Celebrating Excellence: Ms. Cavalier Honored with UNI’s Yager Teaching Award

At the University of Northern Iowa, outstanding educators are known for shaping the future—one student, one discussion, and one book at a time. This year, we are thrilled to celebrate Ms. Kimberly Cavalier, who was awarded the prestigious Dr. Robert E. and Mary L. Yager Exemplary Teaching Award!

Recognizing exceptional dedication to student learning, this well-deserved honor included a $2,500 prize and a recognition luncheon on October 30th.

To mark the occasion, we sat down with Ms.Cavalier to talk about her passion for literature, her approach to the classroom, and her advice for the next generation of teachers.

For Ms. Cavalier, the journey into education began with a deep, lifelong love for storytelling.

"Honestly, I was drawn into English as a field first. I am a huge literature nerd and absolutely love analyzing books and media," she shares. "I loved the idea of sharing my love for literature with the next generation, so that naturally led me to teaching."

When choosing where to pursue this calling, UNI was the clear answer. Known nationwide for its premier teacher education program, UNI offered the ideal blend of academic rigor and community.

"UNI has a notoriously excellent teacher education program, and I liked the close-knit campus atmosphere as well, which made it the obvious choice of school for me. I'm so glad I chose UNI. The faculty there, especially in the Department of Languages and Literatures, is amazing. They truly helped me become a better reader and writer, and they've given me advice that I carry with me to this day."

Step into Ms. Cavalier’s classroom, and you’ll immediately feel a dynamic balance of rigor and warmth.

"My classroom culture is pretty laid back, but I keep my expectations high. I'm always trying to push kids farther than they think they can go, in terms of their literary analysis and their writing."

Rather than strict lectures, her room thrives on lively, shared exploration.

"An outside observer would probably notice that we joke and laugh a lot in my room. Reading together, having active discussion, and collaborative analysis are at the heart of my room. I think this keeps kids engaged because, hopefully, everyone feels comfortable to share their ideas and take intellectual risks."

When asked what wisdom she would share with aspiring teachers or new faculty members, Ms. Cavalier points to authenticity over imitation.

"It's hard to give advice because I think every teacher has a unique style that works for them. I've found the most success in just being myself in the classroom, rather than trying to imitate my favorite teacher, or Mr. Keating from Dead Poets Society, or a teacher down the hall, whoever it may be. Stay true to your own teaching philosophies, because that's when your classroom will feel the most authentic!"

In today's digital age, fostering a genuine connection with literature is more crucial—and challenging—than ever. For Ms. Cavalier, her ultimate goal as an educator goes far beyond exams and essays.

"I hope that kids leave my classroom with a positive relationship with literature. In our fast-paced, technologically inundated society, reading can feel daunting, and many people shy away from it. Less than 50% of American adults read one book in a year! If my students can walk away from my classes having had positive experiences with reading, then they'll be more likely to pick up a book as an adult. That's all I can hope for."

Please join us in celebrating Ms. Kimberly Cavalier for this incredible accomplishment. Her passion, authenticity, and dedication to her students embody the very best of the UNI tradition and we are lucky to have her at JCSD!