy, the state FFA advisor.

Schmidt, however, rose above them all.

“This is an incredible thing. It’s very nice to be recognized for the things that I do every day, but that’s not at all why I do these things,” Schmidt said. “I have been so blessed to be able to work here with these kids. I feel very lucky.”

Schmidt said forming relationships with her students is a central part of her teaching philosophy. She currently has 55 students enrolled in FFA but makes a point to connect with as many students as she can.

“The big thing is finding a way to connect with every kid,” she said. “It comes down to making sure that they get the opportunities they need, and that they deserve, and then helping them be able to follow through and be successful.”

High School principal Jay Strickland said Schmidt’s dedication to her students inside and outside the classroom only manages to make her a stronger teacher. He said he jokes with her that she attends as many school events as he does as an administrator, giving the students a chance to connect with her outside the classroom.

“One of her primary goals is to get kids engaged,” Strickland said. “Knowing so much about what they’re involved in, what their passions are, what their interests are outside of school, she’s able to pull all those important things into her curriculum and actually get kids excited about her content.”

During the ceremony, anonymous endorsements from former students were read about Schmidt, including one former student who said they were inspired to pursue a career in agricultural education because of the teaching of Schmidt.

“It’s very inspiring to me,” Schmidt said. “It’s one of those things that rejuvenates me and makes me excited about being able to continue to work with these students.”

Nominations for the 2020-21 Golden Owl Award are now open through December 31, 2020. Agricultural teachers from California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.