Northwestern alumna receives teaching award

Ashlee (Eiesland) Koedam, a 2013 Northwestern College graduate, was recently named the recipient of the Barb Schubert Award by the Iowa Council of Teachers of English (ICTE).

The award honors a new teacher, classified as having less than four years of experience as an instructor, for demonstrating excellence in the classroom.

Koedam, who teaches English at West Lyon High School in Inwood, Iowa, was nominated for the award by her colleague Miranda Metzger. A committee sifted through nominations and selected Koedam the winner.

“I love seeing my students ‘get it,’” says Koedam. “English isn’t every teenager’s favorite subject, and often times kids come in with poor attitudes and a lack of confidence. But I’ve seen a lot of great things happen this year with students having good conversations about the content of my class, which shows me they are learning something that will help them become more successful in their futures.”

As part of her award, Koedam will be presented with a framed certificate.

“I was not surprised to hear that ICTE gave this award to Ashlee,” says Kim Van Es, lecturer in English at Northwestern. “As a student, Ashlee was a learner and a leader. She has the creativity, vision and implementation skills to make good things happen.”

“Northwestern prepared me to teach in a lot of ways,” says Koedam. “The English department taught me how to think critically and communicate well. And since the department challenged me, I learned that I shouldn’t be afraid to challenge my students. I am a better teacher if I push them out of their comfort zone, not try to teach within it.”

The ICTE is the Iowa affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English, which is a professional association of educators in English studies, literacy and language arts that seeks to promote the development of literacy through the learning and teaching of English and the related arts and sciences of language.