tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-185793752024-03-06T23:22:05.167-06:00On The Road With Linda...Travel with the ISEA President as she visits schools and communities across the state of Iowa!ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.comBlogger536125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-30463987947329651812008-06-10T12:21:00.017-05:002008-06-10T14:29:04.958-05:00ISEA-PAC Central Committee Meets to Take Action on Candidate RecommendationsOn Monday, June 9th members of ISEA-PAC Central Committee met in Des Moine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8S9xHn5Vjkp2m3qAneSrUrZM4LnBkvyWR97aBrrHf4Uugw_xgUAezhyphenhyphen8LzXks7nBGTBlu-X7ZaFwcuFAnsMdu2RgUabgghhiv8rxThJKB4AEKMzVwmvBRzMbmdrTh_p_jiMSbaw/s1600-h/IMGP0879.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210304787985650706" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8S9xHn5Vjkp2m3qAneSrUrZM4LnBkvyWR97aBrrHf4Uugw_xgUAezhyphenhyphen8LzXks7nBGTBlu-X7ZaFwcuFAnsMdu2RgUabgghhiv8rxThJKB4AEKMzVwmvBRzMbmdrTh_p_jiMSbaw/s200/IMGP0879.JPG" border="0" /></a>s to bring forward candidate recommendations from their local interview teams.<br /><br />With a few school districts still in session, a majority of the committee came together to discuss individual races and make recommendations to our m<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpU36RToDWhyphenhyphenXA5plCWGZXo2eG0WrnI6KUYXl8OxOY9teB9vIC7CnXtOdvVRLBY8_gh534uodi1KeDOn6rHuXwzo4m6uF71cg1gWZZ4fOZAB6mwSOGx-m2VkcJKvlT_xzsSJsVMA/s1600-h/IMGP0880.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210306129817525186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpU36RToDWhyphenhyphenXA5plCWGZXo2eG0WrnI6KUYXl8OxOY9teB9vIC7CnXtOdvVRLBY8_gh534uodi1KeDOn6rHuXwzo4m6uF71cg1gWZZ4fOZAB6mwSOGx-m2VkcJKvlT_xzsSJsVMA/s200/IMGP0880.JPG" border="0" /></a>embership.<br /><br />The nineteen UniServ Units of Team ISEA have all appointed a team of four members, two (2) Republican and two (2) Democrats, to represent their membership.<br /><br /><br />The attendance at our June 9th meeting was as follows:<br /><br />Cedar Wood: 2 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjS9HrZUGNVfo6LjYIE6e92Gl19GREwQhUe-Os6OSvzS_sbHZoo8EbOSfIdXtk7XAliynGxP5vzt3mq0wVCH_OG8G30zXnJZ0IZVlvYA-KTkf-cwK2v01Q8d-N24P-pXVqwI_FIw/s1600-h/IMGP0881.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210307831393776754" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjS9HrZUGNVfo6LjYIE6e92Gl19GREwQhUe-Os6OSvzS_sbHZoo8EbOSfIdXtk7XAliynGxP5vzt3mq0wVCH_OG8G30zXnJZ0IZVlvYA-KTkf-cwK2v01Q8d-N24P-pXVqwI_FIw/s200/IMGP0881.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />DMEA: 2<br />East Central: 3<br />Geode: 1<br />Great River: 2<br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Hawkeye: 4</span></strong><br />JDC: 2<br />Lincolnway: 2<br />Mississippi Bend: 1<br />Mid-Iowa: 3 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4p2aUiPKi2n7AHOueZnMXwCHDL23KxK78DLUDylFvEMq7MgV0ctcMPWIT3eU_aVtq_BUy2SYHzAyLNgJy7N7l2f1ZO1bfnzmwberqhbJ-3BhFQ_oxLrRQ62UwPCjIPtNhyVbUA/s1600-h/IMGP0882.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210308054620783602" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4p2aUiPKi2n7AHOueZnMXwCHDL23KxK78DLUDylFvEMq7MgV0ctcMPWIT3eU_aVtq_BUy2SYHzAyLNgJy7N7l2f1ZO1bfnzmwberqhbJ-3BhFQ_oxLrRQ62UwPCjIPtNhyVbUA/s200/IMGP0882.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">NEIEU: 4</span></strong><br />Northern Pride: 0<br />Unit Nine: 1<br />Polk Suburban: 2<br />South Central: 2<br />Siouxland: 2<br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Southwest: 4</span></strong><br />Unit Ten: 1<br />Unit Two: 1<br /><br />Also in attendance in addition to myself: ISEA Vice President/President-elect, Chris Bern; ISEA Treasurer Paula Logan; NEA Director Jim Young; and ISEA Vice President-elect Tammy Wawro.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJ48_ZTQDAsJtgwPOdvCrnMRslWrMXpq2tnqKG9fjTtBs8rFrPLerQLUmDX0MkcG0yFDGDxFKHDbeZIcyMIxq3n_abw28DcqmnpFm2H8fy3hjLRA27I99qzfHsGr9Vir00Rn4_Q/s1600-h/IMGP0883.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210308582286901650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJ48_ZTQDAsJtgwPOdvCrnMRslWrMXpq2tnqKG9fjTtBs8rFrPLerQLUmDX0MkcG0yFDGDxFKHDbeZIcyMIxq3n_abw28DcqmnpFm2H8fy3hjLRA27I99qzfHsGr9Vir00Rn4_Q/s200/IMGP0883.JPG" border="0" /></a>ISEA-PAC Central Committee members heard from Team ISEA Lobbyist, Brad Hudson, on a final report of the 2008 Legislative Session before beginning our candidate discussions.<br /><br />Candidate recommendations were made in all but seven (7) state Senate races and twenty-seven (27) state House races. The body gave authority for an "Emergency Committee" to act upon candidate recommendations in the above mentioned races once the local interview teams complete their interviews.<br /><p>Members of ISEA-PAC's "Emergency Committee" are:</p><p>(D) Chris Bern, ISEA President-elect<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6gSgP64DVLRt8D98nfVTHl2V1Z2r8yWMlSTGM6S9T2fWFxrBi1TbNJVM1uA0yxKCkv09mm24Nhqyv34l0mP29gUjpkx0_uIG5H9Dd6A1lOldQ4-uA8yd8t58ygxV_AzHj14vJQ/s1600-h/IMGP0884.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210328748590766722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6gSgP64DVLRt8D98nfVTHl2V1Z2r8yWMlSTGM6S9T2fWFxrBi1TbNJVM1uA0yxKCkv09mm24Nhqyv34l0mP29gUjpkx0_uIG5H9Dd6A1lOldQ4-uA8yd8t58ygxV_AzHj14vJQ/s200/IMGP0884.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p>(D) Jim Young-NEA Director</p><p>(D) Roberta Rosheim, JDC</p><p>(D) Kevin Ericson, Mid-Iowa<br /></p><br /><p>(R) Roberta Hass, NEIEU</p><br /><div>(R) John Morgan, Unit Two<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4a2Ca-xOSNtz7ATzkCkSRnaEsKo-o2z-t2Hf9kc0eviFvK-FVLdfZWnDXosi6DySWLhKb20-ECKc3PoRqOSAYFO229HaYzCcBiUMK9UcoF0D-v6bxPuLc-vZqyESW2F1KOCgDPw/s1600-h/IMGP0885.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210327054857033794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4a2Ca-xOSNtz7ATzkCkSRnaEsKo-o2z-t2Hf9kc0eviFvK-FVLdfZWnDXosi6DySWLhKb20-ECKc3PoRqOSAYFO229HaYzCcBiUMK9UcoF0D-v6bxPuLc-vZqyESW2F1KOCgDPw/s200/IMGP0885.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div>(R) Leslie Dake, Siouxland</div><div><br />(R) Rob Hirst, Hawkeye</div><br /><div></div><div>Before ISEA-PAC Central Committee members headed towards home, we thanked them for the work they've done thus far with candidate interviews, but also thanked them for their leadership in this fall's campaigns in making a difference in electing/re-electing friends of education!</div><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR2iTfXwDwkbrfcH6jBy3QnsXa-n6jdxFsG6uishUQKNzvz1D14O6_qHi3VRDO4B-Y3Zy5E5V-uszKS_xeJAvDp2SNfTPNockhATttUdrlSNdwdseeGu5yjd-UPY68m8-go0YHg/s1600-h/IMGP0886.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210326135735440818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR2iTfXwDwkbrfcH6jBy3QnsXa-n6jdxFsG6uishUQKNzvz1D14O6_qHi3VRDO4B-Y3Zy5E5V-uszKS_xeJAvDp2SNfTPNockhATttUdrlSNdwdseeGu5yjd-UPY68m8-go0YHg/s200/IMGP0886.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6aZ3IlMvkiDRDVrHSbBsMxuqYW0qDpQTcgTFRVtyWE5yW8J_sETmvBgqPAgD9m6uR-hGOb3AlHCyRFaSvv2I5-TKrTAEqNu2H1GsaE9SWxQsXiEPLCzdJPsTnSDzQNDhLf6j3A/s1600-h/IMGP0887.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210326303158184370" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6aZ3IlMvkiDRDVrHSbBsMxuqYW0qDpQTcgTFRVtyWE5yW8J_sETmvBgqPAgD9m6uR-hGOb3AlHCyRFaSvv2I5-TKrTAEqNu2H1GsaE9SWxQsXiEPLCzdJPsTnSDzQNDhLf6j3A/s200/IMGP0887.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR2iTfXwDwkbrfcH6jBy3QnsXa-n6jdxFsG6uishUQKNzvz1D14O6_qHi3VRDO4B-Y3Zy5E5V-uszKS_xeJAvDp2SNfTPNockhATttUdrlSNdwdseeGu5yjd-UPY68m8-go0YHg/s1600-h/IMGP0886.JPG"></a></p><br /><br /><div><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR2iTfXwDwkbrfcH6jBy3QnsXa-n6jdxFsG6uishUQKNzvz1D14O6_qHi3VRDO4B-Y3Zy5E5V-uszKS_xeJAvDp2SNfTPNockhATttUdrlSNdwdseeGu5yjd-UPY68m8-go0YHg/s1600-h/IMGP0886.JPG"></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR2iTfXwDwkbrfcH6jBy3QnsXa-n6jdxFsG6uishUQKNzvz1D14O6_qHi3VRDO4B-Y3Zy5E5V-uszKS_xeJAvDp2SNfTPNockhATttUdrlSNdwdseeGu5yjd-UPY68m8-go0YHg/s1600-h/IMGP0886.JPG"></a><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR2iTfXwDwkbrfcH6jBy3QnsXa-n6jdxFsG6uishUQKNzvz1D14O6_qHi3VRDO4B-Y3Zy5E5V-uszKS_xeJAvDp2SNfTPNockhATttUdrlSNdwdseeGu5yjd-UPY68m8-go0YHg/s1600-h/IMGP0886.JPG"></a></p><br /></div><p align="left"></p>ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-80032734976043465612008-06-05T09:44:00.002-05:002008-06-05T09:49:19.986-05:00NEA President to Recommend Sen. Obama in General Election<div>WASHINGTON— National Education Association President Reg Weaver announced today that he will ask the 9,000 locally elected delegates to the Association’s Representative Assembly to take a formal vote to recommend that NEA’s 3.2 million members support Barack Obama in his bid to become President of the United States. NEA delegates will hold their annual meeting in Washington, D.C., over the 4th of July holiday.<br /><br />“Ideally, NEA would have endorsed a candidate during the primaries, but our members were like voters everywhere,” said Weaver. “They were split between Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton. But it’s now apparent that Senator Obama has secured the necessary number of delegates to win the Democratic nomination. With such a clear picture of what Senator Obama will do for public education and his commitment to partner with NEA on issues that affect our members across the country, every public school employee needs to get squarely behind the Obama candidacy.”<br /><br />Presidential candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties worked to get the NEA’s recommendation and access to its seasoned army of political member activists.<br /><br />“Senator Clinton has an outstanding record of support for children and public education,” said Weaver. “As long as she was a viable candidate in the Democratic nomination process, many of our members felt a passionate need to return the loyalty she has earned over decades of support.”<br /><br />The contrast between Obama and McCain on issues that matter most to NEA members – the economy, education and health care – is indeed stark. Obama opposes using public tax dollars to provide financial support to private schools. McCain is already on record with votes supporting vouchers.<br /><br />Obama has made it clear that the Bush Administration’s No Child Left Behind law must be changed. McCain has been crossing the country saying he’ll expand the very provisions of NCLB that the nation’s educators cite as its greatest flaws, most especially its one-size-fits-all high-stakes testing provisions.<br /><br />Obama supports making health care available to every American child. McCain has voted against expansion of existing federal programs designed to provide health care for the nation’s neediest children.<br /><br />Obama has said repeatedly that, while teachers need to be held accountable for what goes on in the classroom, every teacher deserves a living wage. McCain has called for paying teachers based on student test scores.<br /><br />Obama supports reducing class size to improve student achievement. McCain has already voted against attempts to reduce class size.<br /><br />“You can go down any list of what public school employees believe they need to truly help every child be successful, and you’ll see that Senator Obama supports that list and that Senator McCain not only opposes it, but has probably already voted against it,” said Weaver. “There are big and important issues in this campaign, but none is more important to the long-term future of America than public education. And there’s a clear choice in 2008. I will be asking our members to make the right choice for public education and to support Senator Obama.” </div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208408874324003154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9cB8SWt62VrJCjGoSZ77BxUPQsXPAu-rxf7ILxbQlOyqqcXLIIilKZWt4VvjBGL8KMHHUcERMbRUkBcRxw3MmoT2efXnMBQoGAR_l330pNvIoPQo8eEn_a_CzFpEp0jWe-vtvw/s320/603_0383.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p><strong><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Here I am (above) with Senator Obama in July 2007. Senator Obama visited the Iowa delegation at an early morning caucus during the 2007 NEA Representative Assembly in Philadelphia, PA.</span></em></strong></p>ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-5909557480577582622008-05-26T17:43:00.010-05:002008-05-26T20:55:14.757-05:00Celebrating Memorial Day<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Vjg3k66qonwmgntTKv1mspxagJBQl3GWB5od4TBr5_UDkb67hnKbf1JBsUZuKnzUwfLbGAHgzE0HBfGuo2lGnwKECW5grtA9rBwYR7LwNWeVlhtsqLaiGnbbhTwWTENbOgrMWw/s1600-h/arlington_cemetery_thumb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204870236206572242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Vjg3k66qonwmgntTKv1mspxagJBQl3GWB5od4TBr5_UDkb67hnKbf1JBsUZuKnzUwfLbGAHgzE0HBfGuo2lGnwKECW5grtA9rBwYR7LwNWeVlhtsqLaiGnbbhTwWTENbOgrMWw/s200/arlington_cemetery_thumb.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><span style="color:#000000;">Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries </span><span style="color:#000000;">and memorials</span><span style="color:#000000;">. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. US Eastern time. Another tradition is to fly the U.S.Flag </span><span style="color:#000000;">at half-staff </span><span style="color:#000000;">from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers usually place an American flag upon each grave site located in a National Cemetery.</span></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;">Memorial Day formerly occurred on May 30</span><span style="color:#000000;">, and some, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars</span><span style="color:#000000;">(VFW) and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War </span><span style="color:#000000;">(SUVCW), advocate returning to this fixed date, although the significance of the date is tenuous. The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day Address, "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day<br /></div></span><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;">Following the end of the Civil War</span><span style="color:#000000;">, many communities set aside a day to mark the end of the war or as a memorial to those who had died. These observances eventually coalesced around Decoration Day, honoring the Union dead, and the several Confederate </span><span style="color:#000000;">Memorial Days.<br /></div></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204869325673505474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-d_xSjUASNo6by-QwCoxheHGskmyN71qJLS2MGuPdtHLbo9KasBuWYtdbTwSQCWPj69gwa3gWRKgOmU6-ZG05FzApkz9vcxXcG70PUnvkLR_jDgQflWfNYtVAGm8PcTsaLEEvQ/s200/image007.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York.</span><span style="color:#000000;"> The village was credited with being the birthplace because it observed the day on May 5, 1866</span><span style="color:#000000;">, and each year thereafter, and because it is likely that the friendship of General John Murray</span><span style="color:#000000;">, a distinguished citizen of Waterloo, and General John A. Logan</span><span style="color:#000000;">, who led the call for the day to be observed each year and helped spread the event nationwide, was a key factor in its growth.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><br />Many of the states of the U.S. South </span><span style="color:#000000;">refused to celebrate Decoration Day, due to lingering hostility towards the Union Army</span><span style="color:#000000;"> and also because there were very few veterans of the Union Army who lived in the South. A notable exception was Columbus, Mississippi</span><span style="color:#000000;">, which on April 25, 1866 at its Decoration Day commemorated both the Union and Confederate casualties buried in its cemetery.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><br />The alternative name of "Memorial Day" was first used in 1881</span><span style="color:#000000;">, but did not become more common until after World War II,</span><span style="color:#000000;"> and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967 . On June 28, 1968,</span><span style="color:#000000;"> the United States Congress</span><span style="color:#000000;"> passed the Uniform Holiday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK8zyAsBXdk4GbL_wri4i13Z3Qb-qOWM3ephfSq5LAGZjOmI1jpPSc4cYXSvd7QVtBTOWnsmW-NdoWQG-vapt2-cy1vLRLd4l_ia_sedPG8rX3ljVNPK0722WeiWaKYydCfutJw/s1600-h/tomb-mrp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204825255014081138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK8zyAsBXdk4GbL_wri4i13Z3Qb-qOWM3ephfSq5LAGZjOmI1jpPSc4cYXSvd7QVtBTOWnsmW-NdoWQG-vapt2-cy1vLRLd4l_ia_sedPG8rX3ljVNPK0722WeiWaKYydCfutJw/s200/tomb-mrp.jpg" border="0" /></a>s Bill,</span><span style="color:#000000;"> which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend and for the first time recognized Columbus Day </span><span style="color:#000000;">as a federal holiday. The holidays included Washington's</span><span style="color:#000000;"> Birthday (which evolved into Presidents' Day</span><span style="color:#000000;">), Veterans Day, </span><span style="color:#000000;">and Memorial Day. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971 . After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply at the state level, all fifty states adopted the measure within a few years, although Veterans Day was eventually changed back to its traditional date. Ironically, most corporate businesses no longer close on Columbus Day or Veterans Day, and an increasing number are staying open on President's Day as well. Memorial Day, however, has endured as one holiday during which most businesses stay closed because it marks the beginning of the "summer vacation season," as does neighboring Canada's Victoria Day, </span><span style="color:#000000;">which occurs on the prior Monday. </span></div>ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-70508637491817210662008-05-22T10:34:00.003-05:002008-05-22T10:40:16.229-05:00Are You a Smart Driver?<div>Think you're smarter than the average driver? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMBu6G5aVBk38hrZJwslCE-S8iz8NMc8QtR-mH4HrkcpQaDfR8COHZd8Mub5uIaeYStFt2Qn0DCeq-ibnfYItB9-jFQ-EMqkc-ii3Ju9rEzcdOL2F9ePawwyj4yj5sODI2FIXoQ/s1600-h/0805_01ps+2008_dodge_challenger_SRT8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203227445575590482" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMBu6G5aVBk38hrZJwslCE-S8iz8NMc8QtR-mH4HrkcpQaDfR8COHZd8Mub5uIaeYStFt2Qn0DCeq-ibnfYItB9-jFQ-EMqkc-ii3Ju9rEzcdOL2F9ePawwyj4yj5sODI2FIXoQ/s200/0805_01ps+2008_dodge_challenger_SRT8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />When's the last time you took a written drivers test? When you were 16? How do you think you'd score if you took it again today?<br /><br />Take the <a href="http://www.gmacinsurance.com/SafeDriving/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">GMAC Insurance</span></strong></a> National Drivers Test and see if you pass with flying colors, or if you could use a little brushing up.<br /><br /><a href="http://money.aol.com/insurance/auto/smart-driver-quiz?icid=100214839x1202644587x1200107303"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">http://money.aol.com/insurance/auto/smart-driver-quiz?icid=100214839x1202644587x1200107303</span></strong></a></div>ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-90327163057084834762008-05-21T10:04:00.007-05:002008-05-21T10:58:19.417-05:00Peace Corps Volunteer Shares Experience With StudentsOne of my childhood friends from Lincoln, Nebraska joined the Peace Corps one year ago. Cindy Swanson sold<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEUwbHbGuR8fhZmRX1iQb4yN3CswKofo1-sBeobnmzw7yB-vz5U2j-bYXaLIbD_lz5Cw8oBWgG7FrdSh0OgepYkLYBbF9ctt4vXRUo1R4bFlsiR851JC_2fg9gWUmUx0C8syA5A/s1600-h/IMGP0875.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202848870685053026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEUwbHbGuR8fhZmRX1iQb4yN3CswKofo1-sBeobnmzw7yB-vz5U2j-bYXaLIbD_lz5Cw8oBWgG7FrdSh0OgepYkLYBbF9ctt4vXRUo1R4bFlsiR851JC_2fg9gWUmUx0C8syA5A/s200/IMGP0875.JPG" border="0" /></a> her business and her home and put things in storage in the summer of 2007 to travel half-way around the world to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer. One of the componets to her service was having a connection to school children in the United States. I introduced her to Erin Jones, a 4th grade teacher at Carter Lake Elementary (a part of the Council Bluffs Community School District) and they have been emailing ever since.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFdlEpWNfXaPDQNJtr_FrZMoQC9byeqVjdxpcaZk8tV1t2eaCwC-oy3tuyYBhbtqgVH1VKoro_Yl037WbQcb2b1ibKsnnYBjx_fgl0N2Q1rWWYxIENO2JlR-fGjbAvA6XU5Gjqg/s1600-h/IMGP0877.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202852633076404338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFdlEpWNfXaPDQNJtr_FrZMoQC9byeqVjdxpcaZk8tV1t2eaCwC-oy3tuyYBhbtqgVH1VKoro_Yl037WbQcb2b1ibKsnnYBjx_fgl0N2Q1rWWYxIENO2JlR-fGjbAvA6XU5Gjqg/s200/IMGP0877.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>On Monday, May 19th, I joined Cindy in a visit to Carter Lake Elementary and to the 4th grade classroom of Erin Jones.</p>The children were excited to meet Cindy and put a face on the person they have been emailing this school year. The students had done their "homework" and did additional background searches on the county of Azerbaijan where Cindy is serving.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEfL55TkBeJuzblr58Z5KbQs25sNqDWaSjFIU42xZp1EgtMEtYG_BnTU5QufBV0yw6K-uWzue_dncHG88HgWZ9ZNE0tDcSAZebNO7cSPrzZJJmpATJcGrBF1OzA6MHXszTwb26w/s1600-h/IMGP0876.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202853908681691266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEfL55TkBeJuzblr58Z5KbQs25sNqDWaSjFIU42xZp1EgtMEtYG_BnTU5QufBV0yw6K-uWzue_dncHG88HgWZ9ZNE0tDcSAZebNO7cSPrzZJJmpATJcGrBF1OzA6MHXszTwb26w/s200/IMGP0876.JPG" border="0" /></a>Cindy shared photos of the community and countryside of Azerbaijan as she spoke of the work she does with World Vision. We got a glimpse of her apartment as well as some of the other Peace Corps volunteers and the many Azeri people she's met. The students were full of questions and our time in Erin's room flew by!<br /><br />Next school year when I return to Carter Lake Elementary as a teacher, I will pull together these students (who will move on to 5th grade in various classrooms) at lunch time or after school to keep our connection to Cindy and her work as a Peace Corps volunteer.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEfL55TkBeJuzblr58Z5KbQs25sNqDWaSjFIU42xZp1EgtMEtYG_BnTU5QufBV0yw6K-uWzue_dncHG88HgWZ9ZNE0tDcSAZebNO7cSPrzZJJmpATJcGrBF1OzA6MHXszTwb26w/s1600-h/IMGP0876.JPG"></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202858349677875362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqA994lD7nuSHyoXPy9GAputTz3WdfSOdHob-_ax99d5Fy8Btfy9QNujfigJHlc6_Hyg5PkuzScy1-3qAh2V_rTixYOJcP6ETmnjQ7n0K-C-U6yCekJtyX4c8mN-KtD_VKZIxJqw/s400/IMGP0878.JPG" border="0" /><br />Cindy's service in Azerbaijan will be complete in September 2009. She is already looking ahead to possibly continuing her Peace Corps service in yet another country. Cindy, we are so proud of you!ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-71639921683018638072008-05-21T09:49:00.002-05:002008-05-21T10:02:12.035-05:00Opportunity to Serve Nearing an EndMy last ISEA Executive Board meeting serving as president was the weekend of May 9-10, 2008. At our August 2007 board meeting, the newly elected board members honored me with a crown and scepter. For the beginning of my last board meeting, I donned the gear one last time.<br /><br />Each leader serves in this position with their own vision of how the job needs to be done. I promised members I would put a face on who we are as ISEA and listen to their concerns. Four years later I can say I have visited over 400 Iowa communities and thousands of classrooms, to bus barns, school cafeterias, Area Education Agency offices, and our great Community College campuses. <br /><br />Thanks Team ISEA for the opporunity to serve as your president. Thank you for all you continue to do for Iowa students!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202843656594755666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXEc4PlFOHuKy64FPnCubqEqtl6Hwyej_DlyhuAtcynr62O9qlZ_g7Xe6Xiaqd02_CtVugvTjhATfcxK20t280uZbP-E5JGnEYi9h_3j6auAcjYWPCpppewBMhTOKZaoqQIv0KA/s320/IMGP0865.JPG" border="0" /> <div> </div>ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-58022878170296555102008-05-14T17:32:00.002-05:002008-05-14T17:35:10.563-05:00Governor Culver Vetoes Collective Bargaining BillIowa Governor Chet Culver announced in a news conference late this afternoon that he will veto HF 2645, a bill which would have expanded the scope of collective bargaining for educators and other public employees.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Statement by ISEA President Linda Nelson on Governor Culver's veto of HF2645</span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000000;">We</span> are deeply disappointed by Gov. Culver's veto of HF 2645. This legislation would have leveled the playing field for educators and other public employees at the bargaining table. It would have allowed us to negotiate over issues that impact student achievement like class size, preparation time, in-service, and a whole host of other topics that under the current law are deemed "permissive" and off-limits for discussion. While we appreciate the Governor's support for funding public schools and for making teacher salaries competitive, he missed a great opportunity to recognize educators as true professionals and full partners in educational decision making. We are committed to working with Gov. Culver Culver to craft a bill which accomplishes that objective.ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-18726538732542736562008-05-07T11:16:00.079-05:002008-05-22T09:23:33.211-05:00Lincolnway UniServ Unit Hosts Annual "Friends of Education" Recognition DinnerFor just my second time in four years I was available to attend Lincolnway UniServ Unit's annual "Friends of Education" Dinner in Carroll last night. The weather was threatening with thundershowers, but inside the mood was festive!<br /><br />The Lincolnway UniServ Unit Executive Board met for a short board meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Carrollton Inn prior to the Friend of Education Dinner.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7WoLSvNPOxp3440AqWhm09MC146ns0q9EwsQTrNGhd83p_XX0NofyIyooWx9qsc5KfyH9ga6nOhE6TkghAyn9QFiVPzIY_G6gGlHKt-qTjppeos-jwI05CeEmuemUEcmGTG8TA/s1600-h/IMGP0839.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197671322842679506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7WoLSvNPOxp3440AqWhm09MC146ns0q9EwsQTrNGhd83p_XX0NofyIyooWx9qsc5KfyH9ga6nOhE6TkghAyn9QFiVPzIY_G6gGlHKt-qTjppeos-jwI05CeEmuemUEcmGTG8TA/s200/IMGP0839.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14FOGIpCYtMvlFaMS9SFjkYdxPABkQy9FJ32mqeBdjn2ggOC3dQm83zakp7XV-5ftbClKLFBULz3yHG7KTByUVYKWv7eqYT8AfkxhfCrNA9y2IxjXoN_25LvuwLTZYtuxo_B_3A/s1600-h/IMGP0838.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197671202583595202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14FOGIpCYtMvlFaMS9SFjkYdxPABkQy9FJ32mqeBdjn2ggOC3dQm83zakp7XV-5ftbClKLFBULz3yHG7KTByUVYKWv7eqYT8AfkxhfCrNA9y2IxjXoN_25LvuwLTZYtuxo_B_3A/s200/IMGP0838.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14FOGIpCYtMvlFaMS9SFjkYdxPABkQy9FJ32mqeBdjn2ggOC3dQm83zakp7XV-5ftbClKLFBULz3yHG7KTByUVYKWv7eqYT8AfkxhfCrNA9y2IxjXoN_25LvuwLTZYtuxo_B_3A/s1600-h/IMGP0838.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Over 60 guests attended this annual Lincolnway event. We were entertained by a solo vocalist, Nick Andersen, of Lawton-Bronson followed by the Ogden High School Jazz Band, directed by Ogden EA member Jeff Robilliard. Wow, such talented young people led by great educators!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0o4vmS5YH8AXrFzS17i4uF3oWjZXpSBNaz5DM8xTdgjlPYBCZCcTe7skhOWFn8cZuSN1jIKPI5-XOFiqJU9Nj8QWeQfHDsrmtComLNc2A55Okf6kBk-rQ2_suDQmAYuYjEyctA/s1600-h/IMGP0841.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197673959952599266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0o4vmS5YH8AXrFzS17i4uF3oWjZXpSBNaz5DM8xTdgjlPYBCZCcTe7skhOWFn8cZuSN1jIKPI5-XOFiqJU9Nj8QWeQfHDsrmtComLNc2A55Okf6kBk-rQ2_suDQmAYuYjEyctA/s200/IMGP0841.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2PL5AWtlVrRpOzdOHHd9EzhkNK8ZayeakC58HSGUlIuOkLw7VA7RFne4PK_WmIJ2GfhOD3BDgG_bKXEsgGQqR5dXMbwVd3JtOIMB-aJ-m-O3qVv_iiyb06w1enwYbgA5NYFO0w/s1600-h/IMGP0842.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197674123161356530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2PL5AWtlVrRpOzdOHHd9EzhkNK8ZayeakC58HSGUlIuOkLw7VA7RFne4PK_WmIJ2GfhOD3BDgG_bKXEsgGQqR5dXMbwVd3JtOIMB-aJ-m-O3qVv_iiyb06w1enwYbgA5NYFO0w/s200/IMGP0842.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0o4vmS5YH8AXrFzS17i4uF3oWjZXpSBNaz5DM8xTdgjlPYBCZCcTe7skhOWFn8cZuSN1jIKPI5-XOFiqJU9Nj8QWeQfHDsrmtComLNc2A55Okf6kBk-rQ2_suDQmAYuYjEyctA/s1600-h/IMGP0841.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0o4vmS5YH8AXrFzS17i4uF3oWjZXpSBNaz5DM8xTdgjlPYBCZCcTe7skhOWFn8cZuSN1jIKPI5-XOFiqJU9Nj8QWeQfHDsrmtComLNc2A55Okf6kBk-rQ2_suDQmAYuYjEyctA/s1600-h/IMGP0841.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The following were recognized as:<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Lincolnway UniServ Unit's </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">2008 Friends of Education</span></strong> </div><div align="center"><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Ar-We-Va</span></em></strong></div><div align="center">Nancy Ertz</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div 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align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em>Audubon</em></strong> </span></div><div align="center">Lions Club of Audubon</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><em></em></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Battle Creek-Ida Grove</span></em></strong> </div><div align="center">Donna Miller</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div 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align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Carroll Education Support Professionals</span></em></strong> </div><div align="center">Joanne Vogel </div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Coon Rapids- Bayard</span></em></strong></div><div align="center">Faye Seidl</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Denison</span></em></strong></div><div align="center">Jim Harms</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Glidden-Ralston</span></em></strong> </div><div align="center">John and Cindi Van Horn</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em>I-K-M</em></strong> </span></div><div align="center">Steve Vollstedt</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div 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align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Lawton-Bronson</span></em></strong> </div><div align="center">Roxanne Peters</div><div align="center">Kara Thompson</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Logan-Magnolia</span></em></strong> </div><div align="center">Cheryl Greenwood</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em>Manning</em></strong> </span></div><div align="center">Crista Miller</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Ogden</span></em></strong> </div><div align="center">Judy and Charlie Swanson</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Sac City</span></em></strong></div><div align="center">Sue Ricke</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Wall Lake View Auburn</span></em></strong> </div><div align="center">Carol Scott</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em>Westwood</em></strong> </span></div><div align="center">Kathy Belvin</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em>Woodbine</em></strong> </span></div><div align="center">Deb Sprecker </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left">Congratulations to all <strong>2008 Friends of Education! </strong>Thank you for all you do for Iowa students!</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197682472577780002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnVoH1SvqybUmumA_zIf8DqtBY_Aq8v7HqGTVkU09CfInb2z1BeqoOBkE7y4n-e9w183HYoMBnWN_abGiwvvAtKJ6zBf1sVwnZpNFdy_5lsMOe2q_rlB_nmwcZvw-saiPUpoCzA/s400/IMGP0862.jpg" border="0" /> <div align="center"></div><div align="left">Before heading back to Des Moines, I had the chance to pose for a photo with our great Lincolnway Team ISEA staff. Pictured (from left to right) Lincolnway's great Administrative Assistant, Linda Sporrer; Peri Van Tassel, UniServ Director in both Lincolnway and Polk Suburban; myself; and Myron Halverson, Lincolnway UniServ Director. This is terrific team that work their hearts out for Team ISEA members in Lincolnway UniServ Unit. How lucky we are to have them on Team ISEA!</div>ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-74858797563530940432008-05-07T10:32:00.009-05:002008-05-07T11:06:41.993-05:00Polk Suburban UniServ Unit Holds Annual Recognition DinnerOn Monday, May 5th, Team ISEA members from Polk Suburban UniServ Unit held th<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7Evv9s0LiD9troRwbXuce5CrDGij0H06cbAA0B0Cv4X6UuemPECmD6t-3OKfDw7CHw1uAanaYWq5qBJomwJtIhRk_1EHuoi46_IVIIABl-XOVK_7WRrxxzq9KtjiRXDazGXT1g/s1600-h/IMGP0830.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197659838100129922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7Evv9s0LiD9troRwbXuce5CrDGij0H06cbAA0B0Cv4X6UuemPECmD6t-3OKfDw7CHw1uAanaYWq5qBJomwJtIhRk_1EHuoi46_IVIIABl-XOVK_7WRrxxzq9KtjiRXDazGXT1g/s200/IMGP0830.JPG" border="0" /></a>eir annual Recognition Dinner at Traditions Restaurant in Ankeny.<br /><br />Leaders from across the UniServ Unit gathered early to enjoy the social time with colleagues from other school districts.<br /><br />We were treated to musical entertainment by Wagner and Walter Caldas, 22 year old twin brothers from the c<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeTRKojcDEPRx12Rwg_few_TY1-b6ic8N3wu6NCC5ZbjGRM1-KJPYZ8JyN4U_C_A7AvUcpxwiAwkGeMEuuseWvVEBbNzbWrhpKyieYE68NrHIqOGSqcxPlkWGI4iCE4RM62vtYw/s1600-h/IMGP0831.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197661693526001810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeTRKojcDEPRx12Rwg_few_TY1-b6ic8N3wu6NCC5ZbjGRM1-KJPYZ8JyN4U_C_A7AvUcpxwiAwkGeMEuuseWvVEBbNzbWrhpKyieYE68NrHIqOGSqcxPlkWGI4iCE4RM62vtYw/s200/IMGP0831.JPG" border="0" /></a>ommunity of Grota do Surucucu, an impoverished neighborhood located on the outskirts of Rio de Janerio, Brazil. Wagner and Walter were introduced to Team ISEA member Gilmara Mitchell and her husband Martin in October 2006 and with the connecting of many prominent individuals, Wagner and Walter are now students at the University of Northern Iowa in the School of Music.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvnxu-Nj-ezDEsIed2wj40xlpHPk5CtFCmfy2WKjJTCdhFRVvZ2ivoKVeni5qjqO3hcUZbFY-fcxojDCZuKANVOTeq0bjDyVge-J_MQo05LdsyfjH4uL_Yedz_oQ1t08qXRShHw/s1600-h/IMGP0832.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197661796605216930" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvnxu-Nj-ezDEsIed2wj40xlpHPk5CtFCmfy2WKjJTCdhFRVvZ2ivoKVeni5qjqO3hcUZbFY-fcxojDCZuKANVOTeq0bjDyVge-J_MQo05LdsyfjH4uL_Yedz_oQ1t08qXRShHw/s200/IMGP0832.JPG" border="0" /></a>For the second year in a row PSUU holds the honor of having one of their own leaders be named Iowa Teacher of the Year! This evening we heard from our 2008 Iowa Teacher of the Year, Andy Mogle, of the Norwalk Professional Education Association.<br /><br /><div>PSUU recognized local associations for: 1) largest percentage of membership increase; 2) largest numerical membership increase; 3) locals meeting/exceeding bargaining goals; 4) ISEA/PSUU Five Star Locals. Congratulations to all for the fine work you do on behalf of the association!</div><div></div><br /><div>All Team ISEA members gathered were treated to an extra special keynote speaker this evening too. Team NEA's Vice President (and President-elect) Dennis Van Roekel. Dennis gave an inspiring message that gave us all a boost to continue the great work that Polk Suburban UniServ members do every day.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197665713615390898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkyrhQ0G8ero9WA4101RetldkHqEqlgGR9VBFIM_mrtRIAHnCanH0azqOMAHnQhXeSyKMhrx0lMipGphuLyDEmM0fjQB2rWz-s7Zh7GrYIFEb60w_0gNCcy6cXgddyhtrP5mdVg/s400/IMGP0827.jpg" border="0" /></div>Pictured (above, left to right) NEA Vice President Dennis Van Roekel; Jan Reinicke, ISEA Executive Director; and Randy Richardson, ISEA Associate Executive Director for Field Services.ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-70545625663405818262008-05-03T07:06:00.008-05:002008-05-04T09:20:08.852-05:00Tell Candidates for President What YOU Think!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Dsek9BjaFZHacBXmGyj4xnaAzdyC2FB8jDhHXoIXLeAJ0iamrZcHsCH8bYur5DzQPwQkiWYjmi1mtisz_BVzexJRIxqjkU8weuMJ1X4YMRZs2paz6Bmt5807Id0cT1Xu8gmHfQ/s1600-h/banner06.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196325395407429666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Dsek9BjaFZHacBXmGyj4xnaAzdyC2FB8jDhHXoIXLeAJ0iamrZcHsCH8bYur5DzQPwQkiWYjmi1mtisz_BVzexJRIxqjkU8weuMJ1X4YMRZs2paz6Bmt5807Id0cT1Xu8gmHfQ/s320/banner06.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#000000;">NEA's "EducationVotes" Web site is up and running. All three remaining candidates for President are U.S. Senators. </span><br /><br /><p><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">Check out their:</span></em></strong><br /></p><br /><p><span style="color:#000000;">** Voting records in Congress.<br />** Grades on NEA's congressional report card.<br />** Positions on education and other important issues. </span></p><span style="color:#000000;">Check out all three candidates at</span> <a title="http://capwiz.com/nea/utr/1/LVJGIKAYQD/FSJVIKAZEA/1950287241" href="http://capwiz.com/nea/utr/1/LVJGIKAYQD/FSJVIKAZEA/1950287241" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">www.nea.org/educationvotes/index.html</span></strong></a>ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-1031158249290918872008-05-01T20:53:00.006-05:002008-05-01T21:05:04.093-05:00After a Full Day of Work, Time to RelaxAfter a full day of legislative briefings, NEA-PAC Council meeting, meeting with members of Congress and their staff, and topping it off with a two-hour NEA Midwest Regional meeting, it is out for dinner with friends.<br /><br />A long-standing tradition for Team ISEA-NEA Directors is to enjoy a meal in the evening with NEA Directors from Indiana. This tradition has stretched over the years as new NEA Directors transition in and retiring directors leave the NEA Board of Directors. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195593760613457922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHLrJzMuiS7eRGNPbW_z0Nj8c4e6qSiphB8TQnfH0FW2DQmEZKO29a8azXGUy4xK2Am_iOBgIuwuwyDcZ34tx2TJd_e_ph_R1wgWpAo6qHebcK4DSl514DrfNSKvw2U88u_X3nQ/s400/IMGP0822.JPG" border="0" />Retiring from our postions this year are myself (third in from left) and Rick Wright (right/end). The time we take to build these relationships in invaluable as we share initiatives from our states as well as tell of successess that take place in our educational workplace. <p>Good luck, Rick and thanks Team ISTA for your continued friendships over the years!</p>ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-43568965233564221282008-05-01T20:28:00.008-05:002008-05-06T07:56:02.270-05:00Visits to Capitol Hill Today<div>At 8:00 a.m. sharp this morning, Team NEA Directors from across the nation gathered at the NEA building for a legislative briefing from our Team NEA lobbyists. Most state presidents attend as well.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZK6u46Vhudt159iMldQSB_wU_FIujntMBWAal3FTGQVU6s02yaAVP405HCicmxI3K8871v_Wpu92V7Tn7lNiYl3Rc6Rz6fWSddfp1QWKlWBCj5M-xWoaio6XSNoFR5_9Be2Xyg/s1600-h/c_wf_11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197247731044311106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZK6u46Vhudt159iMldQSB_wU_FIujntMBWAal3FTGQVU6s02yaAVP405HCicmxI3K8871v_Wpu92V7Tn7lNiYl3Rc6Rz6fWSddfp1QWKlWBCj5M-xWoaio6XSNoFR5_9Be2Xyg/s200/c_wf_11.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I joined Team ISEA-NEA Directors from Iowa, Jim Young of Cedar Falls and Kathy Williams of Davenport to hear about issues that are pending Congressional action.<br /><br />Following the legislative briefing, all NEA state affiliate presidents participate in the NEA-Political Action (PAC) Council meeting. Our meeting began at 9:30 a.m. and concluded around 11:30 a.m. I joined NEA Directors Jim and Kathy at mid-point in their Congressional office visits.<br /><br />NEA Directors Jim Young and Kathy Williams had appointments this morning with U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, U. S. Senator Charles Grassley, and Congressman Steve King before I joined up with them at the Longworth House Office Building for the final three appointments.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195588679667146706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgCdTk95h8CXM2CP3ThHMWpxsy5Tw2TTWhJwA7yzJ-_QJIWTxbzmzoM1EuoONFXIHPEAGzOK8gTqTShU4indkB-X1-Z5GAn-j9mRYlCGXbXkFG1ogB31ZX9Xad0H7DKdOb3NF_w/s320/IMGP0812.jpg" border="0" />Pictured above (from left to right) are NEA Director Kathy Williams; U.S. Congressman Leonard Boswell, IA-CD 3; NEA Director Jim Young, and myself. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195589581610278882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_nKjUJv-Y4YVtPPWt66pTppdauSoAyNuBrTnzbsYIrCcWlDGkac5jCI_r36K2MjV0KiRraJoc1BBuQzqnA9eqhy2qtgdGEaJv1ABGnF68ulM7NMve_CfluUTNaTTEMDwdwneWA/s320/IMGP0813.JPG" border="0" />We next visited U.S. Congressman Bruce Braley's office (IA-CD 1) where we met with Rob, Cong. Braley's education staffer. Here (above) I'm pictured with Cong. Braley's Chief of Staff Sarah Benzing, who is originally from Underwood, IA. I've known Sarah and her parents (both life-long teachers) for many years. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195590835740729330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbE_acA05tYyjDRMoPAiIKskutaeT-W_hyphenhyphenknMa_8hm2Du63MCJzH8R-nF5oPZAiAxFNoBSUmQ66_vTnjSgDvX1r3AYBOfxb3DMClyTAxV_GP0yFHJ33Me2HX12aDdFPw_FhKAFTg/s320/IMGP0816.JPG" border="0" />Our finaly Congressional office visit took us to see U.S. Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-CD 2). Pictured above (from left to right) are myself, Congressman Dave Loebsack, Kathy Williams, and Jim Young.<br /><p>Team ISEA has much to be proud of for the great work our two NEA Directors do on our behalf. For a number of years our directors have appointments to meet with 6 and sometimes all 7 of our Members of Congress. Thanks, Jim and Kathy for your terrific work!</p></div>ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-61279030290624330622008-05-01T20:17:00.003-05:002008-05-01T20:27:03.451-05:00Summit on State 21st Century Skills InitiativesOn Wednesday, April 30th, Team ISEA Executive Director Jan Reinicke and I participated in a day long meeting at the NEA building with other state affiliates that have created partnerships with their state's Department of Education (and Chief School Officer), Governor, state education association, and business/corporate partners.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4r4zf95k_eYtkRsPNc8qpLx-UtSj4yiA6dq19LTeKabV9DgWH4civ3l0K_5WLy65a6AITjTC2wbKVv-hiqt39q9S4W2hjgrzi-vpTi13Oq5HvOGmjWZnyKJK_pVF1rHspfCbNA/s1600-h/IMGP0810.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195583985267892162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4r4zf95k_eYtkRsPNc8qpLx-UtSj4yiA6dq19LTeKabV9DgWH4civ3l0K_5WLy65a6AITjTC2wbKVv-hiqt39q9S4W2hjgrzi-vpTi13Oq5HvOGmjWZnyKJK_pVF1rHspfCbNA/s200/IMGP0810.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br />We heard from our colleagues in Wisconsin and West Virginia who have worked on building these partnerships within their states.<br /><br />We had the opportunity to have table discussions around the possibilities, questions and concerns, does this fit our overall education vision/agenda?<br /><br />One of my great friends that participated today was Donna DeKraii, president of the South Dakota Education Association (pictured here with me).ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-2160864114976752702008-05-01T11:22:00.017-05:002008-05-01T20:14:33.165-05:00NEA GOP NEWS BRIEF<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195446185537167170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgzJQOq-bCytLyc1alZANXtCWUZrYYi-Sm6-t1xsg7B-XSq5-x3MbLK69zkngjNmzVb_1y7-nqZnL6ieX-Kc010KX_WTlrQzEfk-5VziJCltX8mW_bSdfeg1CZxv3-LnozwYHFQ/s400/gopbanner.gif" border="0" /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Regional Conferences – National Success</span></strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFK32LR1QD4NsujH3Td_v8Mw16GGCmgX6ZqSVo__aB5GNVpneSXc2JOWTsTxcch-ljAycjnXIe79Gxxm65PV3cLpjy0grs7Z_y0xJybZu8pbSEd2d3CyHPy1YFRq-Ni7u6R_gyA/s1600-h/teachers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195446391695597394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFK32LR1QD4NsujH3Td_v8Mw16GGCmgX6ZqSVo__aB5GNVpneSXc2JOWTsTxcch-ljAycjnXIe79Gxxm65PV3cLpjy0grs7Z_y0xJybZu8pbSEd2d3CyHPy1YFRq-Ni7u6R_gyA/s200/teachers.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Over the past three months, NEA has held a series of Regional Leadership Conferences across the country, culminating with the ESP Conference in Baltimore in early March. At each conference, NEA Government Relations staff either spoke at or made materials available for NEA Republicans during special meetings of the Republican Educators Caucus or in other venues. At the Midwest Regional Conference in Minneapolis, and the Pacific Regional Conference in Boise, Republicans and non-Republicans alike heard from senior Republican political consultants Matt Keelen of the Keelen Group and Bob Carpenter of American Viewpoint. They discussed the political landscape in Washington, D.C., and ways Republican NEA members can be proactive about becoming involved in the political process. </div><br /><div>One result of these meetings has been impressive growth in the number of NEA members who will be receiving this newsletter, an expression of interest in our activities to reach Republican members and help them become involved in the Republican Party. </div><div></div><br /><div>If this is your first issue, welcome! Please spread the word!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Reminder – "How to Become Involved in the Republican Party" Available on CD or by Email</span></strong> </span></div><div>NEA has published a manual to encourage greater involvement by NEA members in the Republican Party, "How to Become Involved in the Republican Party." The manual was distributed at NEA's first Republican Leaders Conference as well as at the Regional Leadership Conferences over the past three months. Each manual is specific to state laws and party rules, and includes resources regarding the political process in each state at each level from county and district chair to state party chair. This is great background information to help NEA Republican members navigate the political organizations in their states.<br /></div><div>If you would like a copy of this manual, please email Erin Duncan at NEA Government Relations at <a href="mailto:eduncan@nea.org"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">eduncan@nea.org</span></strong></a> or call Erin at (202) 822-7394. </div><div><br /></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">GOP National Convention – Join the Fun in the Twin Cities!</span></strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_2SHkUaIxoA2EDk6RaD62Iw_iusxQII_cv_cqyU-yZRhi2IJii0FIr3-L-yy7xf4UdDYQsd7T-5CDdJEsK57mH3Sr4QLahmrmNd-d6gKs-p3m-NG8UAuY8vONu09sQH8MbsVfw/s1600-h/flagraise.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195448058142908258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_2SHkUaIxoA2EDk6RaD62Iw_iusxQII_cv_cqyU-yZRhi2IJii0FIr3-L-yy7xf4UdDYQsd7T-5CDdJEsK57mH3Sr4QLahmrmNd-d6gKs-p3m-NG8UAuY8vONu09sQH8MbsVfw/s200/flagraise.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>Where is the hottest place to be over Labor Day weekend? If you're one of the nearly 45,000 people planning to descend on Minneapolis-St. Paul – not to mention the eyes of the world's media – the answer is the Republican National Convention!</div><br /><div></div><div>While the Republican primaries conclude and Sen. John McCain solidifies his likely nomination to the presidency on the Republican ticket, Republican National Convention planners are gearing up for what promises to be a fascinating, fun, and historic occasion in the Twin Cities. The convention will officially start on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, and last until Thursday, September 4, 2008. The convention itself will take place in the beautiful Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul, with other events related to the convention taking place at other locations throughout the Twin Cities. </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Who will be at the convention? </div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>The numbers are impressive: 2,000 delegates, 2,000 alternates, 15,000 members of the media from all over the world, and 25,000 observers and volunteers. We hope to see many NEA members there, too. If you are running for or have been elected a delegate to the Republican National Convention, please let us know by contacting Erin Duncan at <a href="mailto:eduncan@nea.org"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">eduncan@nea.org</span></strong></a>. NEA offers a travel and lodging stipend for member delegates and alternates. Information about the stipend can be found at <a href="http://www.nea.org/lac/conventionstipends.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">www.nea.org/lac/conventionstipends.html</span></strong></a>. We have a number of special events planned for our delegates and friends and want to be in contact with you prior to the convention. </div><br /><div></div><div>Regular updates about the convention can be found at <a href="http://www.gopconvention.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">www.gopconvention.com</span></strong></a>. </div><br />Not a delegate, but want to get involved?<br /><br />Also important to the success of the convention will be the use of motivated and energetic volunteers. According to convention organizers, volunteers will be needed to help with logistics, transportation, and other key aspects of hosting such a major event. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Republican National Convention go to: <a href="http://msp2008.com/volunteer.php"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">http://msp2008.com/volunteer.php</span></strong></a>.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Save the Date for NEA Republican Leaders Conference II</span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VHwfDO3TqJ2iPhAXQj1OniJvsNyk3HGEUCDPQ85Ohmas6Jhau-eRlvANSF_SbAcTgf12ih4UOsvhdSLfj3eh1WNXhPMOnBkxGWqCKwL3y39Ye6QIBRygKM8z_rYcWA7n8kBHcQ/s1600-h/pres-march-cap.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195450733907533682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VHwfDO3TqJ2iPhAXQj1OniJvsNyk3HGEUCDPQ85Ohmas6Jhau-eRlvANSF_SbAcTgf12ih4UOsvhdSLfj3eh1WNXhPMOnBkxGWqCKwL3y39Ye6QIBRygKM8z_rYcWA7n8kBHcQ/s200/pres-march-cap.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />NEA is in the process of planning the NEA Republican Leaders Conference II for August 27-30, 2008, the days immediately preceding the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul. The NEA conference will take place at the Millennium Hotel, located on Nicollet Mall in the heart of Minneapolis. Building on the success of the first NEA Republican Leaders Conference in August 2007, we hope to enhance NEA Republican outreach efforts by providing advanced training to selected Republican NEA members.<br /><br />NEA will pay for travel, hotel, and meals for up to four Republican NEA members for each state. These participants will be nominated by their state presidents.<br /><br />The NEA Republican Leaders Conference II will feature two days of panel presentations and workshops for Republican members. We expect panels to include Republican NEA members active in the Republican party at all levels, as well as other party activists and political consultants. Topics will include online activism, grassroots organizing, volunteer strategy, press relations, communications, and messaging. We expect many Republican local, state, and national officeholders and party officials to be in the Twin Cities the week before the Republican National Convention and we expect to draw upon their expertise as well.<br /><br />The goal of the conference will be to help NEA attendees conduct effective Republican outreach in their states, including preparing them to organize fellow NEA Republican members. Following the conference, we will ask attendees to help recruit NEA Republican members from their states to become party activists, run for office, or take other leadership roles.<br /><br />We are looking forward to seeing you at a wonderful NEA Republican Leaders Conference II in Minneapolis!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Florida, Florida, Florida!</span></strong> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Am9NTcjFcidxukYXNS1CuIWtKlkir4iBxEALUK95LhhMsTR2g4FwX_ZpdWdLKRPCJcsGMf8T2ZGRGIK8MaFLc-fUVCYfdzhw2SQKXboVoKh17eiJ0oEg2_uodkbP5Sq3Ug0UOg/s1600-h/lindafrancis-cap.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195452378880008082" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Am9NTcjFcidxukYXNS1CuIWtKlkir4iBxEALUK95LhhMsTR2g4FwX_ZpdWdLKRPCJcsGMf8T2ZGRGIK8MaFLc-fUVCYfdzhw2SQKXboVoKh17eiJ0oEg2_uodkbP5Sq3Ug0UOg/s200/lindafrancis-cap.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195451811944324994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIZN-BGBhmR9gGlC6tAZSPC0sMn29PjeqSJRzp9mXjI8evZO6qKjAIV4rVLxLje_iZCLZzdm9eWXabOpXA4ITX5eGEDFpWVtuy6_vadJlkEDztl4JT0gu_PAfHEQxA0qWh16AKg/s200/mccain-cap.jpg" border="0" />Florida has always been a pivotal state in politics – from Tim Russert's whiteboard analysis during the 2000 presidential election to the current controversy regarding Florida's delegates. The state's diversity and importance makes the efforts of its Republican educators all the more critical to advancing the public school agenda. After the first NEA Republican Leaders Conference, Sandra Ross and Linda Francis, two participants from Florida, went home loaded with ideas and energy to get involved in Florida politics and advance public education's agenda within the Republican Party.<br /><br />The work began almost immediately. Linda Francis filled out an application to become a precinct committeewoman. After a lively debate within her county's Republican Executive Committee, Linda was elected to the Marion County, Fla. Republican Executive Committee. Since then, Linda has been asked to join the statewide African American Republican Leadership Council; she is also working on becoming a delegate to the Republican National Convention. In addition, she is involved in minority outreach and recruitment in Marion County. She is also working on forming a Republican Educator's Club that will be affiliated with the Marion County Republican Executive Committee. Linda says that she believes the club has great potential — more than 600 of the nearly 1,800 teachers in the greater Ocala area self-identify as Republicans.<br /><br />Sandra Ross has also been very active in her work to raise the profile of Republican educators in Florida. She has become a precinct committee woman for the Orange County Republican Executive Committee and is in the process of starting a Republican Educator's Club through the County Executive Committee. Sandra was interviewed on television and identified as an NEA member during a debate among Republican candidates for president. In addition, she has been asked to serve on the Education Advisory Council for U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney and is helping Republican candidates for the state legislature to build their education platforms. Sandra says, "I am currently trying to meet with as many candidates for office as I can so that I can help make a connection with them now, in hopes that when they get in their desired position, we have a friend in office." Sandra applied to become an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention and is awaiting that decision.<br /><br />Both Linda and Sandra represent the focus, hard work, and leadership that NEA's first group of Republican Leaders has demonstrated over the past year. We'll highlight the activities of other NEA Republican Leaders in future issues of this newsletter.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Biparti<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54sI_bZs8e7wNfENuwAAeT60NLO0eMkgonEaPsm6JnpNjIio0dGSOysO5S7ZqdRzfErCSesTJQ8AT6mvszLtRG6vdzOaY3OpGMOsG_hn8SfDsRR8YzQiEU2uHTsCxUlyCkQbeAw/s1600-h/petri-cap.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195454569313329058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54sI_bZs8e7wNfENuwAAeT60NLO0eMkgonEaPsm6JnpNjIio0dGSOysO5S7ZqdRzfErCSesTJQ8AT6mvszLtRG6vdzOaY3OpGMOsG_hn8SfDsRR8YzQiEU2uHTsCxUlyCkQbeAw/s200/petri-cap.jpg" border="0" /></a>san Efforts Produce Pro- Public Education Results in Wisconsin</span></strong> Working in a bipartisan fashion is an important quality for many of NEA's affiliates. This month, we highlight one affiliate that has taken bipartisan advocacy in a highly productive direction. To facilitate conversation with its congressional delegation, the NEA-Wisconsin Education Association Council (NEA-WEAC) created Federal Advocacy Teams. One such team, working in the 6th Congressional District of Wisconsin with U.S. Rep. Tom Petri, has successfully worked to open the lines of communication between the member of Congress and NEA-WEAC.<br /><br />Made up of NEA-WEAC members from the Congressman's district, the Federal Advocacy Team meets with the congressman on a quarterly basis. NEA-WEAC began the relationship by meeting with the congressman's staff in Wisconsin, explaining how the Federal Advocacy Team would work to support and educate Congressman Petri on education issues that are important to NEA-WEAC's members. "It's about building the relationship with the congressman," says Bob Fullmer, a Federal Advocacy Team member. "We've been doing it about three years, and Congressman Petri has been very tenacious on some of our issues. [In some cases] He's stepped up when no one else would."<br /><br />In addition to meeting regularly to share issues and insights, stressing NEA's political agenda as it impacts public schools in the 6th Congressional District, the Federal Advocacy Team helps organize school visits for the congressman. Congressman Petri has done two major school visits as well as one large listening session with teachers, administrators, state officials, and NEA representatives testifying. He has also had his staff organize other school visits with NEA-WEAC's encouragement. Each school visit is staffed by a NEA-WEAC photographer and journalist. After each visit, NEA-WEAC creates a mailer to publicize the congressman's visit and sends it to all 11,000 members of NEA-WEAC in the congressman's district. "These school visits allow him to see programs and problems schools may be having," Bob says. In some cases, the school visits have resulted in legislation.<br /><br />Putting together the Federal Advocacy Team has allowed NEA-WEAC to activate its rank-and-file members who have participated in local politics, but who were perhaps not in local leadership. To do so, NEA-WEAC conducted a database check of its members and picked out about 20 people who looked moderately active politically. From that list, approximately seven or eight people committed to being involved. These people were put through a training program on lobbying and did homework to become well-informed on federal education issues. The Federal Advocacy Team coordinates directly with NEA Government Relations. In addition, team members were encouraged to meet with local administrators to continue to build understanding of federal education issues. Members of the team report to the UniServ on local meetings and keep them informed about advocacy efforts.<br /><br />While the bulk of the Federal Advocacy Team's activities are in the congressional district, team members have been sent to Washington to meet with the congressman and share NEA-WEAC's position when a crucial vote is looming. "We always get in to see the congressman," states Fullmer, "because he knows our members from the visits in the district."<br /><br />Meeting on a regular basis with the Federal Advocacy Team has been a terrific way to open two-way bipartisan communication. It has helped Congressman Petri to see first-hand how federal programs are operating in his congressional district and it has helped members of NEA-WEAC get to know a member of Congress on a first-name basis.<br /><br />"The message of the Federal Advocacy Team is that if you step up for education, we will step up for you," says Fullmer.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">How Candidate Recommendations Are Decided</span></strong><br />Every two years, the NEA's PAC, the Fund for Children and Public Education (the Fund), recommends (endorses) about 300 candidates for Congress. Ideally, decisions about which candidates to support not only reward past support of public education, but also encourage successful candidates to support public education more frequently in the future. Candidate recommendations are a critically important lobbying tool for Association activists.<br /><br />The process by which congressional candidate recommendations are decided is relatively simple: state affiliate leaders and activists initially evaluate candidates and their education views, then decide which candidates should be recommended. NEA's fund — governed by a 68-member council comprised primarily of the 50 state affiliate presidents or their designees — ratifies those decisions before deciding the level or type of support to offer each candidate.<br /><br />State affiliate decisions about candidate recommendations usually reflect at least two considerations: the candidate's views and votes on key education and employee issues, and the candidate's overall relationship with the Association.<br /><br />To help members assess a candidate's views, the Fund Council approves every two years a written Congressional Candidate Questionnaire, which asks candidates to express agreement or disagreement on about 20 federal issues. In recent years the questionnaire has focused on core education and employee issues in order to open our recommendation process to Republican candidates.<br /><br />NEA Government Relations also prepares annually a Legislative Report Card which grades each member of Congress' education record based on their votes, bill co-sponsorships, committee work, behind-the-scenes advocacy, and their accessibility to educators both in Washington and back home.<br /><br />For many Republican candidates, having a strong relationship with Association leaders and members can make a difference. Republican activists play an important role in this – they help build connections key to congressional lobbying efforts.<br /><br />By developing stronger working ties to interested Republican candidates, you can persuade them to share our views on key issues, help them build relationships with NEA members and key Association leaders, and help steer them through a recommendation process that pro-public education Republicans otherwise might choose to avoid. This work is particularly important in Republican districts and states, and in instances where competitive two-party elections occur.<br /><br />For more information on NEA's candidate recommendation procedures, contact your state affiliate's Government Relations Department or chief NEA lobbyist Randall Moody at <a href="mailto:rmoody@nea.org"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">rmoody@nea.org</span></strong></a>.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Kansas Traditional Republican Majority: Creating a Pro-Public Education Majority One Step at a Time <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195580214286606258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKB9oXXqifmRWrHfTwDz_8C_gSTQfzzPfUR_CNfmHYCs70E4c75VzL9c3GbQ0rj2hIbYGVrhXiW4LTpoMHwyfTbuddMAQvUOibPu9fLAhAAkV-Tk1H63kAnfigLewGOkqJSz5Mg/s320/ktrm.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong>"A vote is a vote" says Ryan Wright, executive director of Kansas' Traditional Republican Majority (KTRM), summarizing how pro-public education Republicans in Kansas have successfully worked to create a pro-public education majority within the majority in Kansas state government.<br /><br />Created in 2005, KTRM, a state affiliate of the NEA-supported Republican Mainstreet Partnership, has facilitated the formation of a strong centrist Republican majority within the majority, based on the traditional Republican values of strong public education, limited government, and lower taxes. One of the first goals of the organization was to work with its partners to change the composition of the Kansas State Board of Education, which infamously voted to mandate teaching creationism as an alternative to evolution in Kansas public schools.<br /><br />Working with partners like the Kansas NEA, as well as with the business community and other leadership organizations, KTRM helped identify and support candidates who would promote a more balanced education position. The result was a successful change in the State Board of Education.<br /><br />KTRM worked first to identify its potential legislative partners by looking at voting records and connecting with incumbent members of the Kansas legislature, encouraging them to work together on issues of shared interest. "Our legislators do fantastic work," Ryan says. "Our role is to make sure they have the information they need to make their decision about what would be best for their districts."<br /><br />"Kansas is truly a three-party system," Ryan explains. "The Republicans hold 30 seats in the 40-seat Kansas Senate. Of those, approximately 16 are members who identify with our values." Together with others who share these values, these core members have tremendous influence in the outcome of the legislative process. "If we have a litmus test at all," Ryan adds, "it's being pro-public education. We are unwilling to waver on that point.<br /><br />"In an overwhelmingly Republican state like Kansas, KTRM strives to identify state races where a pro-public education candidate has the potential to win. In addition, KTRM works to help its incumbent members protect their seats against attacks from the far right. Last year, KTRM raised approximately $315,000 total, and was able to increase its membership in the Kansas Statehouse by five members. "We take a realistic, practical approach," Ryan says. "People still want to be governed by Republican Party principles. A handful of very passionate people can keep moving the pro-public education ball down the court. No one wants a failing school in their backyard."<br /><br />Ryan sees organizations like KTRM as being key to helping the Republican Party move toward the future. "In the last election cycle, conservatives liked to brag that the reason Republicans lost was that conservatives didn't turn out and that Congress had lost sight of conservative principles. This is a myth. The exit polls in 2006 show that Republicans did turn out.<br /><br />Republicans are not winning because we are not appealing to a broad audience," Ryan says. He believes that groups like KTRM offer a model for working within the Republican party and providing independents, moderates, and nonaffiliated voters a reason to vote Republican. "We have to engage younger votes," he says. "Education is an issue that's very important to them."<br /><br />To learn more about Kansas Traditional Republican Majority, go to <a href="http://www.ktrm.org/"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">http://www.ktrm.org/</span></strong></a>.ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-47629562616202238652008-04-30T21:14:00.019-05:002008-04-30T21:38:08.229-05:00Take Me Out to the Ballgame!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ80xNHR7OgwzHgNUaLMfBnB79iudoXWQWIQqgWaodLmgsCtyjY4zWAXBG2HQoOG_6NhW6B1gUW6rOXainfFbytTBzZUSp6XSbwJULSjAzF9UOPaKoac9Uc8RWWhwdMRcpO_BUCw/s1600-h/IMGP0802.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195227369838337810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ80xNHR7OgwzHgNUaLMfBnB79iudoXWQWIQqgWaodLmgsCtyjY4zWAXBG2HQoOG_6NhW6B1gUW6rOXainfFbytTBzZUSp6XSbwJULSjAzF9UOPaKoac9Uc8RWWhwdMRcpO_BUCw/s200/IMGP0802.JPG" border="0" /></a>On Tuesday evening, April 29th after a full day of training for the outgoing NEA state presidents, I headed out to the ballpark with fellow midwest regional president from Illinois, Ken Swanson.<br /><br />This is the inaugural year for the Washington Nationals in the ballpark here in Washington, D.C. Tuesday evening's game had the Nats pitted against the Atlanta Braves.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayMc9kiX_zqXzCIOkNR5XiZkhM_XkI-Qf2jmQ_4rPw44BqmVbInUN0jx6jAZBvB3K7aAcXIIMksA03rcvbUMPfh4mib7gwQN8lvne96VW6jZX6GJAogXNgBNwvCC30DQlzvojtA/s1600-h/IMGP0803.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195228018378399522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayMc9kiX_zqXzCIOkNR5XiZkhM_XkI-Qf2jmQ_4rPw44BqmVbInUN0jx6jAZBvB3K7aAcXIIMksA03rcvbUMPfh4mib7gwQN8lvne96VW6jZX6GJAogXNgBNwvCC30DQlzvojtA/s200/IMGP0803.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It was a crisp spring evening and the ballpark filled nearly to capacity. After hotdogs, nachos and beverages, the ballgame was underway.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2nfeY2NjsMY6cx7udufTjOPDsnkYIzk4k1AG7Xc6dsNqEh-OeMWnPXi1_DxYH52YOhbPa9gZMc9dukLZTL2fnZNEVCV86JyBluctq15vi6nTvt8W9B2a1ClonJCPlxtbJGccyA/s1600-h/IMGP0804.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195228984746041138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2nfeY2NjsMY6cx7udufTjOPDsnkYIzk4k1AG7Xc6dsNqEh-OeMWnPXi1_DxYH52YOhbPa9gZMc9dukLZTL2fnZNEVCV86JyBluctq15vi6nTvt8W9B2a1ClonJCPlxtbJGccyA/s200/IMGP0804.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>One of my favorite things about taking in a new ballpark is seeing the team mascots. In the 5th inning four mascots appeared--the four U.S. Presidents that are on Mt. Rushmore! They raced around the infield to the amusement of all gathered!<br /><br />Then to top it all off, at the top of the 8th inning--over the loud speaker they play "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond! Gee, I thought I was in Fenway Park (or maybe heaven)!<br /><br />By the way, the Nationals won 6-3. The Nationals have won five out of their past seven games to improve to 10-17.ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-49370774492154934332008-04-30T16:22:00.008-05:002008-05-07T14:37:02.051-05:00A Special Stop Here in Washington, D.C.<div>Today before Team ISEA Executive Director Jan Reinicke and I headed to a day-long meeting at the NEA building here in Washington, D.C., we were able to participate in United States Senator Tom Harkin's weekly constituent breakfast at one of ths U.S. Senate office buildings. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197722050701412658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUO7y6t3LJDzBZ0EUKYoxH9qW0OnMtZCozPLz90BThS35hTD4mcL9xE16FrI7r3BKuCoDqvh6HZlKRXAKCbN2Zcb7AJqmksDZgWWEcLyJG6Jgeh-fj89cJPnaeeihV5tauOz3wzw/s400/April+30+Bfst+008.jpg" border="0" />U.S. Senator Harkin has always been considered a "friend of education" with his advocacy for students and their families and can back it up with his 100% voting record with Team NEA. Here Team ISEA Executive Director Jan Reinicke (on left) and myself are pictured with Iowa's and NEA's friend of education, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195153389026664194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijA6erkFQm3L7oje_Wsa3ez6yyqAccbaC0gQ2c0l5NmqB_XSxJCkPk8Qph0xPqeP5Gfx0rFzs9CM2P4oByWT9LldTkE6xpXUEJjiKiDByYIvOAZ_km5OenlnoHPzvFpUbzTQQYcw/s320/IMGP0808.JPG" border="0" />Today, one last friend I had the chance to say "good-bye" to was one of U.S. Senator Harkin's great education staff person's, Rob Baron. Rob has been extra special to work with as he's always accessible to Team ISEA for calls from Iowa or when our NEA Directors are in Washington, D.C. to call upon the senator. Thank you Rob for your partnership in working with Team ISEA and Team NEA!</div>ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-29180782031004151332008-04-30T16:04:00.005-05:002008-05-06T07:51:46.707-05:00Team NEA Provides Training for Outgoing (Nearly Dead) Presidents<div>In February and again here in April, Team NEA provided the opportunity for two (2) all-day trainings for outgoing (or some teasingly say--nearly dead) state presidents. For many, they have come up through the ranks of their state organization and served 4-6 years as state president. These state leaders are to the point in their careers they still have much to contribute to the association and public education as their term(s) as state presidents com<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7ss4SqKGmg9t2y1K6gBooE6F3bjDUYyYdfRAQJ4ypt_qpvTuITvacnAcC7kR34sVmbUMDe_2NeJRCiydcX0ILjggKoPEilw8MyxbIikyEIRiCQ1Ru8Rd-RHCAkuXv4c5yvWdaQ/s1600-h/IMGP0826.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197246622942748722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7ss4SqKGmg9t2y1K6gBooE6F3bjDUYyYdfRAQJ4ypt_qpvTuITvacnAcC7kR34sVmbUMDe_2NeJRCiydcX0ILjggKoPEilw8MyxbIikyEIRiCQ1Ru8Rd-RHCAkuXv4c5yvWdaQ/s200/IMGP0826.JPG" border="0" /></a>e to an end.<br /><br />For me, my two terms as Team ISEA president will come to an end on June 14, 2008. While it has been a magnificent opportunity to meet members in their worksite and put a face on Team ISEA, it will be time for me to step aside and allow our newly elected leadership team to lead.<br /><br />Participating in the two training dates in Washington, D.C. are some terrific friends and mighty fine Team NEA leaders who are also leaving office (left to right): myself; Donna DeKraii, president of the South Dakota Education Association; Donna New Haschke, president of the Texas State Teachers Association; Bill Bjork, president of NEA-Alaska; and Roy Bishop (completes his terms 7/09), president of the Oklahoma Education Association.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195148591548194530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCl0LziTl3efAeMYYKm80fEWE7H3jsxjkyZm8xnryg4hxdc-_Bu9nEESLE6FeIA3Q-I_1lQKptdrMbPtaI8H_sJRiutqfPadHopOZVq5d0MGv0PJZ5zeCnX3D7V5wmZW0L4aRTmA/s400/IMGP0801.jpg" border="0" /> It has been an honor and a privilege to serve alongside these great state leaders!</div>ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-75312380947086259822008-04-27T17:59:00.024-05:002008-04-29T15:03:49.208-05:0039th Annual Iowa Alpha Delta Kappa ConventionOn Saturday, April 26th I ventured to Pella, IA for the annual Iowa Alpha Delta Kappa Convention to share my story of serving as ISEA's state president. Alpha Delta Kappa is an honorary Teacher's Sorority; I am a member of Alpha Iota chapter in Council Bluffs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZ4-wtsVtdi_DVnRZAJnLxPRJdKp03CDm2n35VuolQM8-AyQIGXqZAKGNa8zTgZZtIChsldSlGyCreB6bTJZU0EGNMrbQDXDEDRsmLyADgBsJW-vME9hy6-R7P9p91drCXl0OHQ/s1600-h/IMGP0784.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194064335644253794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZ4-wtsVtdi_DVnRZAJnLxPRJdKp03CDm2n35VuolQM8-AyQIGXqZAKGNa8zTgZZtIChsldSlGyCreB6bTJZU0EGNMrbQDXDEDRsmLyADgBsJW-vME9hy6-R7P9p91drCXl0OHQ/s200/IMGP0784.JPG" border="0" /></a>The convention was held at Graham Conference Center on the campus of Central College in Pella, Iowa. Twenty-six Iowa chapters were represented by 63 delegates at today's convention.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZ4-wtsVtdi_DVnRZAJnLxPRJdKp03CDm2n35VuolQM8-AyQIGXqZAKGNa8zTgZZtIChsldSlGyCreB6bTJZU0EGNMrbQDXDEDRsmLyADgBsJW-vME9hy6-R7P9p91drCXl0OHQ/s1600-h/IMGP0784.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOz5qM25RypxjEZZn8L0CzQS2q8yT65nkXac_DtVwNCbCFUZO7GmDKVYBvaj7HXdRTz58E4_ZO3ZM1i_hmDghoEWtsr-svf_cahUBTa107jtGdcWqWraUAtBo2MJAadc-08qJxw/s1600-h/IMGP0795.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194065263357189746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOz5qM25RypxjEZZn8L0CzQS2q8yT65nkXac_DtVwNCbCFUZO7GmDKVYBvaj7HXdRTz58E4_ZO3ZM1i_hmDghoEWtsr-svf_cahUBTa107jtGdcWqWraUAtBo2MJAadc-08qJxw/s200/IMGP0795.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Beverly Fletcher (at left) state president and a member of Alpha Iota chapter, presided over today's convention. The convention received greetings from ADK International as well as from a welcome from Central College.<br /><br />Presentations were made to Lions Foundation and to the student recipient of Iowa's ADK scholarship.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSKlBZC429t8vIWFo_gAvY8eNPf_l29h044Ik3A7X_slEfQjEqjJvDWUyWv8e_ZcoiavxCI7X_vVI9Sr6EtX8JpXCYpIBh_k_LhCwCPRX9vRe_nZL9GYnItVXp3w5picyE7oCJQ/s1600-h/IMGP0788.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194072938463747762" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSKlBZC429t8vIWFo_gAvY8eNPf_l29h044Ik3A7X_slEfQjEqjJvDWUyWv8e_ZcoiavxCI7X_vVI9Sr6EtX8JpXCYpIBh_k_LhCwCPRX9vRe_nZL9GYnItVXp3w5picyE7oCJQ/s200/IMGP0788.jpg" border="0" /></a> Dr. Kris Kilibarda (at right) an instructor at Central College and a member of Alpha Iota chapter provided the "welcome" from Central College and made my introduction.<br /><br /><p>At the break following my remarks, I had many ADK member/delegates share with me their involvement in their local education association. ADK members are also EA leaders in Cedar Rapids, Mason City, New Hampton, Charles City and Boone--to name a few! It should not have surprised me, it sure brought home what we always say, "Team ISEA". We are indeed a team!</p><p align="center"><strong><em>Alpha Iota Chapter Members in attendance</em></strong></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194320508968623826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZetMCrf9w8cFq7qwYHW1iRruOoUmUrbCL_pxfPDGvufXZBsKNBx_xLAG0xdUhKakpNp9hGV9dAS8iIZ6ghjf38ZDKwq0IjcXaJEefMOqHpNOMMPEONT1YinC2YCtr3kSzFqrrg/s320/IMGP0800.jpg" border="0" />Alpha Iota chapter members in attendance (from Council Bluffs); left to right--Jeanette Watson, Alpha Iota president; Marge Kilibarda, state Treasurer; Kris Kilibarda, state convention co-chair; Beverly Fletcher, state president; Linda Cooper, state convention co-chair; and me.ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-54399735693520809842008-04-27T15:40:00.020-05:002008-04-28T10:35:09.656-05:00Final Stop on the SWUU Tour Winds Into Shenandoah<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5cEuXTxjqR4Oedt_EuOiq5ZZtbxc5mVhxH_VNSbkcdtTB3b_6jVTRdnowAjgMMBZqnfn9IlTvkVH1V_0d63VEKc7M5lrrVWEXUevNm3JARww6F7Y1yXw3K6y0ixKBXMneICcSw/s1600-h/IMGP0762.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194045794270436946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5cEuXTxjqR4Oedt_EuOiq5ZZtbxc5mVhxH_VNSbkcdtTB3b_6jVTRdnowAjgMMBZqnfn9IlTvkVH1V_0d63VEKc7M5lrrVWEXUevNm3JARww6F7Y1yXw3K6y0ixKBXMneICcSw/s200/IMGP0762.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Team ISEA leader and Chair of the ISEA ESP standing committee, Toni Graham, made all the arrangements for my Thursday afternoon, April 24th visit to the Shenandoah Community School District.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZjChlbX7Egj9-E9T8o3Mit6uSW3ke-vAis-F2RTcQTtQwp2Yn-NWcn5w5XyMdSj8wHo1ZkyirhenQI0qNvB2tYMutC-GEXPy8zCy5W-KA9zftOZty3OsNNtzNZoo192IP_U52g/s1600-h/IMGP0770.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194028502732103058" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZjChlbX7Egj9-E9T8o3Mit6uSW3ke-vAis-F2RTcQTtQwp2Yn-NWcn5w5XyMdSj8wHo1ZkyirhenQI0qNvB2tYMutC-GEXPy8zCy5W-KA9zftOZty3OsNNtzNZoo192IP_U52g/s200/IMGP0770.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Toni Graham (pictured at right) is a support staff person working with technology here in Shenandoah and is past president of the Shenandoah Support Associates (SSA) and current Chief Negotiator for her local.<br /><br />The entire K-8 staff was treated to a delicious luncheon provided by the PTA for Staff Appreciation Day. Boy did I luck out on the day to visit, what a delicious treat for all!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXBrvZLI5Opx_seZ6LtIRyryaW6F0UsnbnckvZeEKMjfGWJHdhBPmOQz12IZ7Z9svh0wXqo9IP_lAcFGseG72OluQkcoAhLp-dslMiHxSe8mwWlHgnk6aouCjhqZQp7p_dEWvFw/s1600-h/IMGP0763.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194029576473927090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXBrvZLI5Opx_seZ6LtIRyryaW6F0UsnbnckvZeEKMjfGWJHdhBPmOQz12IZ7Z9svh0wXqo9IP_lAcFGseG72OluQkcoAhLp-dslMiHxSe8mwWlHgnk6aouCjhqZQp7p_dEWvFw/s200/IMGP0763.JPG" border="0" /></a>Following lunch, Toni and I headed to the Life Skills program facility. We were greeted by teacher John Hallman who gave me a guided tour of the facility and described their program. Pictured at left is teacher associate, Marsha Stribling, with some of the students in the program. The group had just finished cleaning up after the lunch they made. John and Marsha make a dynamic team in providing a varied program to prepare students for their years beyond school.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Gj8uUitI7abGEGMsQCMYjTAo9YOrr34mCLz3yxp10yTdKL7wDjd3Dm3b6wIV3UL5sZ5TAsvgn9qB7jG1W28yQmmj3JP1YLYCD6Zh8zVQr1E6UKdjm_s3DN191pN5Qe7Dy7vm1Q/s1600-h/IMGP0764.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194031779792149954" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Gj8uUitI7abGEGMsQCMYjTAo9YOrr34mCLz3yxp10yTdKL7wDjd3Dm3b6wIV3UL5sZ5TAsvgn9qB7jG1W28yQmmj3JP1YLYCD6Zh8zVQr1E6UKdjm_s3DN191pN5Qe7Dy7vm1Q/s200/IMGP0764.JPG" border="0" /></a> Toni and I were next off to the Administration Building. Here the Pre-School program is housed and we had the chance to observe the children wiggling and jiggling as they danced and sang a familiar tune. I had the chance to read aloud a book selected by teacher Christine. The pre-schoolers are pictured (at right) with their teacher. Toni and I stopped in the Superintendent's office so I could introduce myself too.<br /><br />We were next off to Shenandoah High School. Here we had the chance to meet many of the high school teachers in the school gym as they were conducting registration for next school year. Teachers were set at tables around the perimeter of the gym by curriculum area. Each teacher had sheets in front of them labeled for each class they would be leading in the fall. Student's (and we observed the incoming 10th grade) names were called out and they sat in order on the bleachers to await their turn to sign up. Those with the best attendance were the first in line! It was the first time they had tried this method of registration. It sure looked like it was working to me!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZraeMn-YtYEKJ3jyNwhNrn8TowZ_Auiql6WCzv4AZVMC4YT0lRpoMRzCDnirBhTUv-bzrc7Xo8Vb7fjhEvwlhU5FVlUkXlN3c4liKR-61BnRQGePUypanVCAa-Sy9mfPNtR4AA/s1600-h/IMGP0768.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZraeMn-YtYEKJ3jyNwhNrn8TowZ_Auiql6WCzv4AZVMC4YT0lRpoMRzCDnirBhTUv-bzrc7Xo8Vb7fjhEvwlhU5FVlUkXlN3c4liKR-61BnRQGePUypanVCAa-Sy9mfPNtR4AA/s1600-h/IMGP0768.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194034988132720082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZraeMn-YtYEKJ3jyNwhNrn8TowZ_Auiql6WCzv4AZVMC4YT0lRpoMRzCDnirBhTUv-bzrc7Xo8Vb7fjhEvwlhU5FVlUkXlN3c4liKR-61BnRQGePUypanVCAa-Sy9mfPNtR4AA/s200/IMGP0768.JPG" border="0" /></a>Our Shenandoah visit returned to the Elementary/Middle School building. In the elementary, I found myself in the 1st grade classroom of 20 year Shenandoah EA leader, Mrs. Marcia Johnson (on the left with her homeroom). I read aloud the book <strong><em>The Relatives Came</em></strong>, by Cynthia Rylant. Mrs. Johnson then had students as a group recite a number of poems from their personal poetry collection books. My favorite was when they sang the "Shenandoah Fight Song"!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcOuw9F6UP88Ic95jtLCkXiQqoCXrPMwPIGRU-Os8CAIcZ80YdqOSeGgpeyY9wvXXXerLBbKQLb5lC9cpdtQln-Oj6wbuTyBFEVIbMKYPiiArTvfE11t_nu3vKE15JGIEaDRipw/s1600-h/IMGP0772.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194036628810227170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcOuw9F6UP88Ic95jtLCkXiQqoCXrPMwPIGRU-Os8CAIcZ80YdqOSeGgpeyY9wvXXXerLBbKQLb5lC9cpdtQln-Oj6wbuTyBFEVIbMKYPiiArTvfE11t_nu3vKE15JGIEaDRipw/s200/IMGP0772.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKzt01vs4yvTREqYDI95sr5HEsuzArC00OL1eeC4jtPOrVO1uqmzlgbfHj6-jH5CFiorecEdc1NUsIrQUHqNHUZucYDzChvt8SXGgc9MwIbqEOz8iTgT78ZUK3FcWhXnsdj2m8Q/s1600-h/IMGP0775.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194043522232737330" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKzt01vs4yvTREqYDI95sr5HEsuzArC00OL1eeC4jtPOrVO1uqmzlgbfHj6-jH5CFiorecEdc1NUsIrQUHqNHUZucYDzChvt8SXGgc9MwIbqEOz8iTgT78ZUK3FcWhXnsdj2m8Q/s200/IMGP0775.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />At the end of their day of instruction, staff joined us in the lounge for cookies, iced tea and conversation. Here are just a few of the three dozen folks that stopped by to greet us. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGNf7JNqVcESvo-OkbqdLXJo2OKimdq-lPRwG0rsTEG-S-WXYKAuC3C_J31zAo4kdt6znDD-MJFCY_eZupRwRSPKAOGS9HdESCrCntLVpkldR00plsixhpDneGj9hz0Bt1O84xg/s1600-h/IMGP0776.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194040983907065362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGNf7JNqVcESvo-OkbqdLXJo2OKimdq-lPRwG0rsTEG-S-WXYKAuC3C_J31zAo4kdt6znDD-MJFCY_eZupRwRSPKAOGS9HdESCrCntLVpkldR00plsixhpDneGj9hz0Bt1O84xg/s200/IMGP0776.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBsRMnodBoHQZFS5CZKvxG1ZfUTJQUMBW54AoEUMqJTgV4QA-o-ecBkMkcJRqF-9H2ZT38dWJCC7WVPq1rqC7ScdfgHGMLtFJmza6oEQfeZdxox1VkUrVFlX7gHytFHTH8Yil_Q/s1600-h/IMGP0774.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194040008949489154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBsRMnodBoHQZFS5CZKvxG1ZfUTJQUMBW54AoEUMqJTgV4QA-o-ecBkMkcJRqF-9H2ZT38dWJCC7WVPq1rqC7ScdfgHGMLtFJmza6oEQfeZdxox1VkUrVFlX7gHytFHTH8Yil_Q/s200/IMGP0774.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76VuqYVVb-VHWPB8xhfmr71l8Rcc_k7UPdGLNKaZaJ0dHxmHm00r-1YTwdrCohhXrT6IA-lMgO4AkSKYd9L3wtIjKpZVHPOar3aGuMUOsudKBd_i6wxKgj9bXcH2Zklo-nqXhCQ/s1600-h/IMGP0769.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194044638924234306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76VuqYVVb-VHWPB8xhfmr71l8Rcc_k7UPdGLNKaZaJ0dHxmHm00r-1YTwdrCohhXrT6IA-lMgO4AkSKYd9L3wtIjKpZVHPOar3aGuMUOsudKBd_i6wxKgj9bXcH2Zklo-nqXhCQ/s200/IMGP0769.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaWX4CqkBuVIjDQZz0Al8XcM7WmAGNeqq4ggHBFKVI1JW64eAXBfS95Q2utEA_7zhaKmAsLRrSjqw62PaONM95m2IpWM1XaTchuzE__3-mPJOCZfA8gcdtCbwxKWKKA4nyg5a-w/s1600-h/IMGP0777.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194042890872544802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaWX4CqkBuVIjDQZz0Al8XcM7WmAGNeqq4ggHBFKVI1JW64eAXBfS95Q2utEA_7zhaKmAsLRrSjqw62PaONM95m2IpWM1XaTchuzE__3-mPJOCZfA8gcdtCbwxKWKKA4nyg5a-w/s200/IMGP0777.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anne Travis (above-bottom/right) joined us for a few minutes before heading back to her classroom. Anne is SWUU's representative on the ISEA Executive Board and a Talented and Gifted teacher here in Shenandoah.<br /><br />Thanks Toni Graham for the great afternoon in Shenandoah! Thanks to all Shenadoah leaders on Team ISEA! It was great to see you all again! Thanks for all you do every day for Iowa's students!ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-36997170042699659532008-04-27T13:17:00.027-05:002008-04-27T15:39:27.608-05:00SWUU Tour Begins to Wrap Up With A Visit to Clarinda EAMy final day, Thursday, April 24th of my Southwest UniServ Unit Tour began in the community of Clarinda. My day began at Garfield School, the K-8 Center for the Clarinda Community School District.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfexqWAKBUKMYxLjZyYatTqb1vAmN4LkvjYbKaNyuc4Zdcnl8ef2h_nc7QH3BzO2FvQBRcFOmUoJQLAA6VfvUPeR-FIhcBpl6xqS2LkQgCKtFzNOSkc3cfDxbGoX2okRcSfW6wg/s1600-h/IMGP0750.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193992738539429090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfexqWAKBUKMYxLjZyYatTqb1vAmN4LkvjYbKaNyuc4Zdcnl8ef2h_nc7QH3BzO2FvQBRcFOmUoJQLAA6VfvUPeR-FIhcBpl6xqS2LkQgCKtFzNOSkc3cfDxbGoX2okRcSfW6wg/s200/IMGP0750.jpg" border="0" /></a>I first connected with Southwest UniServ Unit leader and Clarinda EA president, Sharon McAlpin (at left). Sharon is a Vocal Music teacher here. Sharon made arrangements for my visit today. How lucky we are to have Sharon as a leader on Team ISEA!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsRZJpU5VBujdeeSpqRgOGO1wBSHN9VW3XN2vic0qeFayw6hSsaO2WlgYKnwtxD5iPDIDAgwSha2B0zbsJRHFavuzO_6D4BuS0rUWhkH5yYWpyAl46oIH0WDq5dkKIgMJaTTWxw/s1600-h/IMGP0751.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193993752151710962" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsRZJpU5VBujdeeSpqRgOGO1wBSHN9VW3XN2vic0qeFayw6hSsaO2WlgYKnwtxD5iPDIDAgwSha2B0zbsJRHFavuzO_6D4BuS0rUWhkH5yYWpyAl46oIH0WDq5dkKIgMJaTTWxw/s200/IMGP0751.jpg" border="0" /></a> Eighth grader Sydney R. served as my tour guide of the Middle School portion of the building. She shared with me how not only is she involved in academics, the arts, and athletics, but she's involved in church and her community. I can see why Sydney was chosen as my guide--what a great leader!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJA9mRmRfONpCCt-dQ3y30BsUmuDRsKF0Qnu1ysGEj6_E6BPl3XBTSJ9MNKQ6ftBuNj2cN9WZPFJhUeryJilSvoWfmU6q-oAU6cvJDLTlq9ghl0PA9U1GCgfI8Hs438Lam4fedA/s1600-h/IMGP0752.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193994765763992834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJA9mRmRfONpCCt-dQ3y30BsUmuDRsKF0Qnu1ysGEj6_E6BPl3XBTSJ9MNKQ6ftBuNj2cN9WZPFJhUeryJilSvoWfmU6q-oAU6cvJDLTlq9ghl0PA9U1GCgfI8Hs438Lam4fedA/s200/IMGP0752.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Chris Campbell (at left) Chief Negotiator for the Clarinda EA and computer/technology teacher gave me a tour of the elementary portion of the Garfield Center. Thanks for your leadership, Chris, on Team ISEA!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLmJsAZC3qT8nTDsCmM63ljTJZVhAGGY7yhOt1bsMiyIKt77KMquEfk8zBne2IK1gIpOdP8Nh8HBIPwbGXlyihTxfmWQdDP9PoS0UGWSQuVsi3tVnKlz6PVquQoXW5o5XvNSPsA/s1600-h/IMGP0753.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194001461618007410" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLmJsAZC3qT8nTDsCmM63ljTJZVhAGGY7yhOt1bsMiyIKt77KMquEfk8zBne2IK1gIpOdP8Nh8HBIPwbGXlyihTxfmWQdDP9PoS0UGWSQuVsi3tVnKlz6PVquQoXW5o5XvNSPsA/s200/IMGP0753.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />In the school Media Center I was able to read aloud to a group of Kindergarten students. They are pictured (at right) with teacher/librarian Julie Cabeen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypdy0YXDqoxO7exUf-bXM-Zc2L9dmY14tKWc26aG0I2BghBjS0nfR8z_XiLX_UvYsk1a1t535Uvyot6heaQWccM0Du-RpUZJQx2xacrCu3UiDXOcXeOTRs-XrDq1HV735PWPi1Q/s1600-h/IMGP0755.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194000435120823650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypdy0YXDqoxO7exUf-bXM-Zc2L9dmY14tKWc26aG0I2BghBjS0nfR8z_XiLX_UvYsk1a1t535Uvyot6heaQWccM0Du-RpUZJQx2xacrCu3UiDXOcXeOTRs-XrDq1HV735PWPi1Q/s200/IMGP0755.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzm1CMNON2zCBJ3x483hVyeWuMFCOV5poFpnIa23BNJQp3qlR7WXdxMpdYqTT4TYnDz_9-d6a8Y7MohxWYDLFzmNZKcdrwl2M2IXLPE8cSPEp2_hZcanTtCN0tt5AVTFYOigLcDA/s1600-h/IMGP0754.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194000014214028626" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzm1CMNON2zCBJ3x483hVyeWuMFCOV5poFpnIa23BNJQp3qlR7WXdxMpdYqTT4TYnDz_9-d6a8Y7MohxWYDLFzmNZKcdrwl2M2IXLPE8cSPEp2_hZcanTtCN0tt5AVTFYOigLcDA/s200/IMGP0754.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypdy0YXDqoxO7exUf-bXM-Zc2L9dmY14tKWc26aG0I2BghBjS0nfR8z_XiLX_UvYsk1a1t535Uvyot6heaQWccM0Du-RpUZJQx2xacrCu3UiDXOcXeOTRs-XrDq1HV735PWPi1Q/s1600-h/IMGP0755.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypdy0YXDqoxO7exUf-bXM-Zc2L9dmY14tKWc26aG0I2BghBjS0nfR8z_XiLX_UvYsk1a1t535Uvyot6heaQWccM0Du-RpUZJQx2xacrCu3UiDXOcXeOTRs-XrDq1HV735PWPi1Q/s1600-h/IMGP0755.jpg"></a><br />Next, I observed teacher/librarian Julie Cabeen lead 3rd graders in a lesson using reference materials in the school Media Center.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hMDIUMqE6FuAx2JRY-ASvbqEzTKayCag-5gMKG8NTl7MTRwFp4jGRZNGqZedPWsSFsZC5ZQ8fy7IuqOwrpREo3rTAxPq4VReOtIrOh7iwwPRy35h6C2LL5nDgQSeLPyY0fpDxg/s1600-h/IMGP0760.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194004004238646658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hMDIUMqE6FuAx2JRY-ASvbqEzTKayCag-5gMKG8NTl7MTRwFp4jGRZNGqZedPWsSFsZC5ZQ8fy7IuqOwrpREo3rTAxPq4VReOtIrOh7iwwPRy35h6C2LL5nDgQSeLPyY0fpDxg/s200/IMGP0760.JPG" border="0" /></a>My final classroom visit in Clarinda was in the 4th grade homeroom of Mrs. Diane Campbell. I read aloud the Chris Van Allsburg book <strong><em>Probuditi!</em></strong> The students were a great audience and enjoyed the read aloud. And as all students, they loved the mood pencils from Team ISEA!<br /><br />Thank you Clarinda EA leaders and staff for your hospitality. You are providing terrific opportunities for all your students. Thanks for all you do!ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-70455310570095940212008-04-27T11:54:00.018-05:002008-04-27T13:14:57.733-05:00Getting Roasted and Toasted Back Home in Southwest UniServ UnitWednesday evening, April 23rd, I thought I was to briefly address the SWUU Rep Council in Red Oak, only to discover....it was <strong><em>me</em></strong> that was to get "roasted" and "toasted" by my best pals--the SWUU leaders!<br /><br />Some 65 leaders from all over southwest Iowa gathered at the Red Coach Inn in Red Oak for the annual Southwest UniServ Unit Rep Council. New leaders would be elected, local membership chairs and negotiations teams would be given their due recognition, and oh yes...they would give recognition to me--one of their own for my 4 years as ISEA president.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9sGN9xKV4U8J4pqlQyvnJuKNPkvnk188PdNcvMF2qn6e1eAEjpZDf_Fu9irjClCIlhlk0J8naJCrok2b7tmawLpg1kL679ntq5AHL9TZru_iJUTSlocC4eoJri8yLjvePcMdvg/s1600-h/IMGP0737.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193970945875369010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9sGN9xKV4U8J4pqlQyvnJuKNPkvnk188PdNcvMF2qn6e1eAEjpZDf_Fu9irjClCIlhlk0J8naJCrok2b7tmawLpg1kL679ntq5AHL9TZru_iJUTSlocC4eoJri8yLjvePcMdvg/s200/IMGP0737.JPG" border="0" /></a>Tom McLaughlin (at left) Southwest UniServ Unit president and Lewis Central High School Speech and Drama teacher, led the evening meeting. Tom McLaughlin and Patti Ford headed up my two campaigns for ISEA president.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPu62mcVcWhCN1Uy1XDzofl2RhPlcrcqff3EBRfn_roKVMUs3QYnWMyByTGJFn2ps13yl5C2B0TTBsmZZkiYtjxNb7-FhDwwtf6Bj5pMqGsRuGG0CmVpBDe3js9zrc21WwcqrJw/s1600-h/IMGP0738.jpg"></a></p>Two longtime friends from the Council Bluffs EA that joined in to "roast" me were Cheri Nielsen (left) Math teacher at Wilson Jr. High and JoAnn Tews (right) 6th grade teacher at Walnut Grove Elementary. I give credit to Cheri for taking me to my first SWUU and ISEA meetings. JoAnn and I shared many rides to Red Oak for UniServ meetings and roomed together at many NEA-RA's.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPu62mcVcWhCN1Uy1XDzofl2RhPlcrcqff3EBRfn_roKVMUs3QYnWMyByTGJFn2ps13yl5C2B0TTBsmZZkiYtjxNb7-FhDwwtf6Bj5pMqGsRuGG0CmVpBDe3js9zrc21WwcqrJw/s1600-h/IMGP0738.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193971796278893634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPu62mcVcWhCN1Uy1XDzofl2RhPlcrcqff3EBRfn_roKVMUs3QYnWMyByTGJFn2ps13yl5C2B0TTBsmZZkiYtjxNb7-FhDwwtf6Bj5pMqGsRuGG0CmVpBDe3js9zrc21WwcqrJw/s200/IMGP0738.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPu62mcVcWhCN1Uy1XDzofl2RhPlcrcqff3EBRfn_roKVMUs3QYnWMyByTGJFn2ps13yl5C2B0TTBsmZZkiYtjxNb7-FhDwwtf6Bj5pMqGsRuGG0CmVpBDe3js9zrc21WwcqrJw/s1600-h/IMGP0738.jpg"></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNdD8v8YBWk6hJmYh9GNRS9loL3m1uhqdypFqxfNwDb2WTr6dXqQ66ynfXpf4fpm2vtrDpJpUevbjL1KY8hMzGlh1VUUIeS_Mu4smNAJKwr1Ot-BnRwsCn2ZeBWWEEjnr4hPk_A/s1600-h/IMGP0740.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193972324559871058" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNdD8v8YBWk6hJmYh9GNRS9loL3m1uhqdypFqxfNwDb2WTr6dXqQ66ynfXpf4fpm2vtrDpJpUevbjL1KY8hMzGlh1VUUIeS_Mu4smNAJKwr1Ot-BnRwsCn2ZeBWWEEjnr4hPk_A/s200/IMGP0740.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPu62mcVcWhCN1Uy1XDzofl2RhPlcrcqff3EBRfn_roKVMUs3QYnWMyByTGJFn2ps13yl5C2B0TTBsmZZkiYtjxNb7-FhDwwtf6Bj5pMqGsRuGG0CmVpBDe3js9zrc21WwcqrJw/s1600-h/IMGP0738.jpg"></a></p><p></p><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIWKsIA5smrnt27FlOCuU58qhqzNpSQEVm3iWH0kQJ9dh1YlxDfBbutL6-sJO0VmvQQgLid54blM_6MGpy_BY-IRQQ5D6SSGgsMvVcjePvOytvYrYVSuh56wBKrzhiBOU34HrjA/s1600-h/IMGP0742.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193974016776985698" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIWKsIA5smrnt27FlOCuU58qhqzNpSQEVm3iWH0kQJ9dh1YlxDfBbutL6-sJO0VmvQQgLid54blM_6MGpy_BY-IRQQ5D6SSGgsMvVcjePvOytvYrYVSuh56wBKrzhiBOU34HrjA/s200/IMGP0742.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Kate Shipley (at right) one of our young, emerging SWUU leaders and high school teacher in Creston, prepared a powerpoint presentation of a collection of photos from my travels these past four years.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLILGrFOGm3R79_8ltRYr32L2G2B9KE68chhc6xdmRzmL9841730WgBvSPtL3wDZ9aqOSx3bUrnw26zoy6f8Cy0qewdTw-F3csVPTpZu1kAmE_IB1cEMjXW0eOARMpmLlJ6iK2g/s1600-h/IMGP0781.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193974854295608434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLILGrFOGm3R79_8ltRYr32L2G2B9KE68chhc6xdmRzmL9841730WgBvSPtL3wDZ9aqOSx3bUrnw26zoy6f8Cy0qewdTw-F3csVPTpZu1kAmE_IB1cEMjXW0eOARMpmLlJ6iK2g/s200/IMGP0781.JPG" border="0" /></a>SWUU members presented me with a number of lovely gifts! First (at left) is a corsage made of various denominations of paper money! SWUU Executive Board member, Becky Poen, Art teacher in Stanton, made the beautiful handmade certificate that is matted and framed here too.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKPQP-bLmy25UEiorrHTsJkiF6TGRYeiqNyQaky3KjRO5IPASCgSn1gWfF9cwVwPMDWRrK_9_xAt7TXT5UuO1QGqgop_XO_FrQw1TZeMUaxxYn9Ra5o3XPnZZcKCrf3Lx-j6WpA/s1600-h/IMGP0748.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193977538650168466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKPQP-bLmy25UEiorrHTsJkiF6TGRYeiqNyQaky3KjRO5IPASCgSn1gWfF9cwVwPMDWRrK_9_xAt7TXT5UuO1QGqgop_XO_FrQw1TZeMUaxxYn9Ra5o3XPnZZcKCrf3Lx-j6WpA/s200/IMGP0748.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIWKsIA5smrnt27FlOCuU58qhqzNpSQEVm3iWH0kQJ9dh1YlxDfBbutL6-sJO0VmvQQgLid54blM_6MGpy_BY-IRQQ5D6SSGgsMvVcjePvOytvYrYVSuh56wBKrzhiBOU34HrjA/s1600-h/IMGP0742.JPG"></a></p>Another SWUU gift was this metal cat/planter. My friends know well how important my kitties are to me! This gift has already found a home outside my front door at my townhouse in Council Bluffs!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP7FIfMOcjyoxtRz_SJyQTLS7gK8EgecxW_7R4Ij2QYHN03-1wMAuK0mG4AySP4C55YagDxb0LCO8Z3ONF0W1ek5s7K3RhJRfcBFa9xsw28Jkk-eFPJkeH-fYM0Y4vj8YheK2qA/s1600-h/IMGP0744.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193978702586305698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP7FIfMOcjyoxtRz_SJyQTLS7gK8EgecxW_7R4Ij2QYHN03-1wMAuK0mG4AySP4C55YagDxb0LCO8Z3ONF0W1ek5s7K3RhJRfcBFa9xsw28Jkk-eFPJkeH-fYM0Y4vj8YheK2qA/s200/IMGP0744.JPG" border="0" /></a>Joining in to roast me were SWUU UniServ Directors John Phillips and Pat Shipley (two of three of our SWUU Crew). They presented me packets from the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce, the Omaha Chamber and various brochures from communities in southwest Iowa. If I have extra time on my hand, they felt I might need to get reacquainted with communities near home.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjE0F1XTngexmUaKKexV6zMKlm1qaibF5oyASrZBQLogw0cTEMBiSg1V0Mu_oJm4Xclm4BFC8WTT5s7eKdk6CPndF6bePnPs3rKBw8GRX6AfOLO8TUo5WObdc7LIMcBHgNO7aDpA/s1600-h/IMGP0745.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193980296019172530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjE0F1XTngexmUaKKexV6zMKlm1qaibF5oyASrZBQLogw0cTEMBiSg1V0Mu_oJm4Xclm4BFC8WTT5s7eKdk6CPndF6bePnPs3rKBw8GRX6AfOLO8TUo5WObdc7LIMcBHgNO7aDpA/s200/IMGP0745.jpg" border="0" /></a>The third member of the SWUU Crew is SWUU's Administrative Assistant, Marilyn Paul (at right). Marilyn is the first voice our members connect with when calling the ISEA Regional Office in Red Oak. Marilyn is the calming voice that lowers the level of concern for members who have a need. SWUU members honored Marilyn on Wednesday night for Administrative Assistant's Day and the work she does every day on our behalf. </p><p></p><br /><p></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDE_3a0e92-X7gHigznFlKK85m7SB1QOK-61tEbmWS9D0bq8XU8fOwSW96a40ELZmeJY_cEArLf_e0M3vChhsMAm9Spo2w8IgPanYskWXwm_0foK2HCJhgy8RsmUGgmBroGzgHsA/s1600-h/IMGP0747.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193988757104745682" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDE_3a0e92-X7gHigznFlKK85m7SB1QOK-61tEbmWS9D0bq8XU8fOwSW96a40ELZmeJY_cEArLf_e0M3vChhsMAm9Spo2w8IgPanYskWXwm_0foK2HCJhgy8RsmUGgmBroGzgHsA/s200/IMGP0747.JPG" border="0" /></a> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKU7LtjDdE09qw3BzWe7lkaMVHjhAH3cjYTJdv56iygWvNWj6gQK3YPSfkRYpQbLu2WK4s0BFKfZaLRprwcw2QbZEje76O_ZiI0irnxjZFDYw57u6qdlHbCRZOnrn9rIkA0xSxA/s1600-h/IMGP0746.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193988392032525506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKU7LtjDdE09qw3BzWe7lkaMVHjhAH3cjYTJdv56iygWvNWj6gQK3YPSfkRYpQbLu2WK4s0BFKfZaLRprwcw2QbZEje76O_ZiI0irnxjZFDYw57u6qdlHbCRZOnrn9rIkA0xSxA/s200/IMGP0746.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKU7LtjDdE09qw3BzWe7lkaMVHjhAH3cjYTJdv56iygWvNWj6gQK3YPSfkRYpQbLu2WK4s0BFKfZaLRprwcw2QbZEje76O_ZiI0irnxjZFDYw57u6qdlHbCRZOnrn9rIkA0xSxA/s1600-h/IMGP0746.JPG"></a> </p><p><br /> </p><p> </p><p>SWUU honored local EA's this evening too! Local leaders (on the left) represent local EA's that saw a membership growth in 2007-2008. Local leaders (on the right) represent SWUU locals that made their bargaining goal this year. Congratulations to all SWUU locals for increasing members and meeting bargaining goals!</p><p>As Dorothy from <strong><em>The Wizard of Oz</em></strong> often repeated, "There's no place like home, there's no place like home!" Thank you SWUU friends for your love and support, I am returning home to SWUU in June!</p>ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-46455394572766483812008-04-27T11:22:00.009-05:002008-04-28T19:46:45.624-05:00Gunn School Stop Wraps Up Visit in Council BluffsThanks to CBEA leader and member of the Negotiations team, Carol Mattox for making arrangements for my visit to Gunn School on Wednesday afternoon, April 23rd. Carol in a Talented and Gifted teacher in the Council Bluffs Schools and Gunn is one of her assignments.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGy_5ldIxXQDaAbzZKFrNovrA-Qsk0fhIOUHaDGFLWJWKOk_eyhwsN26XEG5L3wszNIccb3FZfYDz52zOSK0UYRrC6gmzv4vwauk5n1muO8SnjCsEOwB9E1-NsrwBftat_AdQTyA/s1600-h/IMGP0731.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193964318740831250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGy_5ldIxXQDaAbzZKFrNovrA-Qsk0fhIOUHaDGFLWJWKOk_eyhwsN26XEG5L3wszNIccb3FZfYDz52zOSK0UYRrC6gmzv4vwauk5n1muO8SnjCsEOwB9E1-NsrwBftat_AdQTyA/s200/IMGP0731.JPG" border="0" /></a>My first classroom visit at Gunn Elementary was in the 6th grade classroom of Lori Reschly. I had the students join in with first reading, then singing with me the song "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". I then read aloud the poem, "Casey at the Bat".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFV3fjF-1UjfsqZewVHio9RLows9756kHXUdLReqHpyPo80m8u1JMwCUDSa8iroMscFtUa_z9sQwDpHBOX9GijqWlwo99f1R5TU2g7nEfeKRtKmZ4dxKMy6MsSWLOQLSvqtSQ-Bw/s1600-h/IMGP0732.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193963163394628610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFV3fjF-1UjfsqZewVHio9RLows9756kHXUdLReqHpyPo80m8u1JMwCUDSa8iroMscFtUa_z9sQwDpHBOX9GijqWlwo99f1R5TU2g7nEfeKRtKmZ4dxKMy6MsSWLOQLSvqtSQ-Bw/s200/IMGP0732.JPG" border="0" /></a>I next read to the combined group of two classes of Kindergarten students. Ms. Ruth Rysta (on left) and Ms. Melissa Taylor (on right) invited me to read aloud <strong><em>17 Things I'm Not Allowed to do Anymore.</em></strong> I have known Ruth as a colleague for many years and it was fun to catch up (even if it was very brief)!<br /><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF4qG3QBBSBNFe9KTZiUfNXw3TJbKhOvNq8IhFybjzGIbCdMSCEcSkd_Rk2Y9Z8TkuT7ooJ8oN-RlQDo0YYdBlZfq8edlu6z3gYtwAUTEWx6sjNqQoTXqDaLG0lzLt5PgeHFS0w/s1600-h/IMGP0733.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193964928626187298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF4qG3QBBSBNFe9KTZiUfNXw3TJbKhOvNq8IhFybjzGIbCdMSCEcSkd_Rk2Y9Z8TkuT7ooJ8oN-RlQDo0YYdBlZfq8edlu6z3gYtwAUTEWx6sjNqQoTXqDaLG0lzLt5PgeHFS0w/s200/IMGP0733.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>The last classroom visit took me into the classroom of longtime CBEA building rep, 1st grade teacher Kathleen Kruse. It was great to reconnect with this great CBEA leader today!<br /><br /><br />Thanks to all at Gunn School for your leadership in the classroom and in the association!ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-34447321537948541852008-04-27T10:40:00.015-05:002008-04-27T11:21:03.180-05:00Returning Home to Council Bluffs Community SchoolsOn Wednesday afternoon, April 23rd, I visited Longfellow Elementary on the south side of town. Years ago I taught at Peterson Elementary on the south end, so today's visit was like returning home.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRzggKywxQJFD1ihyphenhyphens9hFSfjvgnhX9NfNVlaAiuRAjjTu0pDRnq9PiHDefnfwMiSsQfppOwtYZBAblfAt-Ws5-iw7-slKB90Em0X15AZCl_grmWtJIZsYfVh-1CVbKX375H3kvA/s1600-h/IMGP0726.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193951648587307874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRzggKywxQJFD1ihyphenhyphens9hFSfjvgnhX9NfNVlaAiuRAjjTu0pDRnq9PiHDefnfwMiSsQfppOwtYZBAblfAt-Ws5-iw7-slKB90Em0X15AZCl_grmWtJIZsYfVh-1CVbKX375H3kvA/s200/IMGP0726.JPG" border="0" /></a>Council Bluffs EA president Sara Dressel (on left) and English Language Learning teacher, made arrangements for my visit to Longfellow today. The CBEA hosted a pizza luncheon for the entire Longfellow staff on Wednesday.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRHVfo_KUwFkbyRtb70st-MCmOzmoODQzOgvGmsvMHnHgtTf1uPTdaKrglRWTwRqhmig0Ulp8IeK3eminfcaAzsmnJ5oE_GaUftccyDVRIIVBx_CDajIF_Fy4nk-iYATlcWet9Q/s1600-h/IMGP0724.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193952219817958258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRHVfo_KUwFkbyRtb70st-MCmOzmoODQzOgvGmsvMHnHgtTf1uPTdaKrglRWTwRqhmig0Ulp8IeK3eminfcaAzsmnJ5oE_GaUftccyDVRIIVBx_CDajIF_Fy4nk-iYATlcWet9Q/s200/IMGP0724.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Several dozen staff stopped in for pizza and conversation. Pictured (on right) are two Longfellow teachers and CBEA leaders.<br /><br />Visiting Longfellow gave me the chance to reconnect with longtime friend/colleague Cindy Goetzmann. Cindy (on left) taught 4th grade at Peterson Elementary when I was a 6th grade teacher there. Cindy has taught 6th grade here at Longfellow and now teaches 1st grade. It was great to see Cindy again! A most pleasant surprise today was reconnecting with a former 6th grade student at Carter Lake Elementary and now a Special Education teacher here at Longfellow, Danielle (Eggett) Alcaraz (on right). It is so exciting to welcome a former student into the profession!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhB_1iy86dSIYPltN9B91vyXWK1LRiSltN9cKDq_l0I7MnrNUYKSd8wzcRytDU-UXj40crG6SR_NP-7nTk_lW0f81GGf4XbUJouAQsy0GARhnSnaqD27KA8liBSsuXXt6ndrzVw/s1600-h/IMGP0727.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193954878402714530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhB_1iy86dSIYPltN9B91vyXWK1LRiSltN9cKDq_l0I7MnrNUYKSd8wzcRytDU-UXj40crG6SR_NP-7nTk_lW0f81GGf4XbUJouAQsy0GARhnSnaqD27KA8liBSsuXXt6ndrzVw/s200/IMGP0727.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOtdqahB_Egsafy9Uv-b7ab9nhNJyvXAIbM3ZDIf6CQldGrqxDnP2ZLdqtnB1_fzVxP0flQaIaiE3eHk-gXwDO6pnST5E1cK3wZ3PYu6ZwumNeLfDvbqq3VUWSj-sb_Y7bDvAHw/s1600-h/IMGP0725.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193955170460490674" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOtdqahB_Egsafy9Uv-b7ab9nhNJyvXAIbM3ZDIf6CQldGrqxDnP2ZLdqtnB1_fzVxP0flQaIaiE3eHk-gXwDO6pnST5E1cK3wZ3PYu6ZwumNeLfDvbqq3VUWSj-sb_Y7bDvAHw/s200/IMGP0725.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vi0FrPdAnEv_TvUQvsRzraMjExCn9BorS1Y6eA2iPzGFLRCH4ACkreXTnJkQ4hRxO1v0-Tb866xlDkYVJeXcaXTRwJq4m4gMrBAP60ReSe1itWDFv8UlXqWjHZAbMS4DDxNwbA/s1600-h/IMGP0728.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193957253519629250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vi0FrPdAnEv_TvUQvsRzraMjExCn9BorS1Y6eA2iPzGFLRCH4ACkreXTnJkQ4hRxO1v0-Tb866xlDkYVJeXcaXTRwJq4m4gMrBAP60ReSe1itWDFv8UlXqWjHZAbMS4DDxNwbA/s200/IMGP0728.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Following our pizza luncheon, I had the opportunity to read in all three 1st grade classrooms. The first visit took me into the homeroom of Cindy Goetzmann. Here (on right) Cindy is pictured with her 1st graders.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRIqebUVUWPhbVZ6BHQGWZn__4HnmIyblC7031KjWH-SgF99_1gEVPKZImgZGYnZZhcAiurM19U7GID0c_1mHzRN59_PEmgi-JbS4knmocQAADXOtKkP1LuMybyuK61D9h2_ZvQ/s1600-h/IMGP0729.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193958520534981586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRIqebUVUWPhbVZ6BHQGWZn__4HnmIyblC7031KjWH-SgF99_1gEVPKZImgZGYnZZhcAiurM19U7GID0c_1mHzRN59_PEmgi-JbS4knmocQAADXOtKkP1LuMybyuK61D9h2_ZvQ/s200/IMGP0729.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Next, I was invited to read to Kelli Reese's 1st grade homeroom. It was a most inviting classroom! Here (on left) Kelli is pictured with her 1st grade class.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWpOMz5uti2e-kF2WX1TVTDdMVWm6W_VgTsbrBiEdF-cQZ6xV0lcPxW3qdbMj3e7fbVtlJdb-uOM4RE_l7qQB0vMxRDVGfbYNk_1QFojjwC1Iz5Xj4BSdvp1yY-JBBTpiEyuDyw/s1600-h/IMGP0730.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193959370938506210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWpOMz5uti2e-kF2WX1TVTDdMVWm6W_VgTsbrBiEdF-cQZ6xV0lcPxW3qdbMj3e7fbVtlJdb-uOM4RE_l7qQB0vMxRDVGfbYNk_1QFojjwC1Iz5Xj4BSdvp1yY-JBBTpiEyuDyw/s200/IMGP0730.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><p>The final classroom visit took me into the homeroom of Barb Schmid. Barb had her students first demonstrate a song to give emphasis of an earlier Language lesson. Here Ms. Schmid is pictured (on right) with her 1st graders.</p><p>Thank you Sara Dressel for your leadership in CBEA and Team ISEA! Thanks to the entire staff at Longfellow for a warm, welcoming visit!</p>ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-50947967072686546412008-04-27T09:59:00.013-05:002008-04-27T10:33:51.739-05:00Lewis Central Schools Visits Leads to Titan Hill Intermediate School<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakh1D2ZMQaG2QSdHTytjs0qevbalGPC84QqRqEzJXXiBvo08MLcE_TlZ7pbZsvFiPrXTfuF-P62rTY-4czTl03-vdEVm684gvSaWbNALXdJwRKQj2V6L2PQJyfhLs2BwSggsl5Q/s1600-h/IMGP0716.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193940412952861426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakh1D2ZMQaG2QSdHTytjs0qevbalGPC84QqRqEzJXXiBvo08MLcE_TlZ7pbZsvFiPrXTfuF-P62rTY-4czTl03-vdEVm684gvSaWbNALXdJwRKQj2V6L2PQJyfhLs2BwSggsl5Q/s200/IMGP0716.JPG" border="0" /></a>My Wednesday, April 23rd, began in Lewis Central Community School District at Titan Hill Intermediate School. Nearly four dozen members gathered for bagels and juice along with the chance to have conversation with their colleagues. Thanks to all who joined us before your school day began!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhVMFbcExIT-VEczVgmUN_MIby4U_4kKiM1HSaoYHsKyCPvhOtlGkBHJmaVljLDJzr9ADvggy-PnRwwGyQOFJDpqsQTZ3PEOSkYFKIkwUUzQL3bMcEZ9l3Dxzrc8f73htXUKtjg/s1600-h/IMGP0715.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193941113032530690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhVMFbcExIT-VEczVgmUN_MIby4U_4kKiM1HSaoYHsKyCPvhOtlGkBHJmaVljLDJzr9ADvggy-PnRwwGyQOFJDpqsQTZ3PEOSkYFKIkwUUzQL3bMcEZ9l3Dxzrc8f73htXUKtjg/s200/IMGP0715.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlK8xJZNOQklLKjarESepk6WD-s2HPxdxq42J2BxAZEYi2XAriTLXYBX-tooWMyOK1JPCFkMljSYGzm3-4g3TxHYSUtPCM_96tTMwuLBIX0inyoYHzHK0sOFOIecsmSYFWdb1eQ/s1600-h/IMGP0718.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193941508169521938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlK8xJZNOQklLKjarESepk6WD-s2HPxdxq42J2BxAZEYi2XAriTLXYBX-tooWMyOK1JPCFkMljSYGzm3-4g3TxHYSUtPCM_96tTMwuLBIX0inyoYHzHK0sOFOIecsmSYFWdb1eQ/s200/IMGP0718.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhVMFbcExIT-VEczVgmUN_MIby4U_4kKiM1HSaoYHsKyCPvhOtlGkBHJmaVljLDJzr9ADvggy-PnRwwGyQOFJDpqsQTZ3PEOSkYFKIkwUUzQL3bMcEZ9l3Dxzrc8f73htXUKtjg/s1600-h/IMGP0715.JPG"></a><br /><br />Lewis Central is a growing school district on the edge of Council Bluffs. Titan Hill has a student population of 2nd through 5th grade students. Each grade level has at least <strong><em>nine</em></strong> (9) homeroom classes!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivm3NT7Ob2TxeYDps-ftNCxoaQUkDKP3d-MQVySlCOoJEfC-SIqkAXQnNvqX3p_X_n-gkp5pt2KJsUzjgityGDbuaTH4AUIDcg5TKxrtrtKzSEd7BRZOEtUgyVGxSpu2Ipl-gN3w/s1600-h/IMGP0719.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193943479559510818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivm3NT7Ob2TxeYDps-ftNCxoaQUkDKP3d-MQVySlCOoJEfC-SIqkAXQnNvqX3p_X_n-gkp5pt2KJsUzjgityGDbuaTH4AUIDcg5TKxrtrtKzSEd7BRZOEtUgyVGxSpu2Ipl-gN3w/s200/IMGP0719.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />LCEA past president and 5th grade teacher, Maggie Bennett (seated in the middle/black blouse) extended the invitation for my visit and made all arrangements for the morning. I had the chance to read to Maggie's homeroom. Maggie is an enthusiastic teacher/leader and we're so lucky to have her as a leader on Team ISEA!<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_hGrF-TtNx6bxHbmhu3Cthyr4VbgbxQqRxcppCAvP32E_UvkgTB9LBTCh4hGRGg3KtD0JcXZv_gwNQtictX4luLm1QNn1rvYx94bjrujle7DgbmQaiS7PwIMz6eYdc4x5QxnoA/s1600-h/IMGP0720.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193944574776171314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_hGrF-TtNx6bxHbmhu3Cthyr4VbgbxQqRxcppCAvP32E_UvkgTB9LBTCh4hGRGg3KtD0JcXZv_gwNQtictX4luLm1QNn1rvYx94bjrujle7DgbmQaiS7PwIMz6eYdc4x5QxnoA/s200/IMGP0720.JPG" border="0" /></a>Next I read in the 3rd grade homeroom of Mrs. Susan Drustrup. Mrs. Drustrup (back row/black t-shirt) is pictured with her 3rd grade homeroom. What a great bunch of students! Thanks Susan for your leadership in the classroom and in the association!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qZ52iG42QuTn4Gk1CBbasnZAP1bEHMLZvDT2oqS3w5kHbW-OnHw1Sg4Q3zm8_E8sU78cOLu5UDaFdjwncjp-uM-JUlVDDd25LfKZp8BtJsgUCY4bLyLAJlgmgJiuQqKlfRdW6w/s1600-h/IMGP0721.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193946146734201666" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qZ52iG42QuTn4Gk1CBbasnZAP1bEHMLZvDT2oqS3w5kHbW-OnHw1Sg4Q3zm8_E8sU78cOLu5UDaFdjwncjp-uM-JUlVDDd25LfKZp8BtJsgUCY4bLyLAJlgmgJiuQqKlfRdW6w/s200/IMGP0721.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The last classroom visit at Titan Hill was to the homeroom of Ms. Joanna Stenlund. After reading aloud to Ms. Stenlund's 2nd grade, I captured this photo (on right) of Joanna and her homeroom.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qZ52iG42QuTn4Gk1CBbasnZAP1bEHMLZvDT2oqS3w5kHbW-OnHw1Sg4Q3zm8_E8sU78cOLu5UDaFdjwncjp-uM-JUlVDDd25LfKZp8BtJsgUCY4bLyLAJlgmgJiuQqKlfRdW6w/s1600-h/IMGP0721.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZs7UJYnWmaY7Yv0yUMuARaY7gqBCf7WVpRtCZWCngydARtc33ds5DluesnPM-VVVhGQC5jUQ8mLCLU14NomJQy5DbjuMPF-IxZhWiauqkx5tyQABLiuFR1u1n99g0qW4YoNNGQ/s1600-h/IMGP0722.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193947108806875986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZs7UJYnWmaY7Yv0yUMuARaY7gqBCf7WVpRtCZWCngydARtc33ds5DluesnPM-VVVhGQC5jUQ8mLCLU14NomJQy5DbjuMPF-IxZhWiauqkx5tyQABLiuFR1u1n99g0qW4YoNNGQ/s200/IMGP0722.JPG" border="0" /></a>Before leaving Titan Hill, I connected with someone I saw as I entered the building. Mrs. Tammy (Fiala) Stephens, a former 6th grade student of mine at Peterson Elementary, was volunteering time with other parents in the school's Book Fair. Tammy and her sister, Cindy, have been extra special former students. When they graduated from high school, college, got married, had babies--they invited me to their family celebrations! Tammy (and husband Todd's) daughter, Amanda, is a 5th grader here at Titan Hill Intermediate School.<br /><br />Thank you Titan Hill and LCEA members for all you do for Iowa's students!</p>ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18579375.post-84061791525115545592008-04-27T09:41:00.006-05:002008-04-27T09:55:35.233-05:00Missouri Valley EA Gathers for a Legislative UpdateMy travels on Tuesday April 22nd ended as the association road led me to Missouri Valley. Association members gathered at the end of their school day at Missouri Valley High School for conversation with their colleagues, cookies and lemonade.<br /><br />Missouri Valley EA president Sara Guinan called the group to order and gave an introduction for me. Nearly three dozen members gathered in the high school auditorium to hear the latest update on legislative action. (The General Assembly did adjourn in the wee hours of Saturday morning).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavQUgEVkp8DljKC2vd78JsBWIIDRjmLRAbJmrde8L80zQ0oZy0rDSXJnC6AYs5aDvv0Hzuo7EJoXpA8LpSI7fGiZRNvG0Eet5X8c6Wczek4TL-TvZi_GsCSfhVySZm71cf3_vCQ/s1600-h/IMGP0714.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193937561094576866" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavQUgEVkp8DljKC2vd78JsBWIIDRjmLRAbJmrde8L80zQ0oZy0rDSXJnC6AYs5aDvv0Hzuo7EJoXpA8LpSI7fGiZRNvG0Eet5X8c6Wczek4TL-TvZi_GsCSfhVySZm71cf3_vCQ/s200/IMGP0714.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Pictured here (on the left) are MVEA president Sara Guinan, a 4th grade teacher and Carrie Kohl (on the right) MVEA Treasurer and high school Business teacher.<br /><br />Thank to all MVEA members for making time in your busy schedule to meet! Thanks for all you do as leaders on Team ISEA!ISEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10688641818902828075noreply@blogger.com0