Iowa ASCD is seeking a director to serve as treasurer.  This is an appointed position that is renewed annually and requires about ten hours of work each month.

 

Duties include the following:

• Receive and disburse all monies at the direction of the Board of Directors
• Prepare periodic, year-to-date revenues and expenditure reports as they are necessary and requested by the Board of Directors
• Work with CPA to file taxes by May 15 of each year
• Work with the Executive Director and President to develop and present a budget to the Board
• Provide financial advice and information to the Board of Directors
• Take an active role in the achievement of the Iowa ASCD Strategic Plan
• Promote the Association to other educators in the state, especially those in own geographic area
• Participate as needed or requested on various committees 

If you would be interested in this position on the Iowa ASCD Board of Directors, please send by March 1 a letter of interest and your resume to Executive Director Lou Howell at 2555 Pine Circle, Urbandale, IA 50322 or at her email at LouHowell@gmail.com.     

Iowa Department of Education Director Brad Buck and 16 members of the Iowa Core Commission, including Iowa ASCD Executive Director, Lou Howell, met February 11-12 in Minneapolis with other commissions from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.  

Key points shared at the conference:

• Rachel Etienne of Achieve the Core encouraged us to access the free resources available to teachers and administrators.  They provide vetted tools around math, English language arts/literacy and leadership. She focused on the shifts in language arts and math and reminded us that the shifts are about thinking deeply and knowing the what and the why.  
• Language Arts/Literacy:  The shifts demand regular practice with complex text and academic language, building knowledge through content-rich non-fiction, and providing students opportunities to read, write, and speak with evidence from the text, both literary and informational.
• Math:  Go deeper!  Coherence is important, allowing teachers to think across grades and link to common topics.  Rigor is a must as students pursue conceptual understanding, procedural skill and fluency, and application.  
• Joe Willhoft provided an update on Smarter-Balanced Assessments, reminding us that they are more than a test; they are a system.  The attributes on which they focus include clarifying the intended learning, eliciting evidence, interpreting evidence, and acting on evidence.  Pilot testing, of which Iowa took part, was completed in 2013.  The field testing will be completed in 2014  with 3 million students.  South Dakota and Montana are involved in that with several other states.   
• Directors' Panel Discussion:  Dr. Buck emphasized the importance of alignment of the system - DE/AEAs/LEAs.
• Policy and Advocacy:  Michelle Austin reminded us that we are involved now in a political campaign for the Core.  "We are fighting for the kids now - and the Core is the way to get there.  Forget the 'crazies' and focus on those who might be listening to them."   She suggested 1) having a teacher teach a Core lesson to the board, 2) sharing pictures with captions of kids involved in the Core, 3) having teachers and administrators take a practice test, 4) using social media and newspapers to share the stories of teachers in implementing the Core.
• Known Branding, a company that works with organizations to build their brand, shared "You must think like a brand.  Connect with the heart.  Appeal to their emotion."   They reminded us that parents are asking about the Core, "Should I wonder, worry, or cheer?"  We should be grounding messages to parents in the now, letting them have specific examples of what their kids are doing now with the Core.  Stay simple!  Stay positive!
• Communicating the Core:  Teachers' voices will be the most credible.  A good offense is our best defense in eliminating the doubt people have.  We must define our message, be proactive, and be consistent.
• Iowa Kids Win!  Share your messages  and examples around that theme!  When Iowa kids win, we all win!

 "Leadership is important in all districts, but it is especially important in smaller districts in which they may have fewer resources," McGinnis-Smith said. "Without strong instructional leadership, a clear vision and a commitment, you cannot expect to have system-wide top-notch outcomes."

Which indicators of success does your district/AEA exhibit? 

Iowa ASCD is the source for developing instructional leadership and translating research into daily practice. Serving more than 1100 educators - teachers, principals, superintendents, directors of curriculum, technology specialists, college professors, AEA staff - Iowa ASCD strives to develop the collaborative capacity to impact the learning of each and every student in Iowa.