ISEA

June 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 Schenkelberg tops in Linn Members of the Metro Teacher's Association in Cedar Rapids named Judy Schenkelberg 2016 Linn County Educator of the Year. Schenkelberg teaches third grade at Coolidge Elementary School. The teacher of the year award goes to an educator who goes above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of students. STEM matters Carroll Community High School science teacher Kent Muyskens, Fort Dodge Senior High School's Ed Birkey and Southwest Valley Middle School computer and PLTW teacher Erin Wetzel were all recipients of 2016 I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Awards. The award is given to teachers "who are making a significant difference in the lives of students across the state by providing excellent curriculum, encouraging lifelong learning and inspiring a passion for STEM beyond the classroom and into the future." Armstrong attracting attention Bettendorf Middle School's Nikki Armstrong attracting attention for her expansive use of project-based learning. Her language arts students learn more than basic grammar. This spring they explored the Flint water crisis and built wooden garden boxes to hold drought-resistant plants. As fellow ISEA member Chad Uhde, who helps Armstrong with her projects, told a reporter who wrote about Armstrong's coursework, "She has these crazy ideas, and we're bringing them to life." Koch takes extra care Muscatine High School special education teacher Laura Koch arranges rides, dinner engagements and works with the high school student council to arrange an early prom dance for special education students only. Koch and a team of education support professionals treat the students to dinner and then take them to the high school where a DJ, paid for by the student council, starts the prom early for the kids. Masker is Teacher of the Year The National Patricia Behring Teacher of the year is awarded to one junior high school teacher and one high school teacher who "has shown outstanding creativity, commitment, and inspiration, in developing student interest in history education." ISEA member Debora Masker of Kirn Middle School in Council Bluffs was recognized this year in the junior high school division. The affiliate and national awards are sponsored by Patricia Behring in recognition of the pivotal role teachers play in the lives of students and to encourage creative and inspiring instruction in classrooms around the world. Winners are chosen by a team of teachers, administrators, and historians. Their work must clearly illustrate the development and use of creative teaching methods that interest students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past. Getting green in CAM ISEA members Paula Baughman, Sandy Booker and Dean Downer are bringing environmental and business sense CAM Community School District middle school's greenhouse. The three help run a program for seventh and eighth graders which exposes them to the joys, and frustrations, of raising plants. And if the students aren't performing up to snuff, they can get fired, just like in the real world. The program caught the attention of the Iowa Department of Education which had this to say "You can call it engagement. Enrichment. Whatever. The kids call it fun." Judy Schenkelberg Nikki Armstrong Kent Muyskens Paula Baughman Ed Birkey Sandy Booker Erin Wetzel Dean Downer Debora Masker Keep your private information private. Use a personal email account for your personal business, including association business. Emails sent or received on your work account are considered public documents under Iowa law. Here are some of the folks who can get copies of emails from your work account: If you use a school email for your association business, switch it now by writing keepitprivate@isea.org. Include your current email and the email address you want to switch it to. • Your principal • Your superintendent • A journalist • A parent • A student • Anybody who wants to

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