Ellen Recker Elected as SAI Vice President

Ellen Recker, Strawberry Hill Elementary Principal for Anamosa Community School District, has been elected vice president of School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) for the 2025-26 term. Janelle Brouwer, who was initially elected to this role earlier this year, will transition to the president-elect position due to a vacancy.

In this vice president role, Recker will serve on the SAI Executive Committee, working to advance the association’s mission of developing Iowa’s educational leaders and learners. Her term begins Sept. 1.

“I am thrilled to welcome Ellen as the new vice president of our association. With decades of dedicated membership, her leadership as an elementary principal and her active involvement in both our association and her community make her a powerful advocate for Iowa administrators and students,” said SAI Executive Director Lisa Remy.

Recker has been a member of SAI for more than 20 years, serving on Representative Council from 2008-2016 as well as volunteering on various committees. She also served on the North Iowa Community Action Organization board for two years and was a member of the Northwest Iowa Leadership Academy as a steering committee member. Her involvement on the national level includes membership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) for over a decade and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Recker has been with the Anamosa Community School District since 2020. Prior to Strawberry Hill, she served in principal roles with Hampton-Dumont Community School District, Schaller-Crestland Community School District, and Galva-Holstein Community School District.

She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Buena Vista. Her masters degree in education and principal endorsement came from Viterbo University.

Recker reflected on this opportunity. “As the newly elected Vice President of SAI, I am honored to serve this powerful organization and to champion the incredible work already in motion. I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate closely with SAI leaders, and I look forward to serving with passion and purpose. Together, we will continue to make a meaningful impact and advance the priorities that drive SAI forward.”