Each year, the Iowa State Education Association gives out their TEAM Award to a deserving school administrator. This year, the honor went to WACO Secondary Principal, Tim Bartels.

Short for Together Educators and Administrators Make It Happen, the TEAM award is given to an individual who has worked to create a collaborative, collegial working environment for all staff in a school building or district. Recipients must be nominated for the award, after which the ISEA president, vice president, and executive director evaluate the nominations. Bartels was nominated by WACO Education Association President, Amy Langr.

Upon hearing the news that he would be receiving this year’s award, Bartels was quick to share the credit with the students and staff he works with every day. “It’s actually pretty crazy to even be considered with that. It’s just a collaborative culture that we’ve built. I’m totally undeserving of that award as an individual, so it’s definitely a group thing. It was really cool.”

Bartels began his time at WACO in 2018, and continues to foster positive relationships with his colleagues, the students, and the community. He will be presented the award at a Celebration of Excellence luncheon on August 1.