MFL MarMac receives TLC grant

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By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

MFL MarMac Superintendent Dale Crozier announced at the Jan. 12 school board meeting that the Iowa Department of Education recently awarded the district a Teacher Leadership Compensation (TLC) Grant that is roughly $240,000.

According to the Department of Education, the TLC System “rewards effective teachers with leadership opportunities and higher pay, attracts promising new teachers with competitive starting salaries and more support and fosters greater collaboration for all teachers to learn from each other.”

The program requires each selected district to involve 25 percent of its teachers (15 for MFL MarMac), although MFL MarMac has proposed 40 percent (25 to 30 teachers). These teachers would either be instructional coaches, mentor teachers or model teachers. Everyone will collaborate to analyze data and form instructional plans, something the district already does through its professional learning communities, or PLCs.

The funding will go toward paying those teachers in leadership positions, but will also help create a greater base salary for new teachers and go toward hiring teachers to replace those who are mentoring.

“This is a big deal,” Crozier said, adding that, if done well, the program could be very helpful for the district.

MFL MarMac cube

High School Principal Josh Mallicoat said the district now has its own “cube,” which, through the website, thecube.com, allows people to live stream any home activities or events, include sporting events and concerts.

Those who are interested simply have to create an account, then follow MFL MarMac. Events can be viewed live, but will also be archived, allowing those who can’t attend the event, or who would like to see it again, to check it out.

“It’s stemmed from the Wartburg experience,” Mallicoat said, referencing the live stream broadcast students did of the games against Clayton Ridge on Dec. 2. “The kids are excited about it.”

Mallicoat said students run the program off mini iPads. Although it currently uses the event’s natural audio, he noted they could add live commentary at some point.

“The kids who are doing it are really interested in videography and broadcasting, so it’s a great opportunity for them,” he said. “We’re looking to continue and expand it. It’s a great thing, so everyone should check it out.”

Website

Work has begun on re-vamping the district’s website, which is expected to launch at the start of the next school year. Crozier said people can expect the website to be more user-friendly and attractive, as well as less cluttered.

New baseball coach

The school board approved  hiring Denny Brodbeck as the new high school baseball coach. 

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