Iowa State Education Association awards Marshalltown librarian with top honor

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L to R: Tammy Wawro and Joa Laville

DES MOINES, IA (05/19/2016)(readMedia)-- Marshalltown youth librarian Joa Laville has been selected to receive Iowa State Education Association's Paul Mann Memorial Human Relations Award. LaVille will be presented with her award on Wednesday, May 18, in a special ceremony in her honor.

LaVille is currently the director of Youth Services at the Marshalltown Public Library where she promotes literacy and library access to all students and families in the Marshalltown area. She also serves as president of the Immigrant Allies of Marshalltown an organization that works to build meaningful relationships in the Marshalltown community among diverse populations.

"With minority enrollment in the Marshalltown Community School District at just under 60 percent and over 35 percent of its students enrolled in English Language Learners (ELL), the Marshalltown community and our educators share a unique responsibility to embrace and unite," said ISEA President Tammy Wawro. "Joa is a special example of someone in the community who understands how important it is to make everyone, especially the children, feel welcome and ensure they have access to important resources like our libraries to enrich their educational opportunities," added Wawro.

LaVille has been involved in the immigrant community through her work with the Immigrant Allies of Marshalltown and increasing awareness and opportunity for DREAMers. She helped organize the walk for the DREAMer students which was a symbolic walk from the Marshalltown High School to the Community College. LaVille works in the schools promoting summer reading and providing library cards for all students and families, has hosted classes on how to use the library and has spoken before the Marshalltown City Council expressing community unity.

"Joa has a wonderful vision of equal opportunity in the community and our schools for all students regardless of their culture or zip code. The ISEA supports this wholeheartedly and we support all efforts to promote and enhance community involvement in helping children have a better life," said Wawro.

The Paul Mann Memorial Human Relations Award honors an individual or group for exemplary contributions toward the advancement of human and civil rights.

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The ISEA is a professional organization made up of more than 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students.