Administrators of the Year Recognized at the Capitol

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Department of Education Director Jason Glass yesterday honored Iowa's 2011-12 Administrators of the Year in a ceremony at the Capitol. 

During his remarks Glass commented, "The outstanding leaders recognized by the School Administrators of Iowa are critical in moving Iowa's education system forward."

SAI is pleased to celebrate these individuals as representatives of the important work that administrators throughout the state engage in every day:

Superintendent - Katie Mulholland, Linn-Mar
Assistant Secondary Principal - Bev Kuehn, Ankeny
Secondary Principal - Jimmy Casas, Bettendorf
Middle Level Principal - David Welter, Cedar Falls
Elementary Principal - Mike Swartzendruber, Iowa Falls
Central Office - Mark Crady, Norwalk

Additional award information is available here.

SAI Appoints New Professional Learning Director

SAI Executive Director Dan Smith has announced Dana Schon will begin July 1 as the Association's Professional Learning Director.

Schon, who is currently Executive Director of Elementary Education in the Ankeny Community School District, will lead SAI's administrator mentoring and induction program and will be responsible for designing the organization's professional learning opportunities, including the Annual Conference.

“I am excited that Dana Schon has agreed to serve Iowa's school administrators in the role of Professional Learning Director. Dr. Schon was selected for the position from an exceptional field of applicants. She is an outstanding educator, and a 'developer' who loves engaging in the creative process, planning and supporting the most up-to-date practices,” Smith said.

Prior to serving as Ankeny's Executive Director of Elementary Education, Schon was K-12 School Improvement Coordinator for the Denison Community School District. She began her education career as a secondary Spanish instructor and secondary language arts teacher.

Smith added, "Her school improvement and leadership time in Denison and Ankeny provide her with practical experience. That background, combined with her intellect and desire to serve Iowa's administrators, will establish Dana as a valuable SAI leader for years to come."

Schon holds a bachelor's degree in English/Spanish/secondary education from Buena Vista University, a master's in education with secondary counselor certification from Wayne State College (Neb.), a master's in education with PK-12 principal certification from Drake University and a doctorate in education from Drake University.

SAI Annual Conference, Aug. 8 & 9, 2012, Veterans Memorial Convention Center, Des Moines

Find information about the Annual Conference program, presenters, schedule, venue, lodging and more on the dedicated conference site! Use the "Plan Your Learning" tab with your colleagues to determine how best to use the numerous outstanding sessions to meet your team learning goals. Updates and new information will be added to the site as planning continues this spring; check back periodically for the latest developments. 

It's not too early to register and make your hotel reservations! (Note the separate registration for the Aug. 7 Pre-conference Institute; bring a team of administrators and/or teachers to this event.)

With an impressive roster of international, national and local presenters; a new schedule offering sessions of varying lengths; the potential for more exhibitors sharing their products and services; and a beautiful new venue, this promises to be one of the best-ever SAI conferences. Join your fellow school administrators as we explore why and how "Learning is the Work!"

Exhibitors

Interested in meeting the more than 1,200 event participants representing superintendents, central office staff, principals and Area Education Agencies? Find information here.

Iowa Central Office Administrator of the Year for 2012 Announced

Mark Crady, curriculum director at Norwalk Community School District, has been named the 2011-12 Iowa Central Office Administrator of the Year by SAI. 

“One of Mark Crady’s greatest contributions to the district is in the implementation of the Iowa Core, which provides academic expectations for K-12 students. His use of teacher leadership teams has helped Norwalk educators explore new ideas and provide quality programs to students. Moreover, he has shared his knowledge of the Iowa Core with a variety of educator groups from throughout the state,” said Dan Smith, SAI executive director.

The May issue of the SAI Report will contain additional information about Crady and several of this year's award winners.

SAI Names Three Principals of the Year for 2012

Mike Swartzendruber, principal of Rock Run Elementary in Iowa Falls, is the 2012 Iowa Elementary Principal of the Year;

David Welter, principal of Holmes Junior High in Cedar Falls, is the 2012 Iowa Middle Level Principal of the Year; and 

Jimmy Casas, principal of Bettendorf High School in Bettendorf, is the 2012 Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year.

All three were selected for the honor after being interviewed by a panel of their peers. They, and the additional 2012 Administrators of the Year, will be honored at a Governor's Awards Reception May 9 at the State Capitol. Each will go on to represent Iowa in his respective National Principal of the Year program sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals or the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Read more about the recipients in the upcoming issue of the May SAI Report.

General information about the Administrator of the Year program is available here.