Newsroom

We're prepared to provide background information and research on a variety of issues affecting education in Iowa. For assistance or to schedule an interview, contact Jean Hessburg, ISEA public relations specialist, at 515-471-8025 (JHessburg@isea.org). For recent education news at the national level, visit the online press center of the National Education Association (NEA).

• Browse our news releases below
• Get photos and bios of our leaders
• Hot topics issue briefs

'Design-a-Decal' contest is a great opportunity to have some fun

Teachers use student-designed stickers to reward good work

Iowa State Education Association's Disaster Relief Effort Tops $40,000

(Des Moines) -- In response to tornadoes and record-setting flooding across Iowa, Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) president, Chris Bern announced that educators from Iowa and across the United States have donated more than $40,000 to the ISEA's Disaster Relief Effort.

Sioux City superintendent is honored by Iowa's teachers

Sioux City school disrict Superintendent Larry Williams has been honored by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) with its prestigious TEAM Award which is presented each year to a school administrator who works to promote collaboration and teamwork among all educators.

Statement by ISEA President Linda Nelson on Gov. Culver's veto of HF 2645

We are deeply disappointed by Gov. Culver's veto of HF 2645. This legislation would have leveled the playing field for educators and other public employees at the bargaining table.

Statement by Linda Nelson on HF 2645

This 2008 Iowa Legislature has approved HF 2645, a bill that updates and modernizes the collective bargaining law for teachers and other public employees. Gov. Culver is still considering whether to sign it into law.

Knoxville math teacher to be next ISEA president

Chris Bern, a veteran Knoxville High School math teacher, has been elected president of the nearly 33,000-member Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). He was elected last Friday, April 4, by nearly 400 delegates attending the ISEA annual meeting in Ames.

Cedar Rapids teacher to serve as vice president of ISEA

Tammy Wawro, a teacher serving as student teaching/mentor coordinator for the Cedar Rapids schools, has been elected vice president of the nearly 33,000-member Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). She was elected last Friday, April 4, by nearly 400 delegates who attended the ISEA's annual meeting in Ames.

Sen. Mike Gronstal to be honored for commitment to education

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has been named the 2008 Friend of Education by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). He will be honored on Friday morning, April 4, before a group of nearly 500 educators attending the ISEA's annual meeting at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames.

New Hampton educator to receive top ISEA honor

Jean Swenson, a veteran New Hampton music teacher, has been selected to receive the top honor presented by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) -- the Charles F. Martin Award for Association Leadership. She will accept the honor on Friday morning, April 4, before a group of nearly 500 educators attending the ISEA Delegate Assembly at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames.

Cedar Falls elementary school paraeducator to be honored

Hansen Elementary School paraeducator Sheryl Traetow is this year's winner of the Iowa State Education Association's Education Support Professional award. She will be honored on Friday morning, April 4, before a group of nearly 500 educators attending the ISEA Delegate Assembly at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames.

Lifelong educator to be honored for championing youth

Floyd Winter, a long-time Cedar Falls educator, has been selected to receive the Paul Mann Memorial Human Relations Award presented by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). He will be honored on Thursday, April 3, before a group of 500 educators attending the ISEA's annual meeting at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames.

Statement by ISEA President Linda Nelson on Gov.Culver's threatened veto of HF 2645

We are extremely disappointed that Gov. Culver has stated his intent to take the precipitous action of vetoing changes in the collective bargaining law. His action, if carried out, is a step backward and once again relegates public employees to second-class citizens at the bargaining table.

Statement by ISEA President Linda Nelson on HF2066

The ISEA supports a one-cent statewide sales tax to replace the current local option tax as long as the use of the tax is expanded to include education programs. We also support the creation of a statewide panel, similar to the Vision Iowa Program, to oversee the distribution of the funds for infrastructure needs to local school districts.

Iowa teacher salaries finally edging up in the rankings

Iowa's average teaching salary ranking has moved up one notch to 38th in the nation, according to preliminary data from the National Education Association (NEA).

Iowa community college faculty salary ranking among nation's lowest

Iowa's average community college salary continues its downward spiral in state-by-state rankings

Des Moines middle school teacher wins statewide honor

Blake Hammond, sixth-grade science teacher at Merrill Middle School in Des Moines, is the 2007 Excellence in Education Award winner.

Sioux City elementary school teacher is honored

David Lillie, a fifth-grade teacher at Irving Elementary School in Sioux City, has been named as one of four runners up for the 2007 Excellence in Education Award.

October 16, 2007: South Hardin High School teacher is honored

Duane Hahn, long-time science and computer teacher at South Hardin High School, has been named as one of four runners up for the 2007 Excellence in Education Award

Central-Decatur elementary teacher is honored

Laura Craft, a veteran teacher at South Elementary School in Leon, has been named as one of four runners up for the 2007 Excellence in Education Award

Jefferson-Scranton elementary teacher is honored

Rhonda Baker, a special education teacher at Scranton Elementary School, has been named as one of four runners up for the 2007 Excellence in Education Award

Advocacy groups urge Iowa's congressional delegation to override threatened veto

In the face of a threatened veto, Congress has an opportunity in the coming days to keep its commitment to children's health insurance, for thousands in Iowa and millions nationally

Young Iowa artists motivate each other to learn

Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) members across the state are using student-designed stickers to celebrate their students' achievements, thanks to the annual "Design-a-Decal" competition sponsored by the ISEA. Winning stickers land on student papers all across the state. Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) members across the state are using student-designed stickers to celebrate their students' achievements, thanks to the annual "Design-a-Decal" competition sponsored by the ISEA. Winning stickers land on student papers all across the state.

Iowa moves up in ACT composite score rankings

Iowa's students are tied for second place in state-by-state rankings for ACT scores. Iowa's average composite score of 22.3 is up 0.2 percentage points from a year ago and our ranking has improved from third place.

Davenport teacher to represent Iowa on national board

Long-time Davenport teacher Kathy Williams has been elected to represent Iowa educators on the Board of Directors of the 3.2 million-member National Education Association (NEA).

Education Department director is named ISEA Friend of Education

"Iowa's educators and students have no bigger champion than Judy Jeffrey," Nelson said. "While the relationship between education departments and the Association is often adversarial in other states, Judy actively seeks our feedback and ideas on a wide variety of issues. She knows that schools can only succeed when the contributions of educators are recognized and respected."

Iowa City woman to receive prestigious statewide honor

An involved parent, active school volunteer, and advocate for the Latino community, Mireya Mendoza has been selected as this year's winner of the Paul Mann Memorial Human Relations Award presented by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA).

April 10, 2007: North Mahaska elementary teacher to receive top leadership award

Mary Jane Sullivan, a sixth-grade teacher at North Mahaska, has been selected to receive the top honor presented by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) -- the Charles F. Martin Leadership Award.

Teacher salaries still among lowest in the nation

Revised figures show last year's ranking was worse than originally thought

Cedar Rapids educator wins statewide honor

Excellence in Education Awards thank teachers who make a difference

Photos and Bios

Photos and Bios