Dr. Valerie Nyberg named new Ames High School Principal
The Ames Community School District is excited to announce Dr. Valerie Nyberg as the new principal of Ames High School. Dr. Nyberg is currently the Associate Principal at George Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, a position she has held since 2013. As an associate principal in Cedar Rapids, Nyberg has experience in both curriculum and instruction as well as buildings and grounds. She was responsible for the evaluation of certified staff, development of the master schedule, and directly supported multiple departments such as English, special education, and Career/Technical Education, among others. As associate principal of building and grounds, she attended weekly construction meetings and worked closely with various departments to ensure that instructional programming was not compromised during construction. In her role as associate principal of curriculum and instruction, she worked diligently to ensure that students have multiple pathways open to them and this required working closely with special education teachers.
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An Eye on the Sky: Ames High Senior Pooja Kasiviswanathan Named a Top Science Scholar
“Ever since I looked up into the night sky, I have always wondered if there is another planet like Earth out there.” This is the inquisitive thinking that has driving Ames High senior Pooja Kasiviswanathan to be named a top 300 scholar in the 79th Regeneron Science Talent Search—the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and mathematics competition for high school seniors.
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Big 12 Conference and CFP Foundation Complete “Extra Yard for Teachers Classroom Makeover” for Ames Middle School
The Big 12 Conference, in partnership with the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT) initiative and Lakeshore Learning Materials, today revealed the creation of a digital learning lab at Ames Middle School. Through a $50,000 grant, Ames Middle School was able to completely repurpose a space into a digital learning lab featuring virtual reality technology and items from Lakeshore’s brand-new, exclusive line of Flex-Space classroom furniture so that the space will be both interactive and inviting for students. Equipping the lab with virtual reality has the ability to impact all students at Ames Middle School.
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Better Together at Ames Middle School
In January 2019, Yonas Michael began his current role as the head principal of Ames Middle School, a position that allowed him to return to Ames after spending time in Maryland to be with his family. Superintendent Risner entrusted him with the mission of strengthening the culture and achievement at Ames Middle School at a time of great transition in the building. As a school leader, a top commitment is to improve student learning. But before jumping into student achievement data, examining the current culture of the building is paramount. “You can have all of the great structures in place. You can hire the best teachers, you can have the best materials and best programs, but if the culture isn’t right or healthy in the building, then none of those things are going to be successful,” said Michael.
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Equity Audit: Ames High School and Ames Middle School (2018-2019)
Why this report now? In the fall of 2016, Dr. Daniel Spikes, then a professor at Iowa State University, was asked to collaborate with the Ames Community School District (ACSD) to address racial disparities in educational outcomes. More specifically, district leadership wanted to provide professional development to its educational staff to equip them with tools to mitigate racism and racial disparities at the school. As a result, Dr. Spikes partnered with ISU professor Dr. Katy Swalwell, who also has expertise in equity-focused educator preparation. Together, they developed and implemented a three-year equity-focused professional development initiative. At the time of this equity audit, the partnership is beginning its third year.
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All-State Music 2019
Congratulations to the 28 Ames High musicians who were selected to participate in the 2019 Iowa All-State Music Festival. District Auditions for the 279-piece all-state band, 227-piece all-state orchestra, and 601-member all-state chorus were held on Saturday, October 26, 2019. Approximately 17% of the students who audition are selected for membership in the All-State ensembles. The 2019 Festival will celebrate the 73rd anniversary of this prestigious event and will take place on Saturday, November 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum.
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Two Ames High Teachers Earn Recognition from the Iowa Business Education Association
Two Ames High Teachers earned recognition from the Iowa Business Education Association (IBEA) this year at their annual conference. Ames High Business Teacher Vicki Hales was named the 2019 Outstanding Secondary Business Educator and Teacher on Special Assignment Vonda Junck awarded this year’s Distinguished Service to Business Award.
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Chad Zmolek named NFHS Iowa Boys Soccer Coach of the Year
Long-time Ames High boys soccer coach was named the National Federation of High School (NFHS) Coaches Association’s Iowa Boys Soccer Coach of the Year. This recognition honors coaches for significant achievement in their sport throughout their careers. Nominees for boys’ sports in Iowa are selected by each sport’s respective state coaches association and is approved by the Iowa High School Athletic Association.
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Ames High Science Teacher Mike Todd receives the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)
Four Iowa educators including Ames High science teacher Mike Todd, have been named recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Teachers are selected based on their distinction in the classroom and dedication to improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Todd was a state finalists in 2017.
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Auto Repair: from DMACC to the Garage
For much of last summer, senior Matthew Blitvich’s rust damaged Mazda Miata took up the majority of his parents’ garage. With the clear coat starting to peel and fade, Blitvich was committed to fixing it up on his own. During his junior year, he enrolled in Auto Collison, a class offered to Ames High students through the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). His motivation was simple: “If I did a good job at DMACC, then I could just paint it myself.”
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