Summer Conference 2007 Heard from Special Speakers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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