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COMMUNIQUÉ A PUBLICATION OF THE IOWA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION – APRIL/MAY 2015 – Vol. 52, No. 6 IN THIS ISSUE: OPINION "Graduation" by ISEA President Tammy Wawro. IPERS Changes to IPERS MEMBERS AT WORK Going the extra mile 3 7 14 Set it... Set it... and forget it! and forget it! E-DUES AVAILABLE NOW! E-DUES AVAILABLE NOW! FOLLOW US ON: Few topics can turn a science discussion into a political squabble more quickly than climate change and evolution. So it was hardly surprising to see the politics come into play early when the Iowa Department of Education began working on a new set of standards for what's taught in Iowa classrooms. Fortunately, the group making the recommendation on the new standards included several members of the Iowa State Education Association. Educators like Jon Markus, Chris Kurtt and James Pifer whose commitment to scientific evaluation guides their decisions. Across the state, ISEA members hold sway in organizations that: advocate for school nurses; develop a new statewide evaluation system for teachers; chose a new state test for students; are tasked to create pathways for career technical education; and many other areas. It can be a difficult job. There's a lot of material to learn. Compensation is usually gas money and a sandwich, if any at all. And there can be significant outside pressure attached to some decisions. "These are people who are the closest to the students, it is so critical we have them making these policy decisions. Our members understand our core values and that is what they represent on these boards," ISEA President Tammy Wawro said. "It's also a benefit for other members because they always have someone to turn to for information if they need it. Our members are never alone." Meet 12 ISEA members who are playing a role in state policy on pages 8-11. Interested in taking a larger role in the policies that directly affect your profession? The Iowa State Education Association is always looking for qualified people who are willing to serve. Express your interest to your local president, your UniServ director and/or send an email with your name, contact information and areas of expertise to WeLead@isea.org On April 30, hundreds of educators, students, parents, business leaders, administrators, lawmakers and other supporters of public education donned pink to support of public education. The date has a special significance for those of us who work in the education field. School districts in Iowa have until April 30 to notify staff of potential cuts the following year. The #PinkApril30 campaign has its roots in this date. The idea – which came from South Central UniServ Unit Director Suzy Card – was an effort to show solidarity with education professionals and the people who depend upon them, no matter where they work or live. The response was overwhelming. People posted photos of themselves wearing pink from all corners of Iowa. The hashtag #PinkApril30 became a Twitter trending topic that day alongside such tags as #nfldraftday and #avengersageofultron. A back-of-the-napkin list of participating schools started with Altoona and ended with Woodward- Granger. The ISEA Facebook page, where many of the photos were collected and posted, received a thousandfold jump in traffic. Thank you for caring. Thank you for standing with your colleagues. Thank you for your passion, your talent and your commitment to public education. Together we stand strong, - Tammy Iowa State Education Association delegates listen to Charles F. Martin award winner Marlin Jeffers speak. Jeffers is an educational consultant for Northwest AEA. The Martin award recognizes a member who has made a significant contribution to the teaching profession through Association involvement. See pages 12-13 for a Delegate Assembly report. Wilton Elementary staff. Edmunds Elementary 5th-graders. Nashua-Plainfield upside down. Adel-DeSoto-Midburn science teacher and ISEA member Jon Markus (right) looks at his laptop during a March meeting of the Science Standards Review Team at the Science Center of Iowa. In April, the group recommended the state adopt the Next Generation Science Standards. Taking the Lead #PinkApril30 A Note from ISEA President Tammy Wawro

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• OPINION
• IPERS
• MEMBERS AT WORK