February/March 2017 Business Education Update
February Business Education Update - Message from Kelli
Things teachers don’t say:
“I don’t have enough to do.” I’m so bored.” “I wish I could be on just one more committee.”
Face it, being in education is about being busy. My challenge to you is to choose your “busy” wisely. What I mean is we will not likely be less busy any time soon so commit your time to things that are “valuable” to you. For example, there are assignments in life that we have to do but you don’t necessarily enjoy but then there are those optional assignments that you can (and do) choose because you are an educator. I suggest you commit your “busy” time to becoming more involved with your profession and your professional organization. The rewards are numerous.
1. Put your name in for a committee with Iowa Business Education Association. Email Kyle Van Ausdall kvanausdall@centrallee.org and let him know what your interests are.
2. Find out about career and technical student organizations (CTSOs). These are truly wonderful opportunities for your students to learn leadership, competition, networking, and a whole lot more. In Iowa, we have three to choose from: Business Professionals of America (BPA), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and DECA. Contact Kent Seuferer 
iactsocoordinator@gmail.com for more information.
3. Go to the Business Education area rep meetings that are planned in your region and meet your Business Education neighbors. Contact Sandy O'Brien sandy.obrien@kirkwood.edu to find out when and where the next meeting is scheduled.
4. Present at next year’s IBEA Conference (October 22-23). Contact Andrew Thonstad athonstad@akron-westfield.com.
5. Attend a national conference –
a. National Business Education Association (NBEA) Convention (Chicago, April 11-15)
b. ACTE Region III (Indianapolis, June 21-23)
c. MBA Conclave (Vancouver, October 6-9)
d. ACTE VISION (Nashville, December 6-9)
Other ideas? Please share them with me. Have a great “busy” day! Kelli
MBA Research Leadership Forum - January 27-30, 2017
MBA Research’s Leadership Forum agenda focused on building an inclusive, national brand for the profession. Participants looked at brand promise, attributes, targets, and benefit statements. Iowa’s team included Kyle VanAusdall, IBEA President; Andrew Thonstad, IBEA President-elect; and Rachel Nelson-Loupee, Iowa’s Ethics Specialist. Leadership Forum was held in Orlando, Florida, January 27-30.
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Welcome from Kyle VanAusdall, IBEA President
My name is Kyle Van Ausdall and I am the current IBEA President. I teach the CTE Business classes and Computer Science classes at Central Lee High School in Donnellson, Iowa. I also teach Driver’s Education and I am a District Computer Technician. I am the lead broadcaster on the Hawkcast, which is our Internet broadcasting portal. We broadcast volleyball, football, basketball, softball, and baseball. Yes, I tend to stay busy, just like you and everyone else.
Kelli Diemer asked me, along with Rachel Nelson-Loupee from Marshalltown and Andrew Thonstad from Akron-Westfield, to attend the MBA Leadership Forum in Orlando, Florida, from Jan. 27th thru Jan. 30th. About forty other teachers, department of education leaders, curriculum directors, and staff members from MBA Research all attended the event.
I initially felt out of place, but as the conference progressed I began to see how I fit in to the grand scheme of things. The Leadership Forum was an opportunity to network with other successful educators from other states and talk about the future of the Business & Marketing Programs. I quickly realized that if we continue to do what we’ve always done, we will always get what we’ve always gotten. We all are so busy in the day-to-day workings of our classes and dealing with everyday situations at our schools that it is very easy to lose sight of the big picture. The Leadership Forum sponsored by MBA was an opportunity to look ahead beyond this year, beyond next year—beyond the next five years even—and look as far out as the next decade.
At present pace and continuing on our present path, our Business & Marketing Programs will likely continue to dwindle as programs are cut and teachers retire or leave the profession. In steps MBA to save the day! MBA has many resources including a great staff and helpful resources like the Curriculum Builder, Programs of Study, State’s Connection, Certification Exams, Badging, and a plethora of other opportunities for educators to utilize.
MBA’s motto for the conference was, “How can we help you?” “What can we do to help with the Business & Marketing Programs across the country and in your state?” This inquiry caught me off guard as typically additional tasks are assigned, rather than someone saying how can we help.
At the conference, Iowa had a team (at least four representatives from a particular state), along with North Carolina, Colorado, Kentucky, Nevada, and several other states that had one or two representatives. Any time we are given an opportunity to network across our state (or in this case across state lines), the outcomes increase exponentially; we need to never lose sight of our students and working toward doing what is best for them.
At the conclusion of the conference, each state left with a working Action Plan. The Action Plan includes action steps, whom is responsible for the action, a timeline for the action, the resources available and the resources needed, potential barriers, and a communication plan. The Iowa Team felt one of the first things we need to do is to get more Iowa Business Educators involved not only in IBEA but also in making them aware of and using the resources that MBA Research has at our disposal.
I want to thank Kelli Diemer, the Iowa Department of Education, and Central Lee High School for allowing me attend this conference. Those of us that attended feel it is very important to share the underpinnings and “why” things need to change for the good of our programs moving forward. If you have any questions about the conference, about MBA Research, or the state of Business in Iowa, feel free to contact Rachel, Andrew, or myself.
Kyle Van Ausdall
IBEA President
Why should you take an active role in a professional organization?
As a new teacher at a small school with only one business and computer teacher, I needed support from teachers outside of the faculty at my school. Even though I had a great mentor, teaching a computer class is not like teaching anything else. Career and Technical Education (CTE) is always changing so there was no shortage of things I needed to learn.
I started going to the Iowa Business Education Association (IBEA) Fall Conference and found that it was a valuable resource for ideas and information. I met other CTE teachers there and made friends from across the state. I found cheerleaders and shoulders to cry on, but most of all I found people who understood and could assist me in growing my program.
I found the people welcoming and willing to help me. I came to value the connections I was making and the knowledge I was gaining from being involved with this group. Becoming involved in the administration of the group was a natural step. It was fun to help with the planning of the conference and rewarding to hear how valuable conference attendees felt their experiences were. I’ve been lucky enough to teach some of the summer classes and organize some of the other workshops that IBEA offers members.
I have really enjoyed being part of IBEA. It is impossible to express how valuable I feel being part of this professional organization is as I have gained so much from it. IBEA is an organization that prides itself on staying on the cutting edge of changes in the CTE curriculum and seeing new things on the horizon. There is a place for everyone in IBEA and I plan to always play an active role.
Sandra O’Brien (Past IBEA President) Kirkwood Community College (Sandy.OBrien@kirkwood.edu)
Business Education Credentialing (ASK Certification List of Iowa teachers attached)
Check out the attached list of Iowa Business teachers who took one of the ASK Certification tests. Are you on the list?
Why should you take the ASK Exam? To see first hand this assessment that can be used with your curriculum for your students. It is a technical skill assessment that gives your students the recognition they deserve.
Through the business-sponsored A*S*K Institute, we offer independent proof of learning for and about business, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship. A*S*K certification is a critical tool for serious students of business who wish to document their understanding of key business skills, their willingness to be accountable for their learning, and their interest in positioning for employment and promotion. A*S*K certification includes the appropriate GOLD digital badge and other documentation for individuals earning the certification.
Free certification testing will be available for teachers as a pre-conference session prior to the IBEA Convention on Sunday, October 22.
Business Horizons
Make sure your school is represented at Business Horizons! June 25-29 at Central College, Pella
Business Horizons is currently accepting applications from Iowa high school students (grades 9-12)! During the week-long program, students team up and take part in exciting challenges and competitions as they navigate the world of business and entrepreneurship alongside Iowa professionals. Students gain hands-on experience, receive advice from expert speakers, explore career options in Iowa and develop their leadership and professional skills. Business Horizons is a perfect opportunity for any forward-thinking high school student, regardless of career interest.
Visit BusinessHorizonsIowa.com to watch re-cap videos, download applications and nominate students to attend. Please keep an eye out for the attached flyer and the 2017 brochure arriving at your school soon and encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity. Students who apply before April 10 receive a $60 discount on participation. Additional financial assistance is available. For questions or to request a classroom visit, contact Jessi Steward at jsteward@iowaabi.org.
Guidance Issued on IAC Chapter 46
The Iowa Department of Education recently issued guidance for secondary school districts on 281--Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) chapter 46, which implements the provisions of House File (HF) 2392, division II. The recent guidance addresses the following content areas: 1. Regional career and technical education planning partnerships; 2. Career and technical education service areas; 3. Career and technical education program approval and review; 4. Program advisory councils; 5. Secondary career and technical education funds; and 6. Future work of the Department and tentative deadlines. In additional, information to assist secondary career and technical education regional planning partnerships as they develop multi-year strategic plans is also available on the Department website.
Work-Based Learning Conference - April 4, 2017
Learning Today • Leading Tomorrow
Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinators website - www.iowawbl.org
This conference is a collaborative, workshop event to learn more about topics such as building robust business partnerships, leveraging your intermediary network, developing the best timelines and training plans, legal considerations and so much more. This conference dives deep into learning and provides collaboration opportunities for Multi Occupations Coordinators (MOC) running school-to-work internship programs. We will be unveiling our new Membership PLC Resource at this event as well to connect and support each other on a continual basis throughout the year.
From Local to Global: Technology and Business
LAP-NF-004 TECH-tastic (Technology's Impact on Business)
Technology allows even the smallest businesses to reach customers all over the world. In years past, a person who made and sold handmade goods was limited to selling them locally. Now, the Internet allows these artists to expand their businesses and sell to customers almost anywhere. These are just a few of the sites these types of businesses can use:
www.etsy.com
www.bonanza.com
www.zibbet.com
www.artfire.com
www.society6.com
To learn more about the impact of technology on businesses, check out our newly released LAP, TECH-tastic (Technology's Impact on Business). This LAP has been updated to include current examples, engaging activities and links, and relevant information that is crucial in today's business environment.
FREE RESOURCE FOR MAKING THOSE BUSINESS CONNECTIONS--Iowa Intermediary Network!
Contact your regional Intermediary Network contact to bring business into your classroom or to take your students to business. They have the connections. Find your regional Intermediary here.
QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD!
I'm looking for help with my computer applications classes next school year. We are a 1:1 school currently with MacBooks and we are switching to Chromebooks next year. What are teachers doing for Comp Apps with Chromebooks? Textbooks that I'm viewing do not work with Office 365 as it is a skeletal version of traditional Office programs. What ever advice you can give will help me. Thanks!
Deborah Matthews
Career & Technical – Business Instructor
New London Community Schools
deb.matthews@nlcsd.org
Kelli Diemer
Business and Marketing Education Consultant
Iowa Intermediary Network/Iowa Work-Based Learning
Bureau of Career and Technical Education
Division of Community Colleges & Workforce Preparation
515-281-3615 (office)
515-242-5988 (fax)
kelli.diemer@iowa.gov
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