June 2021
Advancing the heART of Education
A monthly newsletter about Fine Arts Education in Iowa
IAAE Executive Board Retreat
Your Executive Board Members - front row (L-R) Jennifer Gaesser, Martha Kroese, Kathleen Sweet, Shanise Brockshus, Sara Schaefer; back row (L-R) Leon Kuehner, Executive Director, Jayson Gerth, Dan Black, Kris VerSteegt, David Law.
The IAAE Executive Board met on June 23 at the IAAE office in Story City. In addition to regular IAAE business, the board began the process of revising the IAAE Strategic Plan and setting goals for the 2021-2022 school year and 2022 Iowa legislative session.  

Exemplary Service Awards were presented to David Law and Martha Kroese for their outstanding contributions to the Alliance.
IAAE Model of Excellence
Mentor Committee Retreat
IAAE Model of Excellence Mentor Committee - front row (L-R) Jennifer Gaesser, Cassidy Noring, Morgan Singleton, Jackie Burk, Julie Schnieders; back row (L-R) Leon Kuehner, Executive Director, Luke Lovegood, Brad Jensen, Phil Peters.
The IAAE Model of Excellence Mentor Committee accomplished a lot in their retreat this month! Here is what the future holds for IAAE Mentors and Mentees:

  • All first and second year teachers will be allowed four full day in-person visits and unlimited virtual mentor visits.

  • All first and second year teachers will be allowed to apply for the $250 scholarship to attend professional conferences (registration, meals, mileage, hotel) and pay membership dues for membership in Iowa professional arts education organizations. (AEI, IBA, ICDA, IMEA, ISTA, Iowa Thespians, etc.)

  • Mentor Committee members/and or mentor chairs of the six participating organizations will be given a $250 stipend for their work. 

  • IAAE will have a booth at the School Administrators of Iowa Conference in Des Moines on Wednesday, August 4 to distribute information on the Mentor Program. Contact Leon Kuehner, leongkuehner@gmail.com, if you would be willing to work a 2-3 hour shift. The booth is open from 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. IAAE will cover your meals and mileage. IAAE will also send emails at the beginning of August to all the administrators in Iowa Informing them of the Mentor Program.

  • October 1, 2021 will be the deadline to have all the mentor/mentee information submitted to Cassidy Noring.

  • IAAE will host an in-person Fall Symposium on Saturday, October 30 at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. IAAE will pay mileage for any 1st, 2nd or 3rd year teacher who attends. Each organization is responsible for providing a second-year teacher and mentor-mentee pair (if possible) for a panel discussion. Each organization is also responsible for providing a discipline-specific break out session. IAAE will provide mileage, meals and hotel for the mentor chairs.
Virtual Des Moines Public Schools Arts Forum

Tuesday, August 3 from 8:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Registration will remain open until the day before the event, Monday, August 2. If you are interested in learning more and registering for the forum please visit:

The Arts & Social Emotional Learning

Iowa Fine Arts Education Summit Recap!

THANK YOU to the presenters and attendees who made this Summit a tremendous success!

Our participants found the day to be a rejuvenating end to an otherwise challenging year. Many found that Social Emotional Learning competencies to be not only important for students to learn, but also for teachers to keep in mind for themselves. Participants are excited to bring the techniques they learned throughout the day into their classrooms in the fall.
Creativity in the Time of COVID-19

The Iowa Alliance of Arts Education is collecting descriptions of the amazing work that arts organizations and educators have been doing this year as they adapt to our new reality.

Please help us collect stories about what is happening in our state by filling out this GOOGLE SURVEY.

This information will be used to highlight programs, for arts advocacy and to inspire others to build on what is being done. Thank you!
The Alliance is supported by the contributions of members like you.
Please join us in our mission to support arts education.
Need more information about the Alliance and our programs?

Contact our Executive Director: Leon Kuehner 641-425-0959 leongkuehner@gmail.com

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