What's New
NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence
These awards recognize, reward, and promote excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession. They also honor public education and the dedicated members of the NEA. The recipient receives $25,000 in cash and a personalized commemorative gift. Four awardees each receive $10,000 in cash. Please submit your application to the ISEA no later than March 16, 2009 .
Honor youth activism
The NEA Peace and Justice Caucus has initiated an award program to honor youth activism. Please nominate a youth organization or individual youth activist who has been outstanding in the sturggle for human rights, social justice, peace, and/or youth empowerment. Students may be elementary through high school age.
ISEA Lobby Day 2009
Join us for ISEA Lobby Day 2009 on Wednesday, February 18 at 10 a.m. in the Wallace Auditorium at the State Capitol. This is a great opportunity for you to discuss the issues facing education and our profession. Lunch will be provided and all legislators will be invited. RSVP to Joann Randall no later than Friday, February 13. Phone 800-445-9358, 515-471-8003, or e-mail jrandall@isea.org .
ISEA Community College Lobby Day 2009
Join us for ISEA Community College Lobby Day 2009 on Wednesday, February 11 at 10 a.m. in the Jesse Parker Building -- Grant Room, 520 E. 12th Street in Des Moines. RSVP to Joann Randall no later than February 6. All names of attendees must be given to Joann at that time in order for id badges to be printed. Phone 800-445-9358 or e-mail jrandall@isea.org. Parking is limited so please carpool.
ISEA Legislative Conference
The ISEA Legislative Conference will be held Janaury 9-10 at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines. Sessions will include information on issues and lobbying strategies. Reservations must be received by Friday, December 19, 2008 . Please coordinate reservations through your UniServ office .
K-14 Math Teachers
From now until December 31, NEA members may access the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Equity Resources (tips for teachers, research, etc.) NEA members may access them at http://www.nctm.org/nea. NEA members also will be offered $10 off the regular membership fee if they choose to join NCTM.
Obama presidency a victory for students and educators
The presidencial election of Sen. Barack Obama, who has said education means "more to our economic future than anything," is a major vicotry for students and educators. Read what NEA President Dennis Van Roekel said about the victory.
NEA Youth Leaders for Literacy Grants
The NEA provides 20 grants of $500 to student-led initiatives as part of the NEA's Read Across America program. Applicants must include a scheduled activity (read aloud session, trip to the library, book-making, etc.) each week of the project period. The deadline to apply has been extended to Nov. 20 .
21st Century teacher librarians
The University of Iowa School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) is now recruiting the second cohort of 20 students into its Teacher Librarian Grant Program. The grant provides a $15,000 stipend over the two-year period to pay the majority of tuition charges. Most course work will be delivered through distance education systems. Applications due Feb. 1. Consult the SLIS Web site .
ISEA student scholarships
The ISEA is offering $1,000 scholarships to help sons or daughters of Association members who want to become teachers. The deadline for applications is Jan. 15. To download guidelines an an application form, visit the ISEA Web site .
Flooded teachers get a boost from ISEA Disaster Relief Fund
ISEA President Chris Bern handed out checks in Cedar Rapids to teachers needing to replace supplies lost in the flood. Read the full story here.
North English alternative program teacher wins statewide honor
Excellence in Education Awards thank teachers who make a difference
Deana Colbert, an Alternative Program teacher at English Valleys Community Schools , is the 2008 Excellence in Education Award winner .
IPERS
With all the recent media attention regarding the financial markets, you might want to check out the following links for answers to your questions:
CEO discusses the stock market and the security of IPERS
Facts about IPERS' investments
CEO says pensions are safe
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
Mark your calendar for the 2009 Legislative Conference
ISEA is holding its annual Legislative Conference January 9-10. Don't miss this event which provides an overview of legislative issues and lobbying strategies for the 2009 legislative session. For more information or to download a flyer and registration form, click here .
ISEA Community College Lobby Day
Don't miss this opportunity to participate in the annual ISEA Community College Lobby Day, Wednesday, February 11, 2009. RSVP to Joann Randall no later than February 6. All names of attendees must be given to Joann at that time in order for id badges to be printed.Click here for more information. Click here to download a map of the Capitol Complex.
Mark your calendar now for ISEA Lobby Day!
The ISEA will once again host a statewide education Lobby Day, Wednesday, February 18, 2009. Click here for for more information. Click here to download a map of the Capitol Complex.
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 view the Legislative Summary PowerPoint presentation.
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.
|
