What's New
ISEA's Disaster Relief Effort tops $40,000
In response to tornadoes and record-setting flooding across Iowa, Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) president, Chris Bern, announced that educators from Iowa and across the United States have donated more than $40,000 to the ISEA’s Disaster Relief Effort.
“The outpouring of support from education professionals, other state education associations, and local associations in Iowa and as far away as Florida and California has been tremendous,” Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) president Chris Bern said.
Created in response to the tornado in Parkersburg and later extended to educators in areas hit by flooding, the ISEA contributed $5,000 toward the start of an ongoing fundraising effort aimed to help educators who lost classroom supplies and materials that they paid for out of their own pockets. The funds will be distributed sometime this fall to local associations which will then decide how best to disburse the money to members.
If you want to contribute, please make checks payable to the ISEA and write "Disaster Relief Effort"in the memo line at the bottom of the check. Send checks to: ISEA, c/o Disaster Relief Effort, 777 Third St., Des Moines, IA 50309. ISEA members in need of disaster relief funding may fill out the online application by clicking here.
2008 Excellence in Education Award
Teachers change lives. They educate. They nurture. And they inspire. And now you have the opportunity to say thank you. If there's a teacher who's changed your life or the life of your child, why not nominate him or her for the Excellence in Education award? Click here for details.
New executive director to come on board
The ISEA Executive Board has named Mary Jane Cobb as the Association's next executive director. A familiar face to many members in Iowa, Cobb has been an NEA Campaigns and Elections field representative for the past eight years. Prior to joining the NEA staff, Cobb served as a UniServ Director with the Alabama Education Association. She will assume her new position on September 1 when Jan Reinicke retires after 28 years of service -- the past 10 as executive director.
Weigh in on world-class schools
What would it take for Iowa to have world-class schools? That's the topic of a new blog by Linda Lantor Fandel, deputy editorial page editor for The Des Moines Register . Click here to read her thoughts and share your own ideas.
At the Capitol
ISEA accomplishes major goals in banner session
The 2008 Iowa Legislature adjourned in the wee hours on Saturday, April 26. By all accounts it was a banner year for students and public education. As the gavel fell, the ISEA had accomplished most of its major goals for the session including significant funding boosts for K-12 schools, area education agencies, and community colleges; continued salary increases for educators; and an assurance that money for future raises and other key state aid programs will be protected and will keep pace with inflation. Click here to read our legislative updates.
Join ISEA's Rapid Response Team today!
Be part of the solution by helping ISEA contact legislators on important issues affecting all of us. ISEA's Rapid Response Team will be on the front lines of communicating our positions to decision makers and we will count on you to communicate quickly.
Professional Development
ISEA Professional Development Academy courses
The ISEA's Professional Development Academy course offerings continue to grow and expand in order to meet the diverse needs of our members. Each of the 15-hour courses is available for either licensure renewal or graduate credit, and they can be offered at the request of a local association or UniServ unit.
Resources for Beginning Teachers
The Association has developed a wide variety of resources to help beginning teachers get their careers off to a great start. Click here for a complete listing.
Resources for Parents from Association Members
Thinking Skills: How Parents Can Help
Parents can encourage their children to be active thinkers both in and out of school.
Motivation for Learning: Parents Can Help
A checklist of parental behaviors that can motivate children to take responsibility for their own learning.
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