Meet Your Coordinator

Hello! I’m Heather Dutrey, your dedicated Work-Based Learning Coordinator for the South Central region of Iowa. I proudly serve the Clarke, Interstate 35, and Murray Community School Districts, helping students connect with meaningful career opportunities that align with their unique skills, interests, and aspirations.

I absolutely love my job and am passionate about empowering students to explore and achieve their career goals. Watching them grow, thrive, and discover their potential is truly rewarding.

My family and I live on a farm just south of Woodburn. We enjoy spending time outdoors and our favorite hobby is riding ATVs.  My husband is an electrician, but his true passion is our cow-calf herd.  Our oldest son is attending Mitchell Technical College in South Dakota for their Electrical Maintenance & Construction program and for the fishing! Our daughter is a senior at I-35 and is involved in everything she can fit into her schedule, including working at The Junction Creamery.  Our youngest son, a sophomore at I-35, enjoys football and dirt bikes.     

Academically, I began my studies at UNI before transferring to Simpson College, where I earned a BA in Elementary Education with a Mathematics Endorsement. I later pursued my Master’s in Educational Leadership at Creighton University and obtained a Work-Based Learning Authorization from UNI. My professional journey includes 10 years as a middle school math teacher, 4 years as an instructional coach, and 2 years as the secondary assistant principal. In 2022, I became the Work-Based Learning Coordinator for Interstate 35, and in 2024, we proudly expanded to include Clarke and Murray.

I’m excited about the bright future ahead for our students and communities. If you have questions, ideas, or successes to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m always eager to collaborate and support the amazing work happening in south central Iowa!