DES MOINES, IA (09/24/2009)(readMedia)-- Sergeant Major Michael Matson, a Junior Army Reserve Officer Training Corp (JROTC) teacher from Davenport Central High School, is a 2009 Excellence in Education Award runner-up. The award is sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), the Iowa Farm Bureau, WHO Radio, KDSM Fox 17, and STAPLES. Juhl was among a top field of over 70 teachers?all nominated by colleagues, students, parents, and community members because of the difference they make every day in the lives of Iowa's schoolchildren.

"This award is truly about recognizing the educators who work hard on a daily basis and rarely get the recognition they so richly deserve," said Chris Bern, president of the ISEA. "All of the nominations are a testament to the dedication and compassion Iowa educators have for their students and demonstrate how educators go above and beyond the scope of their work and change the lives of the students they teach."

Mike was the instructor who started the JROTC program at Davenport Central High School and has a deep commitment to shaping the cadets into strong, self-reliant leaders who are responsible citizens. Basic to the program is improving the cadets' ability to communicate both orally and in writing?something that was successfully demonstrated in spades as Mike's nominator was a former student who wrote a superior essay outlining Mike's special abilities and love for his career.

"Clearly Mike taught his young students well as demonstrated by the young man who wrote to nominate Mike," Bern said. "The essay was compelling in that the young man's story was tough, but it was also a testament to Mike's skills as a compassionate leader and teacher who clearly cares about his students. Mike is in a tough field, but manages to show a tender side that gets through to his kids and they respond to him. He obviously has affected many lives for the better and that's what this award is all about. We are very proud to count him among the education professionals who go to work each and every day, helping kids and shaping the future."

Now in its eleventh year, the 2009 Excellence in Education Award honors the countless educators across the state that, like Mike Matson, go the extra mile to make a difference. Nominations were solicited beginning in August through September 16, and forms were available from the ISEA and at local county Farm Bureau offices.

Matson will receive a gift certificate from STAPLES during an awards ceremony and banquet on Tuesday, October 20, at the Hy-Vee Hall in downtown Des Moines, courtesy of the Iowa Farm Bureau.

The winner of the 2009 Excellence in Education Award is Nancy Kunickis, a language arts teacher at Laurens-Marathon Community Middle School in Laurens. Other runners-up are Annette Baker, an English teacher at South Hardin High School in Eldora; Mike Earll, a vocational agriculture teacher at Sibley-Ocheyedan High School in Sibley; and Tim Juhl, an instrumental music teacher at North Butler High School in Greene.

All of the nominees, along with the individuals who nominated them, are invited to attend the awards banquet at no charge. The Iowa Farm Bureau will also provide free tours of the Iowa Hall of Pride, located within the Hy-Vee Hall.

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