IOWA FALLS, IOWA (November 14, 2019) — Don't miss this chance to speak with school board members, superintendents, and expert practitioners from across the state and nation — including Education and Creativity Expert, Sir Ken Robinson.
On Wednesday, November 20 and Thursday, November 21, education experts will present on the latest issues at the IASB Annual Convention. Choose one or more of the following topics, attend the education session and/or interview the presenter (s) afterward.
Mental Health: Mental health is a priority for school boards and districts across the state. Choose from three sessions dedicated to this important issue:
- Learn about an innovative solution for districts struggling to provide mental health services to students-telehealth! Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Sue Gehling will be available to share information on school-based telehealth services. Learn more here. Session starts at 9:30AM; available for interview after 10:15AM in room 104, level 1, on November 21.
- Johnston Schools engaged students to implement a well-being program to address social and emotional issues. Speak with Board Member Jeanie Kerber on how these engagement efforts helped with mental awareness, connectivity and vaping prevention. Learn more here. Session starts at 11AM; available for interview after 11:45AM in rooms 107-108, level 1 on November 21.
- Talk with West Des Moines Schools Board Member and Please Pass the Love Executive Director Jennifer Ulie-Wells and learn about the youth mental health initiative she founded and how school board members can help set the stage for saving lives. Learn more here. Session starts at 3PM; available for interview after 4:15 in Grand Ballroom A on level 4 on November 21.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics): STEM education is sweeping across Iowa, and schools are connecting with businesses to provide work-based learning experiences for students and teachers. Carrie Rankin, associate director of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council, can share several different STEM initiatives happening in districts. Learn more here. Session starts at 11AM; available for interview after 11:45 in room 319, level 3 on November 21.
Innovation: Innovation is happening in schools across the nation and in Iowa. The following experts are available for interviews:
- Sir Ken Robinson: Education and Creativity Expert and Keynote Speaker Sir Ken Robinson will share messages that inspire and challenge the norm to transform standardized education into personalized 21st-century education. He is opening convention with a powerful keynote at 8AM, and is presenting a follow-up breakout session at 9AM. Contact Tammy Votava to reserve a seat at one of his sessions and for open interview time slots. Seating and time slots are limited.
- Scott McLeod: Associate Professor of Education Leadership at University of Colorado Denver Scott McLeod is presenting two Pre-Convention Workshops on November 20 at 9AM and 1PM focused on Unleashing Innovation, and an education session on November 21 at 11AM focused on Rethinking Classroom Instruction. If you'd like to interview Scott McLeod, please contact Tammy Votava for open time-slots.
- Ignite Innovation Showcase (featuring six school districts!): We've invited six school districts to showcase their innovative programs, ranging from STEM, to career academies, to dual-language programs. Come and learn about these programs and talk with the practitioners as well. All practitioners will be available for interviews following the showcase at 4:15PM in Grand Ballroom B level 4. See a full list of districts and programs here.
Extracurriculars: Two superintendents are encouraging discussions at the state level to use factors other than enrollment to determine extracurricular activity classification. Cardinal Schools Superintendent Joel Pedersen and Des Moines Schools Superintendent Tom Ahart can both provide insights into solutions to overcome poverty-based student inequality. Learn more here. Session starts at 2PM; available for interview after 2:45 in rooms 107-108, level 1 on November 21.
Important: If you would like to interview these presenters, please text or call Tammy Votava, IASB communications director, at (515) 250-0571 or email tvotava@ia-sb.org.
The complete program includes speakers on a variety of other trending topics. To arrange interviews with other speakers, please contact Tammy Votava (contact information above).
IASB is a nonprofit organization representing Iowa's 327 school districts, nine area education-agencies, and 15 community colleges.
