Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/437906
December 2014/January 2015 isea.org • ISEA Communiqué 4 FIRST-CLASS MEMBERS National honors Iowa State Education Association members are finalists for the Presidential Award for Mathematics. The finalists are: - Ann Johnson, a second-grade teacher at Sageville Elementary School in the Dubuque Community School District - Molly Sweeney, a multi-age teacher at the Downtown School in the Des Moines Public School District - Janna Bjork, a former third-grade math teacher who now teaches kindergarten English as a second language at Perry Elementary School in the Perry Community School District - Tamara Bane, an instructional coach at Winterset Senior High School in the Winterset Community School district One mathematics award winner may be selected to represent Iowa. The Presidential Awards are the nation's highest honor specifically for kindergarten through 12th- grade teachers. More than 4,300 teachers have been recognized with a Presidential Award since it was established in 1983. Senger makes a difference National School Band and Orchestra named West Des Moines Education Association member and Southwoods Freshman High School/Valley High School teacher Michele Senger as one of "50 Directors Who Make a Difference." The award recognizes one teacher from each state, who is nominated by current and former students, colleagues and peers, parents and others who have first-hand experience with the music programs each directs. Senger, a 20-year veteran of the classroom, has 152 students in her instrumental music program. "I hope to inspire a lifetime love of music in my students. I encourage them to play for enjoyment and have music in their lives as an outlet for artistic expression," Senger said when asked how she hopes to make a difference in students' lives. "It is my hope that they will be motivated to listen to music, attend concerts, and become educated, supportive, and appreciative audience members." Frazenburg leads the way The Lemelson-MIT Program selected Davenport West High School team, Endotherm, as one of 15 schools nationwide to receive a $10,000 grant as part of its 2014-15 InvenTeam initiative. The 13-student Endotherm, all juniors and seniors involved in Project Lead the Way, are working on an electronic bracelet that prevents vehicular heat stroke in children and pets. The team is lead by Davenport Education Association member and Technical Education Teacher Jason Frazenburg. Franzenburg told the Quad-City Times he first heard about the grant opportunity from friends. "We've been looking at it for a few years, but I thought this is the right group to go for it," he told the Times. "These kids, they've all proven themselves along the way." You can follow the Endotherm team on their Twitter account @endotherm or check out their website www.endotherm.org. Lee gets human rights award The city of Sioux City awarded Iowa State Education Association member Flora Lee with the War Eagle Human Rights award for her efforts to improve human rights in Sioux City. In addition to her work with the Northwest Area Education Agency, Lee is president of the Sioux City Chapter of the NAACP and serves on the Celebrating Community Steering Committee there. Lee was the first African-American woman elected to the Sioux City Community School Board where she served for 12 years and served as board president. She's currently a member of the boards of UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's and the Siouxland Youth Golf Association. Tops in Shenandoah The Shenandoah Education Association named Jennifer Cole as Teacher of the Year. Cole, a 10-year veteran of the classroom, teaches government, AP government, PBS and sociology classes at Shenandoah High School. She's also served as student council sponsor, FIRST-CLASS MEMBERS Jason Frazenburg Flora Lee Jennifer Cole SPECIAL EDUCATION in IOWA Public school students needing special education services make up between 10 to 15 percent of the student population, on average, in the state's nine Area Education Agencies. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners has proposed a change to the way Iowa's special education teachers are licensed. Opposition from Iowa State Education Association members to the proposal forced the BOEE to modify the proposal. Discussions on final licensing requirements continue. QuickSTAT *Source: Iowa Department of Education 10% 14% 15% 2011 2012 2013 13% 12% 11% Great Prairie Keystone Green Hills Prairie Lakes Miss. Bend Grantwood 14.57% 10.17% Area 267 Heartland Northwest Continued on page 14 First Class Members showcases the good works of Iowa State Education members from across Iowa. Secure a grant? Chosen to advise the governor? Organize a backpack drive? There are countless ways our members make their students, their schools and their profession stronger. Share their story at communications@isea.org