2022 Teaching Award

The Waukee Community Schools Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2022 Teaching Excellence Award is Emily Orna, Spanish Teacher at Waukee High School. The Teaching Excellence Award honors one Waukee Community School District teacher who exemplifies innovation, leadership, and integrity. Teachers must be nominated by another teacher or administrator in the district.

"We had a record number of nominations of this year, and Mrs. Orna was not only nominated once, she received two remarkable nominations," said Adrianne Towe, Executive Director of the Waukee Community Schools Foundation. "It became clear to us that Mrs. Orna really exemplifies what our award is all about. She is dynamic, passionate, and enthusiastic, and our committee was really moved by what her colleagues had to say about her!"

Elizabeth Bulthuis teaches World Languages with Mrs. Orna at Waukee High School. She wrote "Mrs. Orna creates a dynamic, highly productive classroom where plenty of learning opportunities are provided, making students feel valued and accountable for their learning processes and strength increase in the language... She engages the students to learn the language and the culture to navigate the world with the multicultural etiquette needed in the 21st century."

Cary Justmann, principal at Waukee High School, also nominated Mrs. Orna. "Mrs. Orna has helped to create a complete guide, scope, and sequence set of materials for levels 1, 2, and 3 for the High School for any teacher in the district. Her lessons are exceptionally high quality designed to keep students engaged. She creates meaningful relationships with students and displays effective and efficient classroom management."

The Foundation and Waukee administrators surprised Mrs. Orna with her award this week (watch video here). She will also receive a $1,000 grant to use in her classroom. Additionally, her name has been added to the Teaching Excellence Award plaque at the District Office.

Our Foundation would also like to recognize all of the nominees across the district. Being nominated is a huge honor and we celebrate all of those who were nominated this year.  We also celebrate those who took the time to craft nominations.  Thank you for your time and effort in the name of celebrating the achievements of your colleagues.