DES MOINES, IA (04/12/2012)(readMedia)-- Thomas Wolfe, a retired junior high school teacher from Davenport, will receive the Iowa State Education Association's (ISEA's) top honor, the Charles F. Martin Award for Association Leadership. Wolfe will accept the honor Friday, April 13, before a group of nearly 400 educators attending the ISEA Delegate Assembly at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines.

The Charles F. Martin Award has been presented annually since 1972 to recognize an ISEA member who has made significant contributions to the teaching profession through Association involvement. Named in honor of the late Charles F. Martin, who served as ISEA president in 1945 and then as executive director from 1946 to 1961, the award is given to an educator who embodies the link between the Association's mission and the impact it has in the classroom.

"Tom is truly one of the most committed and compassionate leaders the ISEA has had the privilege of working with," said Chris Bern, president of the ISEA. Tom spent his professional life dedicated to being the best in his classroom and a leader in his professional association. He has helped shape the face of public education and we will be eternally grateful for the many leaders he inspired. While he is retired today after years in the classroom and working alongside his colleagues strengthening his local association, he can still be found actively promoting public education, the ISEA, and the NEA at all levels," Bern added. "Tom truly embodies the Charles F. Martin award."

The ISEA is a professional association made up of nearly 34,000 educators dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students. Great Education. It's an Iowa Basic!

DES MOINES, IA (08/10/2010)(readMedia)-- The U.S. House of Representatives today approved legislation containing emergency funds to help states cope with the Great Recession and stave off massive layoffs of educators. The House joined the Senate in passing H.R. 1586, the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, legislation that will keep educators working and help states with Medicaid funding. It provides $10 billion for educators' jobs and $16 billion for a Medicaid funding assistance program known as FMAP.

The legislation would provide $96 million in federal funding for Iowa and help save an estimated 1800 jobs.

A Congressional Budget Office analysis found that the legislation, which is fully paid for, will reduce the deficit by $1.4 billion over 10 years. The bill, which the Department of Education estimates will save some 161,000 educators' jobs, now goes to President Obama for his signature.

"This is a great day for Iowa's kids and schools. $96 million will go a long way toward reducing overcrowded classrooms, improving program offerings and bringing educators back into their buildings so they can do what they do best, help Iowa's kids to learn and grow," said Chris Bern, President of the Iowa State Education Association. "Everyone wins with this important legislation," Bern added.

"We deeply appreciate Senator Harkin's leadership in moving this legislation forward and keeping the best interests of students ahead of politics. We also appreciate the support from Congressmen Boswell, Braley, and Loebsack and Governor Culver's strong commitment to Iowa's kids and public educators," Bern said.

--00--