Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/676719
April/May 2016 isea.org • ISEA Communiqué 4 FIRST-CLASS MEMBERS 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 Excellence in Education Nevada High School agriculture teacher and FFA instructor Kevin Cooper was named the ISEA's 2016 Excellence in Education winner. Runners up were Joyce Lansing of Maquoketa High School, Kathryn Richey of Tate High School (Iowa City), Laura Tracy of North Butler Elementary (Allison) and Kyle Van Ausdall of Central Lee High in Donnellson. Honored nominees were Deetta Andersen, Donnette Bastain, Cynthia Bell, Peter Clancy, Paul Derby, Douglas Dodd, Heidi Douma, Connie Droessler-Vens, Raymond Feuss, Jennifer Gavin, Kristan Hunter, Morgan Hurst, Sheryl Mariner, John Newman, Jacie O'Brien, Patti Ryan, Deena Taylor, Nikki Thies and Donna Young. Hall of Fame ISEA Retired member Nancy Porter was inducted to her high school Hall of Fame. Porter taught for more than 40 years in the Iowa City Community School District. The Thomas Jefferson High School (Council Bluffs) recognized Porter for her contributions in and out of the classroom. She's active in the ISEA, the Johnson County League of Women Voters, the Altrusa International Club, United Nations Association of Iowa and the National Education Association Peace and Justice Caucus. Creative of the Year The Des Moines Register named Des Moines Education Association member Emily Lang the "Creative of the Year" for her work in co-founding the slam poetry group RunDSM. The award goes to an individual who is "using his or her creative ideas to spur changes within the workplace or immediate community and within the broader Des Moines region." Members of RunDSM gave a performance at the ISEA Delegate Assembly in April. National Recruit The National Education Association tapped Professional Staff Association of Northwest AEA and Siouxland UniServ Unit President Marlin Jeffers to be part of its Early Educator Support Design Team. Jeffers will be on a team to support services to enhance the quality of professional practice; impact student learning; and grow association membership and strengthen organizational capacity. Additionally, he will assist in developing a unique, effective, and NEA-owned new professional learning product for educator support that could be implemented by state and local affiliates, schools, and classrooms across the country. Women of Excellence Sally Hartley, an early childhood consultant, and Judy Turner, an early childhood nurse, both members of the Professional Staff Association at Northwest AEA were both nominated for the 32nd Annual Women of Excellence Award which recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of women from the Siouxland area. Hartley went on to win the Women Striving to Improve the Quality of Life Award. Coach of the Year Maggie Willems, a high school social studies teacher, coach and Iowa State Education Association member, was named the Character Counts 2016 Coach of the Year. The award honors a recipient who embodies the six pillars of character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring & Citizenship. Willems coaches both volleyball and track and field in Mount Vernon. Her volleyball teams have reached the state tournament several times and her track and field team placed second in Class 2A in 2015. Sally Hartley Emily Lang Maggie Willems Marlin Jeffers Judy Turner Excellence in Education Winner and Runners Up (l-r) Joyce Lansing, Kathryn Richey, Kevin Cooper, Laura Tracy and Kyle Van Ausdall stand for a photo at the Iowa State Education Association Excellence in Education dinner on May 3, 2016. 2016 Summer Leadership Conference July 25 & 26 at Prairie Meadows Events and Conference Center in Altoona, Iowa. Join us for the 2016 Iowa State Education Association Summer Leadership Conference and take charge of your career. We help members become stronger association leaders, instructional leaders and policy leaders. Sign up before the school year ends at www.isea.org ISEA Members: Leading the Nation. Leading the Profession.