Douglas Fisher, co-director of the Center for the Advancement of Reading, California State University, will be at the Treynor Community Center on April 7 to present "Better Learning Through Structured Teaching." Proposed 25 years ago as an alternative to worksheets and other independent tasks, the theory of gradual release of responsibility focuses on moving responsibility from teacher to student. This workshop will explain how it works and will provide interactive time for participants to discuss how this could be applied in their schools. The strategies modeled will address the core instruction of the Iowa Core Curriculum as it helps students deepen their understanding of learning and develops their 21st century skills. Registration is $30 and includes Fisher's book. Registration is online. Go to "Workshops" then "Better Learning Through Structured Teaching."
On March 16, sixth graders will converge on Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, for the AEA 13-Holmquist Sixth Grade Math Day. History Day is set for March 20 at Abraham Lincoln High School and the Civic Oration Contest will be April 12 at Halverson Center for Education. For details and contact information, check out the Student Events pages under the Programs and Services link. Students who placed in Saturday's (March 6) Invention Convention will be announced later this week.
The Green Hills AEA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Dr. Lane Plugge has been appointed the Chief Administrator of the Green Hills AEA. The Board of Directors approved his appointment on Dec. 21, 2009. His contract will be for a three-year period beginning on July 1, 2010. The salary for the first year will be $180,000.
Dr. Plugge is currently the superintendent of the Iowa City Public School District, a position he has held since 1999. His prior experience includes seven years as the superintendent of the Grand Island (NE) Public Schools as well as five years as the assistant superintendent in the same district. He was also the superintendent of the Fairbury (NE) Public Schools for two years.
In 2009 Dr. Plugge was named Iowa Superintendent of the Year by the School Administrators of Iowa. Two years earlier the Iowa Bandmasters named him Superintendent of the Year, and in 1995 he was given the Distinguished Alumni Award by the College of Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Dr. Plugge earned his Bachelor's degree at Dana College and his Master of Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His Doctor of Philosophy degree was earned at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.