IOWA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
For Release: April 13, 2007
Contact: Lana Oppenheim Schlapkohl, 515-250-5359

Education Department director is named ISEA Friend of Education

Others also honored for their contributions to education

Judy Jeffrey, director of the Iowa Department of Education, has been honored with the prestigious Friend of Education Award presented by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). ISEA President Linda Nelson surprised Jeffrey with the award following her address to some 500 educators gathered in Ames for the Association’s annual meeting.

“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.”

Jeffrey’s pragmatic, problem-solving approach to implementing the controversial No Child Left Behind law has helped Iowa avoid many of the problems experienced in other states. In addition, she’s advocated for changes in the law which will help bring about real accountability such as a growth model for student programs rather than the flawed proficiency standards now called for.

“As our state’s chief school officer, Judy Jeffrey is a powerful role model for a profession which is 75 percent female,” Nelson added.

In addition to honoring Jeffrey, the ISEA also presented four other major awards:

• Mary Jane Sullivan, a sixth-grade teacher at North Mahaska, was the second recipient for her years of service to education through Association involvement at all levels. The award, which is named after a former ISEA president who went on to become the Association’s executive director in 1946, is the highest honor bestowed on a member.

• In an unprecedented move, the ISEA presented a second Charles F. Martin Award for Association Leadership posthumously to Paul Mann, a long-time Des Moines Central Campus teacher and social activist who died suddenly last year. In addition, the ISEA re-named its Human Relations Award in his honor.

• Mireya Mendoza, an involved parent, active school volunteer, and advocate for the Latino community in Iowa City, was named winner of the Paul Mann Memorial Human Relations Award. Her work as a translator has helped increase parental involvement despite the language barrier.

• Toni Graham, a K-8 school secretary in Shenandoah was presented with the Education Support Professional award for her significant service to children and public education. She also provides valuable technical support and assistance to the district’s teachers while still finding time to be active in the 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!