Alumnus Weld receives top College of Education honor

Jeff Weld

Jeff Weld has three degrees from the University of Iowa College of Education and returns this fall to accept one of its highest honors.

Weld earned his Secondary Education certificate in 1983, his master’s degree in Science Education in 1994, and his doctorate in Science Education in 1998. He is executive director of the Iowa Governor’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Advisory Council and an associate professor of biology at the University of Northern Iowa. He is this year’s recipient of the Yager Educational Accomplishment Honor.

The award presentation will take place Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 3:30 p.m. in the UI College of Education’s Teacher Leader Center, 140 Lindquist Center North on the UI campus. The event, which is free and open to the public, will include brief remarks from Weld and a reception from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

The Yager honor is presented each year to a UI College of Education graduate who has demonstrated significant accomplishment or innovation in the K-12 setting. It was established by Emeritus Professor Robert E. Yager, whose innovative work has helped the College of Education earn a well-deserved international reputation as a leader in science education.

Weld says his training at the UI College of Education helped him establish a strong professional reputation.

“Teachers and professors who come out of the college are leading-edge practitioners,” Weld says. “When we speak, people seem to really listen. At first it’s a little embarrassing, and then we all come to realize the rare, remarkable preparation we enjoyed.”

Weld began his career as a high school biology and chemistry teacher. He has directed the STEM advisory council, which aims to improve STEM education and expertise in Iowa, since 2011, and the Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership, a collaborative effort between the state’s three Iowa Regents institutions, since 2008.

“Jeff is a forward-thinking leader improving the state of education for all children and teachers in Iowa,” says Leslie Flynn, a clinical assistant professor of Science Education at the college who nominated Weld for the award along with some of her colleagues.

The Yager honor is one of many accolades and accomplishments on Weld’s resume. In 2007, he was named the College Biology Teacher of the Year for four-year institutions by the National Association of Biology Teachers. He has published more than 50 articles, essays, and book chapters as well as a text book, The Game of Science Education, which focuses on barriers to innovative science teaching and offers strategies to overcome them.

Emeritus Science Education Clinical Associate Professor John Dunkhase has known Weld since his high school teaching days, was his professor during his graduate studies, and continues to follow his career. He says Weld has always stood out and made an impact.

“Jeff has focused his seemingly limitless energy, considerable content and pedagogical knowledge, and unmatched interpersonal and organizational skills into literally transforming science education as well as mathematics, engineering, and technology education, in Iowa,” Dunkhase says.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the Nov. 19th awards presentation and reception, contact Cristina Cardenas in advance at 319-335-6111 or at cristina-cardenas@uiowa.edu.