Iowa State Education Association
For Release: Immediate
Contact: Jean Hessburg, 515-471-8025

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

Teachers use student-designed stickers to reward good work

(Des Moines)  Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) members around the state use student-designed stickers to celebrate students' achievements and good work, thanks to ISEA's annual "Design-a-Decal" competition. Winning stickers are printed and sent out for teachers to use, landing on student's homework assignments, papers, and other coursework.

Now in its 23rd year, the popular Design-a-Decal program helps give statewide recognition to budding art students while providing classroom teachers with a fun way to give positive feedback to their students. With positive messages like "You Rock" and "You Rule," the student-designed stickers are a practical and great way to celebrate students' achievements.

Students competed in three grade-level categories: elementary (K-5); junior high/middle school (6-8); and high school (9-12). The 24 winning designs are printed in full color on sheets of one-inch square stickers. Each design is featured twice. 

The ISEA's more than 32,000 K-12 members receive one free sheet; and they can order additional quantities at a cost (20 cents per sheet) by contacting the ISEA Communications office (515-471-8000 or 800-445-9358) or by e-mailing cswanson@isea.org.

"We love the contest as a way to both celebrate students' artwork and give our members a fun teaching tool," said ISEA President Chris Bern. "This is an easy way to encourage students to work hard and reward them with a positive message they carry home on their papers."

The students who created the designs used on the decal sheets receive two plaques from the ISEA - one which they can keep and one to be displayed at their school. 

(Click here to see a listing with names of the schools, supervising art teacher, and student(s) whose designs were selected for use on the decal sheets is attached.)

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The ISEA is a private, professional organization made up of over 34,000 educators who are dedicated to promoting and preserving public education for all Iowa students. Great Education. It's an Iowa Basic.