DES MOINES - A Decorah woman was a finalists for the 2008 Iowa teacher of the year award.

Peggy Beatty, a gifted and talented teacher at Decorah Middle School, was one of four finalists. Andrew Lee Mogle, a family and consumer science teacher at Norwalk High School, won the title, Gov. Chet Culver announced last week.

Other finalists included Claudette Bees, a mathematics teacher at Hempstead High School in Dubuque; Debora Masker, a vocal music teacher at Kirn Junior High School in Council Bluffs; and Sheila Coyle, a visual arts teacher at North Middle School in Sioux City.

"The Teacher of the Year award provides an opportunity to recognize an Iowa teacher who motivates, challenges and inspires excellence," said Culver. "As a former teacher and coach, I am proud to congratulate Andy on his selection as Iowa Teacher of the Year."

"Iowa has many outstanding individuals who serve as educators," said Iowa Department of Education Director Judy Jeffrey. "This award allows us to honor not only Andy and his work, but also a profession that is truly one of the most rewarding and fulfilling."

Mogle and the finalists will be recognized at a luncheon, sponsored by Qwest Communications, to be held Oct. 26 at the Science Center of Iowa. Mogle's tenure as Iowa Teacher of the Year will run from January to December of 2008. The award was established in 1958 and is sponsored by the Department of Education through an appropriation from the Legislature. For more information on the program, visit www.iowa.gov/educate/content/view/686/664/.