Join us on August 17th for our Professional Development Lunch. RSVP below
Speaker: Dr. Helene Fein – “How Transitions Tell Our Story”
Schedule: 11:30 a.m.—networking
11:45 – 1:00 p.m.—business meeting and speaker
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 8600 Northpark Dr., Johnston
“If I drew a design about my life, it would not be a shape or a straight line. It would be a swirl with overlapping circles that meet and then separate, going in many
different directions creating a beautiful image of who I am. For all of us, life is a series of swirls that represent changes and transitions, some wanted or invited, some
unexpected and challenging. Each one is an equally important part of our story and who we are to ourselves and to the world. Transition theory intrigued me when I first studied for my Master’s degree in education administration. Newly divorced, I know my anchor was education. This concept has come back to support me during other life transitions including divorce, becoming a widow, sending my children off to independent lives, and coming to terms with my future and perhaps aging.
Join me as we talk about transition theory, life changes, finding those critical anchors, and embracing change.” — Dr. Helene J. Fein – Fein Solutions, LLC
Helene was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved to Iowa after earning her BA from Brooklyn College, City University of New York. Originally, the move was to be temporary, but Iowa became home after just a few years of living in the beautiful state which offered a safe and progressive environment. After a decade of teaching and administering a bilingual grant in Marshalltown, Helene moved to Des Moines to work for the Iowa Dept. of Education and Des Moines Public Schools as an ESL and Professional Development consultant. She led the origination of the Iowa Culture and Language Conference which she coordinated for 22 years bringing refugee service workers and educators together for an annual event growing from 85 to over 1200 participants. In addition, Helene published a book to support ESL professionals, Necessary Conversations About English Language Learners: Templates for Success (Delta Publishing). During this time period, Helene earned an MS in Secondary School Administration and an Education Specialist degree in Adult Training and Development.
Helene served as State Director for Adult Literacy at the Iowa Dept. of Education overseeing adult basic education, English as a second language and high school equivalency at all the Iowa community colleges. She introduced integrating ESL and academic content to instructors as well as online reporting. Upon completing her PhD at Iowa State University in Education Leadership and Policy, Helene worked for United Way as the lead for data and research. She managed a team of data experts and continued her work with community organizations supporting refugees and immigrants. She is a founding member of RACI- Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa, a coalition of organizations collaborating to support newcomers.
Following retirement from United Way of Central Iowa, Helene became the President and CEO of Fein Solutions and assumed the role of the Executive Director of the Iowa Literacy Council leading the way to becoming a state association affiliated with COABE—the Coalition on Adult Basic Education. Helene is devoted to her significant other, Chuck, her three adult children, their spouses and her five grandchildren. She is the proud dog mom to Gabe and Belle. In her spare time, Helene likes to read and paint.
Please RSVP here: http://evite.me/Tshsg4vFse
