On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for State House (IA) - District 79
1007 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
Full Name:
Tracy Ehlert
Gender:
Female
Family:
Husband: Justin; 2 Sons: Daythan, Bryce
Birth Place:
San Bernadino, CA
Home City:
Cedar Rapids, IA
Master's, Early Childhood Education: Teaching & Diversity, Walden University, 2016-2017
Bachelor's, Early Childhood Education, Ashford University, 2013-2015
AS, Early Childhood Education, Iowa Valley Community College Districts, 2011-2012
AAS, Information Systems Management, Kirkwood Community College, 1996-2007
Certificate, Desktop Publishing and Web Design, Kirkwood Community College, 1996-2007
Representative, Iowa State House of Representatives, District 79, 2023-present
Representative, Iowa State House of Representatives, District 70, 2019-2022
Candidate, Iowa State House of Representatives, District 79, 2022
Member, Agriculture Committee
Member, Appropriations Committee
Member, Education Committee
Member, Labor and Workforce Committee
Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Education Appropriations
Former Member, Economic Growth Committee, Iowa State House of Representatives
Former Member, Local Government Committee, Iowa State House of Representatives
Former Member, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Iowa State House of Representatives
Accreditation Ambassador, The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), 2015-present
Level 3 Instructor, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R), 2014-present
Continuing Education Instructor, Kirkwood Community College, 2014-present
QRS Oversight Team Team Committee Member, State of Iowa, 2014-present
TEACH Early Childhood Alliance Council Member, TEACH Early Childhood, 2014-present
Early Childhood Education/Child Care Trainer, Contractor, 2013-present
Early Childhood Educator/Owner, Babies 2 Kids Learning Center, 2007-present
Permanent Building Substitute, Substitute Preschool-Grade 5 Teacher, Hoover Elementary School, 2018-Present
Committee Member, Iowa TEACH/WAGES Committee Member, 2015-present
SCAN Advocate-Volunteer, Save the Children United States, 2015-present
Ambassador, Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation, 2015-present
Ready to Read Facilitator, Young Parents Network, 2014-present
Processing Room Volunteer, Clotheshanger, 2011-present
Preschool Room Child Care Coordinator, Young Parents Network, 2011-present
Crisis Care Provider, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, 2009-present
Member, Early Childhood Workforce Advisory Committee, Iowa Association for the Education of Young Childrern
Member, Iowa Farm to Early Care and Education Coalition
Co-Chair, Blastoff Event, Cedar Rapids Association for the Education of Young Children, 2015
Blastoff Committee Member, Cedar Rapids Association for the Education of Young Children, 2013
Client Placement Specialist, StreamlineKids, 2011-2013
Classroom Volunteer, HeadStart, 2002-2003
Awards:
2019-Joy Corning Public Leader Award (All Democratic Women in the Iowa House were awarded this honor)
2019- Named a Changemaker for Children by Save the Children
2018- Leading for Children Innovative Idea Award Winner
2018- Named 2018 Exchange Leader by Exchange Magazine
2018- Chris Carman Friend of Children Award
2017- Received Governor's STEM Advisory Council-Scale Up STEM: Ramps & Pathways Award Winner
2016- Named in the Top 10 CACFP People of 2016
2016- Named in the Top 10 CACFP Blogs of 2016
2016- CACFP Take Action Challenge Gold Auctioneer
2016- Let's Move Child Care Innovator Award Winner
2015- Named Child Care Aware of America Provider of the Month (December 2015)
2015- Governor's STEM Advisory Council-Scale Up STEM: Pint Size Science 1 Award Winner
2015- Terri Lynne Lokoff/Children's Tylenol ® National Child Care Teacher Award Winner
Favorite Movie:
Freedom Writers
Favorite Quote:
"Do the best you can until you know better, when you know better, do better" - Maya Angelou
Favorite TV Shows:
The Fosters
Hobbies or Special Talents:
Spending time with family, volunteering and advocating for children.
Pets (include names):
3 dogs
Priority Issues:
Great jobs and better benefits, affordable and accessible health care, and leading schools.