Mount Pleasant leader named 2026 Central Office Administrator of the Year
Dr. Angie Butler, director of instruction with the Mount Pleasant Community School District, has been named the 2026 Central Office Administrator of the Year by School Administrators of Iowa.
“Dr. Angela Butler exemplifies the excellence we strive for in school administration. Through strong instructional leadership, she has built a culture of continuous improvement while empowering educators across her district. Her commitment to clarifying expectations and providing thoughtful, responsive support serves as a model for central office administrators across Iowa,” said SAI Executive Director Lisa Remy.
With nearly 20 years of experience in K-12 education, Butler’s start as a special education teacher rooted her passion for equity and access for all students. It also led her to synthesize her core values into the acronym P.A.R.I.S.: Passion, Authenticity, Respect, Integrity and Synergy. These values guide her decision-making, while Eiffel Tower images around her office serve as a daily reminder of her purpose.
After seven years as a special education teacher in Burlington, Iowa, Butler transitioned to a coach coordinator role, followed by associate principal and principal positions in the same district. She then served as director of special education for Washington Community School District for one year before accepting her current role in 2022.
In addition to her work in Mount Pleasant, Butler is an adjunct instructor at both Viterbo University and Mount Mercy University, and serves as an intern supervisor for Viterbo.
She earned her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in 2023. Prior to her doctoral work, she obtained advanced studies certificates from UNI and a Master of Arts in education with a special education endorsement from Morningside College. Her undergraduate degree and elementary education K-6 certification are from Iowa Wesleyan College.
One reference noted the impact of her work on the Portrait of a Panther initiative.
“One of Dr. Butler’s most visionary contributions is the development of our district’s Portrait of a Panther," the reference said. "Through intentional collaboration with teachers, students, families and community members, she led the effort to identify the core competencies we believe every graduate of MPCSD should embody. Her leadership didn’t stop with the vision—she partnered with instructional coaches, teachers and administrators to build proficiency scales and a scope and sequence for classroom implementation, ensuring that the Portrait lives beyond a poster and is embedded in daily practice.”
Peggy Murphy, the 2025 Central Office Administrator of the Year, led the selection committee. “Angie was one of four accomplished and respected candidates for this award. Angie provides outstanding leadership to Mount Pleasant through her deep commitment to equitable access for all students. Angie continually builds collective teacher efficacy through leading the district’s work on Classroom Standards of Practice, their New Teacher Mentoring Program, and her facilitation of Instructional Rounds. Angie prioritizes people while building sustainable processes that have a positive impact today and will guide the district well into the future. Congratulations, Angie!” Murphy said.
Reflecting on the recognition, Butler said she is honored to be recognized by her peers.
“I have the privilege of working with some of the most compassionate, creative and hardworking educators in Iowa,” Butler said. “Serving alongside leaders who believe deeply in doing whatever it takes to support student success makes this complex work incredibly meaningful and worthwhile. I am especially grateful to be part of such an outstanding district and a strong, supportive Mount Pleasant community that truly values its schools and students.”
Iowa’s Administrator of the Year award recipients will be honored at the SAI conference in August.