A new initiative hopes to empower young Latina women to become the next generation of leaders in Iowa.

The Latina Leadership Initiative of Greater Des Moines (LLI) will launch its first class in the fall of 2013 with graduation in spring 2014. The program has a unique curriculum that is designed to advise Latina women on how to grow personally and professionally within their own community, as well as the mainstream community.

“Its creation is necessary to the future of the Latino community in that it fills a gap where there is a lack of culturally appropriate leadership support for promising Latina women,” said Sonia Parras Konrad, chairwoman of the 12-member steering committee that oversees the program. “The women will receive the encouragement necessary to be who they are and who they want to be while helping them realize their potential.”

The best teachers are often the ones trying to find creative ways to communicate their message and now one telecoms firm in the state is offering assistance with that cause.

The CenturyLink Foundation’s Teachers and Technology grant program, administered by the Iowa Association of School Boards, is accepting applications from teachers who want to implement technology in their classroom to increase student achievement.

“The grants recognize and reward teachers on the cutting edge of digital learning who do everything possible to create technology-rich learning experiences in their classrooms,” said Tom Downs, executive director of the Iowa Association of School Boards. “Digital fluency will be required for all students to be successful, and we are excited to be part of helping this grant program provide support to teachers who offer meaningful and creative higher-level learning opportunities for their students.”