Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/561083
September 2015 isea.org • ISEA Communiqué 4 FIRST-CLASS MEMBERS ISEA members earn Presidential Awards of Excellence Decorah High School's Allysen Lovstuen and Central (Des Moines) Academy's Brian Reece were the two Iowa recipients of Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. President Barack Obama named 108 winners – two from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories and the Department of Defense Education Activity Schools – last month. Asked to give an insight to her teaching methods by officials at the Iowa Department of Education, Lovstuen said she tries to make her students arrive at answers themselves to bolster their confidence. "I love letting the students see the power of math as a tool and the creativity and beauty of math that most people who never go into math don't ever see," she said. The awards are the nation's highest honors specifically for K-12 teachers of math and science. "The work these teachers are doing in our classrooms today will help ensure that America stays on the cutting edge tomorrow," Obama said in a news release in conjunction with the announcement. Winners receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation, which can be used at their discretion, and are invited to Washington, D.C., for an award ceremony and events. The awards alternate between recognizing elementary and secondary teachers, and this year focuses on educators who instruct grades 7-12. ESTA recognizes ISEA members The Iowa Academy of Science recognized Iowa State Education Association members with their Excellence in Science Teaching Awards. The award recognizes individuals who are on the cutting edge of curriculum development and instructional practices in their field and have taken leadership roles in their schools. DeEtta Andersen is a teacher at Center Point Urbana High School. She was recognized for General Excellence in Science Teaching. Andersen recently served on the state committee to implement the new science standards and serves as co-chair of the Teacher Quality Committee. Andersen is a pilot teacher for Da Vinci aeronautics software and founded the Biology Club at her school which sponsors a community-wide STEM event for children each year. The academy also recognized Ames Middle School teacher Collin Riechert with the Physical Sciences award and Iowa City Community School District's Thad Sheldon of City High School for his work in the Life Sciences field. The Excellence in Science Teaching Awards were first offered in 1969. Winners are honored at a luncheon at during the Iowa Academy of Science annual meeting and each receives a plaque and a $200 award. Delany is 2015 PE Teacher of the Year Iowa State Education Association member and Ankney middle school teacher Brett Delaney was named the 2015 Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Iowa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. The IAHPERD selection committee considered Delaney's work at PE4Life conventions, designing and organizing new curriculum, establishing a partnership with Farrell's Extreme Bodyshaping to secure donated equipment and training for PE department staff as part of their professional development. IAHPERD provides leadership and support for the enhancement of movement, leisure and health related programs central to healthy, active lifestyles and lifelong learning. They work toward a goal in which all students in grades K-12 receive daily, quality health and physical education taught by certified/ licensed/highly qualified health and physical education teachers, in class size and time periods equivalent to other core subjects. Allysen Lovstuen Brian Reece Collin Riechert Thad Sheldon Brett Delaney DeEtta Andersen UNPOPULAR MOVES Gov. Terry Branstad's veto of critically needed public education dollars didn't sit well with a majority of Iowans as this August poll by Public Policy Polling shows. The governor's overall popularity also took a hit in the aftermath of the vetoes – which also included slicing funding from two state mental health institutions. According to the poll, the usually popular Branstad was underwater with a 42/47 job approval/disapproval rating. Most Iowans value supporting public school students and education professionals. Quick STAT Source: Public Policy Polling *Because of rounding, percent total doesn't add up to 100 IOWA VOTERS ON GOV. BRANSTAD'S VETO OF $56 MILLION IN K-12 FUNDING 57% DISAPPROVE 29% APPROVE 13% NOT SURE* First Class Members showcases the good works of Iowa State Education Association 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