Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/322788
June 2014 isea.org • ISEA Communiqué 10 OPINION fIRST-CLASS MEMBERS Waukee educator named Top Notch waukee community School education Association member, Staci Nichols, an educator at prarieview School in waukee, was named the top notch teacher as part of the Jordan creek town center celebrate teachers Award. "Some days it is a thankless job, but to have them say thank you and know they appreciate me, they're awesome. i have great kids," says nichols. for her work, nichols received a $500 gift card to Jordan creek Mall. TAG teacher receives grant eddyville-blakesburg-fremont education Association member, Donna Bohlmann, a tAG teacher at eddyville elementary in eddyville, is the recipient of a $2,000 national education Association (neA) foundation learning and leadership Grant. bohlmann will use her grant to attend confratute at the university of connecticut in July. learning from the conference/ institute will be used to create a consortium for districts in Great prairie AeA that employ only one tAG teacher to align local tAG curriculum to the iowa core. confratute is the longest running summer institute on enrichment-based differentiated teaching. Ankeny educator inducted into Hall of fame Ankeny education Association member, Randy Daniels, a math teacher at Ankeny high School in Ankeny was inducted into the basketball officials hall of fame by the iowa Girls' coaches Association (icGA) in cedar Rapids. Randy has officiated basketball for 20 years, from 1987-2007. he has worked 11 girl's state basketball tournaments and 11 boy's state tournaments, including one boy's state championship in 2007. "Randy has been instrumental in the lives of kids for many years as a teacher, coach, and official. he is a professional educator and takes great pride in everything he does," said brent buttjer, Ankeny high School athletic director. Rotary Club names educators of the year des Moines education Association member Amy Kisell, a brody Middle School science teacher, was named 2014 educator of the year by the Rotary club of des Moines for her impact both in and out of the classroom. walking into Kissell's room, visitors will find hermit crabs, insects, owl pellets, duck eggs in an incubator, milkweed bud habitats on each table and more. "i like to challenge the kids that are above and beyond the baseline while pushing the students who are our struggling learners. everyone needs to be a part of what we're doing and not get left behind or bore," Kissell said. in addition to Amy Kissell, three other des Moines education Association members were honored. Amy Erwin, Madison elementary School; Mindy Euken, Roosevelt high School; and Karen Sissel, lincoln high School. principals at each school nominated the teachers, and each teacher completed a written narrative describing the aspects of how their teaching proves excellence in education. A Rotary club committee selected the finalists with each honoree receiving a commemorative clock, $1,000 and a traveling plaque to hang at the respective school. Music Teacher wins national award cedar Rapids education Association member, Storm Ziegler, a music teacher at Kennedy high School in cedar Rapids and director of Kennedy's award winning show choir, happiness, inc., was awarded national director of the Year at the Show choir nationals competition in early April in birmingham, Alabama. Students submitted dozens of letters nominating Ziegler for the honor. "Music education, since it's not a core subject is often not thought of as being important. but it's extremely important," Ziegler said. "i tell parents i don't teach music, i teach life, and music is my tool." happiness, inc. was named third runner-up at the national competition. if you or a colleague has received an award or recognition, let us know! Just email jhessburg@isea.org or mail to: iSeA, 777 third St., des Moines, iA 50309. SPREAD THE NEWS Continued from page 4 Continued from page 3 A wonderful gift (cont.) to teach and inspire excellent math students because you have inspired me." So, just when you think that the end-of-school fever has gotten the better of your students. Just when you think they cannot take another lesson, or are more interested in their iphone than in your study guide, please remember Katie's words. Know they are listening and watching us. Know they are in our hands. Know they are waiting for us to enlighten them and awaken their wondrous minds. And, don't get me wrong, the mugs and ornaments are wonderful. Appreciation in any form is amazing. i still have room on my holiday tree for another apple, and can always restock. but, a heartfelt letter from a student expressing their thanks and what they are doing with what they learned is this teacher's idea of heaven!