The College of Education will combine its celebrations of Educators Day and Family Weekend with a number of ceremonies and educational events.

The festivities begin Friday with a visit from Gail Wortmann, Iowa’s reigning Teacher of the Year, said Ann Thompson, professor of curriculum and instruction.

Thompson said Wortmann will be meeting with ISU faculty and several curriculum and instruction classes. Wortmann will also host a seminar, which is open to the public, at 2 p.m. Friday, in Lagomarcino Hall.

“She’ll be talking about two things, the first being teaching as a profession and her views on what makes an outstanding teacher,” Thompson said. “The other [is] the use of technology in the classroom to improve science education.”

Cathy Curtis, alumni officer for the College of Education, said other Educators Day and Family Weekend events will take place Saturday, starting with a pre-game tailgate.

Teachers, administrators and school board members who had been recognized throughout the state for excellence in their fields will be honored, Curtis said.

There will be another ceremony on the field during halftime of the football game.

ISU President Gregory Geoffroy, Ted Stilwill, director of Iowa Department of Education, and Walt Gmelch, dean of the College of Education, will join the educators on the field “to symbolize a K-16 partnership in education,” Curtis said.

“We want to emphasize the importance of inter relationships among those groups with higher education,” she said.

Curtis said the events aren’t only for the educators – students are welcome to come as well.

The students are given the chance to meet face to face with the people who are shaping educational policy, she said.

“Many of our students aspire to be great educators themselves,” Curtis said. “This gives them a chance to visit with leaders who are role models for the students.”