Des Moines Public Schools Holds Forum to Hear of Needed Changes to "No Child Left Behind"

The Des Moines School Board, along with representatives from several other metro area school districts, met with a panel of education policy experts on Tuesday evening, August 21st to consider proposed changes in the No Child Left Behind law. There were at least 30 metro area school board members and school superintendents present in the audience!

I give a great deal of credit to Des Moines Education Association (DMEA) President Alan Young for bringing about this discussion. A passion of Alan's is making needed changes to NCLB.

Major changes made in 2001 to the federal Elementary & Secondary Education Act, now commonly known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), were intended to provide greater focus on student achievement. However, several education constituencies – including state education officials, school boards, and teachers – have had concerns about the implementation of NCLB and developed recommendations for change.

“One way or another, NCLB impacts every student and every school, both here in Iowa and around the nation,” said Ginny Strong, vice president of the School Board. “Iowa is now at center stage in discussing important policy issues, and education is one that must be a top priority.”

The School Board will meet with a panel of education policy experts familiar with various proposed changes to NCLB:

· Pam Armstrong-Vogel, Iowa Assoc. for the Supervision of Curriculum Development
· Jeff Berger, Iowa Department of Education
· Margaret Buckton, Iowa Association of School Boards
· Maxine Kilcrease, Heartland Area Education Association
· Joel Packer, National Education Association

I was especially proud to have representing ISEA/NEA, Team NEA staffer Joel Packer! Alan Young of the DMEA worked with Team ISEA to bring Joel to Des Moines for this important forum.

School Board members may consider support of proposed changes to NCLB as they were encouraged to lobby our Iowa Members of Congress as the reauthorization moves forward.

U.S. Senator Chris Dodd Unveils His Plan for Education

On Thursday afternoon at the Betts Center on the campus of the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), U.S. Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut and candidate for U.S. President, unveiled his plan for education. I was honored to make the introduction for this long-time advocate for children and public education.

The event was scheduled in the middle of the day with all area school staff back in their buildings for work days, the Senator drew a most impressive crowd of enthusiastic potential caucus goers.

Senator Dodd's shared with those gathered his plan for "Restoring America’s Competitive Edge—Strengthening America’s Schools from Pre-School to College". For a copy of the full plan, go to
http://chrisdodd.com/node/2056.

Senator Dodd said something that really stuck with me, "Iowans like to pick a winner, I ask you to make a winner" as he asked for our support. Senator Chris Dodd is certainly worthy of consideration as we make the decision on the candidate to support!

Teams of School Leaders Meet for "Teacher Quality Committee Orientation"

For four days this week, school leaders from across the state gathered to participate in training provided jointly by the Iowa Department of Education (DOE), the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), and the School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) around the newly revised Teacher Quality Law. Teams gathered for training at one of the following locations: Monday, Coralville; Tuesday, Mason City; Wednesday, Council Bluffs; and Friday, West Des Moines. Leadership was provided from the partner organizations as follows, from the DOE: Deb Hansen and Chris Day; from ISEA: Dave Wilkinson, Pat Shipley, and Bob Brown; and from SAI: Dan Smith and Bonnie Boothroy. Pat Shipley of ISEA is pictured at right preparing to lead the teams of educators.

School districts were encouraged to have on their teams an equal number of administrators and teachers. The law states that the local bargaining unit will select their representatives to serve on the Teacher Quality Committee as an equal partner in making decisions regarding the expenditure and implementation of Professional Development funds with the district administration.

I attended the training in Council Bluffs on Wednesday. My "team", Team ISEA included John Phillips (on the left), UniServ Director in the Red Oak office and Kevin McDermott, UniServ Director in the Waterloo Regional office. Other ISEA staff present were Myron Halverson and Bruce Lear, UniServ Directors in our Sioux City Regional office. Also a part of our table was Margaret Buckton (at right) of the Iowa Association of School Boards. As teams from school districts had their table discussion, we too had discussions around the implementation of the revised law.

The day-long agenda included: monitoring professional development plans, determining the use of professional development funds, monitoring implementation of Teacher Quality, monitoring evaluation requirements, market factor recommendations, creating a Teacher Quality Committee, compensation for teachers on the committee, and committee functions and planning. I do believe the teams of school leaders felt their time here was well worth it!

U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton Brings Her Campaign to Council Bluffs

On Tuesday evening, August 14th I had the unique opportunity to introduce New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton at a campaign event back in my home community of Council Bluffs. My, what an honor!

By the time the gym doors were closed and the event was to begin on the campus of the Iowa School for the Deaf, over 1,100 people had gathered to hear Senator Clinton. People were actually turned away as the gym was at capacity!

It was an extra special treat to be back home among my friends and colleagues! And, as August weather in Iowa can be....it was "A Hot August Night" (okay, taking from Neil Diamond!).

As the announcer belted out, "Now please welcome Linda Nelson and the next president of the United States, Hillary Rodham Clinton", the butterflies fluttered in my stomach! I had to giggle to myself, those folks are probably wondering, "Who is Linda Nelson".

Senator Clinton, as always, did an amazing job as she delivered her message in conveying who she is an individual and also as a leader by sharing her vision of where she would like to lead our country.

Long time friends that I had the chance to reconnect with at the event are (from left to right) Dan Penkert, Kathy Penkert, Boyd Littrell, Kate Cutler, Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan and U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton.

When the event was over and the crowd was clearing, Senator Clinton posed for this photo with my friend Cookie Clapper and me. Cookie is the Grievance Chair for the Council Bluffs EA and an Intermediate Behavior Disorder teacher at Carter Lake Elementary.

Summer Conference: We Couldn't Have Done it Without Them!

I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the great Team ISEA staff that really "do it all" every day on behalf of the organization and without their extra effort at Summer Conference, it just wouldn't happen.

Randy Richardson (at right) ISEA Associate Executive Director for Field Services was our manager charged with the task of coordinating the 2007 Summer Conference. Randy rose above the challenges of a speaker canceling one week prior to the conference as well as coordinating the two presidential campaigns and their staff and all the other parts of the conference. Yeoman's work, Randy!

Working closely with Randy throughout the year and during the conference was Sheryl Ballard (on the left with me). Sheryl, Director of Affiliate Services, worked directly with the Buena Vista University Events Coordinator in making every detailed arrangement to make all parts of the conference run smoothly. As always, great work Sheryl!

Terrific support staff that were a part of the Team ISEA Storm Lake crew are: Linda Sporrer (from left to right), is a UniServ Secretary for Lincolnway UniServ Unit who works in our Des Moines Regional office; Larry Lewis, retired ISEA staff that we hire to help coordinate our special events; and Lori Boyd, UniServ Secretary in the Sioux City Regional office.

Also a part of our Storm Lake team are (from left to right): Michele Alden, Unit 2 Secretary in the Hampton Regional office; Kathy Bosovich, Secretary for ISEA Teaching and Learning in the Des Moines Regional office; and Deb Pennington, UniServ Secretary in the Des Moines Regional office working with Mid-Iowa UniServ Unit and Polk Suburban UniServ Unit.

Always pitching in to lend a hand is Cheri Swanson (at right) Secretary for Communications in our Des Moines Regional office. One of Cheri's many responsibilities at Summer Conference was to head up the ISEA Store.

Our Team ISEA crew in Storm Lake is just a fraction of the great staff effort to make sure Summer Conference is a success. Back in the Des Moines office a great deal of printing, packing, coordinating takes place. In all of our regional offices our staff work hard to encourage leaders to participate by giving scholarships and making sure they get registered for the conference. Thanks, Team ISEA for another great effort and a terrific Summer Conference!

Romney Coasts to Iowa Straw Poll Win; Huckabee, Brownback Follow

By DAVID CHALIAN
AMES, Iowa
ABC News

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney scored the first big voting victory in the battle for the GOP nomination at the non-binding Iowa Republican Party straw poll in Ames, Iowa on Saturday.

Romney scored 31.5 percent of the vote, with former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., coming in second with 18.1 percent, and Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., placing a close third with 15.3 percent.

Romney's victory was never in serious doubt. His campaign has invested millions of dollars in television advertising and organization in Iowa, and his top-tier competitors for the nomination -- Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, and the yet declared Fred Thompson -- didn't compete in the straw poll.

The lack of tough competition at the front of the pack may have somewhat lessened the overall impact of the straw poll. However, the poll still served as a test of organizational (and financial) strength among those Republicans competing and the first big step on the road to the crucial Iowa caucuses and on to the nomination.

Romney's first-place showing also allows him to grab the national spotlight -- if only for a brief moment -- which his campaign hopes will further introduce him to Republicans nationwide and help bring additional press coverage, fundraising successes and bump up his national poll numbers, which have shown a significantly lower level of support than he garners in the important early contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Most significantly, the Republican Party appears to continue to suffer from dampened enthusiasm and something far less than full satisfaction with its slate of candidates. Roughly 14,300 votes were cast in today's straw poll, which is far fewer than the nearly 24,000 cast in the last competitive Iowa straw poll in 1999, when George W. Bush emerged victorious.

It is also far off the mark of the roughly 30,000 to 40,000 votes Iowa Republican officials had anticipated. The low turnout will likely aid the McCain, Giuliani, and Fred Thompson campaigns in their expected effort to dismiss the results as insignificant.

"We are fully committed to competing successfully in the Iowa caucuses, and we look forward to continuing to campaign aggressively in the Hawkeye State," said McCain campaign manager Rick Davis in a written statement.

Giuliani's campaign suggested the straw poll did little to dislodge the former New York mayor as the Republican frontrunner.

"After tonight's straw poll Rudy Giuliani continues to be the candidate best-positioned to win the Republican nomination and the only candidate in the race who can beat the Democrats in 2008," Giuliani campaign manager Michael DuHaime said.

Top Ten Things Teachers Wish Parents Would Do

From the National PTA

• Be involved. Parent involvement helps students learn, improves schools, and helps teachers work with you to help your children succeed.
• Provide resources at home for learning. Utilize your local library, and have books and magazines available in your home. Read with your children each day.
• Set a good example. Show your children by your own actions that you believe reading is both enjoyable and useful. Monitor television viewing and the use of videos and game systems.
• Encourage students to do their best in school. Show your children that you believe education is important and that you want them to do their best.
• Value education and seek a balance between schoolwork and outside activities. Emphasize your children's progress in developing the knowledge and skills they need to be successful both in school and in life.
• Recognize factors that take a toll on students' classroom performance :

Consider the possible negative effects of long hours at after-school jobs or in extracurricular activities.

Work with your children to help them maintain a balance between school responsibilities and outside commitments.

View drinking and excessive partying as serious matters. While most parents are concerned about drug abuse, many fail to recognize that alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, and common substances used as inhalants are more frequently abused than illegal drugs.

• Support school rules and goals. Take care not to undermine school rules, discipline, or goals.
• Use pressure positively. Encourage children to do their best, but don't pressure them by setting goals too high or by scheduling too many activities.
• Call teachers early if you think there's a problem while there is still time to solve it. Don't wait for teachers to call you.
• Accept your responsibility as parents. Don't expect the school and teachers to take over your obligations as parents. Teach children self-discipline and respect for others at home -- don't rely on teachers and schools to teach these basic behaviors and attitudes.
  

Give ISEA Five!

Be a Team ISEA Five Star Local

Five Star Local Program

To apply for ISEA’s Five Star Local Program, please check each activity your local has participated in during 2007-08. Send the nomination form to your UniServ Unit office no later than April 1, 2008. The Unit winner will be named at your Unit’s Representative Assembly. Unit winners will be forwarded to ISEA and the state Five Star Local will be announced at ISEA Summer Conference.

Local association_________________________________

Date submitted_____________________

Name, telephone number and e-mail of person completing this application

_________________________________________________________

Local President signature_________________________________________

Communications

Internal Communications

_____newsletter frequency?____________

_____letter from president

_____other (please list) ________________________________

External Communications

_____newspaper articles

_____participation in community activities (parades, fund-raisers, etc.)

_____American Ed week activities

_____school board forum

_____provides information at parent teacher conferences

_____legislative forum

_____Other (please list) _____________________________________

Is there someone in your local designated as communications official? _____________

If so, who?__________________________________________________________

Advocacy

_____Local has a member rights committee

_____Local has a bargaining committee

_____Local provides information about Weingarten Rights to members

_____Local informs new employees about master contract

_____Local attended Unit bargaining training

_____Local conducted bargaining/grievance training at local level

_____Local attended at least one statewide event (summer conference, ESP Conference,

Higher Ed Conference, Legislative Conference, Delegate Assembly, etc.)

_____Local attended three or more statewide events

_____Other (please list)

______________________________________________
(name) (phone) (e-mail)

Legislative and Political Organizing

_____Local contacted legislator(s)

_____Local participated in ISEA Lobby Day

_____List the legislators contacted

_______________________________________________

_____Local is represented at School Board meetings

_____Local held School Board Forum

_____Local recruited school board candidates

_____Local communicates School Board action to members

_____Local communicates legislative action to members

_____Local has +50% participation in ISEA PAC

_____+50% of members subscribe to ISEA Hotline

_____Local averages $5 contribution to NEA Fund for Children and Education

_____Other (please list)____________________________________________

Organizational Development

_____Local has a membership committee

_____Local attended Unit membership training

_____Local ran a membership campaign

_____Local contacted every eligible employee

_____Local recruited all new employees

_____Local maintained all returning members from 2006-07

_____Local recruited one or more non-members from 2006-07

_____Local increased membership by 5%

_____Local increased membership by 5 new members

_____Local held a new member function

_____Local has Association/Building/Faculty Rep system established

_____Local held Association/Building/Faculty Rep training

_____Local held Member Benefit function

_____Local sends delegates to ISEA Delegate Assembly

_____Local sends delegates to NEA RA

_____Local has member(s) serving on Unit Executive Board

_____Local has member(s) serving on state committees

_____Other (please list)_______________________________

Teaching and Learning

_____Local has sponsored one of ISEA’s classes

_____Members from your local have attended one of ISEA’s classes

_____All mentors of beginning teachers are ISEA members

_____Local attended one of four statewide meetings about Teacher Quality Committees

_____Local attended Unit training about Teacher Quality Committees and/or Teacher Quality training

_____Local sponsors a project involving families or community in the schools

_____Local provides a scholarship

_____Local has a “buddy system” for new employees

_____Other (please list)____________________________________

Please list below any other activities which will illustrate the leadership qualities of your local:

__________________________________________________________

U.S. House Speaker Pledges to Overhaul No Child Law

By Eric Kelderman, Stateline.org Staff Writer

BOSTON - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told state legislators Congress would seek a major overhaul of the No Child Left Behind Act, which states have protested as an unfunded mandate and unprecedented federal intrusion into schools.

"So different will this bill be from the original No Child Left Behind, that we're thinking of changing it's name," Pelosi said Wendesday (Aug. 8) addressing the annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

The 2001 federal law, which has riled some state lawmakers and educators to the point of rebellion, mandates annual testing in reading and math for grades 3-8 and once during high school. The goal is to make all students proficient in the subjects by 2013-14. Schools that fail to make annual progress face a variety of penalties, from being forced to pay for tutoring to being taken over by the state.

Pelosi said the House would work to address state lawmakers' concerns that No Child is too rigid for states and provides little money to meet its goals.

“I believe you will be pleased with the legislation that is gathering strong bipartisan support. The bill will be fair and flexible, responding to legitimate concerns by you and others while fulfilling our promise to improve student performance, increase school accountability and provide students with the resources they need to learn the skills that will be crucial to their future success," she said.

David Shreve, an education analyst with NCSL, said states are mostly interested in being able to tailor their testing systems to meet their own needs, including allowing schools to use more than one kind of test to determine proficiency.

Utah state Rep. Kory Holdaway (R), a special education teacher, said that extra money from Congress would not be useful unless the law is changed to meet states' needs. "You could increase the money to the full amount {authorized} and still have the same problems," he said.
Pelosi, the first woman elected speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, also touted Congress' efforts to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for low-income children. She also pointed to more to replace National Guard equipment and protect state authority over those soldiers.

States share the costs of the $5 billion-a-year SCHIP program with the federal government and are counting on more federal dollars.

“Bringing health insurance to America’s children is a moral imperative,” Pesloi said. But she noted that significant differences must be ironed out between a U.S. House bill for SCHIP which costs $50 billion more over five years and the Senate's bill for $35 billion more.

President Bush, who has criticized the plans as “Congress’ attempt to federalize medicine,” is holding out for an increase of only $5 billion and has threatened to veto either congressional version of the bill.

Pelosi received a standing ovation for praising America’s troops serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. She said the war has presented a special challenge for states, since 80 percent of the National Guard and reservists have been deployed to the Middle East since 2001.
On top of that, the National Guard is currently equipped with only 40 percent of its authorized equipment and many stateside units may not be able to fully respond to a domestic emergency, Pelosi said.

The federal fiscal year 2008 defense bill, passed last week, provides $1 billion specifically to address equipment shortfalls in the National Guard and reserves both for overseas and domestic needs, Pelosi said.

NCSL President Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (D) of Texas said the money for the National Guard was good news for states.

"We are encouraged that the speaker recognized the authority of our governors and the states to first and foremost make sure that we have the equipment and the numbers to respond to the natural disasters," she said.

Related Stories:No Child Law faces medley of changes
Big questions loom in SCHIP fight

Saint Paul Public Schools Teacher Loses Spouse in Bridge Collapse

A beloved teacher at Hancock -Hamline University Collaborative Magnet, Jennifer Holmes, lost her husband in the I-35W bridge collapse on August 1st. He was one of the first four people identified. In addition to the tragedy the family is experiencing, Jennifer and her two young children are now facing a financial tragedy.

Colleen Johnson (Associated Healthcare Credit Union) was asked by the Patrick Holmes family to get the following information out to the public. The family is getting numerous calls and questions of where they can donate money as a memorial for Pat's children. The account has been set up at Associated Healthcare Credit Union in the Twin Cities. The information below is where to send these donations. It will be greatly appreciated and a huge help if you could share this information.

In honor of Pat Holmes, a fund has been set up for his children. People can mail donations to:

Associated Healthcare CU
360 Sherman St B-10
St Paul, MN 55102

Attn: Holmes Children Education Fund

Visit the website www.ahcu.org for more information.

Holmes, 36, was on his way home to Mounds View after a day of studying neck and back pain as an exercise therapist in Bloomington. He was married to Jennifer, his high school sweetheart at Hill-Murray in Maplewood, and was father to two children, ages 4 and 6. Holmes, who played amateur baseball in St. Paul for many years, coached his son's baseball and soccer teams. He also loved to fish, camp and wrestle with his kids. He was a terrific father and will be greatly missed!

"There's No Place Like ISEA, There's No Place Like ISEA"

UniServ Unit Two held Local Leaders' Workshops on both Monday and Tuesday of this week at Harriman's Park Shelter in Hampton. Pictured (from left to right) are our great staff in the Hampton Regional Office: Michele Alden, Administrative Assistant; Cindy Carroll, UniServ Director; and Sandra Goveia, UniServ Director. They focused the workshop around the theme of "The Wizard of Oz". I attended both days!

Local associations were asked to bring teams that included their officers and membership chairs. There was a great turnout both days; on Monday approximately 35 participated and Tuesday nearly 50!

Team ISEA leaders were challenged with "How to give your local all the courage, heart and brains to succeed! Follow the yellow brick road with us and get tips, learn skills, and map strategies to make your local association the best ever!"

I helped kick off the workshop by reviewing Team ISEA's goals from last year and the success we experienced because of the entire team effort from across the state. Our statewide membership grew by 300 in 2005-2006 and by 600 in 2006-2007. We were also successful in electing pro-public education candidates at both the state and federal level.

Local leaders introduced themselves by sharing a success from either their local association or a celebration on a personal level.

UniServ Directors Cindy and Sandra shared the following workshop objectives: create successes, provide network opportunities, evaluate local association needs, build local association capacity, member engagement in the political process, create positive community partnerships, and awareness of professional/association development.

Tables of leaders worked as teams to brainstorm then use "building blocks" on what heart, courage, wisdom, strategy, vision, teamwork, solidarity and dreams/passion meant to their local association.

ISEA's chief lobbyist, Brad Hudson, led a discussion that included celebrating 2006 election successes, the importance of staying in touch with policy makers and thanking them, and the implementation of the Teacher Quality Law.

Mary Jane Cobb of Team NEA, gave an update on NCLB as well as NEA as a resource for both ISEA and local associations.

John Heuberger (on the left) the regional representative for NEA Value Builder made a presentation followed by Josh Hinrich (at right) representing NEA Member Benefits and A + Auto.

Team ISEA Unit Two, awesome job in providing support for our local leaders! I so love reconnecting at Unit gatherings--I see so many familiar members where I've been in their classrooms or bus barns! Thanks, Unit Two leaders for all you do as leaders on Team ISEA!

Summer Conference 2007 Heard from Special Speakers

Team ISEA was treated to three special speakers throughout our three day Summer Conference while in Storm Lake.

On Tuesday evening, July 31st our first special guest was none other than Iowa's Governor Chet Culver! Team ISEA was given the chance to thank Governor Culver for his leadership in moving Iowa's education forward. We had much to celebrate with the largest appropriations in history for Community Colleges; a larger then expected allowable growth-ESP members will have the opportunity to bargain a Living Wage; and Pre-K through 12th districts + AEA's will see on an average of a $9,000 salary increase by the 2008-2009 school year AND be an equal partner with their district in making decisions on professional development.

I presented Governor Culver an ISEA T-shirt that challenges us to ask presidential hopefuls "Ask the tough questions about needed changes to NCLB". Ah, what a difference an election makes!

Our second special speaker was also on Tuesday evening. New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton received a rousing welcome from Team ISEA! Prior to Senator Clinton's arrival, it was a buzz of activity from both U.S. Secret Service staff and campaign personnel as they prepared for her visit! All the phone calls and worry that she maybe called back to Washington, D.C. for a vote on the floor of the U.S. Senate were all for naught!

It was certainly a treat for all of us to hear from Senator Clinton and truly see her "human" side--to hear stories from her heart and to see her great sense of humor! Senator Clinton certainly won some support from Team ISEA members that night!

Our final special guest spoke on Thursday morning, August 2nd at our "closing". Mrs. Michelle Obama, wife of Illinois Senator Barack Obama shared with Team ISEA the difference public educators made in her life. She shared her own stories of how numerous teachers and support professionals made her who she is today. Not only did we learn about who Michelle Obama is, but we learned about the kind of person Senator Obama is and his vision for education and our nation.

When the crowds had cleared, autographs written and photos taken, I had the chance to visit one-on-one with Michelle Obama. She is a warm, caring, and a brilliant person who would make a great first-lady (or president of the United States)!


Team ISEA is most grateful to have had the opportunity to meet and hear from each of our special guests! I'd have to say, it was a pretty terrific Team ISEA Summer Conference!

ISEA Summer Conference 2007 on the Campus of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake

A total of 341 Team ISEA members plus staff gathered in Storm Lake for our annual Summer Conference on July 31-August 1 & 2. The conference was kicked off by a performance of "Wave Length", a comedy troupe out of Chicago that lets us poke fun at ourselves in the education profession. It was their fourth return trip to Storm Lake and a real favorite of our members!

Two relicensure courses were offered this year: "I Can Do It Plus" and "Real Colors". Both staff and teacher leaders led in the instruction.






















Toni Graham, chair of the ESP Standing Committee (on left) and Joann Mackin (on the right) staff liaison to the ESP Committee teamed up as "NewBEES" for sessions specifically for our ESP members. Some of their sessions were entitled: "Living Wage-ESP" and "Addressing Needs of ESP Members".


The group at right were part of the twenty new and upcoming leaders identified for our "SPARKS" training. When I saw them throughout the conference I referred to them as our "Sparklers"! They are indeed shining examples of emerging leaders in our association!


Three Team ISEA UniServ Directors teamed up to lead sessions called "Leadership 101". Their sessions focused on: The Big Picture, Building Stronger Locals, Protecting Member Rights, Building Support for Public Education, and Being Your Own Best Advocate.

ISEA Associate Executive Director Randy Richardson (at right) led a session on "Wikis, Podcasts, and Blogs, Oh My!"


Over 65 choices for break-out-sessions were offered (in addition to the relicensure courses) during our Summer Conference! That is a whole lot of planning and team work-thanks staff and leaders for all you did (and continue to do)!