Governor Terry Branstad has announced the 2016 Iowa Teacher of the Year and he’s from right here in southeast Iowa. Scott Slechta, who teaches Language Arts at Fairfield High School, is the 2016 Iowa Teacher of the Year. Slechta has taught at Fairfield High since 1984. Slechta is known for challenging his students to learn and to push their own boundaries.

In his teacher of the year application, Slechta credited other teachers for contributing to his understanding of teaching and learning.

The Teacher of the Year Award was established in 1958 and is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education.