HAUGEN, Jane

HAUGEN, Jane. (Dubuque, IA-- ). Among teachers in the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, few have compiled the accomplishments of Jane Haugen. In 38.5 years of primary and intermediate teaching, Haugen was often an in-service provider for other educators. This included being a lead teacher for the Environmental Issues Instruction Program and being a facilitator for Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), GLOBE Iowa (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) and TEAMS (Teachers Engaged in the Advancement of Math and Science). All of these were programs sponsored by the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). She worked as an action research participant for the Math Trailblazers/University of Illinois at Chicago improving math instruction through the use of a specific standards-based math program. Haugen was also a facilitator for a half-day session of River Quest held at CLARKE COLLEGE instructing area teachers using water related curriculum. She was a Dubuque Community School District Lead Math and Science Teacher and a cooperating teacher for student teachers for more than twenty-five years.

Recognizing her expertise, conferences have often called upon Haugen to be a presenter. She participated in the Iowa Academy of Science Fall Conference (Iowa Teaching Standards/Best Practice in Math and Science) in 2002. In 2003 she was a participant in the UNI Fall Math Conference (Teaching Reading in Mathematics). The same year, she spoke at the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics (Japanese Lesson Study). In 2004 she presented the topic "Reaching All Students: Mathematics for All" at the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference. Her topic in 2005 at the same conference was "Applying Research in Classrooms--Grades 4,5,6." In September 2006 Haugen spoke on "River Quest: Using Local Resources to Enhance Science Education) for the NSTA Regional Conference in Omaha, Nebraska.

Haugen's leadership roles include membership on the Dubuque Community School District math, science, and language arts committees. She was the Elementary Science Chairperson for the Iowa Academy of Science, elementary newsletter editor of SPARKS for the Iowa Academy of Science, and member of the district MISIC Science Standards and Benchmarks Team. She has been a member of the Dubuque Community School District Strategic Planning Committee for the selection of math program (Math Trailblazers) and the district Every Student Counts Team, a state initiative. She was a member of the AEA Team for Every Learner Inquires, a state initiative, and Vice-President-Elementary of Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics (serving two terms).

Pursuing grants to fund educational change marked Haugen's career. She was involved in writing a Dubuque Racing Association grant funding the purchase of books for take-home reading and a US West Technology grant for materials and a laptop computer. Other grants included an Upjohn/National Science Teachers Association grant for books, materials, conference attendance, and a computer. A Science Grasp (Upjohn) grant provided for a grow lab for students to observe and record information about plant growth. Her interest in science continued with GLOBE grants for the purchase of a weather station and related materials. Funding from Walmart, Farm Bureau and Becker Stone Quarry was used for creating an outdoor laboratory for studying trees, plants and their contribution to the environment. A Japanese Lesson Study grant provided funds for math manipulatives, calculators, professional materials and books for students. A McGraw-Hill grant was written to support a rain garden for HOOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and a DuTrac Community Credit Union Grant funded a field trip to West Branch to visit the Herbert Hoover Museum.

With such credentials, Haugen has been recognized as an exemplary teacher. In 1993-1994 she received the Iowa Mathematics and Science Coalition Project Award. In 1996 she was presented the Izaak Walton League Outstanding Teaching Award. This was followed in 1999 when she was the recipient of the Iowa Academy of Science Award for Excellence in Elementary Science Teaching. In 2000 Haugen received Presidential Awards for Excellence in Elementary Mathematics and Science Teaching (state and national awards). In recognition of her work in science, she received the 2001 Project WET Outstanding Contributor Award. Haugen was named a 2004 FINE (First in the Nation in Education) Foundation Fellow. She received the 2006 GOLD STAR AWARD from KWWL and was listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers.