On Tuesday morning, October 23rd one of NEIEU's UniServ Directors Kevin McDermott and I headed to the community of Plainfield for a breakfast meeting with Nashua-Plainfield EA and ESP members.
Greeting us on that beautiful fall Iowa morning was Deb Turnball (at left). Deb is the NEIEU rep on the ISEA Executive Board, a Nashua-Plainfield local leader and teaches 5/6 Talented and Gifted as well as K-4 Guidance and 3rd-5th grade PE. On top of all that, we found out that Deb is also a terrific cook! Deb prepared a breakfast casserole for our early morning gathering.
In addition to a dozen or more association members having breakfast with us, Nashua-Plainfield Superintendent of Schools Mr. Paul Bisgard (at right) joined us too!
Conversation focused on Iowa's Teacher Quality Law and decisions locally made on salary distribution as well as setting plans for use of the professional development funds.
Nashua-Plainfield EA President Lori Lee (pictured at right) pulled together a great schdule for Kevin and I to see a great variety of classrooms and programs within their school district. President Lee is a Family and Consumer Science as well as a Science teacher at the middle school.
Our first stop was to speak before a group of 7th graders in Mindy Foelske's (at left with class) homeroom. I addressed the topic of leaderhip and responsibility. It amazes me how involved students today are in a variety of extra curricular activities at school as well as outside of their school day!
Following a quick tour of the building and meeting more great staff, we were off to Nashua and the Nashua-Plainfield Elementary!
One of the great joys in my life as president is getting to see friends in their home communities and at their school work site. On Tuesday I had one of those moments in reconnecting with Twilia Dietz, a great Team ISEA ESP leader here in the Media Center of Nashua-Plainfield Elementary.
My first classroom visit at Nashua-Plainfield Elementary was in the Kindergarten class of Jan Dietz. Jan is pictured here (at right) with her homeroom after my read aloud.
Next we were off to the room of Linda Willert. Linda is pictured (at left) with her homeroom of 2nd graders. I read aloud the book
17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore.
The last classroom visit before lunch was in the 4th grade homeroom of Carol Stike (at far right). I discovered in Carol's class a UNI student whose grandmother taught in my home district of Council Bluffs. Becky Gleason's (standing on the far left) grandmother is a good friend of mine--Floy Irwin, who taught at Walnut Grove Elementary before retiring a few years ago.
Our final stop before leaving Nashua was at the Nashua-Plainfield High School where we had lunch at the "Heart N' Soul Cafe".
Students in the Family and Consumer Science class provide this wonderful service to the community at least once a month for a modest fee. The students plan, shop, cook, host and serve the meal. UniServ Director Kevin and I were guests of Nashua-Plainfield EA President Cindy Davis (at left) and Vice President Scott Stroud. The meal was delicious, the conversation refreshing and a good time was had by all!
Thanks, Nashua-Plainfield EA and SSA for all you do as leaders on Team ISEA!
New Hampton EA President Kristie Brincks greeted us with open arms upon our arrival! My assignment to start the afternoon was to meet with all NINETY 8th graders in the school auditorum and speak to them about "leadership". The students were a most cooperative audience and the time went quickly!
I had the chance to read aloud in the combined group of 2-3-4-5 year olds in the room of teacher Jolene Denner (in back row-light blue shirt). I read the book Duck for President. I certainly have a new appreciation for the teachers and paraprofessionals that work with students this young!
Next we were off to the combined group of three 4th grade classes where I read aloud Probuditi. Pictured at left are the classes of Anita Quirk, Dennis Pagel, and Rachel Fliris. Oh, how I love spending time with 4th graders!
The final classroom visit was in the 3rd grade homeroom of long-time friend, Michelle Hoy. This was Red Ribbon Week in many districts and here in New Hampton students and adults were celebrating , "Hat Day". Michelle is pictured here with her 3rd graders (seated in back row, 2nd from the left).
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