Iowa Educator Molly Fritz Named Member of National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Prestigious 2026 Fellows Program

DES MOINES, IA (August 12, 2025) — NIET is proud to unveil the finalists for the 2026 NIET Fellows cohort, launching a dynamic one-year program to help selected educators deepen their knowledge of NIET’s systems of improvement to more effectively support the work taking place in their school and district. Among the distinguished fellows is Molly Fritz from Cornell Elementary of Saydel Community School District in Des Moines, Iowa. 

“I’m excited to invite Molly Fritz into our second cohort of the NIET Fellows Program,” said NIET CEO Dr. Joshua Barnett. “For 25 years, we have seen the work of effective educators, like those joining us in this fellows program, be the driver of success within schools, districts, and communities. We look forward to learning alongside Molly and this cohort by providing opportunities to elevate instructional practices and apply them within and beyond their classrooms.”

Fritz was one of just 11 selected out of a competitive pool of applicants from across the country. She has been teaching at Cornell Elementary for nine years - two years in fourth grade, five years in second grade, and two years as a Master Teacher, which is her current role.

“I’m so excited to be a part of this program and bring my learning back to my school and district,” Fritz said. “As I began my teaching career, I was immediately surrounded by support from my Mentor and Master Teachers. This guidance helped me grow into a successful classroom teacher, then a Mentor, and now a Master Teacher, where I have the opportunity to support and develop my own group of brand new teachers. This kind of support system is one of the key factors that make our schools so successful.”

In addition to her leadership role, Fritz provides intensive one-on-one reading interventions for students. Throughout her time at Cornell Elementary, she has served in various leadership capacities, including Induction Mentor, Mentor Teacher, and member of several school committees.

“Molly embodies Saydel Community School District's commitment to strengthening student-centered learning in her work,” said Saydel Community School District Superintendent Todd Martin. “She is an educator who elevates her colleagues each day, and we are thrilled with her selection as a member of the NIET Fellows Program. Congratulations, Molly, and we look forward to your contributions to further strengthening teaching and helping our students to excel.”

The NIET Fellows Program was created with educator effectiveness in mind, bringing together teacher leaders from partner schools nationwide who demonstrate exceptional implementation of NIET's principles, emphasizing educator excellence and advancing student success. Throughout the year-long fellowship, fellows will participate in professional development activities designed to enhance their leadership capabilities, including an introductory boot camp and involvement with two signature NIET events throughout the year - the 2026 NIET National Conference and the 2026 NIET Summer Institute. Each fellow will regionally travel to shadow NIET’s Senior Specialists while maintaining their full-time employment status, including salary and benefits, with their respective districts, while being released to participate in program activities throughout the year.

The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) is a nonprofit based in Phoenix, Arizona, that serves states and districts nationwide. For 25 years, NIET has partnered with schools, districts, states, and universities to build educator excellence and give all students the opportunity for success. NIET’s initiatives, including the TAP System, teacher and leader development, school improvement, rubric and observation systems, and educator preparation, have impacted more than 350,000 educators and 3.5 million students across the U.S. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are proud to honor our partners’ success and share the results of intentional, sustained investments in educator effectiveness. Learn more in our anniversary report, Building Educator Excellence: 25 Years of Impact. 

Read more about the NIET Fellows Program and meet the other 2026 fellows on the NIET website.