Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1497360
April/May 2023 isea.org • ISEA Communiqué 2 GET TO KNOW ME GET TO KNOW ME Anne Cross Position title and school/district Des Moines Public Schools, Central Academy, High School Science (all of them). Tell us a little about yourself: I grew up in Mitchell, South Dakota - home to The World's Only Corn Palace, with my parents and three younger siblings. After graduation, I moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, to attend Nebraska Wesleyan University for undergrad where I graduated with degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology (emphasis in chemistry) and natural sciences. My first teaching job was in a little town southwest of Lincoln in Crete, Nebraska. While I was there, I got my graduate degree at my alma mater's number- one-rival, Doane College. I taught in Nebraska for four years before meeting my husband at a high school classmate's wedding. I moved to Iowa and have been teaching in my current position for 16 years. How are you involved with the union? Locally, I serve as the chair of the Government and Community Relations Committee for the DMEA. I sit on the ISEA executive board representing Capital City UniServ Unit. Also, at the state level, I serve as the chair of the Resolutions and New Business Committee. What's one skill you think everyone should have? Be a good listener. Being able to truly listen to others helps us find common ground and helps us connect with each other. Where's your favorite place in the world? I have two. My mom's kitchen and my in-laws have a place in Pentwater, Michigan, where my family spends much of the summer. If you could add anyone to Mount Rushmore, who would it be; why? I recognize that this is a major tourist attraction for my home state, but it is my least-favorite monument in the Black Hills. I prefer the monuments that honor the native people that first inhabited that sacred ground. I guess that doesn't really answer the question. Next! Who would you most like to swap places with for a day? This is tough. Maybe not so much trade places, but follow for the day. I'd love to shadow ISEA Legislative and Policy Director Melissa Peterson for a day while the Legislature is in session. Although it would be exhausting, it would be amazing to follow her around the Capitol building. What's the coolest thing you're working on now? Coolest…hmm, I'm planning a student trip to the Dominican Republic. I love watching students experience travel for the first time. They change before your eyes! Anne Cross Have some good union news to share or a colleague you'd like to acknowledge? Send A Tip of the Cap items to Mike Wiser at mike.wiser@isea.org and write "A Tip of the Cap" in the subject line. A tip of the cap Congratulations to Logan Walston and Ann Conklin, both of Vinton-Shellsburg EA and Melissa Kane of Anamosa EA for winning an ISEA swag bag, including a gift certificate to the ISEA RAYGUN webstore, by completing the ISEA website scavenger hunt. Their names were randomly selected from all members who answered the scavenger hunt questions published in the March edition of the ISEA Communique. The re-designed isea.org launched on Jan. 25 on Drupal platform. It replaces ISEA's old WordPress website which was the union's main online presence since 2016. Congratulations to North Polk's Clint Albertsen for being named the Racoon River Conference's Girls' Basketball Coach of the Year. A tip of the cap to North Scott Junior High's Jodie Brotherton who earned a $1,000 grant from California Casualty for her work with the Special Olympics. Brotherton is a special education and a past recipient of the Iowa CASE Distinguished Service Award. Shout out to all the locals who have settled contracts and those still working toward a final deal. A special recognition to Winterset ESP with finalized a deal with 5.54 percent wage increase bringing all job classifications to above $15/ hour and to the Clinton custodial group where all employees received a $1/hour bump plus insurance considerations bringing the total package to 6.72 percent. Ann Conklin Clint Albertsen Melissa Kane Logan Walston North Scott Junior High School's Jodie Brotherton holds up the $1,000 check from California Casualty which will support her efforts with Special Olympics. SUBMITTED PHOTO