Lincoln Elementary teacher honored by international teaching honorary

By Jennifer Lantz, Nashua Reporter

Dedicated, committed, caring and having the ability to adapt to the ever-changing challenges in the classroom are just some the characteristics of a great teacher.

Diane Sande, a fourth-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Charles City, won the Iowa Phi Chapter Alpha Delta Kappa Excellence in Education Award at the end of last school year.

Sande has been a member of this honorary sorority for women educators for almost 12 years and has impressed sorority President Julie DeBower so much that DeBower nominated Sande for the award.

“Diane has a fun personality, great sense of humor, works well in a team and is always encouraging others,” said DeBower. “These qualities are not only in her personal life, but also carry over to her professional life. She is exceptional at providing educational opportunities for students to learn.”

After winning the state award, Sande advanced to the regional conference which was held in Winnipeg, Canada, over the summer. Sande attended the weeklong July conference with DeBower.

Sande did not win in Canada, but both women said attending the conference was an amazing opportunity.

“I was surprised and didn’t expect it,” Sande said about the state award. “I like to challenge my students and push them to do their best.”

She said it was a shock just to be nominated, but winning the state award was another nice surprise.

Sande has been a teacher for 28 years in Charles City and has continued to advance her own educational level.

She graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and graphic design in 1984. Four years later she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from Buena Vista University and in 1996 received her Master of Education in special education at the University of Northern Iowa.

Sande is certified to teach K-6 elementary education, K-8 reading, art, Strat I, Strat II (Special Education) and behavior disability students.

Sande has been awarded more than $9,000 in different grants for her classroom, which she has used to help her purchase supplies and materials and fund field trips for her students. Some of the grants include Target, Google, Disney Planet Challenge and www.donorschoose.org.

She has been able to do some unique projects with her students like coding and STEM activities, and the grants have helped pay for flexible seating and other classroom furnishings. She encouraged all teachers to take advantage of available grants to help supplement classroom materials and supplies.

Sande says teaching her 23 students and her involvement with Math Club keep her busy, but she is also a wife and mother of six and a foster parent.

Sande lives in Charles City and is an active part of St. John Lutheran Church, a longtime member and current president of American Association of University Women and a member of Fossil and Prairie Foundation for the Fossil Park in Rockford.