2024 Sypersma Leadership and Innovation Award Winners
Grace Compton
Grace Compton is a senior at Ames High School. She has attended ITEC for the past three years, representing Team Neutrino and supporting our mission to expand STEM opportunities in our community. On Team Neutrino, she has worked as the Outreach Manager and a member of the Student Leadership Core. She plans to continue in the field of STEM by majoring in mechanical engineering in college. In her free time, she enjoy bouldering, snowboarding, and anything crafty.
Briana Goodenbour
Briana Goodenbour teaches math and computer science at Cedar Falls High School. This is her 17th year teaching. She first spent 5 years at Mid-Prairie High School and the remaining years at CFHS. When presented with the opportunity to teach computer science about 7 years ago, Briana jumped at the chance. Having always had a passion for technology, Briana thought it would be a good fit. She has really benefited from strong support from her colleague and also the UNI Computer Science endorsement program to further her learning in computer science. She loves that ability to teach courses that students choose to take and are excited to be there. Outside of school, Briana spends time with her husband and 3 boys, usually traveling from one sporting event or another.
Kelli Harris
Kelli Harris is a math teacher and 9-12 math curriculum lead at Norwalk High School. She began teaching at Norwalk in 2012 after graduating from Buena Vista University. She has a passion for creating learning experiences that are fun, engaging, and memorable, rooted in positive relationships. She enjoys making math visual for students to deepen understanding and provide clarity with tools like the TI 84 calculator, virtual manipulatives, Desmos activities, and videos. Creating efficiencies for classroom routines and for teachers with technology is something she finds fun. She loves to try new things and is currently exploring student-created videos. Kelli hopes her passion for learning and willingness to try new things is something her students take with them. Outside of school, Kelli enjoys golfing with her husband, spending time with her two young kids, and dog Orly.
Jill Isley
Jill Isley is an instructional coach and English teacher at Boone High School, where she has worked since 2011. She has 16 years of experience as an educator that includes roles as a middle school ELA teacher, high school English teacher, full-time technology coach, and speech and drama sponsor. Jill is proud to work at her alma mater in Boone and loves that her job allows her to positively impact both students and teachers. She is passionate about promoting and providing engaging learning experiences for her students and staff, and she loves the support she receives from her family, friends, and colleagues to pursue that passion.
ITEC annually seeks nominations for the Sypersma Leadership and Innovation Award. Nominees should be educators who champion the innovative use of technology across the state of Iowa. ITEC recognizes that champions exist in all areas of education. This award will recognize teachers, administrators, instructional leaders, technicians, etc.
ITEC Champions should be nominated by a colleague using the above form. You will have the opportunity to brag about your nominee’s accomplishments, contributions and impacts on their school, district or organization. You will need to provide links to one (and up to five) artifacts supporting your nomination; such as articles, handouts, websites and other materials.
Nominations are reviewed by the ITEC Awards Committee. The final selections are recommended to the ITEC Exec team for confirmation.
Please note: Vendors are not eligible.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to nominate someone for this award!