2012 Conference Registration Starts

It is time to register for the 2012 IAAE Conference!  Click here for a printable registration flyer.

February Administrators' Networking Meeting Announced

The next IAAE Administrators' Networking Meeting will be on Friday, February 24, 2012. It will be held on the DMACC Ankeny Campus in the FFA Enrichment Building, Rooms 114-115. Check in will start at 9:30 AM with presentations running from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. There will be a $7.00 charge for lunch. An agenda will be available in the next week or so.  Susan Walkup from the Iowa Department of Education is scheduled as one of the presenters.

Time to Submit Grant Requests and Award Nominations for 2012

Vincent C. Scavo Mini Grants
Every year the IAAE provides seed money to alternative schools and programs to jump start efforts to improve. Through the Vincent C. Scavo grant program last year, we provided grants to COMPASS Alternative Center toward a perennial garden, Missouri Valley Alternative Center for Education (ACE) towards a Wii for fitness, Buchanan County Success Center toward community learning opportunities, Creative Learning Center, Fort Madison toward fitness equipment, and Kimberly Center, Davenport toward Xbox for fitness.
Grants will be awarded at the 2012 Alternative Education Conference April 12-13th at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines.  If you would like to apply for a Vincent C. Scavo mini grant, send a letter and budget request to Pam Courtney-Kirsch at AERS Department, 1606 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803 orkirschp@davenportschools.org.  All requests need to be received by March 29th, 2012.

2012 IAAE Awards

The IAAE presents awards annually to outstanding educators who contribute to the work of alternative education in the state of Iowa.  Last year’s recipients include Linda Litterer from Creative Learning Center in Fort Madison for Newcomer of the Year.  Tascha Brown of Ankeny High School was the recipient of the Educator of the Year Award and $50.00 "bagel bucks" for a celebration with the staff.  The Jim Fenton Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Susan Holderness of Walnut Creek Campus, West Des Moines, and Dr. Charles Greenwood, a pioneer in alternative education in the state of Iowa, was inducted into the Iowa Alternative Education Hall of Fame.


If you would like to nominate someone for any of these awards please send required nomination materials to Pam Courtney-Kirsch, AERS Department, 1606 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803.  All requests need to be received by March 21th, 2012.  See awards descriptions and nomination process below.

IAAE Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented annually to alternative educators who have made a major contribution to the area of alternative education during their professional career. The award will honor individuals who have spent a minimum of 15 years in education as an alternative education professional. A teacher, counselor, supervisor, administrator, or any alternative educator that has met the above criteria may be nominated. The nominated individual’s contribution could include, but is not limited to , any of the following: improved services for students through innovative and creative thinking, advising, and counseling methods, administrative leadership and consistent work that has demonstrated improvements in alternative programming.

PROCESS: Submit no more than 5 letters detailing the individual’s contribution to alternative education.  More than one nomination is required for an individual to be considered.  Nominations can come from supervisors, coworkers, students, or community members in support of the nominee.  All nominations considered must be received in one complete packet of letters. Be as specific as possible about the contributions and efforts that should be recognized as an educator worthy of being awarded this recognition.  Please include the number of years the nominee has been in alternative education.  Detail the achievements this person has made in regard to improved services for students through innovative and creative thinking, advising and counseling methods, administrative leadership and consistent work that has demonstrated improvements in alternative programming.

Hall of Fame Award
Eligibility: Outstanding Alternative Educators will be inducted into the Iowa Alternative Education Hall of Fame annually. Inductees must have made a major contribution to the area of alternative education during their professional career, provided leadership, vision and momentum toward excellence in the field of Alternative Education. A teacher, counselor, supervisor, administrator, or any educator that has met the aforementioned criteria may be inducted into the Iowa Association of Alternative School’s Hall of Fame. The nominated individual’s contribution could include, but is not limited to, any of the following: improved services through innovation, consistent work that has demonstrated improvements in alternative programs, contributing to the body of knowledge through research and/or publication of books, articles and or journals that raises the level of professionalism within the field, refining existing programs to a higher level, or an engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues, and the community.

PROCESS: Submit no more than 5 letters detailing the individual’s contribution to alternative education.  More than one nomination is required for an individual to be considered.  Nominations can come from supervisors, coworkers, students, or community members in support of the nominee. All nominations considered must be received in one complete packet of letters. Be as specific as possible about the contributions and efforts that should be recognized as an educator worthy of being awarded this recognition.  Please include the number of years the nominee has been in alternative education.  Detail the achievements this person has made in regard to improved services for students through innovation, consistent work that has demonstrated improvements in alternative programs, contributing to the body of knowledge through research and/or publication of books, articles, and/or journals that raises the level of professionalism within the field, refining existing programs to a higher level, or an engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues, and the community.

Newcomer of the Year
The Newcomer of the Year is presented annually to an alternative educator who has less than five years of alternative education experience. The award may be presented to a teacher, supervisor, administrator, or counselor who is currently employed in an alternative education setting. This award will honor a person who is enthusiastic about alternative education, promotes a positive atmosphere in the school setting, and is an advocate for students.

PROCESS: Submit no more than 5 letters detailing the individual’s contribution to alternative education.  More than one nomination is required for an individual to be considered.  Nominations can come from supervisors, coworkers, students, or community members in support of the nominee.  All nominations considered must be received in one complete packet of letters. Be as specific as possible about the contributions and efforts that should be recognized as an educator worthy of being awarded this recognition.  Please include the number of years the nominee has been in alternative education.  Detail activities beyond his/or her designated responsibilities with which this person has been involved.

Educator of the Year
The Educator of the Year is presented annually to the alternative educator who is making a significant contribution to alternative education in Iowa. This award will honor one individual each year who is making an outstanding contribution to his/her students, school and community. Any alternative education teacher, supervisor, administrator, or counselor may be nominated.

PROCESS: Submit no more than 5 letters detailing the individual’s contribution to alternative education.  More than one nomination is required for an individual to be considered.  Nominations can come from supervisors, coworkers, students, or community members in support of the nominee.  All nominations considered must be received in one complete packet of letters. Be as specific as possible about the contributions and efforts that should be recognized as an educator worthy of being awarded this recognition.  Please include the number of years the nominee has been in alternative education.  Detail activities beyond his/or her designated responsibilities with which this person has been involved.  Describe the creative curriculum or other programs this person has developed.

Sir Ken Robinson: Alernative Education is Good Education

In August, GOOD ran a piece in their Education section by Liz Dwyer. The piece reviews a presentation given at a dropout prevention forum in Los Angeles by Sir Ken Robinson. The following is an excerpt from her piece entitled, "Why Alternative Education Needs to Go Mainstream."

"Robinson, whose lecture on how schools kill creativity is the most watched TEDTalk of all time, was part of a forum on dropout prevention hosted last week by the HeART Project, a Los Angeles-based arts education nonprofit. If what we now call 'alternative education' methods became mainstream, said Robinson, 'we wouldn't be discussing the dropout rate.' He also debunked the myth that students who drop out are reacting to the system as a whole: 'For any student, the classroom they sit in is the education system and that's what they're dropping out of.' But the kids who get into quality alternative programs fall in love with learning because they're getting an individualized experience--and the support they need to address particular life challenges, like being a teen mom or being homeless."

Sir Ken Robinson once again spread the good word about alternative education recently at a TEDx event in London where he said, "Alternative Education is good education."  You can watch his speech below.

In these uncertain times, it is good to know that one of the most renowned voices in education is a staunch supporter of alternative education!

2012 Legislative Day

You’re invited to

Iowa Association of Alternative Education Legislative Day

 Monday, February 27, 2012

in the rotunda of the State Capital, Des Moines

   from 10:30 to 1:30 pm

Pizza will be served from Noon-1pm

The Governor and all State Legislators will be invited

Staff and students from all of Iowa’s Alternative schools and programs

are encouraged to participate.  Those attending should consider creating a

table display showcasing your program, student work, and special activities.

In addition to promoting alternative education and the great work that you do,

the day also serves as an outstanding opportunity for you to talk with your State Legislator.  Please contact them ahead of time, invite them to see your display and

join you and your students for lunch.

Please RSVP to

Rachelle Brown at (319)433-1930, brownrr@waterloo.k12.ia.us

or Steve Peters at (515)242-7589, stephen.peters@dmps.k12.ia.us

Call for Presenters: 2012 IAAE Annual Spring Conference

CALL FOR SPEAKER-PRESENTERS

"IMPOSSIBLE to I'M POSSIBLE"

Innovative Strategies for Supporting Diverse Learners

IAAE Annual Spring Conference

April 12 - 13, 2012  

Des Moines Airport Holiday Inn Conference Center 

6111 Fleur Drive

Des Moines, IA 50321

Phone 515-278-4811

Fax 515-287-2400

The purpose of the Iowa Association of Alternative Eduation (IAAE) is the meet the needs of students, parents, teachers, administrators and Iowa's general citizenry through a nonprofit professional organization, dedicated to the improvement of alternative education: to gather and disseminate information to and about alternative education; to assist school districts wishing to establish an alternative school/program; to assist alternative schools/programs and/or districts that are experiencing difficulties maintaining their alternative school/program; and to strengthen public support for alternative education as an important choice in the total education system.

Please join the members and supporters of the Iowa Association of Alternative Education in promoting student success at this annual state-wide conference!  The IAAE is looking for presenters to provide breakouts throughout the day, April 12 and 13. Please consider bringing your promising/best practices and sharing them with colleagues at this state-wide convention.

Breakout presenters are responsible for reduced conference registration fees and their own expenses. IAAE has reserved a block of rooms which are discounted for all conference attendees including presenters. 

• When you complete the call for presenters form you will be registered for the conference at the reduced rate of $50. Please include payment by check or purchase order.
• No registration fee is required if you do not plan to attend the conference.
• Confirmation will be sent by email to confirm receipt of the form. You will receive room and time assignments at a later date, after all presenters have been selected.

To download or print a call for presenters form, click HERE.

Impossible to I’m Possible: 2012 IAAE Spring Conference

This year’s annual conference will be held April 12-13, 2012, at the Des Moines Airport Holiday Inn and Conference Center. The theme of the conference is “Impossibe to I’m Possible.” The IAAE is please to partner this year with the Iowa Residential Educators in presenting our conference. In order to provide current and meaningful information to both groups, this year’s conference will include a keynote and breakout sessions that directly relate to issues of behavior, as well as topics related to at-risk youth.

Our Thursday keynoter will be Larry Bell.

Larry is a 25-year veteran educator who spent 15 years in the classroom. Larry taught at Garfield High School, a school with over 3,000 students speaking 36 different languages. He was recognized for innovative classroom strategies that allowed his so called “Tough Kids” as well as his “Gifted and Talented” to excel!

He has provided numerous workshops and keynote addresses to teachers across the country. A Citadel graduate, Larry is now a full time consultant who owns his own company.

His presentation, entitled, “The Power of a Teacher Through High Expectations” will focus on these main points:

• Research that shows the incredible power of high expectations.
• Strategies for creating a classroom culture.
• Strategies that motivate your most unmotivated students.
• Eight personal techniques that transcend all "barriers."

The Friday keynoter will be Dr. Christopher Okiishi. Dr. Okiishi attended Iowa State University, graduating with a degree in psychology and Spanish. He then went to the University of Iowa, receiving an MD and completing a residency in Psychiatry and a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Currently, he divides his time between several Community Mental Health Centers in Southeastern Iowa and with the Child Health Specialty Clinics of the University of Iowa Health Care Department of Pediatrics. He has won numerous awards and fellowships for his excellence in the field of psychiatry.

Dr. Okiishi will be addressing frequently diagnosed mental illnesses in students and the implications of those diagnoses on educational practices. He will also talk about the perception that mental illness in kids is increasing, and how we can try to help kids combat it. Tentatively, Dr. Okiishi will also present break-out sessions on medications--how they work and what to watch for, and an in-depth discussion on Aspergers.


Look for information and registration materials to be posted here and on the IAAE website soon, and in your mailboxes in the coming months. Click here for a printable flyer to share!

Alternative School/Program Administrators' Networking Meeting Announced

The next Alternative School/Program Administrators' Networking Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2011 from 9:30 - 2:00.  The meeting is a chance for administrators from across the state to update each other on current practices, issues, and happenings in alternative education. The meeting will be on the DMACC Ankeny Campus in the FFA Enrichment Center located at 1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny, IA 50023 in rooms 114-115.

Please register by emailing Greg McCullough or by calling (515) 965-7348 by November 9, 2011.

Here is the agenda for the meeting:

9:30 - 10:00 AM          Check In

10:00 - 10:15 AM        Welcome and Introductions
                                      Greg McCullough, Consultant, DMACC Youth Consortium

10:15 - 10:35 AM        Education Options in Wisconsin
                                      Rick Carpenter, Director, DMACC High School Programs
                                      Gayle Gosch, Instructor, DMACC High School Programs

10:35 - 10:50 AM        IAAE Events, News and Updates
                                     IAAE Board Members

10:50 - 11:00 AM       Break

11:00 - 12:00               Department of Education News and Updates
                                     Susan Walkup, Consultant for Alternative Education and
                                     At-Risk Programs, Iowa Department of Education

12:00 - 12:30 PM        Lunch-- There will be a $7.00 charge for lunch. We will cater from HyVee. Choice of sandwich (turkey, ham, or roast beef.) Email your selection to Greg by Tuesday, November 8.

12:30 - 1:15 PM          Successful Strategies for Student Achievement
                                     Judy Hintz, Director, Educational Resource Associates

1:15 - 2:00 PM           Networking, General Discussion, Q & A Session

In case of cancellation due to inclement weather, you will be notified by email or you can call (515)965-7348 for a voicemail message.

Sponsored by:

Iowa Association of Alternative Education

DMACC Youth Consortium

Iowa Department of Education

Risky Business Keynoter: Get Involved with Your Students!

Franklin Schargel, Risky Business XXIV Keynoter

The “Risky Business” Annual Conference was pleased to have as a keynoter Mr. Franklin Schargel. He entertained, enlightened, and moved the crowd as he presented his keynote address. The speech opened with a slideshow of many famous people who had failed in their lives, including Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, Harry Truman, Michael Phelps, and many more. Mr. Schargel commented on how if people would have given up on these folks, they may not have been as successful, which translates into the attitude that we should have in the classroom.

Schargel then spoke about the difference between change vs. improvement, and how schools need to change in order to improve the dropout rate. He also noted that educators are responsible for every job in society. We teach the students how to be functional, and they go out and use those skills to be successful in the workforce.

He also focused on how schools need to transition into teaching kids how to think, not just what to think. This is the difference between knowledge and information. Schools should transition from rote memorization to higher level thinking skills, and school personnel should get emotionally involved in the lives of their students.

The audience members appeared pumped up and reenergized after Mr. Schargel’s keynote address. Please check out Franklin Schargel’s web-page www.dropoutprevention.org for further information.