Stacey Cole, the Fort Dodge Community School District’s director of education services, was named Iowa’s 2018 Central Office Administrator of the Year by the School Administrators of Iowa, according to a press release from that organization.

“I am grateful to SAI for honoring the work of all administrators across the state,” Cole said in a written statement. “Administration and teaching are difficult careers, and I appreciate the support we get from our state and local organizations.”

She added, “I am also grateful to my staff members and the community of Fort Dodge for their willingness to always believe that success in schools is a journey and not a destination. Our teachers, administration and support staff work tirelessly each and every day to make a difference in the lives of kids, and I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of that work throughout our district.”

Cole recently accepted a position to serve as the superintendent of schools in Storm Lake.

She will continue her duties with the FDCSD through the month of June.

Cole has more than 20 years of experience in education. She previously served as grades PK-5 principal and curriculum director at Alta-Aurelia Community School District. She began her career as a high school special education teacher at Schaller-Crestland.

Her education includes a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from Buena Vista University, a master’s in educational leadership from Southwest Minnesota State University, a superintendent’s endorsement from Iowa State University, and a doctorate of education from the University of Florida.

“Stacey is an outstanding choice to represent her colleagues as the Central Office Administrator of the Year,” Roark Horn, SAI executive director, said in a written statement. “As a successful teacher, area education agency consultant and building principal, she brought a great variety of experiences to her current role. These experiences have given her the knowledge and vision to lead the team at Fort Dodge to higher levels of student achievement, while at the same time focusing on equity attainment.”

She was nominated by her peers, selected for the award by a committee of Iowa central office administrators and will be honored later this month at an awards ceremony with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.