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Board Meeting Minutes 5/14/12

IAAE Board Meeting Minutes
May 14, 2012
DMACC FFA Bldg Room 208


I.  Call to Order
    a.  In attendance: Rachelle Brown, Tammy Chelf, Josh Dean, Lisa Demuth, Brett Eubank, Amber Evans, Lisa Hackman, Steve Peters, Shannon Reisinger, Gina Scheffler, Marlana Schnell, Kelsey Steffener, Dawn Young
    b. Regrets: Ken Burrington, Jen Duncan, Brian Friesner, Bob Howlett - Residential educators disbanded, Theresa Keeley, Pam Kirsch, Joel Schutte, Susan Walkup

II. Approval of April 11 and 13, 2012 Board meeting minutes
    a. Minutes approved as presented

III. Treasurer's Report
    a. Money and bills are coming in from the IAAE state conference.  Current balance: $15,778.70
    b. Rachelle may be contacting Risky Business representatives to talk about a loan for IAAE.  IAAE does not run with excessive cash on hand, usually runs just in time.
    c. Scavo Grants: The grant to Expo is going to written to Rachelle Brown, who will keep accounting of the money.
    d. Verbal Treasurer's report approved.

IV.   Meeting dates for next year:
    September 21, 2012
    October 14, 2012  7:30pm - this is a change from what was discussed at the meeting
    December 7, 2012
    February 1, 2013
    February 8, 2013 (snow day)
    March 4, 2013
    April 3, 2013 (conference night)
    April 5, 2013 (following conference)
    
V.  Risky Business Update
    a. No report
    b. A brief history of the Risky Business conference was given

VI.  2012 Spring Conference review
    a. Overall, evaluations have been positive.  
    b. Thank you notes
         i. The list of remaining thank yous were divided up among Board members to be completed.

VII.  2013 Spring Conference
    a. Theme "Elevating the Essentials Improving Student Outcomes"
    b. Friday speaker:
         i. ideas: Trauma Informed Care
    c. Conference duties and responsibilities
         i. Conference chair for 2013: Brett Eubank
         ii.  Awards and grants: Pam Kirsch
         iii. Vendors: Lisa D
         iv. Introduce keynotes: Lisa D.
         v. Presenters: Lisa H
         vi. Program: Lisa H, Theresa, Rachelle, Lisa D (folders, etc.)
         vii. Registration: Rachelle, Theresa
         viii.  Food: Steve
         ix. Conference evaluation forms: Brett
         x. Entertainment: Rachelle has been working on this with Prairie Meadows
         xi. Door prizes: Kelsey
         xii Hospitality room: TBA
         xiii. College credit: Ray and Greg - Tammy will contact
         ivx. Presenters needs: Marlana (contracted speakers)
         xv. Elections: Josh Dean

VIII.  Future Conferences
     a. Waterloo 2014
     b. Next site 2015:  Ideas - Quad Cities
     c. Cedar Rapids 2016?
     d. Sioux City?

IX.  Bylaws
    a. Proposed changes (see handout)

X. Board membership

XI.  Communication about 2013 IAAE State Conference
    a. Lisa Demuth is trying to get some information out though SAI about the State Conference and Mike Schmocher.

XII.  Communication
    a. We need to get mailing lists collected and composed

XIII.  Adjournment

Risky Business XXV: Call for Presenters

During the past 24 years, the Iowa Association of Alternative Education, Scavo Campus (DMPS), the Harbor Alternative Program (SEP), Walnut Creek Campus (West DSM) and the Des Moines Area Community College Youth Consortium have all collaborated at one time or another to sponsor the annual Risky Business Conference held during the fall of each year. Risky Business has grown to become one of Iowa’s largest one day at risk conferences. It attracts approximately 300 educators, counselors, administrators and other professionals who work with at-risk youth. The conference affords those in attendance the opportunity to hear a nationally recognized keynoter and to select from over 30 presentations on current issues involving at-risk youth from elementary through secondary levels. 


Risky Business XXV has been scheduled for Monday, October 15, 2012 at The Meadows Events & Conference Center at Prairie Meadows, One Prairie Meadows Drive, Altoona, IA 50009 (click for map and directions.)


If you would like to present, please click here for a downloadable form that can be filled out and electronically returned to the Risky Business committee. Click here for a letter of introduction and details about meals/and fees for presenters.


The Risky Business 2012 keynote speaker will be Christian Moore from Why Try.

From WhyTry.org:

Christian Moore is an internationally renowned author, speaker, and advocate for at-risk youth. The WhyTry Program he authored has proven to be one of the most effective ways to teach critical social and emotional skills affecting the success and happiness of individuals facing life’s challenges.

Christian grew up in the Washington, D.C. area in a family of twelve children. By the second grade, Christian had been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, conduct disorder, and severe learning disabilities.   Despite overwhelming obstacles, Christian rose from special education to earn a master’s degree in social work.

As a social worker, Christian's work with youth led him to the realization that they usually lacked only one thing to experience the same success he had--hope. The WhyTry Program teaches key social and emotional skills that open the door to hope. WhyTry is now used in thousands of  schools, correctional facilities, and mental health agencies in the United States, Canada, and Australia and continues to be one of the fastest growing intervention programs for at-risk youth.



For a preview of his presentation, check out this YouTube video:

We look forward to seeing you October 15, 2012 at Risky Business XXV!

Okiishi Keynote: Mental Illness in the Classroom

Dr. Ray Morley and Dr. Christopher Okiishi

The 2012 IAAE Spring Conference's Friday keynoter, Dr. Chris Okiishi, led an interactive discussion about how to recognize and deal with mental illnesses in the classroom. His presentation gave alternative and residential educators specific indicators and warning signs of mental illness in school-aged children. Okiishi shared information about how to tell when a student is "feeling low" vs. when they are experiencing major depressive disorder. He explained symptoms of anxiety, ADHD, and other diagnoses that affect student behavior. A variety of treatment options and suggestions for working with parents and families were shared.

One valuable resource shared by Dr. Okiishi is the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry http://www.aacap.org/, which includes a free section called "Facts for Families" offering downloadable handouts on mental illnesses. 

Conference attendees enjoyed Okiishi's conversational style and appreciated learning more about issues that affect our students and classrooms on a daily basis. 

What did you learn from Dr. Okiishi? What questions do you have for him? Would you be interested in having him speak again at a future IAAE conference? Leave your comments below.

Zollo and Cooper Get the IAAE Dancing

Brian Cooper and David Zollo play at All in the Family

For the second year in a row, Brian Cooper and David Zollo moved IAAE members--both physically and spiritually. Their bluesy, rocking and soulful tunes helped rejuvenate alternative educators from across the state at the annual IAAE State Conference Dance. This year's dance was held again at All in the Family, where IAAE members let loose, danced, and enjoyed spending time with other alternative educators.

Check out David's upcoming show dates on his website www.davezollo.com or watch him perform a song from his upcoming album, "For Hire."

Thanks to David and Brian for sharing their music with us!

Larry Bell Teaches IAAE Members the Power of an Alternative Educator

Larry Bell, 2012 IAAE State Conference Opening Keynoter

Larry Bell opened the IAAE 2012 State Conference with an energetic, interactive message reminding alternative educators of the power we hold to help students transcend barriers. Larry's message to us:  if we have high expectations for our students, they can transcend ALL barriers--including racism, socioeconomic status, and ability level. We have to power to transform the Impossible to I'm Possible!

During his keynote presentation, Larry reminded IAAE members of their ability to persevere, "That's why I'm enamored with you all--you DO NOT give up on a child!" He also outlined a clear procedure to help students be successful: first, get the classroom culture right; next, lay the foundation for success by making sure students know and understand the vocabulary used; then teach simple, systematic strategies for learning. 

Larry shows Red Oak Alternative Teacher Brett Eubank how to "Break it Down"

Larry's presentation got teachers moving and showed them how to get kids moving. Brain-based research shows that kids learn better if they move around, and if their learning is tied to music. Check out Larry's music videos on his website or purchase his DVD/CD from his online store if you want to get your students moving and learning his 12 Powerful Words. Larry's message: we have the power to empower our students by teaching them these words and strategies! 

Conference attendees enjoyed Larry's specific strategies, his vibrant personality, and his positive messages to alternative educators and students. 

"Instead of calling these kids 'at-risk' let's call them 'at promise,' because these kids have a lot of promise!"       --Larry Bell

What did you learn from Larry Bell's keynote? Did you enjoy his presentation? Are you trying out any of Larry's strategies in your own classroom? Tell other IAAE members about it in the comments below!

Moving to a 1:1 Alternative Classroom- Part 2

In the first article I wrote, I got into a lttle background of the Red Oak School District moving to a 1:1 computing environment for students 6-12.  In this article, I will be getting into some of the resources that I have been finding to use in moving the curriculum from book based to inquiry based using online resources.  One of the best things that I have found is Twitter.  You may be asking how someone could find so many ideas from posts that are less than 140 characters?  Well, you would be surprised!  By using a program called Tweetdeck I am able to follow teachers from around the world as they share ideas and link articles regarding about every aspect of education.  If you are not familiar with this program, I will list the steps at the end of this article along with popular hashtags that I follow.  One that is not included in that list, but should be is #IowaAltEd.  This is the tag that some of us have started using when posting something relevant to alternative education in Iowa.  If you check out the feed, you will see that some of us were posting about the IAAE state conference.  It doesn't take a lot of time to browse the topics that people are talking about and if something catches my interest, I can click the link to open the article.  This allows me to in essence browse many articles with very little time and effort.  What more could you ask for?  The right technologies can allow you to work smarter using less time than what you could do before.  Next time I will list some of the blogs, wikis, and websites that list some of the most popular web tools that are used by teachers everywhere.


Popular Hashtags that are used on Twitter

To use Twitter, first sign up. Twitter

After you have done that, you will need to download the Chrome Browser. Go to the Google home page and in the top right corner it will say download Chrome browser.

Now that you have done that, go to Tweetdeck.

Once there, you will need to sign in with your Twitter account and then you will be able to add feeds. Click on the tab at top that says
Add Column.

It will be in this space that you will be able to search hashtags(#) and add them.

These are some of the most useful tags that I have found

Hashtags

#IAEdfuture
#AltEd
#IowaAltEd
#schoology
#iowa1to1
#edchat
#blendedlearning -discussion on a mix of traditional and computers in classroom
#flippedclass -discussion on learning from electronic sources than applying in classroom
#edtech
#engchat -English teachers
#sschat -Social Studies teachers
#mathchat
#scichat -Science teachers
#spedchat -Special Education
#elearning

New Study Supports Late Graduates

Image via Flickr/soundman1024

A study released by the Center for Public Education suggests that students who are allowed to graduate after their class with a regular high school diploma fare better both in college and the workforce than dropouts or GED recipients.

The study (which can be found here) suggests that late graduates are more likely to complete a college degree, to hold on to a job, vote in public elections, and practice healthy living habits than GED recipients.

These results lead the Center for Public Education to suggest that "It is worth the district's time and resources to graduate students who fall behind, even if it takes longer than four years."

Read a summary of the study by visiting the Center for Public Education's Report, "Better Late than Never? At a glance".

Moving to a 1:1 Computing Classroom in an Alternative Setting

Image via Flickr/colemama

Starting next year, the Red Oak School District is going to give all students 6th-12th grade a laptop to use in school. Fortunately, all of the alternative students are also receiving laptops as well. This last 6 months or so have been a whirlwind of activity for me as I start the process of moving many of the classes that I offer from a textbook to an online format. The Health and Biology classes that I am working on will not use a textbook at all. All of the information that the students will need will be online. Much of the leaning will be inquiry based, so that the students can be more actively engaged in the learning process. This will also allow them to complete assignments in different formats based on their interests and strengths. In this process I have found many online tools to help in this conversion to a 1:1 program. Later I will compile a list of some of the things that I am using. Best of all, all of the things that I have found are free. This post is to be the first of many as I journey to the land of the digital.

Brett Eubank

Red Oak Alternative School
eubankb@roschools.com

 

Mandala Artist Recognized

Northeast Iowa Community College, Calmar--Rockefeller Alternative High School Program student, Elizabeth Cohenour, was the artist featured on the cover of the most recent edition of The Mandala. The Mandala is Iowa's art and literary magazine for alternative high school students. Having her art work featured on the cover is not the only thing should be proud of--she was recognized by others for her talent, too! The Fayette County Union featured a story about Liz (see below) which was noticed by Iowa State Representative, Roger Thomas. Rep. Thomas sent a personal note to Liz (see below) congratulating her for her artwork and her recognition in the newspaper.

Congratulations to Liz and Rockefeller Alternative H.S. Program for their recognition! Thanks for sharing your amazing talent, and for spreading such a positive message about alternative education in Iowa!

Photo of the original article that appeared in the Fayette County Union Newspaper (used with permission)

The note sent to Elizabeth from Rep. Roger Thomas