Jill G. Olsen, Ed.D.
Education:
- B.A. Rutgers University, Camden, New Jersey
- M.A.T. Winthrop University, Rock Hill, S.C.
- Ed.S. Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
- Ed.D. Educational Leadership, Drake University
- Professional Administrative license (7-12) 2000; Superintendent Certification 2003 PK-6 (B) 2005 Folder # 111557
- Trainer: CRISS Strategies (district certification & AEA 11 Consortium) 2005
- Trainer: Three Minute Walk Through (national certification)
- Baldrige Examiner 2004
- Curriculum Audit Training
Professional Experience: (listed chronologically: first to most recent)
- Teaching experience:
- Saydel High School and Woodside Junior High, Des Moines, Iowa
(English and French)
- o Rock Hill High School, Sullivan Junior High School and Northwestern High School (English and French) Rock Hill, South Carolina
Adult literacy program in Rock Hill (evenings)
- o Washington High School, Germantown, Wisconsin (English and French)
Adjunct professor: Milwaukee Area Technical College (evenings)
- o Marion High School, Marion Iowa (English and French)
Coordinator: Volunteer & Service Learning Programs
- Administrative Experience:
Executive Director of Instruction for the Marion Independent Schools •TAG Administrator, •MCGF Coordinator, •District Professional Development, •CSIP, APR & AYP, •Curriculum Coordinator, •Chair: School Board Policy Committee, •Oversee and coordinate all vertical curriculum teams, Title V & VI Coordinator, •Director: New Teacher Mentor Academy • Contract Negotiations Team Member •Oversee teacher evaluation instrument & career development •Represent the District on numerous AEA, community and state committees. Also presently serving as Assistant Principal of Emerson Elementary School (PK-3).
Awards and Recognition: (listed chronologically, earliest to most recent)
- William B. Quarton Citizenship Grant 1991
- Excellence in Teaching: Greater Cedar Rapids Foundation 1992
- U.S. West Citizenship Award 1995
- Governor's Volunteer Award 1995, 1998, 2003
- Daughters of the American Revolution Service Award 1996
- Marion Citizen of the Year 1995
- National Demonstration Site for Service Learning: designer and coordinator 1991-1996
- COMSERV Grants: (funding for Service Learning) 1993, 1994, 1995
- Marion School Board Salutes Award 1994
- Christa McAuliffe Fellow for Iowa (focus on Service Learning) 1994.
- Russia On-Line Grant: 1995 Innovative uses of technology to connect students to Russia
- FINE Program Award (Volunteerism & Service Learning) 1995 The Silver Cords for Service award, which I originated, have been replicated in other areas of the state and was cited by the National Character Education Partnership as a promising practice in 2000.
- Iowa Teacher of the Year 1996
- Iowa Ambassador for Education 1997
(This was a sabbatical year in which I represented the Iowa Department of Education. During that year I visited and had conversations with people in over 170 school districts.
- Governor's Award for Outstanding Service School 1997
- U.S. Excellence in Teaching Award: Academic Delegate to Russia 1997
(One of 17 teachers selected in national competition)
- Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar to Japan 1999
I have since supported 2 district teachers who were selected for this honor.
- Woman of Achievement Award: YWCA 1999
- School to Work Grant 1999
- Marion School Board Star Award 2002
- Scottish Rite Doctoral Fellowship 2003
Professional Involvement and Affiliations
- Midwest Regional Trainer Service Learning: 1999-present
- NCA Evaluation Team for Waterloo East High School 1998,
•Fairfield High School 1999
- Dept. of Education State Accreditation Teams: Midland Schools, 2001; Grant Wood AEA, 2000; Iowa City Schools, 2003; Atlantic Schools, 2004
- Dept. of Education Accreditation Team for Teacher Preparation Grinnell College, Wartburg College, Iowa Wesleyan College
- Taking the Next Steps: Service Learning Coalition: hosted two national symposiums in San Diego in 2000 and 2001 where I served as featured speaker, planner and facilitator
- Coe College Teacher Preparation Advisory Committee 1997-present
Presentations:
In the past seven years, I have conducted over a hundred presentations or workshops for teachers and community leaders. Some of the highlights include:
- National Youth Leadership Conference (Service Learning)
- o Minneapolis: co-presented with Mary Beth Blegen, Teacher in Residence at the U. S. Dept. of Ed.: Subject: Teacher Leadership 1998
- o Orlando: Featured Speaker 1997
- o Detroit: Presenter 1996
- o Philadelphia: Presenter 1995
- Contemporary School Leadership Cadre: Grant Wood AEA 1998 (Featured on promotional video 2000)
- International Education Conference -University of Delaware 1998
- State level ICN Service Learning trainer: 2001
Professional Memberships:
- School Administrators of Iowa
- American Association of School Administrators
- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
- Linn County Learning Alliance
- Woods Quality Center
Community Involvement:
- Leadership Iowa 1995-present (frequent planner or presenter)
Sponsored by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, 30 promising leaders are selected from across the state to train together for a year to heighten their awareness and involvement in state-level issues.
- Leadership for the Five Seasons 1994-present (frequent presenter and planner)
Sponsored by the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce, 25 promising leaders are selected to parallel the Leadership Iowa curriculum on a local level. I have served as chair of the Education Committee and Co-Chair of the Local History Committee
- Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, 1998-2003: Secretary & Chair of Support Services Committee, member of Program and Admin. Committee
Appointed to my first term by Governor Branstad, and my second term by Governor Vilsack, I have represented the Commission on a number of Task Forces and events
- Linn County Historical Preservation Commission 1996-2002. Served as secretary 1999-2001. Appointed by the Linn Co. Board of Supervisors
- Rotary Member & Board of Directors: Presently serving as Program Committee Chair, Membership Committee Co-Chair
- Marion School Foundation Board Member
- Linn County DECAT Executive Committee
- Citizens' Advisory Committee: Mt. Vernon School Board 1991-2002
- Boy Scouts of America Troop 40 Advisory Committee 1998-2001
- Various community committees including:
Trees Forever Environmental Agency Priority Task Force
Marion Public Library Strategic Planning Task Force
Volunteer: Swamp Fox Festival, Legion Arts, Theatre Cedar Rapids
Selection Committee and reader: National Space Camp Scholarship Applications
Iowa's Promise Youth Grantee Program
