IOWA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
For immediate release: April 10, 2007
Contact: Lana Oppenheim Schlapkohl, 515-471-8026; or Cheryl Benson, 641-672-9605

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.

The Martin Award, which is named after a former ISEA president who went on to become the Association’s executive director in 1946, will be presented to Sullivan on Friday morning, April 13, before 500 educators who will be attending the annual ISEA Delegate Assembly at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. It is the highest honor the ISEA bestows on a member to recognize exemplary educational leadership and Association involvement.

“Mary Jane epitomizes Iowa’s hard working and dedicated teachers who go above and beyond the call of duty not only for their students but for their profession as well,” said ISEA President Linda Nelson.

Sullivan Sullivan has been actively involved in the Association since she was a student member at Mankato State University 39 years ago. She began her teaching career in Keokuk in 1970 -- just one year after the historic teacher strike there -- so she learned firsthand from her colleagues all about the importance of leadership and advocacy.

Over the years, she has held a wide variety of leadership positions at the local level, including serving as president, vice president, member of the negotiations team, and chairing the membership and grievance committees. On top of that, she’s been active on boards and committees at the regional and state levels as well as a frequent presenter at Association conferences. Sullivan is currently a member of the ISEA Building a Better Teaching and Learning Environment Committee.

Sullivan was nominated for the honor by the Oskaloosa Education Association.

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The Iowa State Education Association is a professional association made up of more than 32,000 educators who are dedicated to promoting and preserving quality public education for all students. Great Education. It's an Iowa Basic!