DKG: How Can Volunteers Impact Literacy?

What is DKG - Delta Kappa Gamma?  Delta Kappa Gamma is an International Society for Key Women Educators.  Their theme - "Sharing our Vision, Strengthening Our Society."  On June 14, I was invited to serve on a panel discussion to answer the question, "How can volunteers make an impact on literacy?"  Earlier in the week,  I had attended the Upper Mississippi Conference on Poverty and listened several times to Ruby Payne speak.  My approach to this question was with an eye on resolving difficult situations for families that will directly impact success in literacy.  

Beverly Helms, International President of DKG, served as moderator

Other panelists included two instructional coaches from Davenport (Cindy Schollaert and  Jolene Whittemore) and a Dean of Students/Counselor (Danelle Breier) from Bettendorf

How can volunteers impact literacy?
The greatest way you can assist with literacy in a home is to provide services to families in poverty.  These services are should not be a HAND OUT but a HAND UP.   Across America 46 million live in poverty -15% of our population. It is the highest it has ever been since they began keeping records.  In Iowa the poverty rate is 12.7% with the children poverty rate at 15.4%.  The poverty training of Ruby Payne known as “Bridges out of Poverty" provides many simple ways that volunteers could assist schools with the growing issue of poverty which, in turn, have potential to impact literacy.  Those ideas shared include:

1. Provide mentoring to a struggling mother.  Take her for coffee and simply discuss how things are going for her.  This type of mentoring program could be set up through community resources.  People in poverty value relationships more than they value getting out of their situation.  It is when you are in a relationship, you can offer tips to her about reading to her children.  (Flapjacks, mentoring the malnourished)
2. In the schools many times organizations give books to children.  I would suggest the first gift given is a bookshelf so they have a special place to keep their books.  In many of the homes there is chaos, and a place to help with this organization of books would be beneficial. 
3. Provide magnets to families with a saying about literacy for refrigerators.  This is another organizational tool that would help keep spelling lists, vocabulary work, homework in one spot.
4. Offer to eat lunch once a week with a child.  This could be a study lunch, a time of relationship building, or a time to read together after eating.  Some schools have a program where a student read with a mentor then they either read after lunch or walk and talk.
5. Organize a backpack program that sends home food with families for the weekend meals.  A child cannot concentrate on literacy if they are worried about where their next meal is.  (Theisen’s has organized one such program in Jackson County.  Some schools title it "Pack a Snack."
6. Serve on a Habitat for Humanity committee or board.  Offer to assist a family in completing the application and organize the necessary paperwork.
7. Provide a shared book experience with a student.  Offer to read the same book s/he is reading and then via email, snail mail, or blog share a summary and perspective on the book.  This provides a real-world application for the reading.
8. Volunteer at the public library to assist students as a reading buddy.

Additional ideas include:

1. Provide transportation to a mother to get to her appointments.  Transportation difficulties are what keep many people in poverty in that situation.  They have no way to travel to educational opportunities.  You might emphasize it is not a hand out and in response she can do something for you.  Does she have a craft she makes?  Could she bake you something?  Or you could tell her that when her situation improves, she could "pay it forward."
2. Provide packets to parents of newborns that contain flyers about the importance of reading along with a picture book.
3. Offer scholarships to parents to complete their GEDs along with providing childcare while s/he participates in these classes.
4. Organize a “Getting Ahead in a Getting By World” program in a neighborhood.  This is a Ruby Payne program providing guidance in organizing finances, identifying strengths and resources, understanding the hidden rules of social classes, and how to locate and apply for jobs.  Usually organizations and churches unite to provide supper with leftovers sent home to the families.  Child care is also provided by volunteers.  Those participating leave with a plan to implement to assist with the difficult challenges they are facing.   

On Sunday, June 15, I served as the keynote for their inspirational brunch.  The topic of the speech:  Learning - A Shared Journey of Discovery.

Over 150 attended this event.  Until this weekend, I was not familiar with the DKGs but now I look forward to becoming a member.  Beverly Helms, Delta Kappa Gamma International President, announced she was paying my dues for the first year.  Now I just have to wait to see if they vote me into this group of passionate educators!  Check this organization out at:  https://www.dkg.org

How Does One Become Iowa Teacher of the Year?

The 2014 State Teachers of the Year in the East Room at the White House where I wore a pink suit in honor of breast cancer awareness for my mother (a survivor), my friend Peggy Claus, and my dear teacher friend Margie McDermott

I attended a two-day workshop this week on Professional Learning Communities.  At one point in the group discussion, the presenter mentioned that in her school while serving as principal, she moved away from individual awards to group recognition in order to promote teamwork and collaboration.  She then mentioned that many states have a Teacher of the Year program where one teacher is chosen to serve in this role.  A person in the crowd asked what TOY meant and how was this person chosen.  I did not speak up in the room but did go to the person later to explain the process in Iowa and will now explain it here. 

In Iowa, the Iowa Department of Education sends out an explanation and nomination papers to every superintendent in the spring.  They are encouraged to nominate a person for this award. Nomination forms are also linked on the Iowa Department of Education website so any teacher, parent, or student can nominate a person to become Iowa Teacher of the Year.  In my case, a colleague nominated me for this honor.  Once a nomination is given, the person nominated receives an application to complete.  This application and questions are modeled after those questions each state Teacher of the Year must complete for the National TOY program.  Completing the application is a reflective process, much like the process one must go through when seeking National Board Certification.  You analyze your teaching, best instructional practices, and explain your vision for the future of education.  Along with your reflections, you present three letters from various people who believe you should be the Iowa Teacher of the Year.  In my case, letters were given from my superintendent, my mentee/co-worker, and a past student majoring in education.

Once you have submitted your application, the applications are evaluated by a committee and six finalists are invited for an interview in DesMoines.  You are invited to give a presentation followed by an intense interview with more than 12 present, representing educational organizations from around the state of Iowa.  The person chosen as Iowa Teacher of the Year is considered to be the Ambassador of Education for our state.  As the Iowa TOY, I help to lead the Outstanding Iowa Teachers Advisory Committee to have teachers' voices heard.  I also serve on the Educator Quality Bureau at the Iowa Department of Education.  It is an honor I will always hold dear.

When going through National Board Certification ten years ago, I was consumed by the process.  When I consider both Master's programs I have completed, none compare to the NBC process for reflection and analysis.  I became a reflective practitioner and when the NBC process was over, and I became National Board Certified,  I continued to be reflective in all of my instruction.  Throughout my years in education, I have  been committed to continuous learning.  I firmly believe that we only improve through goal-setting, risk-taking, and a commitment to the process of improvement.  Have a met all of my goals?  Not yet which keeps me fresh and moving forward.  Have I always been successful in risk-taking?  No, but I have learned more from my mistakes than from my successes.  Am I committed to improvement?  You bet.  It's this commitment that keeps me seeking new and different ways to motivate and inspire students.  All of these beliefs have now led me to hold the title of Iowa Ambassador to Education.

As I move into my second half of the year as the 2014 Iowa Teacher of the Year, I look forward to visiting school districts and education programs across the state.  I enter a sabbatical from the classroom this next school year.  It will be very different not preparing a classroom and writing units, but I look forward to meeting educators, sharing their ideas with others, and experiencing firsthand the outstanding work that Iowa teachers and administrators are performing across our great state.  I hope districts and college education programs will invite me for visits.  I am more than willing to present to groups about a profession I hold dear that is making a difference in the lives of today's youth.

Dr. Kim P. Huckstadt's Maquoketa Journey

(A speech delivered May 28, 2014, at Dr. Kim P. Huckstadt's celebration who is retiring from the Maquoketa School District after 13 years of leading.)

Dr. Kim P. Huckstadt and his wife Luanne, Maquoketa HS Math teacher

When talking with his brother-in-law this afternoon, Kim said that going to his retirement party was like attending his own funeral. Let’s view this occasion more like a graduation and a celebration of Kim as he moves forward with new adventures.

I would like to begin with a poem by John McLeod called…

It’s the Journey that’s Important…

Life, sometimes so wearying
Is worth its weight in gold
The experience of traveling
Lends a wisdom that is old
Beyond our ‘living memory’
A softly spoken prayer:
“It’s the journey that’s important,
Not the getting there!”

Ins and outs and ups and downs
Life’s road meanders aimlessly.
Or so it seems, but somehow
Leads to where we need to be,
And being simply human
We oft question and compare….
“Is the journey so important
Or the getting there?”

And thus it’s always been
That question pondered down the ages
By simple men with simple ways
To wise and ancient sages….
How sweet then, quietly knowing
Reaching destination fair:
“It’s the journey that’s important,
Not the getting there!”

My trucker husband Brian said that when he was driving semi in Chicago, he noticed a trucking company’s motto on a semi that said: WE DRIVE THE EXTRA MILE. Underneath the motto somebody had written in the dust: BECAUSE WE TAKE THE WRONG EXITS. Sometimes we work and direct our lives going the extra mile, sometimes we take the wrong turn, but we take a clover leaf and return. Sometimes something interrupts our path, but eventually we get back on the right path. Kim has taken our district down new roads, new paths, but has always kept us on the right path, taking us a great distance. Now he has decided it’s time to get out of the cab and send us on our way.

Today we are celebrating the journey of Kim Huckstadt, someone who has always shown us that he places value in the journey and not necessarily the “getting there.” It is my honor to speak on behalf of the Central Office team. (Now really – how can you say NO to the lovely ladies of Central Office?) We are recognizing Dr. Kim Huckstadt on this occasion as he chooses a journey in pursuit of other adventures beyond the Maquoketa School District. It is interesting to take a closer look at the road that Kim has traveled especially a journey made by one who has given so very much to our school district.

Kim began his journey here when he came to Maquoketa as an 8^th grade science teacher fresh out of Beloit College. At the junior high, he taught under the mentorship of Ron Fisher (which was before mentors were called mentors). At that time, he taught two science classes and had four study halls that led him to perform much begging and pleading to Principal Willman. Being a very convincing begger,  Kim succeeded in changing his teaching assignment to four science classes with only two study halls. He confesses he even taught a math class to get away from those horrid junior high study halls.

Kim said his favorite things to teach were neutralization reactions and balancing equations. How appropriate since neutralization reactions assisted him with contract negotiations (neutralizing reactions) and balancing equations prepared him well for balancing numerous district budgets!

For many years, he traveled many a road as the high school girls basketball coach. It seems fitting to apply a quote by basketball coaching great John Wooden who said, “Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.” Kim’s character has kept our district great because his qualities as a leader have always espoused the highest of ethics.

In the fall of 1986, he and Luanne followed a different road and left Maquoketa for three years in pursuit of other adventures. Eventually he realized the true adventure was being in Maquoketa, so they returned in 1989 where he taught high school science half days and refinished furniture the other half. It was during his part time teaching that he entered Western Illinois University to begin work on a Master’s in Administration. With only 9 graduate hours to his name, he was made the assistant principal and athletic director at the Middle School. In the fall of 1995, he became principal. While principal, he paved many roads in the area of creative and innovative teaching – organizing a creative applications class, encouraging the creation of cross-curricular units, and sending educators to Canada to see the effect of quality integrated units. As a principal, Kim encouraged his staff to think outside the box and organized our schedule in such a way to accommodate creative instruction and enabled us make cross-curricular connections.

Not content to stay as principal, Kim was called to travel a different road and he became the superintendent in the fall of 2001 – a significant fall marked by the historical event we call 9-11. Always committed to continuous improvement, in 2011 he earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership.

Always the teacher, Kim has provided endless instructional power points, workshops for staff, and has served as an adjunct professor for WIU. He has served on numerous advisory councils and committees both locally and across the state along with giving presentations and publishing articles.

His honors include: AEA 9 Middle Level Principal of the year, AEA 9 Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Robert Hall Dissertation Award presented by the Educational Leadership Department at WIU, and recipient of the Patriotic Employer award from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Kim has assisted and guided our district in making significant changes: the high school commons area, new additions in our district including geothermal capabilities at Briggs, MS office changes, HS science and art classrooms, a new competition gymnasium, a great track and beautiful tennis courts. He has opened other roads, roads leading to a bright future for our students through the building of Clinton Community College (Maquoketa’s campus) next to our high school. He has paved the road to Maquoketa by paving the way for whole grade sharing with Delwood and Andrew along with arrangements for shared classes with Easton Valley.

Kim lives life much like that described in the following poem:

Just One
By Unknown
One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey.
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what’s true,                                                                                                                                                                                                                           One life can make a difference,
You see, of Kim that’s true!

Thank you, Kim, for all you have done in making Maquoketa School District one of a kind – a very special kind, just like the leader you have been for us.

And so now, for you, Kim:

The Roads Go Ever On by JRR Tolkien

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And you must follow, if you can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way,
Where many paths and errands meet.                                                                                                  And wither then? We cannot say.

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And you must follow, if you can,
Pursuing it with weary feet,
Until it joins some larger way,
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? We cannot say.

Still 'round the corner there may wait
A new road or a secret gate;
And though you oft have passed them through,
This day has come at last when you
Shall take the hidden paths that run
West of the Moon, and East of the Sun.

Kim, we all wish you great adventures ahead in your new journey in life. Thank you.

Time in Texas

May 5 I flew to San Antonio, Texas, to attend an Educator Effectiveness Conference sponsored by CCSSO.  I was joined by 4 other Iowans which led to great discussion on the state of education and the trends currently happening.  There are two areas that create spirited discussion - teacher leadership and teacher evaluation.  In the area of teacher leadership, there is much to be said about peer review and coaching as the focus is on: How can we improve the effectiveness of instruction in our classrooms? John Hattie, author of VISIBLE LEARNING, presented specific research-based instructional strategies that have a high effect size when used in our classrooms.  I attended three workshops devoted to this topic and felt that a closer examination and implementation of his strategies has great potential to maximize impact in our instruction.  Sometimes what we think has a great effect size in reality does little to lead our students forward in achievement.

The Iowa group was represented by those who work with pre-service educators, the School Administrators of Iowa, the AEA, and the Iowa Bureau of Educator Effetiveness. It was a great time for our Iowa group to meet and discuss directions in Iowa.

One thing we all agree upon is the complexity of teaching and the difficulty surrounding the evaluation process for teachers.  Much discussion focuses on assessment data but assessments fluctuate based upon the group of students a teacher faces each year.  One year a group can be highly motivated and focused on achievement and the next year a group has multiple behavior issues and home issues that affect progress.  When working with people, there are few consistencies from year to year.  At the middle school level, those inconsistencies manifest themselves from day to day and sometimes from hour to hour.  But those challenges are what has kept me in education for 3 decades.  I love trying to motivate the unmotivated and to bring a spark into the eye of a student whose glazed eyes say, "Just try to get me to learn."


The Keynote Speaker on Thursday was introduced by Byron Darnall, Bureau Chief for Educator Quality with the Iowa Department of Education.  The keynote speaker was Sarah Brown Wessling, 2010 National Teacher of the Year.  Her talk was on being strong enough to make mistakes and learn from them. 

It was a worthwhile conference and I look forward to sharing what I learned from the workshops and from the dialogue with our Iowa team.  I appreciated the invitation to attend.

Our hotel in San Antonio - the Rivercenter

Where would a trip be without a few fun photos/  We did have some time to enjoy a few sites around San Antonio.

A trip to the Alamo - three blocks from our hotel

Armadillos - opossum with a shell

Nothing like a Texas bonfire

Former and present Teachers of the Year at our Texas BBQ

Mrs. Schmidt Goes to Washington - Day Four - WOW!

No words can adequately describe this week in Washington, D.C. !  So honored to represent the teachers of Maquoketa and Iowa!  Would not be here without their support!

Thanks, Iowa!

On Day Four, we woke up knowing this was THE DAY!  Just an ordinary day! Just an ordinary day for a group of teachers from across our nation to  head to the Executive Office Building for a round table discussion on the direction of education in our country, then a stroll to the White House, a short visit with the President, and a group photo in the East Room.  Just an ordinary day?  Wow! Wow! Wow! 

STOYs - NJ, FL, Virgins Islands, SD, PA, OH, CT, NM

STOYs - NH, MA, OK, MO, MD, CO, VT

STOYs - MO, NV, IN, WA, MI, AL, WV

STOYs - WI, WV, KY, TN, SC, ID

STOYs - DC, GA, OR, CA

IA and NM with the Presidential Flag

A place at the table for teachers

Sharing our voices in the White House Listening Room

Sharing our concerns about educational direction

A stroll to the White House

Sean McComb represents the teaching profession so well

So proud of my husband

Our final "Happy Dance" as we perform a flash mob in Dupont Circle

Thanks, Maquoketa!

Check out the full ceremony at: 
http://www.c-span.org/video/?319133-2/2014-national-teacher-year-award

Mrs. Schmidt Goes to Washington - Day Three

Our day began with watching the CBS news report unveiling Sean McComb as the 2014 National Teacher of the Year.  Sean is a high school English teacher in Maryland.  He represents the class of 2014 TOYS very well.  He is an articulate young man with a passion for teaching and pushing students to perform to the best of their ability.

We listened to a report from NNTOY on the research report:  From Good to Great - Exemplary Teachers Share Perspectives on Increasing Teacher Effectiveness Across the Career Continuum.  In it they identified at the following levels what was most beneficial in influencing the quality of teaching:

PRE SERVICE

• High quality clinical experience
• Content course work

NOVICE

• Mentoring
• Strong administrator
• Teaching assignment aligned to their training

VETERAN/EXPERT

• Collaborative school culture with opportunities for reflection 
• Professional development that is reflective, collaborative, and chosen

The speakers reminded us to say, "This is what I am" - not apologize for our profession.  How we talk about the profession is extremely important, and we must undergo a dialogue change because not anyone can do what we do!  We need to increase our voice for our profession.

After the report, we headed for the U.S. Department of Education to a discussion on developing teacher leadership.  We were divided into small groups and spent time in spirited discussion.  Research supports the importance of leadership pathways for teachers and the U.S. Department of Education is looking for ideas on how to assist school districts with redefining teacher roles.

We returned to the Fairfax for a panel discussion on Common Core.  It was excellent!  The panel members clearly addressed the importance of Core standards for all and a concern about the negativity found in the media.  Once again, teacher voice is so very important.  A promo is out highlighting the Teachers of the Year as they talk about THE CORE of what we do.  I am by a poster highlighting the Missouri TOY.

We got dressed up for the gala held at the Institute of Peace with Arne Duncan as a featured speaker.  Sean delivered an inspiring message about the importance a teacher plays in defining who students are and the influence on a student towards who they become.

Tomorrow we head to the White House to meet President Obama.  It is so rainy here it looks like it will be held inside instead of in the Rose Garden.  Either way, it will be a sunny day for a bunch of teachers from around the country!

Mrs. Schmidt Goes to Washington - Day Two

Nighttime view of the Capitol

In the subway tunnel

Traveling down under D.C. to ride the Metro, a meal at Union Station, and then a rainy walk to the Capitol at night – just something special about D.C.  It is overwhelming to think so any decisions made here that impact our lives across the nation especially when it comes to issues related to education. 

 

Today was filled with SMART Technology training.  We were engaged in a collaborative digital learning environment with lots of hands-on experience with this technology tool.  We were divided into teams and created interactive units related to the monuments.  Our group focused on the controversy surrounding the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument which leads us to the essential questions – What do monuments represent?  What symbolism is used?  Does the monument truly represent the ideals of the person it honors?

 We inserted visual learning through video and pictures, activities using Bloom’s taxonomy, and incorporated the Common Core to assure mastery of standards.  As we collaboratively developed our unit we experienced firsthand the power of collaboration – each of us completing part of the unit based upon our talents and interests.

The serenade to babies

The evening ended with a banquet provided by SMART Technology and a slide show of each TOY in their classroom and photos from their awards ceremony, all put to music.  A very touching presentation!  We also presented baby gifts to the three babies that were born since we last met in Arizona this past January.  Each received hand-made beaded moccasins, gift cards, and a quilt embroidered with:  My Daddy/Mommy is my Favorite TOY.  The OK Toy sang “Hush Little Baby” while the proud parents held their babies up for all to see.  Once the banquet was complete we lined up by height in preparation for our visit to the White House on Thursday.  We collected our TOY T-shirts which we will don after the White House for a flash mob dance at a local area in D.C.  

TOYS - KY, IA, WI, Virgin Islands

TOYS - RI, IA

Another very special day - each of us carrying with us the ideals of the teachers from our state.  We will strive to represent their voices!