1. David R. Welter
Career Summary Information
CONTACT INFORMATION
Name: David R. Welter
Address 13725 X Ave., Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
Phone: Cell 319-404-5022
Office: 319-553-2705
Home: 319-989-2976
Email: david.welter@cfschools.org (until August 1, 2016)
david.welter14@gmail.com
I will be retiring from the Cedar Falls Community School District effective June 30, 2016
after 37 years in education here in Cedar Falls. I have been a passionate supporter of
Education in our community since 1979 when I arrived in Cedar Falls from Iowa State
University where I coached baseball and obtained my Master’s Degree. I have spent
time at Cedar Falls High School, Peet Jr. High and as the Principal at Holmes Jr. High
the past 16 years. My ongoing career goal is to continue to help make a positive
difference for all people here in the community by continuing to advocate and offer
support for programs designed to do the same.
MEDIA INFORMATION
Waterloo Courier: http://wcfcourier.com/ or (800) 798-1702, Fax: (319) 291-2069
KCNZ Radio: 319-988-3945 KXEL Radio: 319-234-2200 Mix 96
Radio: 319-277-1918
KWWL Television: 1-800-947-7746 or 319-291-1240 Fax 319-291-1233 email:
kwwlnews@kwwl.com
CAREER SUMMARY
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
INSTITUTION AND LOCATION
Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa
Degree: Bachelor of Special Studies
Major: U. S. History, Health, and Physical Education
Certification: Secondary Education (grades 7-12)
1972 — 1976
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Degree: Master of Science
Major: Education
Emphasis: Athletic Administration

2. 1978 — 1980
University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Non-Degree: Secondary Administrative Certification
1980 — 1983
Advanced Studies in Educational Administration
Superintendent’s Endorsement
1984 — Present
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
40 years in Education
Institution and Location Position Dates
Holmes Jr. High School Principal 2000-present
Peet Jr. High School Associate Principal/ A.D. 1989-2000
Cedar Falls HS/Peet Jr. High Teacher/Coach/A.D. 1979-1989
Iowa State University Baseball Coach 1978-1979
Sioux City Heelan High School Teacher/Coach 1976-1978
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
HONORS AND ACTIVITIES:
• Russell Landis Scholarship for Student Athletes at Cornell College, 1972-1976
• Recipient of Cornell’s Kelly Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teacher Education
• Member of Letterman’s Club, 1972-1976 (Cornell)
Student Director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 1975-1976 (Cornell)
Selected as camp counselor at FCA National Convention in Granby, Colorado,
1976
Adult sponsor for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Cedar Falls High School
Chapter,
1983-1984
• Director of Prospective Student Recruitment, 1975-76 (Cornell)
• Member of Football Team — four year letterman (Cornell) Chosen “Offensive Player of
Week”
• Member of Baseball team — four year letterman (Cornell)
Four year All-Conference Selection — baseball
Three year captain of baseball team
Qualified for Conference Playoffs — baseball 1973-76
Conference Runner-up — baseball 1973, 1975
Chosen as a member of Midwest All-Star Team — baseball 1975-1976

3. • Selected as Cornell’s Sportsman of the Year 1976
• Invited to attend Cincinnati Reds Spring Camp 1976
• Big-8 Conference Coach of Year — baseball — 1986, 1987, 1988
• Selected Northeast District Coach of the Year — baseball — 1987, 1988
• Chosen “Young Educator of the Year” 1987 by the Cedar Falls/Waterloo Jaycees
• Member of Cedar Falls Schools Activity Council
• Member of Church Council at Nazareth Lutheran Church 1989-1991
President of Young Couples Club 1986-87
Member of Youth Council
Chairperson of Evangelism Committee 1989-1991
Eighth grade Sunday School Instructor
Confirmation Instructor (Jr. High)
Member of Call Committee at Nazareth Lutheran Church (2009)
• Chosen the “High School Coach of the Year” by the Cornell College Alumni
Association 1989
• District Director IHSADA 1988-89, 1989-90 (Northeast District)
• Executive Board Member IHSADA (1988-1990) (1998-2000)
• Nominated as Junior High Athletic Director of Year IHSADA (1989) (1998)
• Inducted into the IHSBCA Baseball Hall of Fame (1996)
• Selected SAI State of Iowa Principal of the Year (2012)
• Nominated as NASSP candidate for National Principal of the Year (2013)
• Selected as National After School Champion by the National After School Alliance
(2013)
RELATED COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Baseball —
• Coached Waterloo Columbus American Legion team to city and sectional titles 1975,
1976
• Head Varsity Baseball Coach at Heelan High School, Sioux City 1977-1978
City Champs 1977-1978
District Champs 1977-1978
Sub-State Champs 1977
State Runner-up 1977
Overall record at Heelan High School — 78-10
• Selected Northwest District Coach of Year 1977
• Assistant Baseball Coach at Morningside College, Sioux City 1977-1978
North Central Conference Champs 1977
N.C.A.A. Division II Regional Playoff Qualifiers 1977
• Assistant Coach Iowa State University 1978-1979 Defensive Alignment and Battery
responsibilities.
Recruiting responsibility in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Illinois, and Indiana
• Manager of the Slater Nite-Hawks Semi-Pro Club (baseball) 1978
42-3 record in 1978 State N.B.C. runner-up
Regional Qualifiers in N.B.C. National Tournament
• Head Varsity Baseball Coach at Cedar Falls High School, Cedar Falls, 1980-1997
Big 5 Champs 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990

4. Big 8 Runner-up 1980, 1981, 1990, 1991
Big 8 Champions 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
District Finalist 1980, 1981. 1982. 1983, 1986, 1988
Sub-State Finalist 1980, 1988, 1989
State 4A Qualifiers 1989
Overall High School Career record (baseball) 497-248
• Have coached 26 IDPA All-State players 1977-1996
• Head Coach for the Cedar Falls American Legion Baseball program 1981, 1982, 1983,
1984
Overall record of 45-12
District Champs 1982
State Qualifiers 1982
• Camp Director of the “Cyclone Baseball Camp” at Iowa State University 1979-2000
• Assistant to Midwest Scouting Supervisor Bill Clark of the Cincinnati Reds
Organization
1976-1988
Assisted in coordinating Try-out Camps in Iowa for the Cincinnati Reds
Organization 1976-1988
• Recommending Scout for the Atlanta Braves Organization 1989-present
Football —
• Varsity Offensive Line Coach at Heelan High School, Sioux City 1976, 1977
Sioux Interstate Conference Champs 1976, 1977
Mythical State Champs 1976
Playoff Semi-finalists 1976, 1977
Led Sioux Interstate Conference in rushing 1976, 1977
• Assistant Coach Cedar Falls High School 1979-1988
Undefeated Big-8 Conference Camps 1980
State 4A Runner-up 1983
State 4A Champs 1986
Freshman Metro Champs 1984
Wrestllnq -
• Varsity Assistant at Heelan High School, Sioux City 1976-1978
Sioux Interstate Conference Champs 1977
Coached four state qualifiers
• Wrestling Coach at Peet Junior High, Cedar Falls 1980-1988
Metro Champs 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987
Record at Peet Junior High — 88 wins and 7 losses
RELATED INSTRUCTIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE:
• Secondary Instructor Heelan High School 1976-1978
Instructor of Social Studies and Physical Education
Assistant to Athletic Director with scheduling responsibilities
• Physical Education instructor as Graduate Assistant at Iowa State University 1978-
1979
• Field Experience with Max Urick (Assistant Athletic Director at Iowa State University)
1979

5. • Field Experience with Dave Harty (Iowa High School Athletic Association) 1979
• Secondary Instructor Cedar Falls High School 1979-1989
Instructor in Economics, United States and World History
• Assistant to Athletic Director at Cedar Falls High School 1979-1988 Tournament
management responsibility
Tiger Wrestling Invitationals 1980-1988
Big-8 Wrestling Meet 1983
District Wrestling Meet 1982, 1986
Tiger Swim Invitational 1981, 1983
Freshman Wrestling Invitational 1981-1988
Sophomore Wrestling Quadrangle 1980-1984
• Athletic Director at Peet Junior High, Cedar Falls, 1983-2000
• Field Experience with Larry Munksgaard, Cedar Falls High School, in conjunction with
Dr. Donald Hanson (UNI) 1983
• Associate Principal/Athletic Director at Peet Junior High, Cedar Falls 1989-2000
• Have produced weekly lesson plans for coaches/athletes in the Cedar Falls Drug and
Alcohol Prevention program 1988-2000
Have presented in-service programs throughout the state on the Cedar Falls
“Teamwork” Drug/Alcohol program
• Monitored student attendance, Peet Junior High 1989-2000
• Developed and enhanced a student/staff recognition program at Peet Junior High
1989-2000
• Evaluation of staff on an annual basis — 1989-present
Completed Evaluator Approval Course — June 1989, September 2002
• Have coordinated Special Needs programs at Peet Junior High 1989-2000
Including Full inclusion Plan with modifications (severely handicapped students)
1990-2000
• Developed a program that promoted home/school relationships focusing on parenting
skills and strategies (presented during P.T.A. meetings) at Peet Junior High
• Have worked closely with local agencies (DHS, JCS, Teen Life Center, CFPD) to
enhance positive home/school relationships
• Created a discipline sharing program between faculty and administration which
emphasized communication/interaction between faculty, parents, and administration
• Assisted in writing and implementing an R.S.D.S. plan at Peet Junior High
Attended Judy Wood In-service on R.S.D.S. “Trainer of Trainers” workshop — SAALE
Model
• Attended “Conflict Resolution” training at U.N.I. Incorporated it’s principles in “Peet
P.R.I.D.E.” program
• Developed “Peet P.R.I.D.E.” program (People Respecting Individual Differences Exist)
Wrote bi-weekly lesson plans focusing on issues of respect/diversity/self esteem
(lessons shared with students by staff)
• Attended “Boys Town” Intervention Training workshop — fall of 1989
Have incorporated its intervention principles into Peet Junior High’s discipline
program.
Includes intervention strategies: student contracts, essays, learning packets and
apologies.

6. In-serviced staff on intervention strategies — fall of 1989
• Have coordinated and instructed “Captains Group” at Peet Junior High 1989 — 2000
Identify and instruct potential leaders in grades 7/8/9
• Have assisted with Student Council, Peet Junior High 1989 — 2000
• Member of Metro “Gang Task Force”. Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Iowa 1990-present
• Member of “Alternative Education” Task Force, Cedar Falls Community Schools 1992-
2000
• Participated in “Building Level Committee” planning process, Peet Junior High 1991-
2000
• Liaison with AEA 7 Support Team personnel, Peet Junior High 1989-2000
• Participated on Transformation Team, Peet Junior High 1991-2000
• Attended “Urban Potential” Training seminar, diversity training, Peet Junior High,
Spring 1991. Have incorporated strategies for diversity in “Peet P.R.I.D.E.” and
“Teamwork” drug/alcohol lessons
• Completed Covey Leadership training in “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” and
“Building Trust”
• Coordinated and implemented Four Oaks Safe Schools program within district
• Collaborated as Four Oaks board member 1999-2009
• Principal at Holmes Junior High 2000-present
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
• Recommending Scout for the Atlanta Braves, Inc.
• American Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation
• Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association 1989-2002
• Executive Board Member — Iowa High School Athletic Director Association (Junior
High Representative) (1988-1989) (1998-2000)
• School Administrators of Iowa (S.A.I.) 1989-present
Member of Legislative Action committee
• National Association Secondary School Principals (NASSP) 1989-2016
• Iowa After School Alliance 2007-present
• Iowa After School Alliance Board Member 2009 to present
• Iowa State Public Policy Group liaison 2007 to present
WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS ATTENDED THE PAST FIVE
YEARS
•Reading in the Content Area; University of Northern Iowa (2005-06)
• IASB Conference; Presenter on Successful Reading Strategies (2008)
• Mott Foundation’s National After School Alliance Conference (Tucson, February 2008)
Presenter
•Iowa After School Alliance Seminar at UNI; Presenter on Successful After School
Programming (2009)
•Adjunct Instruction UNI; 2005-present (Organizational Strategies in Administration)
•Evaluator II Training (2008) Evaluator III training (2010)
•Member of Call Committee at Nazareth Lutheran Church (2009)
•Guest Blogger for After School Alliance (Washington, DC); authored article about 21st
CCLC “Making Learning Stick” at Holmes Junior High

7. •Instructional Practices Inventory (IPI) Training (2010)
•Evaluator III Training (2011)
•Professional Learning Communities Seminar, Minneapolis 2011
•Instructional Practices Inventory (IPI) Training (2011)
•Presenter, National Beyond School Hours Conference; Atlanta-2014, Orlando-2015,
Dallas-2016.
•Presenter, Iowa Impact After School Conference : Des Moines-2007 through 2016
PROGRAMS, EDUCATIONAL AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES THE PAST FIVE
YEARS
•Implementation of Every Child Reads Literacy Model, CSIP Plan at Holmes (2003-
present)
Reading For Success Co-Teach model (2003-2010)
Read 180 (2006 -present)
Fusion Reading (2010 - present)
•Implementation of ECHOES After School Program at Holmes (2002- present)
•Supervised and designed complete building renovation implemented (2008-2011)
•Implementation of Character Counts Program infusing weekly “Ethical Dilemmas” on
bullying, substance use/ abuse with strategies to resolve them (2006-present)
•Building Student Management Plan implemented using Boys Town Model principles
(2002-present)
•Regular Professional Development sessions focusing on research based reading
comprehension strategies, student engagement strategies as well as technology and its
uses in the classroom (2002-present)
•Weekly updates to parents and staff using our Student Management system as a
communication tool to keep all stakeholders informed of student achievement,
recognition as well as short and long term schedule and calendar information (2002-
present)
•Implementation of Transition Day Activities at Holmes Jr. High for incoming 7th
graders
on first day of classes (2009-present)
•Implementation of organizational and study skills strategies throughout building for all
students (2010-present)
• Implementation of “Tiger Time” Intervention and Enrichment during the School Day as
part of our PLC process making all teachers available to all students each day. Also
connected our After School program with this initiative which has increased motivation
and engagement resulting in consistent student achievement gains.
HONORS AND AWARDS THE PAST FIVE YEARS
•Presented the ISEA TEAM AWARD (2005)
•Education Partner Award Presented by City of Cedar Falls (2010)
•Recognition from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for “work based learning
opportunities” (2010)
(How Expanded Learning Options Can Reimagine Education)

8. Holmes and Cedar Falls Community Credit Union were a featured partnership in
a snapshot of a work based learning opportunity that featured the Tiger Branch, a
student run, functioning branch of the Credit Union
•The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation featured Holmes Jr. High in their “Make it Stick”
campaign (2010) The Mott foundation is promoting when academics are connected to
the real world, learning becomes relevant and it sticks. The Holmes Jr. High ECHOES
program is featured on MakeItStick.org as well as a Tiger Branch commercial written
and produced by Holmes students
•Holmes Think Aloud/Write Aloud and Fusion Reading strategies are being featured in a
video presentation on successful teaching strategies being produced by the New York
Institute of Technology (2010)
• Selected State of Iowa Principal of the Year 2012 (SAI)
• Nominated as candidate for National Principal of the Year 2013 (NASSP)
• Selected as National After School Champion by the National After School Alliance
2013
•Recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Iowa After School Alliance
2016
CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY
As I review my 40 years in education, I have made it my focus to care about each
individual student I have had contact with throughout those years. It is my hope I will
remain in those students memories as someone they could trust and count on to help
them be successful, not only guiding them to use the talents each of them have, but by
also giving their best effort when applying those talents. Whether that happens on the
playing field, in the classroom, on the job or by serving others, I would consider that to
be my outstanding contribution to both my school and community.
Additional contributions include:
•Coaching and mentoring High School and Junior High Athletes from 1979-2000 in
Cedar Falls
•Directing the designing and building Robinson Dresser Sports Complex in Cedar Falls
in 1989
•Implementing a consistent student management plan at Holmes Jr. High with
student/staff input
•Implementing an effective research based Literacy Model as part of the Holmes CSIP
plan that includes Reading for Success, Fusion Reading and Read 180 initiatives
•Implementing an effective CSIP plan that addressed the learning gap between our Low
SES, General Education and IEP populations
•Implementing a new Special Education Delivery Model for our level 2-3 students that
focuses on Highly Qualified Instructors as well as their integration into the educational
setting throughout the day
•Continuation and refinement of our Project Success Co-Teaching model to serve our
at-risk population
•Implemented our Character Counts program which focuses on weekly ‘ethical
dilemmas’ that students face as well as ways to solve them

9. •Creating and sustaining an After School program that has gained both State and
National recognition as a model for connecting academics to the real world by offering
engaging and high interest opportunities for students as well as academic, recreational,
social and emotional support in the After School setting
•Development and implementation of a School Safety plan including lock down
procedures as well as off-site evacuation plans and procedures
•Planning, directing and oversight of a multi-million dollar renovation project at Holmes
Jr. High
•Implementation of a consistent delivery plan to update staff on technology and its uses
in the classroom
•Hands on leadership of Professional Development and Teacher Quality at Holmes Jr.
High
•Effective and consistent communication of our student’s accomplishments and
achievements as well as our goals and initiatives to all stakeholders in our community
•Member of local Gang Task Force and Four Oaks Board
• Establishing a consistent focus on a “team concept” of building leadership that
includes input from students, staff and parents
• Implementation of “Tiger Time” Intervention and Enrichment during the School Day as
part of our PLC process making all teachers available to all students each day
•Member of Nazareth Lutheran Church Council, Call Committee and variety of other
Church committees and Study groups
CAREER SUMMARY ESSAY
As I reflect on my years as a building leader, and what I have learned in my 21 years as
a Junior High Principal, I probably would have had a different perspective a few years
ago, but given a life changing event in the spring of 2009, my thoughts are clear.
On my 55th
birthday in February of 2009, I was diagnosed with throat cancer and given
a 50 % chance of survival. I struggled with the diagnosis, and how I would share that
diagnosis with family, friends as well as my students and staff. I had too many things I
had yet hoped to accomplish in my life. I have always held my students and staff in a
special place in my heart, but the day I shared my diagnosis and subsequent leave of
absence for treatment, I found out how important those relationships I had developed
over the years truly were. My students and staff as well as my family and friends helped
provide me the strength I needed to summon the physical, emotional and mental
toughness I needed to defeat the cancer which had invaded my body. The support and
encouragement my family and I received from my “educational family” was powerfully
overwhelming and helped me through the rigorous treatment process.
You might ask how this pertains to any aspect of the middle level principalship, and I
would simply say that at this level, or at any other level for that matter, there is nothing
more important than establishing a caring relationship for your students. In today’s
society, the world is doing everything it can to steal our time. Everything from email to
social media, networking to State and Federal mandates, there is always “one more

10. thing” being asked of us as educational leaders. As leaders, we have to keep a “full
tank” to deal with the many issues that come our way. I can truly say that each time my
“tank” is running a bit low, it is the relationships I have developed that keep me plugging
along, providing me the energy I need to stay on top of my responsibility to serve the
needs of my students and staff.
Given my experiences in educational leadership, I have come to recognize that the key
component to student achievement is a positive and caring relationship and atmosphere
within the school setting. The many programs and strategies we have developed
collaboratively here at Holmes have always had that centered focus, and as a result,
our building has had some wonderful successes because both kids and staff realize that
what we are doing is being done to help each student develop the individual talents and
gifts they each have so they can become the best person they can possibly be. Those
relationships, whether with students or staff, have taken an investment of time and what
I refer to as a “servant attitude” to develop.
So, if I could change one thing for the next generation of educational leaders who have
the opportunity to experience the joys of leading and working with young people that I
have enjoyed, it would be to keep a positive and caring relationship and atmosphere as
well as a “servant attitude” within the school setting as your main priority. It is so easy
to develop an imbalance in our lives as Administrators, but by keeping this perspective,
I feel that a truly collaborative approach will be developed by all involved (students, staff
and parents) to help battle the “time crunch” we all face when dealing not only with
providing quality management for the daily operations of a building, but also providing
innovative and effective instructional leadership.
I have been extremely fortunate to have experienced our district and community’s
support for professional development here at Holmes Junior High. Research indicates
that the most important factor after hiring top quality teachers is to improve student
achievement through focused professional development. Such development is
centered on using student performance data to alter instruction and curriculum. This
type of development takes extended periods of time that need to be spread throughout
the year. This is a task that takes many hands, and a spirit of collaboration is necessary
to establish the time and resources to help our students become better achievers. I truly
believe as an instructional leader that by modeling the priority of positive, caring
relationships and a “servant attitude”, a spirit of collaboration will be established and the
desired outcome of helping students become better achievers will be accomplished.
In summary, I would like to say that from my perspective, the career path I have chosen
has given back to me many times over what I may have been able to offer those I have
served throughout my career. Effective educational leaders must be prepared to build
their relationships with students, staff and parents on solid ground; at all times keeping
their focus on what is best for students. My hope is that as educational leaders, we can
demonstrate our passion, zeal and love for our students and staff in the way we live our
lives and perform our jobs.

11. There are so many things I’d like to share about what my family and I have been
blessed with throughout my career as a building administrator, so I have listed below
links to my journal and story shared with students, parents and staff since 2009 for
anyone who may choose to read them. I’m anxiously looking forward to many more
years of service to students, staff and community, in a slightly different way. .
Reflections from the Home Team Journal:
http://reflectionsfromthehometeam.blogspot.com/
Link to Reflections from the "Home Team"... Go the Distance:
http://vimeo.com/53873087