Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/124216
Set it... COMMUNIQUÉ E-DUES AVAILABLE NOW! and forget it! A publication of the Iowa State Education Association – APRIL/MAY 2013 – Vol. 50, No. 6 We're in it for the students We talked with 2013 Teacher of the Year, Tania Johnson, an elementary teacher and active member of the Cedar Rapids Education Association (CREA). She officially began her year in January, visiting schools across the state as an ambassador for education. She also provides a teacher's perspective to the Educator Quality Bureau of the Iowa Department of Education. In April, she spoke to the 2013 ISEA Delegate Assembly. What are your goals as Teacher of the Year? What influenced you to become a teacher in the first place? "We all make a difference in the lives of our students. Building positive relationships is very important. That one word you say to a student or that extra time you put in helping a student understand is worth it in the long run. "I hope I can talk to teachers and share their voice across the state. I have the opportunity to visit many schools and universities, meet lots of teachers and students, and I want to remind teachers they are all doing good things. We're in it for the students. Teaching is a job that can't be done alone. We need to have everyone involved in the process— parents, volunteers, and the community. Do you have any advice for teachers? Tania Johnson, the 2013 Iowa Teacher of the Year, speaks to hundreds of "In elementary school I had educators at this year's Delegate Assembly. strong, committed teachers. beginning. One of my mentors was my PE Once I decided I was going to be teacher as a student, and the other was my a teacher, they continued to be mentors for art teacher as a student. They were both me. I would come back as a college student very active in CREA. They encouraged me and visit my first-grade teacher's classroom, to become a CREA committee member for observe her teaching, and ask her questions. Protecting Members' Rights and then a state I even sat in on some of her parent-teacher committee member. I also became a part of conferences. the bargaining team in our district and started How did you become involved in the attending the Delegate Assembly each year Association? and Summer Leadership Conferences. I went to the NEA Representative Assembly for the "My first year of teaching I was cornered by first time about four years ago when it was the CREA rep who said, "Here, you need to held in Washington, D.C. and that was an sign this piece of paper – it's what you need amazing experience. to do." So I was a regular member from the IN THIS ISSUE 2 ARTS EDUCATION New Arts Education Tookit helps all educators integrate arts 6 AWARDS ISEA recognizes exceptional educators Any tips for parents? "As a kindergarten teacher, I always told my parents the most important thing to do with your child is to read. And that is still true, but it is also important for parents at all levels, to be involved in your child's education. Know what is going on in your child's classroom. Volunteer in the classroom. Be involved in PTA. Parents and teachers should be working together to prepare their students for the future." 11 LEGAL What you need to know about unemployment compensation