A Pella elementary teacher selected as a finalist for Iowa’s Presidential Science Teacher of the Year award was recognized among the best educators in the state Tuesday.

Jill Payne teaches 5th grade at Jefferson Intermediate School, and met Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg at the Outstanding Iowa Teachers Recognition Luncheon. Payne says she was overwhelmed by the recognition and is thankful she’s making a difference for students.

“Students are in charge of their own learning and the most important thing I can do for them – and for me – is to get them talking. There has to be open, safe space for student discourse. Only when they know and I know what they are truly thinking right now, can we plan where to go next and move forward in our understanding of the concept together,” she said.

Most recently from Pella, Joshua Steenhoek at Jefferson Intermediate won the award in 2016, and Kari Pingel did so in 2004.