Joan Irene McShane

Joan Irene McShane, 83, of Bettendorf, passed away on November 5, 2020 at the Iowa Masonic Home, Bettendorf. A graveside service will be held at 10:00a.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at the Rock Island National Cemetery. Those who wish to attend should arrive at Cunnick-Collins Mortuary at 9:30a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the Handicapped Development Center. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cunnick-collinsmortuary.com

Joan was born on March 12, 1937 in Peoria, IL to Mildred (Grider) Braunagel and Joseph Henry Braunagel. Joan earned her Bachelor's degree in elementary education from Bradley University. She was united in marriage to Ivan McShane on (DATE) he preceded her in death in 2005. Joan was an elementary mathematics and science teacher for 34 years of her 48-year career, she taught at Jefferson Elementary School: the kids, most of whom she can call by name and remember a specific story about. Joan was selected to receive the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Math teaching, representing the state of Iowa. The award was presented to her by the then President Bush. She was also selected by her peers to serve as the preschool/elementary director for the National Science Teachers Association. In this role she traveled to the Association of Science Educators' Conference in Birmingham, England to share her expertise and make a presentation. In 1989 Joan received the Iowa Academy of Science Award for Exemplary Elementary Science teaching and she also received the Golden Apple Award as one of Scott County's outstanding teachers. In 1993 she was Iowa's Ambassador for Education and in 1994 she received the Milken Educator Award. Joan was field editor of 'Science and Children' a journal designed for preschool through middle school educators. She was also written up in the Congressional Record by Senator Charles Grassley. Joan had a passion for real-life hands-on teaching with her students which lead her to begin The Royal Flush, a project which allowed students to study the biodegradable characteristics of dozens of brands of toilet paper. Joan finished up her career as Jefferson's Business Manager, a job she took when the building partnered up with Edison Schools.

Survivors include her Daughter, Rosemary McShane of Davenport; and a very special group of friends that were like family to Joan; Jan Stewart, Marilee Thiessen, Linda Holton and Marsha and Mike Tangen.