Education

Developing the area’s workforce talent, whether the skills employees need include computer networking, leadership strategies or lean manufacturing, can seem like trying to hit a moving target. Identifying these skilled workforce needs, however, is a process made far simpler through partnerships among decision-makers.

The Allamakee County Business and Community Board formed with this purpose in mind, and its ongoing conversations can impact new employee recruitment and retention initiatives, and provide a forum to share best practices. Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) developed these boards to encourage discussion among educators, economic development officials and local business leaders, and to help members prepare for the future.

Two Upper Iowa University (UIU) students recently attended the Civic Action Academy at University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls to learn new ways to make a difference in society through civic and community engagement. More specifically, senior biology major Julia Szepieniec and graduate student Bethany Stock attended the event to help build stronger volunteering skills to better organize the area’s annual Fayette Appreciation Day.

Undergraduate and graduate students from across the Midwest attended the November 8-9 event in Cedar Falls to learn from professionals across various sectors. The skill-building sessions included philanthropy, leadership, dialogue, advocacy and more. Students also had the opportunity to learn what others are doing on their respective campuses and further network with peers.

Once again, the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) has made plans to celebrate American Education Week November 18-22. Allamakee Community School District celebrates achievements from staff and students at all levels. Success is evident from elementary concerts and art submissions to high school sporting events and musical events. These public events, while integral to the mission of the school, are only part of the offerings and opportunities. ACSD is a place for diverse opportunities that are worthy of celebrating throughout the year, not just during American Education Week.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met Monday evening, November 18 for its regular monthly meeting, followed by its annual organizational meeting.

During the regular monthly meeting, members of the Waukon High School FFA chapter gave a presentation on the highlights of their trip to the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, IN. On the way to the convention, the group visited the Kinze plant in Williamsburg. Other highlights of the trip included visiting the FFA National Headquarters, an orchard, a 1920s era living history farm and sessions and educational opportunities at the convention.

The regular monthly meeting for November of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors has been postponed until further notice following the one-vote final margin in the November 5 election race for the District 2 seat on the EACSD Board of Directors and a requested recount of those vote totals. Those November 5 election results initially showed a 201-200 vote margin in favor of challenger Tony Becker over District 2 incumbent Bruce Palmborg, with those unofficial totals being confirmed by the November 12 canvassing of election results by the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) celebrated its outstanding alumni and retirees for their leadership and service in two Hall of Fame ceremonies held Tuesday, November 12 at the Calmar campus and Monday, November 18 at the Peosta campus. The three Calmar campus alumni inductees included a pair of Waukon High School graduates, Kathy (Berns) Moritz of Lansing and Trish (Regan) Shelton of Waukon.

Printed below are their biographical stories shared by NICC as part of their Hall of Fame recognition:

KATHY MORITZ
Hard work, dedication and devotion to family defined Kathy Moritz while growing up as one of 11 siblings on a 600-acre farm in rural Harpers Ferry. A 1988 Waukon High School graduate, Moritz became fascinated with science and the human body, and knew early on that caring for patients was her true calling.

Waukon Veterinary Service and Brodahl Veterinary Service teamed with Zoetis Inc., a nationwide livestock and pet vaccination company, and the National FFA Organization to provide funds to the Little Switzerland FFA Chapter at Waukon High School. The Zoetis support program allows local veterinarians that sell select Zoetis cattle products to choose local FFA chapters to receive proceeds from a one-percent rebate on the sale of those products up to $2,500. Zoetis and veterinary services nationwide have raised $919,917 in total for FFA chapters across the nation.

The Little Switzerland FFA Chapter was fortunate to receive $528 from Waukon Veterinary Service and $130 from Brodahl Veterinary Service for a total of $658 in total. The local chapter plans to use these funds for general chapter operations such as meetings, contest preparations and more, and appreciates the local veterinary offices and their patrons for their support through the industry support program.

Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, MN will host its first-ever January Interim course for college students this coming January 3-13, 2020. The class is open to undergraduate students from any institution and offers four credits through Hamline University.

In the new class, Driftless: The Anatomy of a Region, students will explore the area’s unique geology, geography and biology through first-hand experience. Visits to local parks, businesses and farms will bring Eagle Bluff’s experiential learning style to the college level, engaging students directly with their environment. Students will stay in Eagle Bluff’s dorms and eat meals in their dining hall, except when staying offsite.

In the spring of this year, current Waukon High School freshman Grace Stegen (pictured at right) entered her drawing (pictured in top photo at left) into the ISEA (Iowa State Education Association) Design-A-Decal contest. The winning designs are printed on stickers and used by educators to give positive feedback to their students. Stegen’s “You’re Bright” design was chosen as a winner for the 2019-2020 sticker book (a page of which is pictured in the bottom photo at left). Submitted photos.
 

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) will celebrate its outstanding alumni and retirees for their leadership and service in two Hall of Fame ceremonies planned for Tuesday, November 12 at the Calmar campus and Monday, November 18 at the Peosta campus. The three Calmar campus alumni inductees include a pair of Waukon High School graduates, Kathy (Berns) Moritz of Lansing and Trish (Regan) Shelton of Waukon. Short biographies of this year’s three outstanding alumni inductees from NICC’s Calmar campus appear below: