ISEA

COMMUNIQUÉ Set it... E-DUES AVAILABLE NOW! A publication of the Iowa State Education Association – SEPTEMBER 2013 – Vol. 51, No. 1 and forget it! Meet the new director of the Iowa Department of Education Dr. Brad Buck, 44, is the next director of the Iowa Department of Education. Buck began his education career in 1992 as a science teacher at Parkview Middle School in Ankeny. He then became a school administrator serving in the Waukee, Hudson, and North Mahaska school districts from 1997 to 2011. He was also a past president of School Administrators of Iowa. Most recently, Dr. Buck was superintendent of the 1,300-student Saydel school district in rural Polk County since July 2011. "I started my career as a teacher in Iowa, and as an administrator I understand how critical it is to work collaboratively with teachers. Teachers are the most important part of a student's success at school, and we must do what it takes to support and strengthen these dedicated professionals. In my current role as superintendent of the Saydel Community School District, I worked with the Saydel Education Association to put in place a teacher leadership system that will improve instruction and prepare students for success. In my next role as director of the Iowa Department of Education, I look forward to working with educators and other Iowans to take teacher leadership to the next level statewide," said Dr. Buck. One of the reasons Dr. Buck was appointed to the position by the Governor is because he understands how to put a teacher leadership system in place. Working closely with the Saydel Education Association during the 2012-13 school year, he helped secure a federal Teacher Incentive Fund grant to fund the Saydel school district's teacher leadership system that begins this year. The Saydel Education Association voted overwhelmingly to implement it. "We are looking forward to working with Brad Buck in his new position as Director of the Department of Education and remain committed to our participation in conversations about how to continue improving and enhancing our public education system for all Iowa's students," said Tammy Wawro, ISEA president. Ph.D. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies—May 2006 Certificate of Advanced Studies (C.A.S.)—May 2005 Iowa State University of Iowa's 346 school districts has the option to adopt a teacher leadership system that will use the expertise of top teachers to improve instruction and raise student achievement. School districts can begin applying to the IDED for planning grants to implement teacher leadership systems in September. Dr. Buck will start his new position on or before September 1. He and his wife, Traci, live in Urbandale and have six children. SUMMER CONFERENCE A photo collage of memories 8 TRIBUTE A tribute to former ISEA President George Duvall Dissertation: A Comparative Study of the Perceptions of Novice Iowa Public School Teachers Toward the Effects of the Iowa Evaluator Approval Training Program M.Ed. Educational Administration —August 1997 Iowa State University B.A. Biology—May 1992 University of Northern Iowa Certificates Held: PK-12 Superintendent, Iowa 5-12 Principal, Iowa Evaluator Approval (New), Iowa You can follow Dr. Buck on Twitter @DrBradBuck where he follows @IowaSEA. IN THIS ISSUE 6 EDUCATION Under the 2013 education reform package, each 11 LEGAL Talk about high stakes testing!

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