Written by Alex Brooks
After 33 years in education, longtime Algona Community School District biology teacher Steve Young is preparing to close an unforgettable chapter in his life and begin a well-earned retirement. For the past 30 years at Algona High School, Young has impacted generations of students through his dedication to science education, his steady presence in the classroom, and the relationships he built with both students and staff.
Young began his teaching career in 1993 in Fort Madison, where he taught high school biology and middle school life science. Just three years later, he made the move to Algona, where he would spend the next three decades teaching biology at AHS. Looking back on his career, even he admits the length of time is hard to believe. “30 years. WOW! That is a really long time!” he said.
While Young has seen countless changes in education over the years, the relationships he formed have remained the most meaningful part of his career. He says he will miss the daily interactions with the faculty and staff the most, calling them “awesome” and crediting them for making the work worthwhile.
For Young, the greatest reward of teaching has always been seeing students succeed after graduation. He says the most satisfying part is reconnecting with former students and hearing about the lives they’ve built as adults, contributing to society. Those conversations, he says, are reminders of why teaching matters.
As retirement begins, Young is looking forward to slowing down and spending more time doing what he loves. He plans to hunt and fish more often and hopes to travel more with his family whenever possible. He says he has no concerns about staying busy in retirement. When asked if he worries about it, his response was simple: “Absolutely not!”
Throughout his career, Young has been supported by many mentors and colleagues who shaped him as a teacher. One of the most influential was Al Campbell, a middle school science teacher in Fort Madison who helped guide him through his first years in education. Young also expressed gratitude to the many staff members at Algona who supported him throughout the years. Mr. Young would also like to thank his wife Karie for her support and advice over the years.
As Steve Young retires, the Algona community celebrates not only his years of service but also the lasting impact he has made on students, coworkers, and the school district as a whole. His dedication to education and the countless lives he influenced will not soon be forgotten.