Strategist I Network News Release......

October, 2004

Contact: Dr. William Hitchings, St. Ambrose University

    St. Ambrose University is one of nine Iowa colleges and universities partnering with the Iowa Department of Education to provide full endorsement opportunities to currently employed special education teachers holding a Strategist I Class C license. The endorsement program is entitled Strategist I Network.

      “We’re excited to be a part of such an innovative project,” said Dr. William Hitchings, St. Ambrose University, liaison to the program. “The Network affords working teachers the ability to take advantage of coursework that is timely, convenient, and more easily accessible than traditional programs of study.”

      The program, sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education, enables teachers with Class C licenses to take coursework over the ICN, by correspondence, or at different campuses or satellite locations of the nine participating institutions of higher education throughout Iowa. Once teacher competencies have been met, the Department of Education, rather than  St. Ambrose University, recommends the teacher for Strategist I licensure.

      “Such partnering is unprecedented in Iowa higher education,” said Norma Lynch, Department of Education coordinator of the program. “This network provides benefits for teachers seeking full special education endorsement, for administrators seeking to fill special education vacancies, and most importantly, for students in Iowa school districts.  Lynch indicated that the partnering colleges could see increased enrollment in teacher preparation courses through the alliance.  All of the participating colleges recruit and refer students to the program.

      In addition to St. Ambrose University, the following colleges and universities are participants in the program : Buena Vista University, Drake University, Grand View College, Iowa State University, Morningside College, Simpson College, University of Iowa, and University of Northern Iowa.

      Those seeking information about program benefits and application procedures may contact Dr. William E. Hitchings, Director of Graduate Special Education Programs at (563) 333-6113 or at HitchingsWilliamE@sau.edu, Michael Cavin, program counselor/advocate, toll free at 1-877-807-9589 or at cavin@uni.edu, or Norma Lynch, at 515-281-6038, or at norma.lynch@iowa.gov.