SMELTZER, Barbara K.

SMELTZER, Barbara K. (Dubuque, IA- ). Educator. A graduate of DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE, and CLARKE COLLEGE with masters' degrees in reading and elementary administration, Smeltzer was the first woman to chair the Iowa Professional Teaching Practices Commission. Appointed to the commission in 1975 by Governor Robert Ray, Smeltzer served two consecutive terms unti11981 including two years as secretary and one as the chairperson.

In 1966 Smeltzer became an elementary school teacher in the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. She served as a member of the Integration Study Committee in 1987, Accommodation Strategies for the Mildly Handicapped Committee for the Keystone Area Education Agency from 1987 to 1989, Cooperating Teachers Advisory Board, and the Tri-College Education Advisory Board beginning in 1989. She has served on various committees for the DUBUQUE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION as well as serving as the organization's vice-president in 1973-1974 and president in 1974-1975. She is a member and past officer of Delta Kappa Gamma, a Society of women educators.

Among her community commitments, Smeltzer served as chairperson of the Dubuque Area Campaign and the Dubuque Area Alumni Events Committee for the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE in 1990. In the same year, she was elected to the university's Alumni Board of Directors. A member of the university's Dubuque Heritage Society, Smeltzer co-chaired the University of Dubuque Campaign in 1988 and 1989 and established and funded the RO.T.C. scholarship for outstanding cadet in the University of Dubuque R.O.T.C. program. She was a member and past officer of P.E.O., Order of Eastern Star, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was also past board member and Mother Advisor for the Order of Rainbow for Girls.

Smeltzer served ten years as secretary of the Dubuque County Republican Central Committee and in 1991 was co-chair of the Dubuque County Republican Central Committee and a member of the Second Congressional District Executive Committee. In 1974 she chaired the Teachers for (Tom) Tauke Committee. She chaired the Lipsky for lieutenant Governor Committee in Dubuque County during 1986 and the Nussle for Congress Committee in 1990. Smeltzer was a former Finance Committee chair for the Dubuque County Republican Central Committee and a member of the county's Precinct Development Committee. She was research director for the Pfaff for State Senate and the Citizens for Walters for Representative campaigns.