Meet Our Teachers

Erin Sears

Erin Sears teaches at Willowbrook Elementary School in Altoona, Iowa. She believes that education is a fundamental human right and that all children deserve a good teacher. Erin uses an inquiry based approach to engage learners in the classroom. Students in her class are encouraged to think deeply and critically as they learn more about themselves, each other, and the world.

Zipporah Smith

Zipporah Smith teaches a class of 18 third-grade students at Riverwood Elementary in Des Moines, Iowa. Zipporah recommends talking with an administrator about how the lesson aligns with educational standards and bringing that lesson into each day instead of a deep dive. Zipporah emphasizes open communication and critical thinking in her classroom.

Jenny

Jenny Sinclair is a teacher at Carlisle Middle School in Carlisle, Iowa. She previously taught 4th grade at Lakewood Elementary in Norwalk, Iowa. Jenny is the 2018 Iowa Council for the Social Studies Elementary Teacher of the Year. She loves to help her students learn and think more critically about the world around them. Jenny uses inquiry to spark student interest. Her students explore a variety of historical events and contemporary issues.