The Iowa Department of Education has named Merrill Middle School teacher Blake Hammond one of Iowa’s first nine Regional Teachers of the Year and a finalist for the 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year award.

Blake Hammond has more than two decades of experience inspiring young minds with creative lessons that keep students engaged, excited and eager to learn. His colleagues praise his lessons that integrate real-world events to enhance student understanding of science and his collaboration with the larger education community.

“Mr. Hammond partners with colleagues at all levels of our organization to strengthen our learning community – ensuring students read, write, and think like experts in the field,” said Kate Panek, Merrill Middle School principal. “In his classroom, all learners feel safe, welcome, and valued. Spend even just a few minutes in 6th grade Science, and you quickly know that he is an ideal representative for our state, …