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As 2023 winds down, I find myself reflecting on all that has happened during the year. The State of Iowa has undergone some pretty big changes with the consolidation of state agencies, updating of various codes or policies and launching a successful new state branding campaign (shown in the banner above). In terms of education, and specifically work-based learning, it was also quite a year.
We saw a large increase in demand and willingness of our business and industry partners to host our students for work-based learning experiences across the continuum. Despite these increased workloads, you all continue to put out some of the best work in the nation! I welcome you all to submit proposals for the Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinators Conference to share (and maybe brag a little) these and other successes. Applications are due by the end of this week though, Friday-12/15, so get something submitted today.
I'm looking forward to working with each of you in the new year, including a fun new change to the newsletter by sharing your ROARs (see below). Thank you for all that you do for your students, community and our state as a whole. Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, ideas or other feedback for how we can better serve you and your amazing work. Take care, be safe and happy holidays everyone.
Sincerely,
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One of my new year's resolutions is to begin a new section of this newsletter dedicated to allowing you to ROAR!
This is your opportunity to Recognize the great work of new or existing work-based learning programs or initiatives; Offer exciting news, updates or plans; Acknowledge others with notes of appreciation or kudos; and brag a little about Rewards or awards earned for Iowa's amazing work-based learning programs, coordinators, educators, counselors, employers and other partners or support staff.
Submit your ROARs anonymously through the basic Google Form at the link below. Submissions may also be sent directly to me at joe.collins@iowa.gov.
Consider submitting your proposal for the Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinators Conference, scheduled for April 2, 2024 at The Meadows Event Center - Prairie Meadows in Altoona, IA. This conference provides the opportunity to reflect on the essential elements of WBL while learning from others how they have successfully implemented the WBL continuum into the classroom.
Topics will include, but not be limited to the following areas:
- Authentic Learning and WBL
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- Collaboration with Employers
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- Adaptive Technology and Accommodations
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- Student Based Enterprises
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- Best Practices in Implementing Work-Based Learning Programs
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- Student Success Stories and Career Pathways
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- Bridging the Gap Between Classroom Learning and Real-World Applications
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- Innovative Approaches to Virtual Work-Based Learning
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Proposals are due by the end of this week on Friday, December 15, 2023. Submissions will be reviewed and presenters notified on January 3, 2024.
We are in the process of updating some of our WBL resources that can be found at WorkBasedLearning.EducateIowa.gov. We are also developing some new or enhanced resources to further support the field. Watch for additional information in the near future and in the meantime considering visiting some of the current resources listed below.
Be sure to keep these two upcoming work-based learning conferences on your radar:
Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinators Conference, April 2, 2024 at the Meadows Conference Center in Altoona, IA
ACTE Work-Based Learning Conference, May 1-3, 2024 in Milwaukee, WI
Share the Work-Based Learning Coordinator newsletter with your colleagues. Invite them to sign up to receive it in their mailbox using the following button.
Joe Collins
Education Program Consultant, Work-Based Learning
Division of Higher Education
Iowa Department of Education
Grimes State Office Building
400 East 14th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Cell: (515) 419-5190
joe.collins@iowa.gov
www.educateiowa.gov
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