Wednesday Afternoon Takes Me to Cedarwood UniServ Unit

On Wednesday afternoon November 7th I was off to Cedar Rapids to the Linn Area Credit Union to be a part of the Cedar Rapids Education Associaton and Cedar Rapids Organization of Classroom Associates Faculty Rep meeting.


Gary Anhalt (at left) is the Cedar Rapids EA President and the ISEA Executive Board Representative from Cedarwood UniServ Unit.







Ray Feuss, a 4th grade teacher (at right) and CREA Membership Chair thanked the Faculty Reps for their great effort and congratulated them on a membership increase.




Cedarwood UniServ Director Kathy Krehbiel (on the left) and Cedar Rapids Assistant Superintendent Dr. Christine Rauscher (on the right) made a joint presentation to the Faculty Reps regarding attendance center professional development plans. The duo had made a similar presentation to district administrators. How about that for finding ways to partner! Nice work Kathy and CREA and nice work Cedar Rapids Community School District!

Following the various reports and presentations to the CREA/CROTA Faculty Reps, association leaders led everyone in a "World Cafe" conversation around their attendance center professional development plans. It is a rare chance that elementary, middle school and high school leaders have the opportunity to share as a group. I believe many were surprised how similiar their issues really are!

It was certainly a neat technique to facilitate discussion! Every table had poster paper and markers and tablemates added their thoughts to the paper throughout their discussion. After a certain period of time (approximately 10-15 minutes), time was called. One person from that first group stayed at the table and then would describe to the new incoming group where their discussion had taken them. Others from the table then scattered throughout the room, finding a new table to continue their conversations.









Over fifty CREA/CROTA leaders participated in the Faculty Rep meeting! The leadership of the association honors the time of their leaders too. The meeting began at 4:30 and was adjourned by 5:30 p.m. So many good things going on here in CREA and CROTA!

Following the Faculty Rep meeting, I had the chance to have dinner with a dozen leaders from Cedar Rapids. It was a great opportunity to have them share what is going in in their buildings as well as in their local.

Thanks CREA and CROTA leaders for all you do as leaders on Team ISEA! You are a great model for all Team ISEA!