Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/322788
June 2014 isea.org • ISEA Communiqué 12 LOCAL Iowa Safe Schools offers fresh courses (cont.) on understanding gender diversity. Monson has also put together an online program with Olympic speedskater, Blake Skjellerup, who was the keynote speaker at the Governor's Conference in April. Skjellerup asked his friend, Jason Collins, the first openly gay professional NBA player to join him with this summer's class. Collins, a popular player for the Brooklyn Nets, gained national attention in 2013 when he came out. In April 2014, Collins was featured on the cover of Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World". Monson has more courses in the works for the summer and the online offerings are constantly changing to meet current trends. All courses are offered at a discount for ISEA members, and are relevant for all educators working with diverse populations. Monson is always thinking outside the box and looking for ways to connect educators with young students through popular culture, social media, celebrity guests, or planning ahead to the next big topic. He knows that in order for today's students to stay interested, educators need to keep things interesting and relevant. Relevance is something that is hard to do in a fast paced culture that is evolving with political and social changes. Monson's leadership is exactly what Iowa Safe Schools needs to stay focused and in the forefront. For more information about Iowa Safe Schools, the Annual Governor's Conference, or how to sign up for an on-line, for-credit relicensure course, go to iowasafeschools.org. In Memorium We live as long as we are remembered. The ISEA Retired Committee has endeavored to honor those educators who have passed before us. If you know of a member who has died, please send their name via email to Sue Wiele: s_wiele@msn. com. Names are listed in the ISEA Retired newsletter under the "In Memoriam" section. The newsletter is published three times per year. ISEA members win Charles E. Lakin Outstanding Teacher Awards For the past six years, KMA, a radio station in Shenandoah, Iowa, and the Green Hills Area Education Agency have presented the Charles E. Lakin Outstanding Teacher Award. Two instructors within a 40-mile radius of Emerson--Lakin's hometown--receive the award each year for efforts in enticing students to come to school each day. Well known area philanthropist Charles E. Lakin commissioned KMA and the Green Hills Area Education Association to find outstanding teachers who "motivate kids to come to school each day," and see teaching as a calling, rather than a job. The program has awarded $180,000 to area teachers and their associated school districts. Recipients receive a $10,000 check and each of their schools are awarded $2,500. Award winners must be nominated by community members, peers, students, or parents and are recognized as outstanding teachers within their respective communities. The 2014 spring winners of the Charles E. Lakin Awards are ISEA members, Elementary Teacher Donna Williams from the Enarson Elementary School in Villisca and Tri-Center Middle School Teacher Brenda Chmelka. They were honored in surprise school assemblies with KMA General Manager Mark Eno, Farm Service Director Dean Adkins, Green Hills AEA Executive Director Lane Plugge and members of the Lakin family. "This award is a great honor and gives me a great sense of accomplishment. I have been teaching for 35 years, and there have been struggles. I just want all of my peers and my students to never give up and to always try to do your best. I believe if a teacher or student has difficutlites, the best way to get through to them is to work hard and try your best and good things will come your way," said Donna Williams. "I cannot express how much this award means to me as it reinforces what I love to do is respected by others. Teaching is my passion, and I love to see how much my students have grown not only in their education but also socially and personally", said Brenda Chmelka. Congratulations to both Donna and Brenda for their excellence in the classroom and their communities. Jason Collins Donna Williams accepts her award. Brenda Chmelka accepts her award. Continued from page 6