AmeriCorps Members Are Available to Serve in School Districts as Sustainability Coordinators

Through the Sustainable Schools AmeriCorps initiative based out of the University of Northern Iowa, AmeriCorps members may be placed directly in school districts to serve as Sustainability Coordinators.

The cost is $5,000 cash match for two, full-time AmeriCorps members to serve 11 months at the district and work in a full-time capacity in order to decrease district wide energy costs, help facilitate and promote environmental education, and create greater opportunities for low-cost service learning.

For more information, you can read about the programs at three participating school districts or contact Carmen Rae Finken, Sustainable Schools AmeriCorps Program Manager, UNI Center for Energy and Environmental Education, at carmenfinken@gmail.com or (319) 273-7194.

Our Mission
To improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth by providing services and leadership in partnership with families, schools and communities.

Our Goals

• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success

IPI Workshops Are Coming to a Location Near You

Instructional Practices Inventory Level 1 Workshop

The IPI workshop will begin with an overview of the IPI categories and the protocols for data collection. Detailed practice in the recognition of the IPI categories and consistent application of the data collection protocols enable each participant to develop both validity and reliability in the process. The skill development begins with written scenarios to develop basic understanding of the protocols for data collection and the instructional activities that fit each category. The workshop then transitions to a local school to make observations in classroom settings. All observations are discussed with peers and with the trainer.

Date: March 21, 2018
Location: Gilbert Intermediate School, 103 Mathews Dr, Gilbert
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Register at this link
Keynote Speaker: Jerry Valentine, Professor Emeritus, University of Missouri

Instructional Practices Inventory Technology Workshop
The Instructional Practices Inventory Technology (IPI-T) Process was developed to provide critical data for faculty about student engagement throughout the school day focusing on technology infusion as a component of engagement. Using the data, faculty and school leaders can design strategies for increasing levels of active, engaged learning and higher-order instruction while reducing the degree of student disengagement during learning time. In addition to fostering positive instructional change, the process can also serve as an indicator of the relative impact of a school’s technology investment and instructional interventions. During the workshop, participants will develop the skills to document student engagement through the use of technology and learn how to use the profiles to engage faculty in collaborative learning conversations about engagement, instructional change, technology integration and school-wide instructional goals.

Date: March 22, 2018
Location: Johnston Community School District Administration Building, Board Room, 5608 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Register at this link
Keynote Speaker: Jerry Valentine, Professor Emeritus, University of Missouri