Press Release - Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 8, 2005
Contact: Jenny Harder, 1-800-96-TEACH, hardeje@emporia.edu

NTHF Inductee Named Wal-Mart's National Teacher of the Year

WEST BRANCH, IOWA - Dr. Hector Ibarra, National Teacher Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 1998), has been named the 2005 Wal-Mart's National Teacher of the Year. 

Ibarra of West Branch Middle School in West Branch, Iowa, was selected by Phi Delta Kappa International, an international professional education association, from among all 50 State Teacher of the Year Award winners as well as a winner from Puerto Rico, to become only the 10th Wal-Mart National Teacher of the Year.

"Ibarra's impressive track record of bringing science to life for young people was a strong reason for his selection as the Wal-Mart Iowa State Teacher of the Year earlier this fall," Wal-Mart stated in a press release. "From building 'solar cars' that share the power of energy conservation, to activities that demonstrate the impact of daily activities on our environment, Dr. Ibarra is a respected leader in his field and among his students, and is nationally renowned for his work in educating students about the environment."

Born in Mexico in a home near the one-room schoolhouse where his mother was the teacher and learning to speak English in the fourth grade, Ibarra was called a role model for many by Wal-Mart representatives.

A teacher for almost 30 years, Ibarra, who teaches sixth- and seventh-grade general and earth science, was named to the 2002 All-USA Teacher Team, USA TODAY's recognition program for outstanding teachers. The reason given at the time for Ibarra's inclusion on the Teacher Team was his hands-on approach to science education. Ibarra and his students have analyzed the cost of conventional versus fluorescent lighting in the West Branch School District, studied the environmental impact of used automobile oil filters, and have coordinated a project with students in Japan that involved the construction of Lego-based rovers controlled over the Internet.

Ibarra, who holds a Ph.D., a master of science degree and bachelor of science degree -- all in science education -- from the University of Iowa, was named Wal-Mart State Teacher of the Year for Iowa earlier this year, netting a $10,000 educational grant, a personalized Teacher of the Year jacket and other prizes, as well as a one-year membership in Phi Delta Kappa. Ibarra's students at West Branch nominated him through the Iowa City Wal-Mart for the local Teacher of the Year Award before he went on to win at the state level.

He credits faculty members from the University of Iowa for encouraging him to get his Ph.D., specifically science education faculty members John Dunkhase, who coordinates the program's graduate outreach efforts, and Robert Yager, a professor for 50 years.

Since 1992, Ibarra has won nearly $500,000 in grants. And his research into his school district's lighting costs led to the district switching to fluorescent lights, saving taxpayers $1,000 a month. The project was cited by former President Bill Clinton in a 1997 speech in his address on Global Climate Change.

Ibarra has received other national honors. He participated in the Fulbright Memorial Fund Master Teacher Program. His class last year won the President's Environmental Youth Award. Ibarra's list of honors includes the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship, National Science Teachers Association Distinguished Teaching Award and the Milken National Educator Award.