ISEA

COMMUNIQUÉ A PUBLICATION OF THE IOWA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION – FEBRUARY 20 – Vol. 57, No. 4 IN THIS ISSUE: Guardians of Democracy Be Counted Your Ballott 3 9 Corps to College to Classroom Making 1-on-1s Work FOLLOW US ON: By Mike Wiser, mwiser@isea.org By Mike Wiser, mwiser@isea.org see TOY on page 10 George Anderson paces at the front of Room 106 past the replica Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling fight poster fastened above the wipe board and sits on the corner of his desk, framed by a United States flag that hangs on a back wall. "What are some of the consequences of imperialism?" he asks his classroom of AP History students. A few hands shoot up. "War. The Spanish American War," one student says. "Yellow Journalism," another calls out. Sandy Mohni saw a couple problems. The Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Education Association was reeling after administration moved to strip everything it could from the master contract in the wake of the 2017 collective bargaining law changes. That was problem one. Problem two, was because of problem one. Members of HMS EA were getting frustrated. Some simply threw up their hands because they didn't want to deal. Morale was low. "I was deeply troubled by the downturn of our membership and the feeling that we could not make our voices known after what the legislature did to our bargaining powers," Mohni said. "I wanted to continue communicating with our board because I felt it would not be good for the district to not have engagement, even if it was not to our benefit." She wanted to do something, but she didn't quite know where to start. Working with ISEA UniServ Director Amy DeGroot- Hammer, Mohni decided to give the 1-on-1 conversation method ISEA promotes through its Power of We program a try. Mohni recruited some colleagues and they went door-by- door, building-by-building and followed up with phone calls in the evening. "Everyone I spoke with was very supportive. They were happy someone took the time to visit and listen," Mohni said. And, as she visited with more people, more joined and membership grew. DeGroot-Hammer said after a while, Mohni reported back the 1-on-1s were working. "They didn't give up," DeGroot-Hammer said. "They were patient. They weren't abrasive, but they were persistent … She should get so much credit because she really just picked up the pieces and stepped in as a leader." Now HMS EA is growing. Its members support the organization and the administration and school board members recognize the organization. A new superintendent recognizes this and is working with the group to set a process for communication and bargaining. Mohni's close to retirement. Her community, public education and her local have changed a lot since she first joined in 1984. It wasn't even until 1991 that Sanborn merged to make the "S" in HMS EA. But because of her work, Mohni's made sure HMS EA is going to be stronger when she leaves than it was just a few years ago, and she set an example that others can follow to do the same. John F. Kennedy High School (Cedar Rapids) teacher George Anderson discusses the Progressive political movement with students during his AP History class. Anderson, a Marine sergeant and building representative for the Cedar Rapids Education Association, is the 2020 Iowa Teacher of the Year. MIKE WISER/IOWA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION Sandy Mohni, a teacher at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School, was instrumental in building up the HMS EA after a dispiriting contract negotiation. AMY DEGROOT-HAMMER/IOWA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION George Anderson is 2020 Iowa Teacher of the Year 4

• Cover
• Guardians of Democracy
• Be Counted
• Your Ballott