By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
ACGC Instrumental Music Director Kyra Babcock is competing for a prize that would help ACGC’s instrumental music program, and she needs your help. Babcock has entered a contest called “America’s Favorite Teacher.”
However, Babcock is not in the competition for selfish purposes. Although the winner will receive $25,000 and a trip to Hawaii, Babcock said if she wins, she plans to “donate 100% to my school’s instrumental music program.”
Babcock explained her reason for entering the competition.
“Schools are experiencing financial hardships, and fine arts programs struggle to stay afloat. As an instrumental music teacher, finding ways to raise money for instrument replacements and other equipment can be tricky,” she said. “I’m the kind of person who isn’t afraid to go big and bold, which is what drove me to enter a nationwide competition called ‘America’s Favorite Teacher.’ ”
Currently, Babcock is a leading vote getter, but the competition is fierce. If Babcock wins, ACGC would also hold an assembly with Bill Nye (“The Science Guy”), and the ACGC Library would receive $1,000.
Anyone interested can visit the program website, https://americasfavteacher.org, and Babcock’s program website, https://americasfavteacher.org/2026/kyra-babcock.
The current voting for the top five ends at 7 p.m. PDT on Thursday, April 16 (that is 9 p.m. here in Iowa). Anyone can vote for free once a day. Donations also equate to additional votes ($10 equals 10 votes, and so on).