August 2021
Advancing the heART of Education
A monthly newsletter about Fine Arts Education in Iowa
Meet Adam Orban
Please join us in welcoming Adam Orban to the IAAE Executive Board!

Adam Orban is the 9-12 vocal music instructor at Algona High School in Algona, IA. He directs the curricular choirs, jazz choirs, and prepares students for all other vocal music activities. 

Adam is a graduate of Morningside College and received his Master’s in Music Education from the University of South Dakota. He started teaching grades 6-12 for the Shenandoah CSD and also started the program’s jazz choir. Following his time in Shenandoah he spent eight years teaching for the Sheldon CSD where he taught grades 7-12 and again started a vocal jazz program and evolved the existing show choir program. 

Over the years, students under Adam’s direction have received numerous awards and accolades; these include 1st Place finishes in jazz choir (including 1st Place at the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships in 2015), 1st place and finals appearances for show choir, over 50 all-staters, and several Outstanding Performances at the IHSMA solo/ensemble festival. 

Adam has been a guest clinician for multiple events and his conducting honors include directing the 9th Grade Mixed Opus Honor Choir in 2013. Lastly, Adam was selected as winner of the Iowa Choral Directors Association/Iowa Composers Forum Composition Contest winner in 2017 for his composition “Hush Thee My Babie.” Adam is happily married to his wife and fellow music colleague, Jill, and they have four children together: Owen, Ethan, Natalie, and Isaac.
THANK YOU HINTERLANDERS!

Thank you to the Hinterland Music Festival and all the hinterlanders for your support of the IAAE. We were able to raise a record amount of over $4,000 for our programs!
IAAE's Model of Excellence Mentor Program
It's time to start thinking about the 'Model of Excellence' Mentor Program!

The components of the beginning arts teacher mentoring program include: identification of beginning teachers, assignment of “active” and “observation” mentors (area specific), development of a communications network to assist the mentoring process, a webinar series, and the awarding of scholarships to attend professional conferences.

The Iowa Model of Excellence Mentor Program is designed to enhance, not supplant the established local/district/AEA/State mentoring programs. The mentoring program is discipline-specific. The information that is made available to the beginning teacher through this program ranges from “survival” to “mastery” skills needed to be successful in the arts classroom. 

The information is tailored specifically to the individual teacher and teaching situation, and also provides for networking with other beginning and veteran teachers throughout the state.

Please find the contact information for all arts mentor chairs HERE.

Each individual organization is ready to help your beginning arts teacher. By working together, we can make a difference!

JOB OPPORTUNITY
Iowa Department of Education
Fine Arts Education Program Consultant

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements will be placed on the eligible list. In addition to completing the application, applicants are encouraged to upload a cover letter and resume.

Support scaling and implementation of standards-aligned, evidence-based practices in fine arts across the state. This includes participation in existing statewide collaborative implementation and scaling structures, including the facilitation of or membership on statewide development and delivery teams; helping establish and maintain a common framework for standards implementation across all content areas; and using implementation science to support scaling and implementation efforts.

Participate on Department internal teams (e.g., Iowa Academic Standards, Iowa eLearning Central) to integrate statewide efforts related to effective instruction aligned to Iowa's fine arts standards within a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS). This work includes engagement in a wide range of internal and external convenings, and working to establish common, evidence-based information and resources related to aligning curriculum, instruction, and assessment to Iowa's fine arts standards.

Provide guidance to the field, within the Department's vision and structures, related to implementation of Iowa's fine arts standards, including staying current on both federal and state requirements related to fine arts, and communicating with internal and external Iowa stakeholders.

20 hrs per week, Monday – Friday with some in and out of state travel, nights and weekends.

For more information on this position click HERE
The Alliance is supported by the contributions of members like you.
Please join us in our mission to support fine arts education.
Need more information about the Alliance and our programs?

Contact our Executive Director: Leon Kuehner 641-425-0959 leongkuehner@gmail.com

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