2009-2010 Award Winners
IAAE is proud to recognize supporters of arts education in these programs.
Arts Administrator of the Year
From the left to the right: Theron Schutte, President, School Administrators of Iowa; IAAE Director Diane Franken; Roger Wilcox, award-winner and principal at Irving/West Cedar Elementary of Waverly-Shell Rock Schools; Kevin Fangman, Acting Director, Iowa Department of Education and Dan Smith, Executive Director, School Administrators of Iowa. Jere Vyverberg, Waverly Superintendent, who nominated Roger, also attended but was not in this photo.
Roger Wilcox
Iowa Association of School Boards and Iowa Alliance for Arts Education
As an administrator at Waverly-Shell Rock Schools for 18 years, Roger Wilcox 'walks the walk' when it comes to demonstrating support for the arts, both inside and outside his school and in his community. Inside his school, 80 to 90% of his elementary students participate in their annual school musicals. Because of his efforts a sixth grade jazz band, solo recital contests, middle school large group performances have taken place at the NE Iowa Bandmaster Association festivals. Music programs have performed twice at the National Orff Symposium.
Fifth and sixth grade general music went from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. Additionally, Roger supports the arts with his building budget and specific arts education fund-raising events. Performances and practices with students in his buildings occur, generally modeling participation in all of the arts for students. Roger keeps valuable data regarding students achievement aligned with arts participation and clearly supports the education of the whole child.
Outside of school, after the 2008 flood, when plans had to be drawn to renovate their mall, Roger made certain that adequate facilities existed for arts education. He organized and participated in grant writing to replace damaged instruments. He organized a community benefit concert to support the arts financially to assist in disaster recovery and supported fund raising for a new district auditorium.
Jere Vyverberg, Roger's superintendent, said it best in his nomination comments: "In my 39 years in education, I have never witnessed a more dedicated nor sincere patron and active supporter of the arts. That support is demonstrate to staff, parents, and students in an excellent fashion. I know of no more deserving of this honor. He has a passion for the arts and demonstrates that passion daily."
Roger's comments: “It truly is an honor to be receiving this award. We have so many talented people working in our school system. Teachers come to me with an idea, and I’m more than willing to give it a shot if they are. Students are capable of so much more if we challenge them. Our 5th and 6th grade students have been invited several times to perform at the National Orff Convention. When the convention was held in Omaha, we had to fund raise so we could go on that trip. Later on, the convention was in Milwaukee, so we had to fund raise again. Each time the students received standing ovations from instructors across the county.
After one convention, someone came up to our music teacher and asked if we were a magnet school for the performing arts…. ‘No, these are just are regular kids that would attend our school’. Art, music, band, orchestra-it’s all important. I am so blessed to be working in a district that supports academics, athletics, AND the arts.”
2009 Iowa School Board Arts Education Awards:
North Winneshiek and Sioux City School Boards
Exceptional support of the arts by two Iowa school boards has won them the 2009-10 Arts Education Award from the Iowa Association of School Boards and the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education.
Each year, school districts in two enrollment categories are eligible for the award: those with fewer than 1,000 K-12 students, and those with more than 1,000 students. One district is chosen to go on to a national awards program and vie for a $10,000 award from the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education and the National School Boards Association. The Sioux City school board was selected by an awards panel to move on to that competition this year. The winner will be announced in the spring.
“These school boards have made a strong commitment to high-quality arts education, even during tough budget times, and that is to be commended,” said Maxine Kilcrease, executive director of IASB. “Exposure to the arts helps students to be well-rounded individuals who can appreciate the cultural differences that surround us.”
"This award from ISAB and the IAAE represents excellence in recognizing a district that has realized and put into practice their philosophy that arts education is integral as a core subject for educating the total child. In preparing Iowa's students for the global workplace and giving them the edge for competition for any career, the skills of creativity and innovation, along with the ability to analyze and apply information, make quality arts education programs, with sequential curricula, essential for all,” said Diane Franken, executive director of IAAE. “We are pleased to recognize these two districts as model districts to which the rest of the state can look in evaluating their own programs."
The Sioux City school board was selected for its exceptional support of arts education. District staff ensure that all students are included in arts learning, via programs for students with special needs and a special program (TAG/Art) that identifies potentially gifted students from culturally diverse or economically disadvantaged families. Education leaders in Sioux City have built numerous partnerships with community organizations to utilize local artists and stretch their dollars, to extend their meaningful arts programs for students. In addition, the board has set clear standards and assessments to ensure art students are truly learning. David Law, president of the Iowa Music Educators Association and a judge on the selection panel, called Sioux City’s program “an oasis of arts instruction within a highly agricultural and technological area of our state.”
The Sioux City board/superintendent team includes Doug Batcheller (president), Walt Johnson, Jackie Warnstadt, Nancy Mounts, Greg Grupp, John Meyers, and James Daane (replaced by Molly Williams). Paul Gaus man is superintendent.
The North Winneshiek school board, based in Decorah, was selected for the support and involvement that the entire school district and community gives to the arts education programs. Their application showed a high level of dedication from the staff members, administration and school board. Partnerships allow students the opportunity to work with Luther College musicians, as well as the Missoula Children’s Theatre, which sends two director/actors to the district in alternating years – everyone who tries out for the production is included. Class offerings in the arts are well-rounded and many are required throughout various grade levels.
The North Winneshiek board/superintendent team includes Phil Richert (president), Brenda Kreitzer, Ben Lange, Kent Foster (no longer on the board), Scott Fairchild and Myron Rediske (vp). Tim Dugger is the superintendent and Wendy Twait has replaced Deb Jones as board secretary.
The school boards were recognized in November 2009 at IASB’s 64th Annual Convention and will both receive plaques to recognize their work.
2009 Distinguished School Award
No award was given.