Snow observes district initiatives up close. Recently, the highest education official in Iowa paid a visit to the Fort Dodge Community School District. In order to get a personal look at the district’s instructional programming and new efforts to improve student learning and career readiness, McKenzie Snow, director of the Iowa Department of Education, paid her official visit on Tuesday to three regional schools.

She started her tour by going to the health vocations classroom at Fort Dodge Middle School. After that, she went to the trades classroom to find out about the next manufacturing and skills classes. When these lessons are put into place, they will give students hands-on experience and practical skills in carpentry, cabinetry, and other trades.

Her next destination was consumer science class and the pupils in the family where they had prepared the snacks and beverages. There, the conversation centered on practical skills in sewing, nutrition, and culinary arts.

After that, Snow transferred to Duncombe Elementary School, where she was escorted by the pupils to the first-grade pod. The 95 Core curriculum, a foundational literacy skills program that emphasizes fundamental reading abilities, was taught in those classrooms. Students in the pod were studying about closed-syllable patterns.

Snow saw a Kindergarten Professional Learning Community session at the Early Childhood Center, which was the day’s last destination. Teachers can work together on methods and best practices to enhance student learning during these weekly meetings.

Snow was joined on part of the visit by state Representative Ann Meyer, a Republican from Fort Dodge, and state Senator Tim Kraayenbrink, a Republican from Fort Dodge.