Iowa Substitute Teacher Fired for Offering Extra Credit for GoFundMe Donations

A substitute teacher in Iowa has been fired after offering her students extra credit for donating to her GoFundMe campaign, which was intended to fund a trip to Ecuador. Stephanie Mullaley was terminated on May 29 from her position as a long-term substitute teacher for the Clinton Community School District.

Administrative Law Judge Duane Golden presided over a recent hearing regarding Mullaley's request for unemployment benefits. He stated in court documents that Mullaley informed her students during the 2025-26 school year about her GoFundMe account for educational purposes and offered them extra credit for contributions. The judge noted that some students did donate to the page.

School district officials discovered Mullaley was using her teaching position to solicit donations, leading to her dismissal. Golden ruled that Mullaley's actions constituted job-related misconduct, demonstrating a disregard for her employer's interests and making her ineligible for unemployment benefits.

According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, online records show Mullaley launched a GoFundMe to support what she described as a "unique opportunity to travel to Ecuador" with her husband in July 2026. She stated on the fundraising page, which has since been deactivated, that she would be interpreting for a medical mission team, helping to bridge language barriers to provide care. Her husband was to assist the team in any capacity. Donations were intended to cover transportation, food, and accommodation.

Mullaley promoted the fundraiser on social media, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve a community in need and asking for support, whether financial or through prayers. The fundraiser had a goal of $1,800 but only received $140 through six donations before its activity was paused. It remains unclear if Mullaley and her husband took the trip.

Mullaley had been a full-time, long-term substitute teacher. The Clinton Community School District and Mullaley have been contacted for comment.