Team ISEA's Fall Student Program Conference Held Over the Weekend

On October 19-20 some fifty of our newest and youngest Team ISEA members along with their sponsors gathered for the Annual Fall Conference for ISEA Student Program.

ISEA Student Program Chair Jenna Miller of Waldorf College kicked off the event with a welcome and introductions. Everyone enjoyed a delicious meal too!


I made a few introductory remarks and then had the privilege to introduce the keynote speaker, Iowa's 2007 Teacher of the Year, Jan Keese of Ankey.



Jan (at left) focused her remarks on the effort of "team". She told the student program members that they should do their "homework", go into the classroom prepared...but be prepared to fail too. Not every lesson will be the best one you've ever presented, but you should prepare as it will be.


I had the honor of giving out three student program awards. The first was for "Sponsor of the Year" going to Lisa Smith of Mt. Mercy College for her work in building the student program and mentoring of students. The next award was for "Chapter of the Year"awarded to Mt. Mercy College for their increased participation and increased membership.

Accepting for Lisa Smith was Joslin Hanna (at right) a former member of ISEA's Student Program Executive Committee.


The final award was for "Student Program Friend of Education" awarded to Angie King (at left). Angie dedicated her entire life to serving the education profession. Most of her career in the classroom was as a 3rd grade teacher, later as President of ISEA, then into staff work for ISEA. Angie always loved her students and her enthusiasm and dedication to their well being and growth is an exceptional quality.

The remainder of Friday evening was dedicated to two workshops: Beginning Information You Can't Live Without, by past Student Program Chair and Norwalk EA President Ann Swenson; and The ABC's About the Association, by UniServ Director Cindy Carroll. The evening concluded with a "Social" that was a "make and take" workshop that also included lots of great food and sodas!

On Saturday student program members first heard from Jean Seeland, a veteran classroom teacher from Waterloo who spoke on "Developing Great Parent/Teacher Communications"; followed by a session by ISEA Communication Director Lana Oppenheim Schlapkohl on "What's On the Web?". The final session before heading home with a boxed lunch was led by Sue Stuchel a great classroom teacher and Winterset EA leader on "Classroom Management Tips" an abbreviated version of "I Can Do It".