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Inside this issue:
From the Director 2
Attorney Update 2
Holiday Reminders 2
STEM Scholarships 3
Loan Forgiveness 3
New Board Members 4
December Grads 4
BoEE
Quarterly
Newsletter
November
2014
Renewals 4
Update Your Information
The BoEE website has many
convenient features including a
new FAQ page and the ability to
update your contact information.
Please take a moment now to visit our website and update your contact information. Go to www.boee.iowa.gov and click “update my information” in the
left column.
The “Search for a license” tool is
helpful to see your license type
and expiration date.
The FAQ page replaces the old
BoEE handbook and has the most
current and relevant information
for educators in a user-friendly
format. www.boee.iowa.gov Contact Us 5
Activities Directors The BoEE board has voted to adopt a rule change to allow candidates with a bachelor’s degree in athletic administration (or a related field) to serve as activities directors upon the completion of additional training specific to ADs. Currently, only licensed teachers and administrators may serve in this capacity. The rule proposal is still in progress and we will send out an update if it becomes officially accepted.
Substitute Authorizations The BoEE has voted to adopt a rule change to allow holders of the substitute authorization to serve in grades K-12 instead of secondary only. The rule proposal is still in progress and we will send out an update if it becomes officially accepted. Special Education The BoEE is considering a rule change to allow the option of a K-12 Special Education endorsement. The most current proposal allows for all existing special education endorsements to remain, including those held by current teachers. There would not be a requirement for teachers to go back and obtain this new endorsement, but rather it would be available as an option. The rule proposal is still in progress and we will send out an update if it becomes officially accepted.
Rule Proposal Updates
2
People involved in ethics complaints filed with our office (including complainants, respondents, and individuals interviewed during investigations) often have questions about the records generated during this process and whether they are public or confidential. First, note that ethics complaints cannot be anonymous. They must be signed by at least one complainant, per Iowa Administrative Code. The complaint itself and documents gathered during the investigation are confidential under Iowa Code section 272.13. The respondent does receive a copy of the complaint so he or she is aware of the allegations therein. If, upon review of an investigative report, the board finds probable cause of a violation of the ethics code and sets a complaint for hearing, the respondent is entitled to a copy of the investigative report upon request. Also, board hearings are public, and therefore any information gathered during the investigation may become public at the time of the hearing. A final order of the board resulting from a hearing or a settlement is a public record, and all final orders in disciplinary cases are indexed on our website. As always, if you have any questions about the ethics complaint process, including the status of any records generated during the various steps of a case, feel free to contact me. My phone number is 515.242.6506 and my email address is [email protected].
Attorney Update: Darcy Lane
From the Executive Director: Duane Magee
I want to take the opportunity that this BoEE newsletter affords me to thank each and every school employee involved in completing the annual BEDS report and the work that goes into making sure properly licensed staff members are hired to work in Iowa schools. The BoEE is committed to ensuring safe learning environments for students across our great state and the BEDS report is an opportunity for the DE and BoEE to take a snapshot of districts across the state each year, specifically regarding licensure compliance. I am amazed at the level of care and professionalism that is displayed each fall by organizations completing the annual BEDS report. Thank you again for completing this important work and for leading our state’s efforts to create the best education system in the world. Yours in service, D.T.
“Have a holly jolly Christmas/it’s the best time of the year…” Hmmm, well, perhaps not for everyone. Public school officials need to be especially conscious at this time of year that the birth of the Christian Savior is not recognized or celebrated by all students and families. Please refer to the holiday celebration guidance document on the Department of Education website for more information.
Holiday
Reminders
3
Teacher Intern Program
Do you know a K-12 teacher who inspires learning in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and math? Honor their hard work and the students they inspire each day by nominating them for the STEM Education Award for Inspired Teaching sponsored by Kemin Industries. "Iowa's educators hold the key to the future of STEM through their work with our next
generation of innovators," said Jeff Weld, Ph.D., executive director of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council. "It is vital that we do all we can to support them, including recognizing a job well done. Kemin Industries’ generous award program enables us to honor great teaching that impacts so many young minds."
This award will celebrate educators whose leadership and dedication to STEM in Iowa increases students’ interest and awareness in STEM subjects. One teacher from each of Iowa’s six STEM regions will receive a $1,500 award, along with an additional $1,500 to be used in their classroom. Anyone is eligible to nominate an educator who inspires learning. Deadline for submissions is December 12. Once nominated, each educator will complete an application that will be sent to a panel of judges. Winners will be announced in March 2015 at the statewide STEM Conference.
Nominate a STEM teacher today at stemaward.fluidreview.com.
Federal Teacher Loan
Forgiveness
This program offers $5,000 or $17,500 in loan forgiveness benefits to certain full-time teachers who serve in designated low-income schools.
Iowa Teacher Loan
Forgiveness
The State of Iowa will continue to honor awards that were previously given for repayment assistance to fully licensed teachers who began their first classroom teaching positions in Iowa no earlier than July 1, 2007, and are employed in a teacher shortage area as designated by the Iowa Department of Education. View the Iowa Student Loan website for more information.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
Loan Forgiveness
Teach Iowa Scholar Program
The Teach Iowa Scholar Program offers an income bonus or student loan repayment award to recent graduates of postsecondary teacher preparation programs who teach in eligible teaching fields at a school district or area education agency for up to five years. An eligible applicant can receive up to $4,000 in income or student loan repayment benefits per year for up to 5 consecutive years of full-time employment.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Graduate in the top 25% academically of all teacher preparation program graduates during an academic year at a postsecondary institution. Top 25% academically is defined and certified by the postsecondary institution.
Secure full-time employment in an eligible teaching field at a school district or area education agency.
Teach in an eligible field listed at the Iowa College Student Aid Commission website. Contact the Iowa College Student Aid Commission for more information.
4
Student Trips: overnight stays
Meet our newest board members
Initial license: none – you need to gain successful teaching experience to convert to a standard. Credits earned during the initial license cannot be used for future renewals. Standard license: six Master educator: four All need the mandatory reporter certificate for child and dependent adult abuse. This is not a renewal credit. Renewal credits can be any combination of licensure renewal credits or college credits from regionally accredited institutions. Credits should be taken during the term of the currently valid license or be no more than five years old.
Sara J. Arnold, appointed to the board in 2014, is a 2nd-5th grade PACT (Program for Academic and Creative Talent) Resource Specialist for the Cedar Rapids Community School District. She was raised on a farm near Vinton, Iowa. After graduating from Luther College in music education, she received her graduate degree from Drake University in Educational Leadership. She taught music education for 12 years and has been with the PACT department (talented and gifted) for 4 years. Sara has served as a teacher
leader for her district and the Iowa State Education Association. She has also served as a member of the Teacher Leadership Initiative with the National Education Association, working with fellow teacher leaders from around the US. Sara J. and her husband, David, enjoy making music together with their children, Emma and Parker.
Erin Schoening has taught in the Council Bluffs Community School District for 14 years. She attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in K-8 reading education. Her past teaching experiences include kindergarten teacher, first grade teacher, literacy strategist and Reading Recovery teacher. She currently serves as a reading interventionist and as the International Baccalaureate Program Coordinator at College View Elementary. As part of the new
Teacher Leadership and Compensation program in Iowa, Erin was selected as a Program Leader for the work she does as the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program Coordinator. Erin also teaches reading methods courses for pre-service teachers at Buena Vista University’s Council Bluffs office.
Erin’s husband, Devin, is a K-12 Instructional Technology Coach for Council Bluffs Community Schools. They have two daughters who attend College View Elementary.
How many credits does it take to renew a teaching license?
It has come to the attention of the BoEE that some school districts are asking teachers to stay in the same hotel room as their students during trips requiring an overnight stay. This practice needs to be avoided. Students should instead stay with other students, and school districts may coordinate with one another if necessary to create shared room assignments.
School districts may have openings or substitute positions available now or starting next semester. December graduates may teach or substitute teach once their Iowa initial license has been issued. All Iowa Praxis II tests must be taken and passed prior to receiving an initial license or a substitute license. If the candidate has completed their BoEE background check, we will issue their license within 24-48 hours of receiving the licensure recommendation from their Iowa college. Licensure for out-of-state candidates may be delayed as it is less likely that they have completed the required Praxis II testing for Iowa. Once the bachelor’s degree is conferred, candidates may apply for the substitute authorization while they wait to pass their Praxis II tests. This is limited to sec-ondary and cannot be used for long-term subbing. Contact: Joanne Tubbs, Lead Consultant ([email protected])
December Graduates
5
Volume 1, Issue 1
Grimes State Office Building 400 E. 14
th ST.
Des Moines, IA 50319
PHONE: 515-281-3245
Members of the Board Laura A. Stevens, Chair Okoboji CSD, Teacher Richard E. Wortmann, Vice Chair Ottumwa CSD, Teacher Sara Arnold Cedar Rapids CSD, Pact Resource Specialist Dr. Brad Buck State of Iowa, Director Iowa Department of Education Dan Dutcher Waukee, Public Member Brenda Garcia Muscatine, Public Member Dr. Larry D. Hill Thompson, Administrator Mary K. Overholtzer Winterset CSD, Teacher Dr. Andy R. Pattee Cedar Falls CSD, Superintendent Dr. Jay B. Prescott Des Moines, V.P. for Student Affairs, Grand View University Erin Schoening Council Bluffs CSD Reading Interventionist and IB Coordinator Dr. Anne M. Sullivan Chief Human Resources Officer Des Moines Public Schools
Duane T. Magee - Executive Director 515-281-4810 [email protected]
Kim Cunningham - Board Secretary 515-281-5849 [email protected]
Consultants/Licensure Assignments
Joanne Tubbs—Rules, Internship Programs, Iowa Teacher Prep Curriculum, Conditional Licensure, Extensions, Praxis Mike Cavin - Special Education, Paraeducators, and General Education/Renewals
515-281-3611 [email protected]
515-281-3437 [email protected]
Greg Horstmann - Principal and Superintendent Licensure/Renewals, Substitute Licenses/Authorizations and General Education/Renewals
515-281-3587 [email protected]
Steve Mitchell - Coaching Authorizations and General Education/Renewals
515-281-6896 [email protected]
Dr. Mary Lou Nosco - Teacher Licensure for Non-Iowa College Preparation, Non-traditional Programs, Counseling, and General Education/Renewals
515-725-2146 [email protected]
Dave Wempen - Teacher Licensure for Non-Iowa College Preparation, School Business Officials, Conditional Licensure, Career and Technical Education, and General Education/Renewals
515-281-3605 [email protected]
Other Staff
Darcy Lane, J.D. - Investigator 515-242-6506 [email protected]
Jim McNellis - Investigator 515-281-3483 [email protected]
Jeff DeBruin - I.T. Specialist 515-242-6797 [email protected]
Danielle Brookes - Clerk - FBI/DCI Check 515-281-3482 [email protected]
Karen Ford - Clerk - Renewals 515-281-4839 [email protected]
Judy Humes - Clerk 515-281-5058 [email protected]
Sherry Jensen - Clerk 515-281-8323 [email protected]
Sue Wilbur - Receptionist 515-281-3245
Main Phone Number (515) 281-3245
