The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners: Shaping Education Standards and Addressing Contemporary Challenges
The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality and integrity of education within the state. This body is responsible for issuing licenses to teachers, support staff, and administrators, ensuring that educators meet specific standards and qualifications. The BOEE's work is essential for fostering a positive and effective learning environment for students across Iowa. The Board's meeting location, unless otherwise noted, is the Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50319.
Licensing and Endorsements
Individuals seeking to teach in Iowa must hold a current teaching license, granted by the BOEE. These licenses are issued based on recommendations from Iowa colleges and universities with programs approved by the Iowa Department of Education. The Teacher Licensure structure in Iowa provides for the issuance of difference licenses with endorsements in various teaching, service, or administrative areas. The endorsements specify the subject, service, or administrative area, and the grade level at which the teaching, service, or administrative services may be performed. All University of Northern Iowa practitioner preparation programs have Iowa Department of Education approval.
Key Issues and Legislative Actions
The BOEE's work is often intertwined with legislative actions and evolving educational priorities. Recent events highlight the board's involvement in various critical issues:
Citizenship Verification
Iowa senators have recently approved bills related to citizenship verification using federal information. The Senate approved Senate File 2203 in a 34-13 vote Wednesday, requiring the secretary of state to verify the citizenship status of each registered voter using the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database.
Educator Conduct and Disciplinary Actions
The BOEE is also involved in addressing educator conduct and ensuring a safe and respectful learning environment for students.
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Politically Motivated Violence: A bill to revoke or deny educator licenses and certificates for people found “publicly celebrating” politically motivated violence - including the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk - was amended by the House Education Committee to include new language related to student protests. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners is now being sued for soliciting complaints about teachers who made negative public comments about Charlie Kirk in the wake of the conservative activist’s death last fall.
Student Grooming: Republicans on an Iowa House panel advanced a bill addressing disciplinary action against teachers who “groom” students with the intent to “exploit” them, despite concerns from some educators that the proposed language could chill innocent and helpful classroom relationships. School districts would be required to report to a state board if they take disciplinary action against licensed employees for “grooming” or abusing a student under a bill passed by the Iowa House Monday. Lawmakers approved House File 2487 unanimously.
Other Educational Initiatives
The Iowa House sent two bills containing Gov. Kim Reynolds’ education priorities to her desk Thursday, including restricting some school books, prohibiting LGBTQ and gender-identity topics in classrooms and reducing some curriculum and educator credential requirements. House lawmakers gave Senate File 496 and Senate File 391 final approval Thursday. The Iowa House approved an amended version of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ “parental rights” bill Tuesday, returning it to the Senate for consideration of changes related to “age-appropriate” schoolbooks and parental notification of students socially transitioning in schools.
Iowa school districts could hire religious chaplains to counsel students under a bill given preliminary approval Tuesday in a House subcommittee. House File 2073 advanced after the Tuesday meeting; a Senate subcommittee passed its version of the bill, Senate Study Bill 3092, last week.
Board Members and Their Backgrounds
The BOEE comprises individuals from diverse educational backgrounds, each bringing unique expertise to the table.
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Chad Janzen, Chair: Superintendent of the Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District since July 2022. Previously served as superintendent in Rock Valley, IA. Earned a bachelor’s degree from Augustana University in 1997, a master’s degree in school administration from California State University, Northridge, and an education specialist degree at the University of Sioux Falls.
Kathy Behrens, Vice Chair: A 4/5 Resource teacher at Kuemper Catholic Schools in Carroll. Appointed to the board in 2015. Completed graduate and post-graduate work at Buena Vista University. Has served in several leadership roles at Kuemper Catholic Schools, including the Building Assistance Team and the Building Leadership Team. Has endorsements in Reading, Early Childhood, and Coaching.
Pam Bleam: Elementary Counselor at Manson Northwest Webster CSD. Has been in education for 35 years. Earned a BA in Elementary Education from BVU and an MA from Morningside College in school counseling. Has an administrative license from Prairie Lakes Leadership Academy in Pocahontas.
Miranda Brus: School counselor at Brody Middle School in Des Moines since 2023. Previously worked as a school counselor at Perry Middle School in Perry, Iowa, for 13 years. Received an undergraduate degree in secondary education from Drake University and a master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Iowa.
Davis Eidahl: Superintendent of the Solon Community School District since 2015. Earned a BA from Coe College and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Drake University in 2011. Previously served as a teacher or administrator in Williamsburg, Davis County, and Ottumwa.
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Jennifer Sammons: Regional Administrator for the Prairie Lakes AEA Storm Lake office since 2017. Prior to that, she was a special education consultant with Prairie Lakes AEA for five years. Began her career as a special education teacher at Sioux Central Community School in 1997. Earned a BA in Elementary and Special Education from Buena Vista University in 1996 and an MA in Education Leadership and Policy Studies from Iowa State University in 2011.
Eric St Clair: Legislative liaison for the Iowa Department of Education. Has experience and expertise in a range of fields including concurrent enrollment, career and technical education, and various higher education areas including community college accreditation, finance. and policy. Attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2010. Earned a Masters in Public Policy degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 2013.
Dan Zylstra: Head of Schools at Pella Christian schools since 2022. Earned a BA in Music Education from Dordt University, a MA in Educational Administration from the University of Illinois, and an EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy from Indiana University. Prior to his work at Pella Christian, Dan served in both urban and rural communities as a public school music teacher, a principal, and a superintendent in the state of Indiana.
Meeting Schedule and Accessibility
The BOEE holds regular meetings to discuss and decide on important matters related to education in Iowa. Here's a glimpse of the meeting schedule:
- Aug. 7, 2026
- June 18-19, 2026
- May 15, 2026
- April 17, 2026
- March 13, 2026
- Feb. 13, 2026
- Jan. 16, 2026
- Dec. 19, 2025
- Nov. 14, 2025
- Oct. 10, 2025
- Sept. 12, 2025
- Aug. 8, 2025
- June 19-20, 2025
- May 16, 2025
- April 11, 2025
- March 14, 2025
- Feb. 14, 2025
Agendas, minutes, and supporting documents from these meetings are typically available online, providing transparency and allowing stakeholders to stay informed about the BOEE's activities. For example, the following documents are available for the February 13, 2026 meeting:
- 2026-02-13 Board of Educational Examiners Agenda (150.1 KB) .pdf
- 2026-02-13 BOEE Tabs B and D (4.75 MB) .pdf
- 2026-02-13 BOEE Tab C (138.74 KB) .xlsx
tags: #Iowa #Board #of #Educational #Examiners
