Lone Tree

The Lone Tree gym was filled with excitement last Wednesday as the crowd waited to hear that one of its own, Jessica Howard, had been named the 2027 Iowa Teacher of the Year.

Howard was also recently named the Grant Wood Regional Teacher of the Year.

During last week’s ceremony, Howard was joined by Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow and Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer, who attended on behalf of Gov. Kim Reynolds. The 2025 and 2026 Iowa Teachers of the Year, Melanie Bloom and Stephanie Pritts, also attended.

Howard wears several hats within the district. She teaches middle school and high school business and computer science and serves as a concurrent enrollment instructor through the district’s partnership with Kirkwood Community College. She also advises Lone Tree’s National Honor Society and Business Professionals of America chapters and coaches the esports team, which recently won a state championship in Valorant.

Howard has worked at Lone Tree for the past 10 years. After receiving the award, she was overwhelmed with emotion. 

“I couldn’t speak, and I started crying. My heart was beating so fast, but of course, I said yes,” Howard said. “I’m so, so happy that I did.”

She also reflected on her time at Lone Tree and described her approach to teaching.

“My approach to teaching, especially when it comes to business and career and technical education, is to make it real-life focused,” 2027 Iowa Teacher of the Year Howard said. “If I am teaching something, it has to have real-life implications that prepare students for the world they are going to live and work in. I see my students as capable, compassionate, dedicated members of our community, and in turn, they start to see it in themselves and produce the solutions that are needed.”

Although she could not attend the ceremony, Reynolds praised Howard for helping students develop skills that will prepare them for life after graduation.

“Jessica Howard goes beyond teaching content by helping students become solution-oriented, active problem solvers, and that’s exactly how we prepare the next generation with durable skills that will serve them long after graduation,” Governor Reynolds said. “She uses hands-on learning to prepare students to succeed in Iowa’s high-demand, high-skill and high-wage jobs, teaching from a place of real-world experience. This is what exceptional teaching looks like and I am grateful for teachers like Jessica who help prepare Iowa students for success.”

Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow said Howard understands the importance of showing students that there are multiple paths to success. 

“Jessica, who changed careers from business to education a decade ago, knows firsthand the importance of empowering all learners with multiple pathways to postsecondary success, ” Snow said. “Now, with the support of incredible educators like Jessica and their industry partners, nearly 60% of students are attaining a work-based learning experience while in high school. Every day, Jessica works as an education entrepreneur to change lives, empower her community and strengthen her local economy, and we are proud to congratulate her with this honor."

Cournoyer also spoke during the ceremony, highlighting Howard’s willingness to volunteer and support activities throughout the district.

“What sets her apart is her willingness to support school initiatives and seek opportunities for students,” Cournoyer said. “Through her work with Business Professionals of America, National Honor Society and esports, she serves as a mentor and role model who encourages students to grow academically.”

Howard said receiving the statewide honor means a great deal to the Lone Tree community.

“It means so much to me,” Howard said. “Being from a small town like Lone Tree and having the opportunity to put it on the map has been my lifelong goal.”

Howard is also a former STEM Teacher Award recipient and has helped several students find success in their careers.

“I have had multiple students turn their business plans into reality—a coffee shop, a landscaping company, a coaching and mentorship program, a digital marketing company,” said Howard. “I have been very lucky in my various careers to create a network of support so that I can pass that support to my students. I push my students outside of their comfort zones, but I am also there to support them as they need it.”

Howard did not initially plan to become a teacher, but she said each of her career experiences eventually led her to education.

“No matter what I did, everything led me back to education and showed me that I belonged in the classroom,” Howard said. “I’ve never considered myself a perfect teacher, but this recognition shows that my work matters and that even students from a small school can make an impact on the world.”

Howard also became Lone Tree’s first esports coach and recently led the Lions to a state championship in Valorant. She said she began coaching to give students another activity they could enjoy.

“I was fortunate to have the support to build our esports program from the ground up,” Howard said. “We have reached the playoffs and brought home a banner every year because I’m highly competitive and always want us to put our best foot forward.”

Howard plans to remain active within the district and continue growing as an educator. She also looks forward to watching her youngest child, who is in seventh grade, graduate from Lone Tree while continuing to support her family and students.

“I want to ensure they leave a lasting legacy while continuing to provide the best possible support for my students,” Howard said.