Sioux City Education Association wins statewide award

DES MOINES, IA (08/09/2017) (readMedia)-- The Sioux City Education Association is the recipient of the Iowa State Education Association's Beacon Award. Members of the local were recognized at the Celebration in Excellence Awards Banquet in Des Moines on Monday, July 31.

The Beacon Award honors a local association that demonstrates outstanding leadership and activism in the areas of communications, community involvement, advocacy and programs. Any local association is eligible to be nominated.

The Sioux City Education Association (SCEA) is a highly active local with more than 89 percent membership. Strong friendships, collegial support and active recruitment have all contributed to their success making them one of the Big Ten local associations in the state. Working hard to include members and educators in activities like new teacher breakfasts, professional development training and providing scholarships for three local high school students, the SCEA strives to be an active partner for educators, students and the community. Community partner work includes volunteering with the local Red Cross, Hospice of the Sioux land, Susan Komen, Relay for Life, the Special Olympics, Quiz Bowl, Mayflower Food: Good Neighbor Program and the Junior League.

SCEA has successfully completed several ISEA Community Grants including Support Sioux land Soldiers which purchased food and packed grocery boxes for military families to take home; Ronald McDonald House Guest Chef where they provided snacks and books for NICU and hosted a Human Trafficking lecture, which provided a conversation with Sr. Shirley Fineran, a leading community advocate and speaker on Human Trafficking.

"SCEA is a model local association with members constantly working to help each other, their students and their community," said Tammy Wawro, President of the ISEA. "They work hard to expand their membership and include educators in great projects like professional development and community work. SCEA members understand that students don't stop needing their support when they leave school, so they work hard to foster a village of support outside of the classroom. We are proud to recognize the SCEA for their outstanding contributions and recognize their hard work and efforts with ISEA's Beacon Award," Wawro added.

###

The ISEA is a professional organization made up of educators and school employees who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students.