Dedication and leadership come naturally for area educator

Cedar Falls educator receives top state honor

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L to R: ISEA Director Kevin McDermott, Jim Young, ISEA Director, Shelly Staker

DES MOINES, IA (04/19/2011)(readMedia)-- Jim Young, a veteran Cedar Falls elementary school teacher, received the Iowa State Education Association's (ISEA's) top honor, the Charles F. Martin Award for Association Leadership. Young accepted the honor Friday morning, April 8, before a group of nearly 400 educators attending the ISEA Delegate Assembly at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames.

The Charles F. Martin Award has been presented annually since 1972 to recognize an ISEA member who has made significant contributions to the teaching profession through Association involvement. Named in honor of the late Charles F. Martin, who served as ISEA president in 1945 and then as executive director from 1946 to 1961, the award is given to an educator who embodies the link between the Association's mission and the impact it has in the classroom.

"I wonder what the world would be like if everyone had Jim's dedication, energy, and commitment to public education, his profession and his students?" said Chris Bern, president of the ISEA. "Jim has spent his professional life helping to shape the face of public education through his work in the local and national Association. He's worked with his local association, the Northeast Iowa Education Unit, the ISEA, and the National Education Association (NEA) for nearly 30 years holding leadership positions at every level. He continues to have the same tireless, dedication to helping make the future brighter as he did when he started," Bern added.

"Jim is terrific to work with and a huge asset to the Association," said Shelly Staker, Northeast Iowa UniServ Unit Director. He is a true advocate for teachers and students alike." added Staker.

Young continues to serve on the NEA Human and Civil Rights Committee and the ISEA PAC committee.

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The ISEA is a professional association made up of nearly 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students. Great Education. It's an Iowa Basic!