Dr. Hector Ibarra
Educator
Year Honored: 1993
University of Iowa Belin-Blank CenterIowa City, IA
At the time of the Award, Dr. Hector Ibarra was:
TeacherWest Branch Middle School
West Branch, IA
Subject(s) taught: Science & Robotics
Biographical Information
Dr. Hector Ibarra was a 2008 Classroom Fellow at the U.S. Department of Education and is a member of the National Assessment Governing Board (2010-2014). Previously he was a middle school science teacher for 34 years and department chair in the West Branch Community School District where he taught sixth grade physical science, 7th grade earth science, and 8th grade life science. Dr. Ibarra's many innovations relate to environmental and energy awareness, bringing a community focus to projects while students apply the scientific process to real life situations. One project reduced the school's energy costs by about 70% and won national acclaim, including a mention by President Bill Clinton in his national address to the nation on global warming. He advises student teams working on projects as part of national contests. In the past twelve years over 100 students have won more than $700,000 in saving bonds as a result in winning a regional or national contest and presented in 13 metropolitan cities in the U.S. Dr. Ibarra's distinguished service as an educator has brought him a steady stream of recognition throughout the years. He was a 1993 recipient of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Presidential Award, was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 1998, and received a Christa McAuliffe fellowship. He is a past president of the National Association of Presidential Awardees in Science Teaching and the National Middle Level Science Teachers Association.