 Suzi Jones, current teacher and theatre director at Pella High School is the newest member of the Iowa Thespian Hall of Fame. Jones will be inducted during the annual Iowa Thespian Festival in November, on the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) campus. She will be honored for her significant contributions of time, talents, and service to Iowa Thespians and for advancing the mission of theatre education, joining an esteemed group of individuals. Including Jones, only 35 individuals have been inducted into the Iowa Thespian Hall of Fame, beginning in 1995.
Jones will officially join the Iowa Thespians Hall of Fame (HOF) during the festival’s annual mainstage ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 16. All available HOF members will be in attendance. Chapter Director and HOF member Lynn Jensen will introduce a speaker who will give a five-minute introduction speech for Jones. Following her introduction, Jones will give her acceptance speech and remarks. After the ceremony, invited family and friends will gather in UNI’s GBPAC lobby for photos. Iowa Thespian Festival is closed to the public. An estimated 900 students from Thespian troupes across Iowa are expected to attend this year’s event. View past inductees and learn more about the Iowa Thespian HOF by visiting https://www.iowathespians.org/halloffame.html ## About Iowa Thespians Iowa Thespians, officially known as the Iowa Educational Theatre Association (Iowa EdTA) is the Iowa state chapter of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), an international nonprofit that serves as the professional association for theatre educators. The mission of Iowa Thespians is to honor student achievement in theatre and enrich the educational experience, to support educators by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition, and to influence public opinion and policymakers that theatre education is essential and builds life skills. Iowa Thespians is passionate about theatre education and believe all students should have access to theatre curriculum which provides critical life skills for educational and career success in the 21st century. Visit https://iowathespians.org to learn more.
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 This press release was originally published by the Educational Theatre Association.
CINCINNATI (October 4, 2024) — The Arts Education Alliance — an advocacy collaboration between the Educational Theatre Association, National Art Education Association, National Association for Media Arts Education, National Association for Music Education, and National Dance Education Organization — thanks the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for releasing a “Dear Colleague” letter today to state education agencies clarifying the use of federal funds for arts education under Titles I, II, III, IV-A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Carl. D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This is the first time ED has released such guidance since 2013, which was two years before ESSA passed shifting language from core academic subjects to a well-rounded education including music and the arts. The release of new guidance marks a monumental win for arts education programs and is the culmination of years of work from arts education advocates. Since the passage of ESSA, federal funding streams have helped to increase the availability of arts programs in schools. But due to various factors, including a lack of guidance, a significant number of students across the country continue to lack access to in-school arts education. In particular, students attending schools in low-income and urban/rural areas lacked access to the full breadth, and subsequently the full benefits, of a comprehensive arts education. With the release of ED’s new guidance, arts educators across the country will no longer have to wonder if/how federal funds can be used to support their programs. Programs such as Title I will be used to close the gap in access to arts education faced by students in low-income areas, while programs such as Title II and IDEA will provide educators professional learning opportunities to better support students with disabilities and diverse student populations. Alongside broadening access to the arts, ED’s guidance will enable a larger swath of the student population to receive the benefits of artistic involvement; offering opportunities for creative expression, team building, and a host of other benefits, ranging from social engagement to culturally enriching experiences. The release of ED’s latest guidance marks an inflection point for arts education, officially recognized as part of a well-rounded education in 2015, and now receiving comprehensive guidance on how federal funds can support its programming. Once again, the alliance thanks ED for renewing their commitment to the arts as an essential part of PreK-12 education; arts advocates for their tireless work to reach this point; and educators for their work in bringing the arts into classrooms across the United States. The Arts Education Alliance is proud to have supported this effort and looks forward to continuing its work to ensure arts education remains a priority in federal education initiatives. ### About the Educational Theatre Association The Educational Theatre Association is an international nonprofit that serves as the professional association for theatre educators. EdTA is the parent organization of the International Thespian Society, the honor society for theatre students that’s inducted more than 2.5 million Thespians since 1929. Additionally, EdTA operates the Educational Theatre Foundation, the organization’s philanthropic arm dedicated to broadening representation and increasing access. Visit schooltheatre.org to learn how EdTA inspires theatre educators to transform lives. About the National Art Education Association Founded in 1947, the National Art Education Association is the leading professional membership organization for visual arts, design, and media a rts education professionals. Members include preK, elementary, middle, and high school visual arts educators; college and university professors; university students preparing to become educators; researchers and scholars; teaching artists; administrators and supervisors; and art museum educators—as well as more than 54,000 students who are members of the National Art Honor Society. About the National Association for Media Arts Education The National Association for Media Arts Education (NAMAE) seeks to support and advance media arts education for all learners. NAMAE was founded in 2024 and is just beginning to fulfill its mission and galvanize its community. NAMAE intends to develop curricula that support high quality standards-based instruction, resources and opportunities that support media arts educators and students, and research, networks and systems that support the development and growth of the discipline. About the National Association for Music Education The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is a collaborative community that supports music educators and advocates for equitable access to music education. The only association that addresses all aspects of music education, NAfME, together with its affiliated state music education associations, advocates at the national, state, and local levels and provides resources and opportunities for teachers, students, parents, and administrators. Founded in 1907 and representing more than 57,000 members teaching millions of students, NAfME advances the music education profession and promotes lifelong experiences in music. About the National Dance Education Organization The National Dance Education Organization (NDEO), founded in 1998, is the leading nonprofit organization that supports dance educators across every setting, including K-12 schools, dance studios, colleges and universities, community centers, and more. NDEO is dedicated to advancing dance education for people of all backgrounds by providing professional development for teachers and cultivating a community of support, resources, advocacy, and research. NDEO is the parent organization of The National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA). The NHSDA has recognized the artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievements of thousands of exceptional middle/high school and college dance students since its inception in 2005. Learn more about how NDEO is building a future with equitable and accessible dance education for all at www.ndeo.org. |
Iowa ThespiansIowa Thespians is the Iowa chapter of the Educational Theatre Assocation (EdTA). ArchivesCategories |
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