Teacher Leadership and Compensation Grant
Congratulations to the Red Oak Teacher Leadership and Compensation Grant Team – Red Oak Community School District has been selected to implement for the 2015 – 2016 school year the State of Iowa Teacher Leadership and Compensation Program through a competitive grant writing process. Superintendent Terry Schmidt says, “What an accomplishment!!! The grant of $360,000 will be a phenomenal enhancement for the professional staff of Red Oak Community School District. I am very proud of these individuals who worked so long and hard to make this application a success: Principal Barb Sims, Middle School Instructor Curtis Adams, High School Instructor Deb Blomstedt, Inman Primary Principal Gayle Allensworth, High School Principal Jeff Spotts, High School Instructor John Gambs, Washington Intermediate Instructor Mark Haufle, Middle School Principal Nate Perrien, Inman Primary Instructor SueAnn Crouse, Early Childhood Instructor Arryn Gillespie, Education Consultant Dana Schon, and Parent Representative Angie Britten.”
The Teacher Leadership and Compensation Program when fully implemented will tap into the expertise of top teachers to improve classroom instruction and raise student achievement. This is the centerpiece of Iowa’s education reform package passed by the Legislature in 2013. The system paves the way for more support and greater collaboration for all teachers to learn from each other instead of operating largely in isolation within their classrooms. Teacher leadership plans will help students learn more by better meeting their individual needs. They also will attract and retain more effective teachers by enhancing career opportunities and paying stipends for taking on extra responsibilities. School districts were chosen based on recommendations of the Commission on Educator Leadership and Compensation, which evaluates the applications.
Other area schools in our area selected include: Atlantic, Central Decatur, Glenwood, and Lewis Central.