Ankeny, IA—The Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) is pleased to announce that the 2022 Michael Oates Teacher of Promise Award has been given to Tye Nyhus, a Spanish teacher in the Des Moines Public Schools. This award is conferred annually on students in teacher training programs or in early stages of their careers who have shown exceptional promise and potential to become outstanding world language educators. The award presentation was held during the 2022 Iowa World Language Association Annual Conference luncheon at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny, Iowa on Saturday October 1, 2022

Mr. Nyhus was said to have “shown himself as an exceptional teacher right out of the gates.” He creates a safe and caring learning environment for his students and he cares for them as a whole child. He incorporates things like meditation, “tech neck” stretch breaks and Spanish song breaks. He holds high expectations for his students and as a result they reach Spanish learning levels they never thought were possible. In addition he has led engaging activities and lessons that captivate his students.  We believe Mr. Nyhus is deserving of this award because even his colleagues are inspired by him. This teacher of promise stated he has landed exactly where he is supposed to be. This Des Moines Public school teacher has many more years to continue promoting collaborative learning and building excitement for Spanish in the community he is building. IWLA congratulates Tye Nyhus for all of his early accomplishments and looks forward to all he will do.