Sold-out event to continue conversation about providing Iowa's children with a world-class education

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today are hosting the second Iowa Teacher and Principal Leadership Symposium at the FFA Enrichment Center at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny. The purpose of the event, which is sold out, is continuing the conversation about how to give Iowa children a world-class education.  More than 450 educators, parents, legislators, school board members and others are expected to attend.

WATCH THE SYMPOSIUM LIVE: http://bit.ly/IAEDLeaders

"Iowa's education system must keep pace with the demands of a knowledge-based, global workforce," said Branstad. "Iowa's new Teacher Leadership and Compensation System will create the capacity to do that by better utilizing the expertise of top teachers to fine tune instruction for individual students. We'll learn more from symposium speakers about how to make the most of this new approach to instructional leadership. "

Iowa is the first state to launch a teacher leadership system of this magnitude, with every school district having the option of participating over the next three years. The goal is for 25 percent of highly qualified teachers to take on new leadership roles, such as instructional coaches and mentors, to improve instruction and raise student achievement. When fully phased in during the 2016-17 school year, the Iowa Teacher Leadership and Compensation System is estimated to cost $150 million annually.

"Nothing inside schools has a bigger impact on learning than highly effective teaching," said Reynolds. "Iowa has many first-rate teachers, and we are looking forward during the symposium to learning more about exciting developments in teacher leadership in Iowa and beyond."

Featured symposium speakers include Vivien Stewart from the Asia Society, Ee-Ling Low from the National Institute of Education in Singapore, Barnett Berry from the Center for Teaching Quality, Iowa 2014 Teacher of the Year Jane Schmidt and Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year Aiddy Phomvisay. Also featured are Iowa's first 39 school districts to launch the state's new Teacher Leadership and Compensation System; two Iowa school districts that started teacher leadership systems with a federal grant; and a student panel on the difference great teaching makes.

Participants, attendees and those wishing to follow the symposium are encouraged to use the #IAEdLeaders hashtag on social media. For more information about the symposium: https://educationleadership.iowa.gov/

 

###

CHARLESTON, IL (08/01/2014)(readMedia)-- Kaitlyn Teager of East Moline, IL was one of more than 990 undergraduate students named to Eastern Illinois University's Spring 2014 Deans' List.

The Deans' List at EIU recognizes undergraduates with a declared major whose academic performance has been excellent. Students who achieve a GPA of 3.80 to 4.00 (on a 4.00 scale) while completing a minimum of 12 graded semester hours, excluding credit/no credit grades, in a fall or spring semester will be named to the Deans' List.

Please join us in congratulating Kaitlyn on this achievement!

Located in Charleston, IL, Eastern Illinois University has a rich tradition of preparing students to accomplish their life goals through a great combination of quality academics and personal relationships. Consistently ranked in the top third of Midwest universities in its class by U.S. News and World Report, Eastern has earned its reputation by offering a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs taught by an experienced and caring faculty. In addition to reasonable tuition, fees, and room and board rates, Eastern offers a textbook rental system, saving the average student hundreds of dollars per semester.

NOTRE DAME, IN (07/31/2014)(readMedia)-- Local students named to the Saint Mary's College spring 2014 semester Dean's List include Katherine Kautz of Bettendorf and Caitlin Poster of Davenport.

About Saint Mary's College: Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN, is a four-year, Catholic, residential, women's liberal arts college offering five bachelor's degrees and more than 30 major areas of study, such as business, nursing, art, chemistry, and social work. The College's single-gender environment has been proven, in study after study, to foster confidence, ethical leadership, and strong academic success. Saint Mary's College ranks 76 among the 248 "Best National Liberal Arts Colleges" for 2014 published by U.S. News and World Report. Founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Saint Mary's College's mission is to educate women and prepare them for postgraduate success whether it's a first job, graduate school, or postgraduate service.

DES MOINES, IA (07/30/2014)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald, a member of the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation, announced today that Aubrey Kohl of Bettendorf was among the four students to receive a Robert D. Blue scholarship award for the 2014-2015 school year. The Robert D. Blue Scholarship, which is given by the Foundation, awarded four Iowa students to assist in covering expenses at an Iowa college. The recipients represented four Iowa counties and four Iowa schools.

"Students selected to receive this award must be a citizen of Iowa and demonstrate literary and scholastic ability; exhibit qualities of truth, courage, and fellowship; and display moral force of character," commented State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald. "Aubrey is an excellent example of the type of student that we were looking for." Kohl will be attending Cornell College this fall.

Awards were based on the review of an application, letters of recommendation, scholastic achievement, and an essay on the responsibility of a citizen toward his or her community. Additional information about the Robert D. Blue Scholarship is available on-line at rdblue.org.

Foundation members include Governor Terry Branstad, Attorney General Tom Miller, State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald, Board of Education President Charlie Edwards; former governors Chester Culver, Tom Vilsack, and Robert Ray; and citizen members Elaine Estes, Arvid Huisman, Wayne Marty and Janet Metcalf.

###

Milwaukee (July 30, 2014) - Jordyn Elizabeth O'Rourke, a Nursing Undergraduate student from Davenport, has been named to the Dean's List at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the Spring 2014 semester. UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with approximately 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

-30-

The 2014 QCESC Bridge Building Camp is a free one day camp for students in grades 4-8 on Friday, August 8th from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the Alcoa Learning Center located at 4900 State Street, Bettendorf, Iowa.

After discussion and demonstrations on engineering, create problem solving and teamwork, students will have 3 hours to work together in teams of 2-4 to build a model bridge out of materials and tools that are provided. Teams can choose to test their bridge to determine the greatest support efficiency or not and keep what they have built.

Space is limited. Pre-registration is recommended at: www.qcesc.org.

###

IOWA CITY, IA (07/29/2014)(readMedia)-- Approximately 5,000 students received degrees from the University of Iowa at the close of the 2014 spring semester.

Students from your area receiving degrees include :

Katherine Adam from Bettendorf (BS-Mathematics ; Actuarial Science)

Katherine Adam from Bettendorf (CER-Risk Management and Insurance)

Christopher Anthony from Bettendorf (MD-Medicine)

Lee Betker from Bettendorf (BA-History; Anthropology)

Matthew Bettenhausen from Bettendorf (BBA-Finance; Economics)

Luke Bieber from Bettendorf (BA-Communication Studies)

Luke Bieber from Bettendorf (CER-Entrepreneurial Management)

Aaron Cain from Bettendorf (BA-Communication Studies)

Brandon Craig from Bettendorf (BS-Computer Science)

Lynne Cropper from Bettendorf (MA-Religious Studies)

Eric Derby from Bettendorf (BBA-Marketing)

Nicholas Ehrecke from Bettendorf (BA-Psychology)

Nicholas Ehrecke from Bettendorf (BS-Human Physiology)

Garrett Ellard from Bettendorf (BA-Interdepartmental Studies)

Emma Evanovich from Bettendorf (BA-Psychology)

Jacob Fenton from Bettendorf (BA-Interdepartmental Studies; Environmental Policy and Planning)

Erinn Flahive from Bettendorf (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Erinn Flahive from Bettendorf (CER-Entrepreneurial Management)

David Garrison from Bettendorf (BA-Mathematics)

Christine Gill from Bettendorf (MD-Medicine)

Kyle Hanrahan from Bettendorf (BA-Economics)

Brennan Hawley from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Trevin Hayman from Bettendorf (MD-Medicine)

Roderick Hoover from Bettendorf (BS-Biology)

Alex Jager from Bettendorf (MA-Library and Information Science)

Michael Kardell from Bettendorf (BBA-Finance)

Brittany Kepner from Bettendorf (BS-Leisure Studies)

Harikrishnan Kesavan Nair from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Cristina Kilburg from Bettendorf (DDS-Dentistry)

Randy Klosak from Bettendorf (BS-Human Physiology)

Sarah Kowalczyk from Bettendorf (BA-Art)

Tyler Kress from Bettendorf (BSE-Industrial Engineering)

Ashley Lafever from Bettendorf (MD-Medicine)

Renee LaFrentz from Bettendorf (BS-Human Physiology)

Alexandra Lubbers from Bettendorf (BA-German; Linguistics)

Katy Mahoney from Bettendorf (BA-Mathematics)

Samuel McNamara from Bettendorf (BSN-Nursing)

Nicole Melchert from Bettendorf (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Amber Meyer from Bettendorf (MD-Medicine)

Tamra Mohs from Bettendorf (DNP-Nursing)

Daniel Morse from Bettendorf (BA-English; Computer Science)

Daniel Morse from Bettendorf (BS-Physics)

Tiffany Mu from Bettendorf (BBA-Management)

Emily Myers from Bettendorf (BA-Spanish; International Relations)

Lauren Negaard from Bettendorf (BA-Journalism and Mass Communication)

Lauren Negaard from Bettendorf (CER-Performing Arts Entrepreneurship)

Pamela Nichols from Bettendorf (BAS-Bachelor of Applied Studies)

Ram Niwas from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Andrea Odvarko from Bettendorf (DNP-Nursing)

Susan Parker from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Reeya Patel from Bettendorf (BS-Human Physiology)

Elizabeth Pliakos from Bettendorf (BA-Biochemistry)

Sachin Ramteke from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Gautam Reddy from Bettendorf (MD-Medicine)

Gautam Reddy from Bettendorf (MPH)

Maria-Alessandra Roa from Bettendorf (BS-Human Physiology)

Andrew Schwartz from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Christine Schwartz from Bettendorf (BA-Biology)

Danny Shelton from Bettendorf (BS-Medical Laboratory Science)

Zachary Smith from Bettendorf (MAC-Accounting)

Amanda Stahle from Bettendorf (BBA-Marketing)

Mark Steinhauser from Bettendorf (BA-Social Work)

Lisa Stevenson from Bettendorf (PHD-Educational Policy and Leadership Studies)

Deirdre Stolmeier from Bettendorf (MD-Medicine)

Lauren Suhl from Bettendorf (BA-Speech and Hearing Science)

Craig Sutton from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Alison Swanson from Bettendorf (BBA-Management)

Quinlan Syfert from Bettendorf (BS-Human Physiology)

Stephanie Taylor from Bettendorf (BA-History)

Akhil Tipnis from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Maggie Walls from Bettendorf (BBA-Marketing)

Kelsey Warner from Bettendorf (BA-Speech and Hearing Science; Psychology)

Hunter Watson from Bettendorf (BBA-Finance)

James White from Bettendorf (JD-Law)

Raheel Yaseen from Bettendorf (BA-Biology)

Robert Yoerger from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Naum Zaprudsky from Bettendorf (BA-Informatics; Sociology)

Michael Conger from Blue Grass (BSE-Mechanical Engineering)

Lisa Decker from Blue Grass (DNP-Nursing)

Trenten Petersen from Blue Grass (BA-Informatics)

Danna Smith from Blue Grass (BBA-Marketing)

Natalie Wakefield from Blue Grass (BS-Human Physiology)

Abby Simbro from Bondurant (BA-International Studies)

Abby Simbro from Bondurant (CER-Sustainability Program)

Erin Abbas from Davenport (BS-Psychology)

Johanna Acevedo from Davenport (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Alexander Anton from Davenport (BA-Political Science)

Kaysha Ballentine from Davenport (MAT-Teaching and Learning)

Angela Barr from Davenport (BFA-Art)

Joshua Behrendt from Davenport (BSE-Mechanical Engineering)

Katherine Beydler from Davenport (BA-Classical Languages)

Katherine Beydler from Davenport (BS-Biology)

Jenna Blessing from Davenport (BSN-Nursing)

Taylor Borders from Davenport (BA-Economics)

Valerie Bustle from Davenport (MBA-MBA Full-time Program)

Megan Carney from Davenport (BM-Music)

Thomas Carroll from Davenport (BBA-Finance)

Kennon Christian from Davenport (PHR-Pharmacy)

Kirsten Ciccotelli from Davenport (BAS-Bachelor of Applied Studies)

Zachary Cleve from Davenport (MA-Art)

Angela Congrove from Davenport (BA-Asian Languages and Literature)

Cody Curtis from Davenport (BS-Leisure Studies)

Cody Curtis from Davenport (CER-Entrepreneurial Management)

Joseph Daniel from Davenport (BBA-Accounting)

Olivia Day from Davenport (BA-Elementary Education)

Riley De La Cruz from Davenport (BA-Elementary Education)

Natalie Del Vecchio from Davenport (BS-Human Physiology)

Jennifer Divita from Davenport (MA-Speech Pathology and Audiology)

Kelly Divita from Davenport (BS-Human Physiology)

Angel Dominguez from Davenport (BA-Social Work)

Angel Dominguez from Davenport (CER-Critical Cultural Competence)

Ashton Dooley from Davenport (BA-Psychology)

Jessica Dougherty from Davenport (BSE-Biomedical Engineering)

Alicia Duyvejonck from Davenport (DNP-Nursing)

Sami Faruqui from Davenport (MD-Medicine)

Jake Fells from Davenport (BA-Economics)

Palmer Foster from Davenport (BS-Leisure Studies)

Palmer Foster from Davenport (CER-Entrepreneurial Management)

Elizabeth Fritz from Davenport (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Amy Green from Davenport (DNP-Nursing)

Kirstan Green from Davenport (BSN-Nursing)

Austin Harris from Davenport (BBA-Management)

William Hawkinson from Davenport (MAC-Accounting)

Brittany Hendrix from Davenport (BA-Art History)

Brittany Hendrix from Davenport (BS-Geoscience)

Katherine Hixon from Davenport (BSE-Biomedical Engineering)

Weihua Hu from Davenport (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Nicole Ito from Davenport (BA-Psychology)

Alejandro Jimenez from Davenport (BFA-Art)

Matthew Keck from Davenport (CER-Radiologic Technology)

trevor kenyon from Davenport (BS-Leisure Studies)

Thao Kieu from Davenport (DDS-Dentistry)

Elizabeth Knoche from Davenport (BBA-Management)

Robb Laake from Davenport (BSE-Mechanical Engineering)

Amanda Loughead from Davenport (BA-International Studies)

Theresa Mac from Davenport (PHR-Pharmacy)

Joseph Matson from Davenport (BA-Political Science)

Tyler McClanahan-Amerine from Davenport (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Eric McDonald from Davenport (BS-Geoscience)

Sarah Meade from Davenport (BA-Psychology)

Kiley Murphy from Davenport (BFA-Art)

Emily Nauman from Davenport (BA-Psychology)

James Nebinger from Davenport (BS-Biology)

Michael O'Hara from Davenport (BA-English)

Michael O'Hara from Davenport (CER-Writing)

Trae Olsen from Davenport (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Becka Otting from Davenport (BBA-Marketing)

Jill Peekenschneider from Davenport (MA-Rehabilitation and Counselor Education)

Jamie Porter from Davenport (CER-Physician Assistant)

Jamie Porter from Davenport (MPA)

Andrew Randone from Davenport (JD-Law)

Constance Riggins from Davenport (BA-Psychology; English)

Meghan Ryan from Davenport (BA-Political Science)

Claire Saskowski from Davenport (BSE-Biomedical Engineering)

Nicholas Schaefer from Davenport (BA-Economics)

Rachel Schebler from Davenport (BA-English)

Anne Sheridan from Davenport (MA-English)

Lindsey Skahill from Davenport (BA-Interdepartmental Studies)

Daniel Snicker from Davenport (BA-English)

Tabitha Stewart from Davenport (BA-Social Work)

Pamela Swanson from Davenport (BA-Music)

Daniel Tomsha from Davenport (BBA-Marketing)

Brian Triplett from Davenport (MA-Leisure Studies)

Nicholas Trizzino from Davenport (BA-Communication Studies; Interdepartmental Studies)

Allison Vandecar from Davenport (BSE-Industrial Engineering)

Maite Vazquez from Davenport (BA-Interdepartmental Studies)

Sara Whetstine from Davenport (MHA-Health Management and Policy)

Kellen Wiest from Davenport (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Ashley Willows from Davenport (BA-Psychology)

Emily Zelnio from Davenport (BSE-Chemical Engineering)

Kelsey Berens from Eldridge (BSE-Civil Engineering)

Nicholas Hennigan from Eldridge (BSE-Mechanical Engineering)

Nicholas Meyer from Eldridge (BBA-Management)

Jacob Reed from Eldridge (BBA-Business Analytics and Information Systems)

Stephen Sorensen from Eldridge (BSE-Electrical Engineering)

Joshua Clifton from Le Claire (BA-Communication Studies)

Scott Haack from Le Claire (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Ben Makovec from Le Claire (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Ian Smith from Le Claire (BSE-Chemical Engineering)

DeWayne Hatcher from Leclaire (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Hiba Irshad from Leclaire (BA-International Studies)

Kinsey Johnson from Leclaire (BA-Speech and Hearing Science)

Ryan Pegorick from Leclaire (BA-Informatics)

Samantha Cosner from Long Grove (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Mikeesha Means from Long Grove (BA-Psychology)

BreeAnna Mess from Long Grove (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Allen Olson from Long Grove (MA-Teaching and Learning)

Kelsey Redmond from Long Grove (CER-Radiologic Technology)

Aaron Lehman from Marion (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Anna Miller from New Liberty (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Aaron Keith from Ottumwa (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Lynn Rider from Pleasant Valley (BS-Leisure Studies)

Lynn Rider from Pleasant Valley (CER-Leadership Studies)

Jonelle Addabbo from Riverdale (BS-Human Physiology)

Joel D'Camp from Riverdale (BBA-Marketing; Economics)

Bryce Geurink from Walcott (BSE-Mechanical Engineering)

Samantha Longner from Walcott (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Steffany Patch from Walcott (BS-International Relations)

Sally Alexander from East Moline (DNP-Nursing)

JohnPatrick Brown from East Moline (BA-Political Science)

JohnPatrick Brown from East Moline (BS-Psychology)

Vijay Jujjavarapu from East Moline (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Nicholas Amato from Moline (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Daniel Dorr from Moline (BBA-Management; Marketing)

William Elliott from Moline (BA-Ethics and Public Policy; Economics)

Lani Engstrom from Moline (BA-Theatre Arts)

Lani Engstrom from Moline (BBA-Marketing)

Kevin Johnson from Rock Island (BSE-Biomedical Engineering)

Emily Ruiz from Rock Island (MFA-Theatre Arts)

Gregory Simon from Taylor Ridge (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

APPLETON, WI (07/29/2014)(readMedia)-- David Spitzfaden, son of Thomas Spitzfaden, Moline, and the late Cathy Spitzfaden, has been named to the 2014 Lawrence University dean's list for maintaining a 3.4 grade point average or higher for the full 2013-14 academic year. Spitzfaden is a 2010 graduate of Moline Senior High School.

About Lawrence University

Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015 and the book "Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College." Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Law Establishes a Statewide Advisory Referendum on Nov. 4 Ballot

BERWYN - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will give Illinois residents the opportunity to voice their opinion on whether millionaires should pay a little more to help ensure all students have access to a high-quality education. The legislation establishes a statewide advisory referendum on the November 4 ballot to ask voters if they favor a surcharge paid by the state's wealthiest individuals to provide much-needed funding for public education in classrooms across Illinois. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to delivering stronger education in Illinois.

"Our democracy is strongest when more voters make their voices heard about important matters of public policy," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois voters will now be able to have their say when it comes to whether the state's most fortunate should pay a little more to put more resources in our classrooms. An investment in education is the best investment we can make for our economic future."

House Bill 3816, sponsored by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and State Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin), creates a Nov. 4, 2014 advisory referendum to ask voters whether the Illinois Constitution should be amended to require that each school district receive additional revenue, based on their number of students, from an additional three percent tax on income greater than one million dollars. These resources would be directed towards classroom education. The legislation is effective immediately.

The Illinois Department of Revenue estimates that a three percent tax on income greater than $1 million would generate approximately $1 billion annually for elementary and secondary education. The Governor signed the legislation today at Irving Elementary School in Berwyn.

"This legislation will provide an important benchmark. Illinois is long overdue for tax fairness and a much needed boost for our school children," Speaker Madigan said.

Governor Quinn is committed to properly funding education in Illinois in order to give every child the opportunity for success. The Governor's 5-year budget blueprint includes an historic $6 billion increase in classroom spending over the next five years, doubling the investment in college scholarships for students in need and increasing access to higher education through dual enrollment and early college programs. Over the next five years, the Governor's plan would bring classroom funding to the highest levels in Illinois history.

###

Memphis, TN (July 29, 2014) ? As teachers, parents and students prepare for the start of the new academic year, the nonprofit Stuttering Foundation, the leading charitable organization dedicated to supporting the stuttering community, offers an array of free tools for teachers with students who stutter in their classroom.

"One in every one hundred people stutters," said Jane Fraser, president of the Foundation. "But as many as two or three younger children in each classroom may struggle with this complex disorder.

"We know that teachers have a wonderfully positive influence on our children and their classmates, and we are thankful for the opportunity to provide the tools that prepare them with best practices and tips for working with and advocating for the child who stutters."

Tools for teachers available from the Stuttering Foundation include :

· 8 Tips for Teachers - answers to urgent questions teachers may have

· Famous People Who Stutter - mini-poster to print out

· Dear Teacher - a personal letter

All of these resources can be found at www.StutteringHelp.org/school.

The Stuttering Foundation ? known internationally for the quality of its resource materials available to the public ? offers DVDs, books, brochures, newsletters and referrals through its website www.StutteringHelp.org as well as its toll-free helpline: 800-992-9392.

###

Foundation Spokesperson Jane Fraser

Jane Fraser is president of The Stuttering Foundation and co-author of If Your Child Stutters: A Guide for Parents, 8th edition. She is also vice president of the Action for Stammering Children, Michael Palin Centre in London.

About the Foundation

Malcolm Fraser, a successful businessman and stutterer, established and endowed the nonprofit Stuttering Foundation in 1947. The Stuttering Foundation provides a helpline, 800-992-9392, and free resources at www.StutteringHelp.org, including services, referrals and support to people who stutter and their families, as well as support for research into the causes of stuttering.

Pages