10 Reasons Why I Advocate for Education

Here we are, halfway through April, and we are no closer in knowing our state funding for education in the state of Iowa.  Unfortunately, this has become more commonplace in the last few years--lawmakers miss their own deadline for establishing state funding while still expecting schools to certify their budgets.  The lack of movement in this area can be frustrating, but I commit to stop complaining and start advocating.  Below are 10 reasons why I advocate--4 fundamental and 6 endearing.  And at the bottom of this blog there is information on how you can join the advocacy movement if you choose--particularly the education advocacy day on April 22.

1. Pride

I am very proud of education in the state of Iowa.  I was educated here (Kindergarten through post-secondary), and I have educated here (30 plus years).  My children and grandchildren have attended/are attending Iowa schools, and I believe there is no better place to get an education.  I will put our teachers and communities up with the best across the country, and we will not be surpassed in effort and support.  But the lack of investment is starting to have an impact.  In the 90's, we ranked in the top 10 in the U.S. when looking at national achievement data (NAEP).  Our more recent rankings show us more in the middle of the pack--our scores are stable while other states are on the upswing.  This is not due to a lack of effort and commitment--I have a front row seat to the hard work that goes on in Iowa schools each and every day.  But the resources are dwindling--human, instructional, and technological resources are needed to continue to advance quality teaching and learning.

2. Investment

Education is an investment in our future.  Iowa experienced a negative 11.7% change in spending per student (adjusted for inflation), since 2008.  Only 10 states have lowered their spending more than Iowa.   Our teacher pay is 26th in the nation and our cost of living is 22nd in the nation.  I am not satisfied with being average.  We can not afford to continue this trend--either financially or socially.  But the ones who are hurting the most by this lack of investment are our students.  They deserve better.

3. Urgency

I'm from Iowa.  When times are tight, we buckle down, we help each other, and we weather through.  When schools faced a 10.5% budget cut in 2009, we recognized that the dollars were not there and we needed to do our part.  It was tough, but we made it happen.  And we are starting to see the benefits of enduring through the tough times.  When the state committee met in December, they saw a 5.6% increase in revenue.  This growth is positive and exciting, and it provides a wonderful opportunity to prioritize educational spending in the state of Iowa.  The time is now.

4. Democracy

While I might not always agree with our lawmakers, I appreciate their commitment to service in being a part of the democratic process.  We are so lucky to have this process, and we understand that chaos is a part of democracy.  And so is advocacy.  One of my favorite lobbyists reminds us that 'if we are not at the table, we are on the menu.'  Our lawmakers play a critical role, but so do we.  They represent our beliefs and goals, and it is our responsibility to bring our voice to this so they can take actions on our behalf.  We have an excellent opportunity to have our voices heard together on April 22--please see information below the blog if you would like to join the efforts.

And my remaining 6 reasons are very self-serving and endearing to me.

My 4 children received the benefits of an Iowa education.  My youngest son is graduating this spring and will continue his learning at a university in the state of Iowa.  I want my grandchildren to have these same opportunities.  Their future depends on it. 

Please join the advocacy efforts.  On April 22, all educational advocacy groups in Iowa are calling for a huge lobby day.  Join us at the Capitol--advocate from home.  Send an email, make a phone call, write a letter, send a tweet, write a Facebook post, talk to your neighbors and coworkers.   

Let our lawmakers know that you support a 2.625% increase in school budgets.  Together we can find a pathway to YES!

Thank you for being an advocate for Iowa's future!

E-mail your state representative.
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/house

E-mail your state senator.
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/senate

Find your legislator.
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find

House Switchboard (515) 281-3221
Senate Switchboard (515)281-3371

State Capitol
1007 East Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA  50319

Let us Give Thanks (And a secret ingredient is revealed!)

Taking a step away from my education blog, Curriculum Connections, to share some ideas from my personal life.  We are coming up on Thanksgiving--one of my favorite holidays.  Family, food, happy memories, and a reminder to live life with a sense of gratitude for all that we have.

I have been baking pumpkin bread for Thanksgiving for years.  A history of the recipe and the secret ingredient found later in this blog post.

My new purchase from a few months ago: this pan from Williams-Sonoma.

Doing a test run today to see what I need to do to get it to look like the picture in the store.

In reading the reviews online, the key tips seem to be greasing the pan (split opinions on cooking spray, butter, or oil), letting the bread cool for 10-15 minutes before releasing from the pan, and hitting the pan on the counter a few times before putting in the oven to get rid of any air bubbles.

So I used cooking spray, hit the pan on the counter, and let sit for 15 minutes before I released from the pan.  Here is what I learned from this test run: I think I filled the pan a little too full.  Next week I will add less batter to the pan.  I used regular cooking spray, but I think I will try to pick up some cooking spray with flour.  I also think I can shorten the baking time by 1-2 minutes.  There were some air bubbles, so I will be a little firmer with hitting on the counter next time, but all in all, I was happy with how it came out of the pan.

Yield: 1 large loaf pan and 3 mini-loaves. 

And now, the story of the recipe....   My dad passed away when I was 4. (And I have been doubly blessed as my mom remarried and I still have the most wonderful dad).  Later, in my teens, I came across a red recipe book from a Spencer radio station where my dad had worked in 1958.  It was one of those mimeographed books with purple ink.  In this book I found the following recipe for pumpkin bread:

Dry ingredients
3 1/2 c. flour
3 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cloves

Wet ingredients
1 c. oil
4 eggs
2/3 c. water
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
1/2 tsp. black walnut flavoring 

Don't leave out the last ingredient--that's the secret one!  I left it out once and realized this was what was giving the bread a rich, nutty taste.  My kids do not like nuts in the bread, so this is a good way to get the taste without the texture.

Mix the dry ingredients in a medium bowl.  Mix other ingredients on medium with a mixer in a large bowl.  Add dry ingredients 1/3 at a time and mix well. (This was especially fun today as I got to use my early Christmas present--a Kitchen Aid mixer!)  Pour into greased loaf pans.  Bake at 350 for about 1 hour (depending on the size of the loaf pans).

I have made this bread every year since then--I make bread to have at Thanksgiving and some to share with others.  To me, this keeps the spirit of why we celebrate this holiday alive.

I will close this post with a quote from my hometown priest from Thanksgiving Mass last year:

"Hate cannot live in a heart that is filled with peace, love, and thanksgiving." 

--Fr. Walter Brunkan

Let us give thanks.