On February 15, 2011, several members of the Executive Board had the opportunity to meet with the new Director for the Iowa Department of Education, Jason Glass.  The Iowa ASCD team included Low Howell, Executive Director; Julie Davies, President; Leslie Moore, President-Elect; Susan Pecinovsky, ASCD Leadership Council and Pam Amstrong-Vogel, ASCD Leadership Council.

The issues that concern our membership were discussed including a commitment to improved student performance, to closing the gap in student performance among all sub-groups, to assuring effective educators in every classroom and building, and a focus on equity and access to services and best practices across Iowa.  Specific areas of interest to Director Glass were the role of the Iowa Core Curriculum in improving student performance, the role of the AEA in supporting improved teacher effectiveness, and the necessity of continuing quality preschool education in the State of Iowa.

Director Glass offered three areas for our consideration: the role of human capital in improving student performance, the necessity of best practices to improve teaching and learning, and the role of clear standards that identify the learning targets through which improvement can be assessed.   These three areas will be further developed with consideration given to the design and delivery of capacity building efforts and the resources necessary to sustain Iowa's educational future.

The alignment between the work of Iowa ASCD and the developing vision of the Educational Director is promising.  In an effort to further develop the vision for education in Iowa, Director Glass will be assembling a coalition to provide input in the design and delivery of Iowa's educational future.  Iowa ASCD has offered to participate in the conversation and offer the perspective of 550 educators from across Iowa.

If we are to remain competitive in the global economy, it is necessary that Iowa educators advocate for the children.  The conversation has begun, and if you would like to learn more about the future of education in Iowa, mark your calendar for the Iowa ASCD Curriculum Academy April 13-14  where Director Jason Glass will provide a the key note presentation on Day One of the Academy.

 Better Learning through Structured Teaching Seminar

 Dr. Nancy Frey

 Arrowwood Resort in Okoboji-June 16-17

If you heard Doug Fisher in the fall at the Iowa ASCD conference, then you know you need to come learn from his partner, Nancy Frey, as she continues the work offered by Fisher and Frey on Gradual Release of Responsibility! And if you were unable to be at the Fall Institute, you will definitely want to be at this conference.  Fisher and Frey are leaders in increasing the work and success of students. 

Better learning through structured teaching describes how teachers can help students develop stronger learning skills by ensuring that instruction moves from modeling and guided practice to collaborative learning to independent tasks.

Join Dr. Frey for this two-day conference helping educators "Teach for Understanding" and leading teachers to challenge students to engage in a variety of thinking-centered activities. 

It was back in the 1950's when Betty Atwood was working as the County Elementary Supervisor for the O'Brien County Superintendent of Schools that she met with other county school superintendents and elementary supervisors at Lake Okoboji.  Together they studied every summer curriculum trends, new legislation, classroom management, and best practices in teaching and learning.  Together these individuals also formed the first Iowa ASCD, now in existence more than sixty years.

Atwood went on to be the "entrepreneur" in several education venues.  After completing her M.A. degree in curriculum and supervision at the University of Northern Iowa, she worked in the Polk County Superintendent's office.  With John Montgomery, she focused in the Des Moines School District on programming, curriculum, and teacher selection for KDPS TV.  She was an early advocate of kindergarten in the state - and almost lost her job trying to get it required for all kids.  Obviously, she prevailed.

Besides curriculum work in all Polk County Schools, Betty Atwood was responsible for the library and media services, overseeing Title II services.  Once Polk County merged with Story County for "joint county services," Atwood returned to her first love in education - working with teachers and students and their curriculum in the classrooms.  This work evolved into another first: the establishment of Heartland AEA 11.  She conducted in-services for teachers, provided workshops with many outstanding educational leaders from across the nation, and worked with teachers in summer school programs and Writers' Project.  She also led a Principals' Group for the AEA 11 administrators.

Betty's involvement in Iowa ASCD has spanned all 61 years of the organization.  Serving first as a founder six decades ago, and then as president in 1978-79, she also was secretary in 1987-88 and historian from 1987 - 1998.  She received Iowa ASCD's Distinguished Service Award in October of 1988.  During her time on the board, she attended all but one of the national ASCD conferences - loving the networking and the learning.

Besides her involvement with Iowa ASCD, Betty Atwood served as elementary teacher in Mingo, Iowa, for five years and focused on elementary science for four years in Newton, Iowa.  Her work as an elementary supervisor spanned almost four decades, five years in O'Brien County and 32 years in Polk County and Heartland AEA.

Retired after 46 years in public education, Betty Atwood continues to be active, regularly attending the American Legion Auxiliary in Mingo, her hometown.  "It's important to me.  My parents survived World War I and my two brothers were killed in World War II."  She works to provide for the homeless veterans and twice a year works with the Stand Down - collecting products for those individuals.

She and her auxiliary work also to provide Christmas gifts to the soldiers serving in war areas and this past Halloween, dressed as a witch, hosted a party to provide "Trunk of Treats" at Camp Dodge for the children of those soldiers.  Her team also provided pocket flags for each of those going over seas for the first time.

Her work in the American Legion Auxiliary has resulted in her serving as unit president, county vice president, district finance officer, member of the state nominations committee, and in 2010 served on the state membership committee.  She even wrote a song for the parade at the state conference and paraded as a unicorn.

Oh, and she still finds time to work with the Retired Teachers in the Des Moines area.

Not bad - in fact, almost unbelievable - for Iowa ASCD's "oldest living member," who is eighty-seven (yes, 87!) years old.  She makes the energizer bunny look tired.

P.S.  If you are attending the Iowa ASCD Curriculum Academy in April, you will have the opportunity to meet Betty Atwood at the April 12 evening reception.  

The ASCD legislative agenda can be downloaded at http://www.ascd.org/public-policy/Legislative-Agenda/Legislative-Agenda.aspx.

• Study Guide  - perfect for studying the book in your learning communities
• ASCD Edge Community of Learners around Focus - free to ASCD members and non-members.