Registration Open - IAAE Spring Conference

Registration Open - IAAE Spring Conference
The Iowa Association of Alternative Education hosts a spring conference each year. This year, the conference will be held April 5-6 at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines. The theme is "Plant Hope" For more information and registration information, please go to the folder here.

Elementary Position

Due to a retirement, Roland-Story has an opening for an elementary counselor! Go to teachiowa.gov or contact Kate Hartzler, Elementary Principal for more information at khartzler@roland-story.k12.ia.us

Abdelkader Scholarship

Global Leadership: 2018 Essay and Poster Contests (AEP)

Deadline:  May 15, 2018

2018 Abdelkader Global Leadership Prize contests are open to students enrolled at high schools and colleges in the United States, including exchange students. View contest details and suggested resources at www.abdelkaderproject.org.

The essay or poster will address:
* Why does Emir Abdelkader’s life story and legacy deserve remembering today?
* What lessons did you derive from reading about him?
* What is relevant for our global society? What is relevant to your own life?
* Reflect on Abdelkader’s education as compared to your own education.

ESSAY CONTEST SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
High School Students (1st Place = $1,000; 2nd Place = $500)
College/University Students (1st Place = $1,500; 2nd Place = $1,000)

POSTER CONTEST SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
High School Students (1st Place = $1,000; 2nd Place = $500)
College/University Students (1st Place = $1,500; 2nd Place = $1,000)

FLYER:  www.abdelkaderproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-FINAL-Contest-Flyer.pdf

Guidance Counselor (ret.) Diane Malcom stated, “The Abdelkader Contests are wonderful additions to our list of scholarships … especially for those students who like history, civics, and possess higher order thinking/writing skills. Each student can take different cultural, historical, and educational perspectives from what they learned and applied this knowledge to their world as a young adult in pursuing the next step of their education.”

From Missouri to Moscow to Mecca, Emir Abdelkader was an Arab Muslim hero admired by world leaders such as President Lincoln, Queen Victoria, and Pope Pius IX. His powerful example of Islamic leadership in compassion and highest moral values counters stereotypes and inspires cultural literacy, civility, tolerance, and understanding. An Iowa settlement was named “Elkader”; he saved thousands of Christians in Damascus; and upon his death in 1883, The New York Times eulogized, “…he was one of the few great men of the century.”

Today, Emir Abdelkader is remembered as an esteemed humanitarian, ethical leader, statesman, and religious scholar who won the hearts and minds of people he met. His relevance for our global society transcends culture and faith traditions.

The 501c3 non-profit Abdelkader Education Project (AEP) has sponsored the Abdelkader Global Leadership Prize since 2009.

Questions? Contact Kathy Garms:  kathy@abdelkaderproject.org.

Adult Facilitators Needed

Go Alliance Courses - Register NOW!!

December 18, 2017

Registration for 2018 Iowa Go Alliance Academy courses is open Building a College-Going Culture for All Students How to remove barriers to higher education, especially for low-income, first-generation and minority students. January 22-March 16, 2018 March 2-April 20, 2018 June 11-July 27, 2018 College, Career, and Academic Planning (Prerequisite: Building a College-Going Culture for All Students) How to engage students in early college and career awareness, and support students in postsecondary and career planning. January 22-March 16, 2018 March 2-April 20, 2018 June 11-July 27, 2018 Financial Aid and College Applications  (Prerequisite: Building a College-Going Culture for All Students) How to support students and families navigating the complexities of filing the FAFSA and other financial aid and college applications. January 22-March 16, 2018 March 2-April 20, 2018 June 11-July 27, 2018 Maximizing Counselor Impact: Module for Administrators How school leaders can engage effectively with school counselors. Developed in collaboration with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). January 22-March 16, 2018 March 2-April 20, 2018 June 11-July 27, 2018 Iowa Go Alliance Academy is a college and career counseling training program provided by Iowa College Aid in partnership with Southern Regional Education Board and AEA PD Online. See best practices in action and gain knowledge and resources that can be incorporated in your work with students immediately. Courses are offered for license renewal or graduate credit through Drake University, Morningside University and Viterbo University. Space is limited, so register today. For more information about Iowa Go Alliance Academy and course availability, e-mail Ashley McKenna.

New position!!

NWAEA and PLAEA are combining resources to create a Postsecondary Success/Readiness Lead position.  The newly created position was posted today - https://prairielakes.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=193

National School Counseling Week!

Please see this letter from Natalie Wilson -

Hello fellow school counselors!

I am Natalie Wilson, Treasurer on the ISCA Board and school counselor at Gilbert Middle School. I am excited to be writing to you today in regards to National School Counseling Week (#NSCW2018), which is just right around the corner!

As I reflect on what this week means to me as a new school counselor - it’s not just a time to continue to educate others on our role and celebrate successes, it’s also a time to unite together.  Especially if you are a counseling “team” of one, it is important to join along with other counseling colleagues - near and far - to celebrate, “School Counselors - Helping Students Reach for the Stars” February 5-9, 2018.

So, what are some things you can do? First on your list should be to head to the ASCA website and take advantage of the materials available for you.

Visit the ASCA website: https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors-members/about-asca-(1)/national-school-counseling-week

Free materials include the following:

• Downloadable proclamation
• Participate in a photo/video daily challenge
• Press release
• Certification of Appreciation

Materials requiring a small fee with recommended ordering date by January 19, 2018 include the following:

• Posters
• Pencils
• Stickers
• Door hangers
• Bookmarks

However you’d like to recognize #NSCW2018, make it your own.  If I’ve learned anything from being in the company of other school counselors during my time on the ISCA Board, there is no limit to the creativity that comes naturally to school counselors.  Embrace your creativity, even if you think you aren’t creative - trust me, you are!  Reflect on what this week means to you, make it personal to your program, and don’t let it go unnoticed.  Be watching for more information to come on making this year one of the most memorable yet!