POINTS of PRIDE: Iowa Falls & Alden Community School Districts

Superintendent John Robbins

Commitment + Attitude + Dedication + Effort + Teamwork = Success

According to Steven R. Covey, "Leadership is communicating people's worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves."  One does not have visit with Dr. John Robbins very long to see that not only does he encourage THE LEADER IN ME program in his district but he lives out the habits of highly effective people.  As I accompanied him on his walkthroughs, it was evident that staff look forward to his visits.  By staff, I mean everyone from cafeteria workers to associates to custodians to teachers - each greeted with a smile and words of encouragement.  Dr. Robbins is developing a culture of leadership in his schools by helping not only children to be leaders but staff to be leaders of their own lives.  He encourages people to identify their unique talents and abilities and offers encouragement to them as he visits with them.  It was a joy to accompany someone who so obviously cares about his staff and students.

District Demographics

Enrollment - 1087

Free & Reduced Lunch - 40% 

Buildings - PreK - 2 (Pine View), grades 3-5 (Rock Run), Grade 6 at Alden, grades 7-8, and grades 9-12

District-wide the focus in Iowa Falls Alden is on Authentic Intellectual Work (evaluating the quality of instruction through reflection), Instructional Practices Inventory (measuring student engagement), the LEADER IN ME program (building leaders), and infusion of technology and Iowa Core. In the area of technology the high school is 1 to 1 with MacBooks, the middle school is 1 to 1 with Chromebooks.  

At the high school, concurrent classes are offered through Ellsworth Community College. With next year's Teacher Leadership and Compensation Program, the district will have a tech coach, AIW coach, a student engagement coach, data integrationists in each building, and student success coaches in each building.  All will follow work in the same direction - "Leadership is unlocking people's potential to become better."

In one building we visited, we looked at the Shark room.  The Shark program has students work on problems and plan solutions.  The community listens to the student presentations and determines which are feasible.  The Shark room is where the creating and planning takes place.  A program such as this follows the quote, "Never let your goals become your limits."

The best way to write about Iowa Falls Alden is not to write about them but to share a series of photos from the buildings visited in this district along with a series of quotes.  The photos speak more about climate and culture than any words I can write.  Enjoy your glimpse into their learning environment!

"Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students. (Ortiz)

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." (Einstein)

"A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning." (Henry)

"One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings.  The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child." (Jung)

"I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists.  Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit." (Steinbeck)

 

As Iowa Falls Alden has posted on a wall -  "In matters of style, move like the current; in matters of principle, move like a rock." 

Keep lighting the fire, Iowa Falls Alden, bringing out the leader in each other!

POINTS of PRIDE: Albia

HS Principal  Montgomery and Superintendent Crall

Those in Albia understand the "Blue Pride Way" - treat others with respect, do the right thing, and work hard!  Albia is a district that creates opportunities for students and staff to be successful both in and out of the classroom.  As Principal Montgomery explains, "Albia is the right size for students to be involved in whatever they desire."
 
District Demographics
Enrollment - 1200 students PreK-12
Free/Reduced Lunch - 50%
Buildings - Preschool Center, Grant (K-2) Lincoln (3-6), Junior High/High School (7-12)

The Iowa Core Leadership Team is key to implementation of Iowa Core with fidelity.  They provide guidance to staff who are involved in walk throughs.  They also examine lessons that are considered exemplars of Iowa Core implementation.

The high school has a strong Project Lead the Way program and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) opportunities for learning.  They have graduates who earn full scholarships in the area of engineering at colleges.  Elementary is piloting the LAUNCH program in first and fourth grades while the middle school has Gateway STEM units.

The high school also connects with Indian Hills Community College with their Career Academy.  The Career Academy is adjacent to the high school with welding, automotive, and next year, Machine Technology.  This academy has given some students the meaning and purpose to learning they were missing.

School pride is strong.  Their football team made it to the dome.  Cross country team qualified for state.  Their wrestling team competed in the state wrestling duals earning a third place.  And in the words of Mr. Montgomery, 'The list goes on."  Albia also celebrates other successes with plaques that post those earning high ACT scores, those earning 3.0 or higher GPA, Honor Roll members, and those graduating in the upper 7% of the class.  The Della Vedora Scholarship Trust provides opportunities through financial support for students to attend college in the field of engineering, math, architecture, and nurse practitioner. Two graduates are honored every homecoming and added to the Wall of Fame.  All the recognition goes to support the Blue Pride Way.

Albia focuses on students setting their goals and growing their potential.  In the words of M. Wieder - "Commitment leads to action.  Action brings dreams closer."

POINTS of PRIDE: Chariton

Welcome to Chariton School District - Charger Country!  When they talk about the Charger Way, it stands for Accountability, Desire, Selflessness, Respect, and Confidence - traits selected by students to represent what being a Charger means.  Students and staff engage in conversations as to what each of these traits should look like in the classroom, at events, and in the community.

District Demographics:
Enrollment - 1500

Chariton Leaders

Free & Reduced Lunch - 50%

Chariton has been successful at the high school level with reading scores.  Their secret?  An English teacher that makes literature interesting and appealing.  A veteran teacher who has used the Iowa Core standards to impact her instruction.  Special education teachers who use specific reading strategies to grow IEP students into readers.  All of these along with a focus on writing to improve written responses in all classes and to create a stronger learning connection while formulating what they are learning into the written word.  With a Response to Intervention time at the high school, students are more aware of their grades and conversations are held on how staff can assist students in moving forward in their learning.  A study table is provided before school from 7:45 - 8:10 A.M. as well as during lunch which requires attendance by those who are not being successful.

Along with a proud history, extracurricular activities are strong.  The vocal music teacher gives students the confidence to get up in front of a crowd and perform.  The band teacher is growing the program.  There is an art program that has a gallery to display artwork.  Clubs include:  Annamae, Spanish, Art, Speech, FFA, FBLA, MS Archery, NHS, Academic Decathlon, FCA...  There is a participation rate of  between 80% - 90% of  students in extracurricular activities. 

Chariton is a Project Lead the Way school with an engineering strand including Intro to Engineering,
Principles of Engineering, and Digital Electronics.  Next year they will add
Civil Engineering and Biomedical courses.  Middle School has the Gateway program with Automation Robotics, Design and Modeling, and Biomedical. 

The community connection is also strong.  A community center is attached to the school with two gyms, an auditorium, and meeting rooms.  Concurrent enrollment classes are offered in conjunction with Indian Hills.  Pride in your school is continually emphasized. 

Chariton subscribes to the words of Knute Rockne:  "Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." And students are asked to: "Do something today that your future self will thank you for." 

POINTS of PRIDE: Mediapolis

Curriculum Director Kerr and Superintendent Ray

According to Superintendent Greg Ray, "At Mediapolis, we are committed to giving students an education that goes beyond expectations.  This is an education that focuses on helping each
child find academic success and experience personal growth.  We are also committed to equipping our students with the skills necessary to succeed in the 21st Century."  Part of equipping students with skills for the 21st Century includes a wide range of offerings at Mediapolis.  One program is the Robotics Club which in its 1st Tech Challenge qualified for state.  (This program is now in year two.)  With between 20-30 students competing in speech contest, all got 1s and every group qualified for state with one group qualifying for All State.  Marching Band earned a 1 at state competition.  In 2014 the Mediapolis team was the regional winner in the ExploraVision competition.  This district is proud of the academic offerings it provides for its students but is also well-known for its successful athletics:  making football playoffs, a Cross Country team which qualified for state, Volleyball team conference champs, wrestlers with 8 to state and one champ along with two third place medals, and a 3rd place finish in wrestling duals.  It's a winning environment with each success celebrated by all.

District Demographics:
Enrollment - 850
Free & Reduced Lunch - 27%

Mediapolis remains strong in its academic offerings.  In Middle School they have Project Lead the Way through Gateway materials.  Mediapolis shares high school Project Lead the Way with Burlington.  With a focus on financial literacy, Mediapolis has a bank branch in a designated classroom in the high school (in its first year).  Students complete applications and are hired to work in the school bank.  This is an actual bank and serves as a branch for a local entity, Mediapolis Saving Bank.  Students can also take courses through concurrent enrollment.

To keep instruction moving forward, Professional Learning Communities focus on Characteristics of Effective Instruction where teachers engage in respectful activities and observe one another in a non-judgmental way.  Professional development focuses on technology integration and goal-setting for teams and individuals, meeting two times a month from 1:30 - 3:30. 

In an effort to add to the aesthetic quality of their buildings, artist Craig Jacoba was hired to paint murals in the gym.  Comfortable seating awaits those attending concerts in the auditorium and historical documents add to the welcoming physical environment.

Community support is exceptional at Mediapolis.  Community volunteers are recorded in their volunteer handbook.  The Mediapolis Education Foundation has provided a climbing wall and a greenhouse to enrich programs offered in this district.

According to Wade Boggs, "A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes.  It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results." One only needs to visit Mediapolis to see how a positive attitude creates a chain reaction of excellence resulting in the extraordinary!

POINTS of PRIDE: Mt. Pleasant

Mt. Pleasant has a philosophy - Whatever It Takes!  They have many programs that do whatever it takes to help their students actualize their potential.  One such program is the Family Consumer

Science class - the only school in Iowa certified in the American Culinary Arts School, being 1 out 131 in the United States.  When their culinary arts students compete against college students they hold their own. 

Mt. Pleasant boasts a Robotic Team talented in problem-solving and has a strong foreign language program.  Their choir and band programs have close to 200 participants and are highly successful in their competitions.  Other extra-curricular opportunities include swim club at the rec center, interactive silver cord providing community service, video club, creative writing, show choir, math club, speech and drama.  With high quality art rooms, the fine arts department provides a well-rounded program of choices for students to grow their talents. With so many options Mt. Pleasant allows students to "do it all."

DISTRICT DEMOGRAPHICS:
Enrollment - over 2000
Free and Reduced Lunch - 48%

Mt. Pleasant is proud of its ACE room, a program providing a place to succeed for At Risk students.  They have a strong special education resource program which provides student success in the Living Skills Room.  This district also ha an Advisor-Advisee time on Wednesdays and Thursdays where they build career and college skills and focus on relationships. 

Advanced course options include AP classes, dual credit classes with Southeast Community College.  Students can attend classes at Iowa Wesleyan while being a high school student.  Other advanced classes include Introduction to Design, Principles of Engineering, Civil Engineering, Digital Electronics, and Biotechnology.  Their 3D and drafting printers offer opportunities for students to use technology to problem solve.

Parent and community connections include Athletic Boosters, Academic Boosters, and Music Boosters.  A strength in this district includes a staff that genuinely cares about students, a staff that is willing to share wisdom and materials with one another, and excellent custodians and secretaries.  A well rounded district willing to do "Whatever It Takes!"

POINTS of PRIDE: Okoboji Community Schools

Leaders Bouse, Janssen, Downing, Cunningham

Leadership with Contagious Joy

A few weeks ago our local newspaper published an article on my colleague and I with the title "Contagious Joy."  That is how we both feel about teaching and creating an environment that makes learning come alive for our students.  When I walked into the leadership team meeting at Okoboji, it was contagious joy I felt as the administrators shared with pride the direction the district was headed. It was so contagious, I encouraged them to co-write a book on how to bring a district together as one with passion and drive.  (I also told them I wanted the first signed copy!)

Superintendent Janssen leads with a quiet dignity while he enjoys the spirit of collaboration evident between the principals of the district.

DISTRICT DEMOGRAPHICS
Enrollment    941
Free/Reduced Lunch  35%
Buildings - elementary (PreK-4th), Middle School (5-8), High School (9-12), alternative high school

The principals described their buildings as inviting with few harassment issues and very few social cliques.  They are working to "change culture driven by vision." Those who open enroll into the district cite the fact that the buildings are welcoming and inviting.  At the high school, all students feel valued and are not allowed to fall through the cracks.  This district has a reputation of quality programs for all levels.  With passionate special educators, every staff member believes that each child who comes into the district can develop to their full potential.  Teachers do not view students as my students but instead view students as our students.

Traits of character are emphasized throughout the buildings.  In the Fall 2013, Okoboji Elementary was designated as a National Blue Ribbon School.

Okoboji is fortunate to have a partnership with a local major employer POLARIS which has donated a robotics cell welding system to the school.  They help sponsor a two week academy where students are partnered with an industrial engineer.  They work together on the floor of the POLARIS company.

The administrative team is proud of the fact that their community expects them to push the top students.  With a partnership with Iowa Lakes, concurrent classes are offered as well as a strong technology education department with welding and manufacturing.  Middle School has a Project Based Learning unit as a mid-semester experience and the current emphasis in on standards-based grading as they strive to make grades a true reflection of what is being learned.

When talking with these passionate administrators, it is evident they believe in their teachers.  They cultivate leadership and trust that their teachers have an innate desire to improve.  They are willing to confront any negative behavior and are willing to have the tough conversations that help to transform culture into a positive environment.  Their belief is they will find a way to solve a problem even if it's hard.  Staff and administrators are encouraged to take risks and to learn from things that don't work out as planned.  According to these leaders, failure will lead to becoming better.  It can help each other and the district grow and lead to "making the best even better."  Teachers are proud of what they do and are very willing to share with each other.  A magic happens when staff are invested in to the community of the school.

The administrators describe their commitment to Okoboji schools as an anchor that is deep - who we are and what we believe.  Cultivating leadership is their goal and authority in equal doses with responsibility helps develop leaders that are fully invested in the district.  With the dynamic and personal leadership present in this district, it is no wonder teachers remark, "We appreciate how you remember what it was like to be a teacher."

Create! Collaborate! Communicate! Contribute!  All words that are more than just a brand for this district - they are action words that were evident in the administrative team meeting and words that are foundational to the success of this district.

POINTS OF PRIDE: Ottumwa Community School District

Superintendent Eidahl and Liberty Principal Sievertsen

                  
               LEADERS FOCUSING ON PARTNERSHIPS

Superintendent Davis Eidahl is a leader with a vision for his school district.  Under his leadership Ottumwa is focused on developing partnerships with the community because they know and understand that it takes community to help a district forge ahead.  The School Improvement Advisory Council (SIAC) has three hour meetings (5 - 8 P.M.) and community members are encouraged to attend.  In January, their topic of interest was a panel of high school teachers who discussed the 10 standards of success.  They prepare for shadowing opportunities between January and March.  During shadowing, community members follow a student in grades 6-12 to determine how authentic the district instruction is.  They look at engagement, collaboration, and technology use. This partnership adds to educational improvement.  In March, those who participated share their experience.  Students are brought in to participate in circle discussions in order to elicit feedback from students.  All input is compiled and shared with the School Board as they closely examine the intended and the enacted curriculum.  In June SIAC participates in a Gallery Walk as they examine the data from the school year.  


District Demographics:
Enrollment    4357
Free/Reduced Lunch   61%
Buildings - 1 preschool/district/board office, 6 elementaries, 1 middle school, 1 high school

Liberty Elementary is a new building in the Ottumwa School District with natural lighting and 8 sections for classrooms.  The pod areas centrally located with classrooms around provide an area for differentiation of instruction and focus on data walls as they move students forward in achievement.  The bright facilities and spacious learning areas provide an inviting and warm environment focused on learning.

Ottumwa is concentrating on Early Childhood Literacy with every child reading.  Head Start helps towards this goal as well as Title I in K-2.  There are 12 trained staff in reading recovery at Grade 1.  This district uses the Gradual Release of Responsibility to infuse character traits during productive group work.

At the secondary level there is a Freshman Academy focused on student success through mentoring.  Fifteen concurrent classes are offered in the high school with 51% of their graduates earning college credit during high school.  Project Lead the Way is found in a robotics class as an exploratory in Grade 8 as well as additional classes offered at the high school.  There is an Engineering Club after school with over 50 participants.

Ottumwa is proud of its designation as an Iowa District of Character.   Their goal includes creating a sense of belonging for all students, and they are well on their way to accomplishing this goal.