‘STEM is what Iowa needs’

A Monticello Middle School teacher who encourages his students to push boundaries and seek new challenges was recognized with a statewide award.

Dylan Shaffer, 30, teaches eighth-grade science and has helped implement new and expanded STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programming. 

Earlier this month, Shaffer was surprised in his classroom by a contingent of people to recognize him as one of six teachers in Iowa to receive the 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award. Shaffer represents the northeast region. 

“I was just starting class, and it had been a rough day,” Shaffer recalled. “My principal, Todd Werner, walked in, and then a whole hoard of people came flowing in. I recognized some of them with Iowa STEM since I’ve worked on programs with them. To come to my classroom with all the students there to help celebrate, that was a cool and surreal moment.”

Shaffer was nominated by his middle school teaching peers for the award that recognizes six teachers across the state for their contribution and dedication to science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in Iowa.

“(Dylan) is a lifelong learner, and he is always seeking opportunities to enhance the learning opportunities of his students,” said Monticello Middle School Principal Todd Werner. “His activities require students to create, problem solve, collaborate and communicate through discussions, experiments or projects … Dylan, like so many of the teachers we have at the middle school, is great because he cares about every student and he works to make a connection with students in his classes that gets them excited about learning. His excitement rubs off on those around him.”

Teaching in Monticello

The current school year is Shaffer’s second in Monticello. 

He spent his first six years in Anamosa, first teaching sixth grade before transitioning to middle school English. At Monticello, he teaches general science classes to eighth graders while also leading the charge in rebuilding the STEM program. 

The need to revamp the STEM program arose when previous curriculum became out-of-date and a bit too costly for the district to renew its license, Shaffer said. 

“I went to the principal and curriculum director and I said, ‘Do you mind if I create my own stuff?’” Shaffer said. “I have a degree in computer science and a passion for tech and STEM education. I said ‘I think I can make this happen. We can do cool things that are more cost efficient.’” 

He developed curriculum that encompassed a variety of STEM disciplines and activities, including 3D printing, graphic design, coding and engineering. 

“Some of (the students) don’t get these experiences outside of school,” Shaffer said. “They really like the 3D printer. When they are designing things on there and have a problem (to solve), we talk about how their (3D-printed) invention will solve it. I even have kids sending me files of things for me to 3D print, like stands for sports cards that they have designed themselves.”

These activities entice Shaffer, too, who said he enjoys learning some of the concepts right alongside his students -- which he said fosters connection. 

“I tell my students that sometimes this is my first attempt at teaching this to you, so having them see me go through the trials and problem solving and just learning alongside them is always a blast.”

Shaffer said he particularly enjoys middle students for their enthusiasm and general interest in their subject matter. 

“They have a lot of interests and are still for the most part interested in learning new things, playing with things and figuring them out,” Shaffer said. “… I get them while they are in middle school and can show them these cool things, so they can explore the, more in high school … They are curious about how things work and why things happen.”

These traits are not unnoticed. 

“Dylan is able to create a classroom climate were every student feels heard and supported,” Werner said. “Students know he will challenge them but also help and guide them. Dylan doesn’t tell students about STEM, he creates experiences where they interact with the learning and the students lead the process of creating, designing, sharing, revising and evaluating. Making mistakes is OK because it’s just part of the process.”

STEM for the future

This STEM curriculum has a dual purpose: It gets kids interested in certain areas of study while also beginning to prepare them for the real world after high school. 

To Shaffer, these outcomes go hand-in-hand and are important to not only Monticello, but the community at large. 

Many of the standards put into Shaffer’s STEM curriculum are designed to prepare students for employment one day. 

“We look for problem solving, collaboration and other important employable skills for them to have when they leave our district,” Shaffer said. 

The larger goal, then, is to enhance the intellectual strength of Iowa in general, he said. One of Shaffer’s goals is to get kids excited about possible jobs available to them in the Hawkeye State.

“STEM is what Iowa needs and what employers are looking for,” he said. “I see all the time that the brain drain in Iowa is ridiculous. We lose so many highly educated students and well-rounded students in STEM fields. It’s disheartening to see them leave the state, but I know there are positions in the state at all levels and varieties.”

He said the tangible outcomes from STEM -- such as students playing arcade-style video games created by their peers -- helps them realize their worth and capabilities in real time.

Celebrating

Shaffer traveled to Des Moines last week to be officially recognized as a STEM teacher of the year. 

He met with Iowa Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer, Iowa STEM officials and State Auditor Rob Sand, all with whom he spoke about the importance of STEM programming in schools.

He said he also received emails of congratulations from multiple elected officials. Rep. Steve Bradley and his wife, Candy, gave Shaffer a tour of the state capital building that included some behind-the-scenes spaces and the State Law Library. 

“It was an amazing day,” Shaffer said. “I met with the other awardees and talked about the things they are doing in their 

classrooms. It was cool to meet them as well as prominent people in our state, like (Iowa STEM Advisory Council Director) Justin Lewis.”

Shaffer looks forward to continuing the growth of Monticello’s STEM program and anticipates new topics of instruction to arise, such as artificial intelligence. 

“It will be part of all our careers,” Shaffer said. “Since (the kids) are the future leaders of our state and country, I want them to explore all these things. I am excited to expand (STEM) and improve my program and support other teachers … and help them integrate things were they can go outside the box a bit and see what students can do.”