Creating a Culture of Growth: Writing Effective Plans of Awareness and Assistance - Dec 2026
* Registration open until 12/4/26 at 12:00 PM (CST)
Event Details
At the heart of every effective school is a professional culture where expectations are clear, support is intentional, and accountability is shared. When a teacher is not meeting expectations, a well-designed Plan of Awareness and Assistance is more than a compliance document —it's a tool for reinforcing a learning culture where every educator can grow and succeed.
In this one-day workshop for school leaders, you will:
- Explore. how a strong professional culture sets the foundation for meaningful plans;
- Learn to design Plans of Awareness and Assistance that are clear, actionable, and aligned to your evaluation system;
- Examine common components of effective plans—alongside pitfalls to avoid;
- Collaborate around templates, timelines, and strategies that support both accountability and improvement; and
- Engage with real examples and scenarios to build clarity and confidence in your leadership.
Expect a collaborative, practical session where you can ask questions, share experiences, and leave equipped to support your colleagues—and your school culture — through this important leadership practice.
Facilitator: Mark Timmerman, Cedar Rapids
Licensure renewal credit: learn your options for earning credit.
Registration fee: $125 for SAI members, $250 for non-members. All participants are required to register.
Cancellation/refund policy: Registrants are responsible for full payment unless cancellation is received at least three business days in advance of the event. Email SAI or call 515-267-1115 to let us know if you're unable to attend.
Accommodations: We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Amy Swanson at 515-267-1115 or email aswanson@sai-iowa.org. Dietary restrictions can be referenced when you register for the event.
We appreciate requests being made 10 business days in advance of the event. Sharing your needs early allows us the best opportunity to reduce barriers to your participation. Dietary restrictions can be requested as long as the online event registration process is still open.
For More Information:
12199 Stratford DriveClive, Iowa 50325
United States 515.267.1115
Meet Mark Timmerman
Mark Timmerman is a highly experienced and dedicated public educator, bringing 32 years of service to the field. For 17 years, he served as an elementary principal, where he championed a culture defined by constructive feedback and high expectations.
A cornerstone of Mark's leadership philosophy is the belief that every student, parent, teacher, and community member deserves a great learning experience upon entering the school building. This commitment to a positive and supportive environment informed his extensive work in teacher and staff development.
Mark has facilitated over 50 awareness and assistance plans aimed at improving the performance of teachers and staff. Through collaboration with School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) his teaching role at Drake University, and work at the district level in Cedar Rapids, he has refined and produced a comprehensive system of educator support. This system is designed to lead principals and other evaluators through the process of holding teachers and staff accountable to high standards in a manner that is both caring and supportive.
Mark’s deep expertise will provide seminar attendees with actionable strategies for creating effective plans of awareness and assistance to foster continuous improvement among educators.