Barb Schwamman is in her 8th year as Superintendent of the Osage Schools and is in her 6th year as a shared superintendent at the Riceville Schools in northeast Iowa. Before taking over in Osage, Barb served as PK-8 Principal at South Winneshiek from 2007-2015. Previously she taught/coached at Howard-Winneshiek (2000-2007) Hampton-Dumont (1996-2000) and Newman Catholic (1995-1996). She earned her principal certification from the Iowa Principal Leadership Academy and Superintendent Certification from UNI, a MA from Viterbo University and BA from University of Northern Iowa Elementary and Early Childhood Education. (2000-2007) Hampton-Dumont (1996-2000) and Newman Catholic (1995-1996).
At Osage, Barb has been instrumental in a number of STEM educational initiatives that have helped Osage become a leader in collaborative learning with the Iowa Big North Program (Osage, Charles City, New Hampton, RRMR, North Butler, RIceville, and Turkey Valley), Business Partnership Program, and helped OSAGE become a leader in Iowa in PK-12 Computer Science working with Code.org and NewBoCo. Barb has made numerous building and grounds updates with the Osage Schools a $13 million dollar renovation and expansion and $2.5 million dollar school and community wellness facility project at Riceville.
Mrs. Schwamman is an active member of SAI, having served 3 years on the Executive Committee, and serves on the Central Rivers AEA Advisory Board. She serves on the Mitchell County Economic Development Board, Osage Chamber of Commerce Board, Osage Kiwanis, and is currently in her 5th year on the Board of Control for the Iowa High School Athletic Union representing the NE Region,where she was chairperson during the pandemic. She was re-elected as the Rural Schools Advocates of Iowa NE Legislative Rep. She spent 10 years on the Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation Board. Barb serves as a mentor to many new administrators, including aspiring principals and superintendents. She is a guest speaker for UNI Ed Leadership courses, and recently named a “critical friend” for the UNI Superintendency Program. She has been an adjunct professor for Drake University, teaching summer classes to pre-service principals. She has presented at numerous conferences. Barb was a candidate for Iowa Elementary Principal of the Year in 2012. In 2018, she was awarded the Computer Science Teacher’s America (CSTA) National Administrator Impact Award winner. Mrs. Schwamman was appointed by Iowa’s Governor Reynolds to the STEM Advisory Council in 2020. Barb was nominated in 2020, 2021, 2022 Iowa Superintendent of Year and a finalist for 2021 Iowa Superintendent of Year.
She has been married to her husband, Pat for 27 years, has two children, Lucas and Libby who are both graduated from Osage HS and two Dachshunds, Max and Ruby. This active family loves to travel. In her free time Barb likes to garden, golf, boat, and travel ..Mission Statement: Giving staff the tools they need to do what is best for kids in a positive, Can do attitude where we move forward and change to get better each day! Creating a Culture of YES - where staff take risks are life-long learners
Twitter: @MrsSchwammanFB Barb SchwammanFB Osage Schools, Riceville Schools
https://www.osageschools.com/https://www.riceville.k12.ia.us/