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Siefker Named 2021 Teacher of the Year for Sioux City Community Schools
Teaching is an act of love. It’s a profession that imparts knowledge, develops lifelong learners, and demonstrates the importance of human connection. The 2021 Sioux City Community School District Teacher of the Year embodies these qualities of the teaching profession. While he is an astute teacher of the Spanish language, his impact is so much greater than that. His students develop genuine connections with him and see him as a lifelong mentor. His teaching methods inspire curiosity and enthusiasm. And, his colleagues echo sincere sentiments of respect and admiration.
The 2021 Teacher of the Year for the Sioux City Community School District is Todd Siefker, a Spanish teacher at West High and the Sioux City Career Academy. Siefker teaches AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Spanish Literature and Culture, and Spanish II. He also coaches freshman boys basketball and girls tennis for West High.
Siefker’s colleagues assert that he is a master at balancing his teaching responsibilities, extra-curricular leadership roles, volunteerism, and family. He is described as the epitome of a hard-working teacher that juggles many responsibilities effortlessly while always demonstrating kindness and respect for others.
One of his nominators said, “Todd’s passion for life helps him make personal connections with anyone that he comes in contact with, and in turn, he earns respect from those surrounding him. He makes it a point in everyday life to let people know he truly cares.”
In the classroom, students are eager to learn and engage. Siefker works diligently to help all students embrace not just the Spanish language, but many aspects of Spanish culture, and even Spanish literature. For example, in his AP Spanish classes, students create projects videotaping themselves reading children’s books in Spanish. These videos are then shared with detained children at the border. Projects like this help students see the value in their work and learning, while also teaching significant lessons about respect, empathy, and making a difference in the world.”
“Inspiration is something that Todd exhibits every day, in every setting,” said another nominator. As a lover of language, Todd can often be seen performing raps, poetry, and narratives for his classes, the faculty, the entire student body, and even the community. He never shies away from the opportunity to use his language to inspire others. It is this willingness to speak out, to relate to others, and to share his experiences and passions that make Todd an individual who countless students, faculty members, and community members have looked to for inspiration.”
Siefker has made a tremendous and positive impact on his students, colleagues, and this District. It is a great honor to recognize Todd Siefker as the 2021 Sioux City Community School District Teacher of the Year.
Siefker has been a teacher with the Sioux City Community School District since 2004. Before joining the District, Siefker worked abroad teaching literature in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico, and ESL in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico. Sieker holds a master’s degree in teaching from Morningside College, a master’s degree in teaching 7-12 Spanish education from the University of Iowa, and a bachelor’s degree in religion from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA.
Teaching is an act of love. It’s a profession that imparts knowledge, develops lifelong learners, and demonstrates the importance of human connection. The 2021 Sioux City Community School District Teacher of the Year embodies these qualities of the teaching profession. While he is an astute teacher of the Spanish language, his impact is so much greater than that. His students develop genuine connections with him and see him as a lifelong mentor. His teaching methods inspire curiosity and enthusiasm. And, his colleagues echo sincere sentiments of respect and admiration.
The 2021 Teacher of the Year for the Sioux City Community School District is Todd Siefker, a Spanish teacher at West High and the Sioux City Career Academy. Siefker teaches AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Spanish Literature and Culture, and Spanish II. He also coaches freshman boys basketball and girls tennis for West High.
Siefker’s colleagues assert that he is a master at balancing his teaching responsibilities, extra-curricular leadership roles, volunteerism, and family. He is described as the epitome of a hard-working teacher that juggles many responsibilities effortlessly while always demonstrating kindness and respect for others.
One of his nominators said, “Todd’s passion for life helps him make personal connections with anyone that he comes in contact with, and in turn, he earns respect from those surrounding him. He makes it a point in everyday life to let people know he truly cares.”
In the classroom, students are eager to learn and engage. Siefker works diligently to help all students embrace not just the Spanish language, but many aspects of Spanish culture, and even Spanish literature. For example, in his AP Spanish classes, students create projects videotaping themselves reading children’s books in Spanish. These videos are then shared with detained children at the border. Projects like this help students see the value in their work and learning, while also teaching significant lessons about respect, empathy, and making a difference in the world.”
“Inspiration is something that Todd exhibits every day, in every setting,” said another nominator. As a lover of language, Todd can often be seen performing raps, poetry, and narratives for his classes, the faculty, the entire student body, and even the community. He never shies away from the opportunity to use his language to inspire others. It is this willingness to speak out, to relate to others, and to share his experiences and passions that make Todd an individual who countless students, faculty members, and community members have looked to for inspiration.”
Siefker has made a tremendous and positive impact on his students, colleagues, and this District. It is a great honor to recognize Todd Siefker as the 2021 Sioux City Community School District Teacher of the Year.
Siefker has been a teacher with the Sioux City Community School District since 2004. Before joining the District, Siefker worked abroad teaching literature in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico, and ESL in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico. Sieker holds a master’s degree in teaching from Morningside College, a master’s degree in teaching 7-12 Spanish education from the University of Iowa, and a bachelor’s degree in religion from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA.