Friday, February 24, 2012
Requested Item: School/District Academic Composite Calendar
Each year, Heartland AEA makes a composite calendar with all our schools'/districts' start dates, teacher workdays/in-services, early dismissals, holidays/no school days, etc. We create this composite by gathering districts' and non-public schools' calendars. We make the composite to help our regional directors, practitioners, library staff and van delivery staff be more aware of what's happening in your district and how best to serve you. When your 2012-2013 academic calendar is approved, please send it to Claire Sowder at csowder@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Iowa's AEAs are "Impacting Lives"
Through their many years of service, Iowa’s Area Education Agencies have impacted the lives of many Iowa children, youth and educators. Individuals have shared how Iowa’s AEAs have supported them in the latest edition of Impacting Lives, a blog newsletter that shares AEA stories across the state. Find the Impacting Lives blog at http://aeas4iowa.wordpress.com/.
- Providing Resources to Brighten Children's Futures: Caroline’s Story
- Supporting 1:1 Schools in Northeast Iowa
- Early Intervention Brings Boy’s Speech Up to Speed
- Collaborating to Build Social Skills
- 21st Century Learners Conference: Great Day of Learning for Green Hills Area Educators
- Swift Interventions Unleash Boy's Potential
- Assistive Technology Works for Student with Autism
- Braille Contests Offer Unique Experiences for Visually Impaired Students
- Closing the Achievement Gap for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
- Iowa’s AEAs – Partners in Education!
March Curriculum Network Meeting
The March Curriculum Network Meeting will be held on Friday, March 2 in Rooms 13A & B of the Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston). We will begin at 8:30 a.m. with Our Time–Our Topic discussions.
The morning will also include a brief overview of the Iowa Core Investigation materials for Mathematics and English/Language Arts. A more in depth session will be offered in the afternoon (1:15-3:00 p.m.) in Rooms 13A & B.
The focus for the afternoon centers around the following questions:
The morning will also include a brief overview of the Iowa Core Investigation materials for Mathematics and English/Language Arts. A more in depth session will be offered in the afternoon (1:15-3:00 p.m.) in Rooms 13A & B.
The focus for the afternoon centers around the following questions:
- How do you "unpack" the Iowa Core standards?
- Do my teachers have a deep understanding of the Iowa Core in the areas of Mathematics and English/Language Arts?
- How will I/do I know this?
- What do I need to plan to support the teachers in developing or expanding their understanding of the Iowa Core content?
Spring 2012 HEART Classes
We will be offering a HEART for administrators and HEART behavior module class March 6 in the computer lab of the Heartland Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive).
If you are interested, you may register for either one or both sessions. Register through the Heartland Professional Development catalog on our home page. Copy the appropriate activity number and paste it into the search box on the registration page in the browser.
HEART Overview
The HEART Overview for Administrators class is intended for school leaders new to HEART and those who want a refresher. In this training we will cover the use of HEART, security setup and cleanup, as well as general Q&A. This class is intended for building/district leaders who will be responsible for local implementation of HEART. Among others, this may include superintendents, principals, technology and/or curriculum coordinators, but may also include building/district clerical personnel who provide major support for HEART.
March 6, 2012 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: AS003792111204
HEART Behavior Module
The HEART Behavior Module class will cover the setup and operation of the behavior module as well as some discussion of its use in a building/district setting. We recommend the behavior training be attended by at least one administrator and another person who will assist with technical support (primarily building data files for import). We also encourage the school to invite members of the AEA team such as the School Psychologist and/or School Social Worker, as they may be able to assist in the implementation of the behavior module in your building/district.
March 6, 2012 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Activity Number: AS003692111201
Questions can be directed to Connor Hood at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14506 or chood@aea11.k12.ia.us.
If you are interested, you may register for either one or both sessions. Register through the Heartland Professional Development catalog on our home page. Copy the appropriate activity number and paste it into the search box on the registration page in the browser.
HEART Overview
The HEART Overview for Administrators class is intended for school leaders new to HEART and those who want a refresher. In this training we will cover the use of HEART, security setup and cleanup, as well as general Q&A. This class is intended for building/district leaders who will be responsible for local implementation of HEART. Among others, this may include superintendents, principals, technology and/or curriculum coordinators, but may also include building/district clerical personnel who provide major support for HEART.
March 6, 2012 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: AS003792111204
HEART Behavior Module
The HEART Behavior Module class will cover the setup and operation of the behavior module as well as some discussion of its use in a building/district setting. We recommend the behavior training be attended by at least one administrator and another person who will assist with technical support (primarily building data files for import). We also encourage the school to invite members of the AEA team such as the School Psychologist and/or School Social Worker, as they may be able to assist in the implementation of the behavior module in your building/district.
March 6, 2012 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Activity Number: AS003692111201
Questions can be directed to Connor Hood at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14506 or chood@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Heartland Regional iPad Trainings
Many school districts across the state are integrating iPads as the technology of the future often through an adoption of a 1:1 technology initiative or by purchasing individual classroom sets. To help schools and educators successfully infuse iPads into instruction, Heartland’s Educational Technology team has scheduled a series of regional iPad trainings where participants explore various iPad apps that support the Universal Constructs of the Iowa Core.
If you are interested, you may register for either one or both sessions. Register through the Heartland Professional Development catalog on our home page. Copy the appropriate activity number and paste it into the search box on the registration page in the browser.
March 5, 2012 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Room 13B of Johnston REC (6500 Corporate Drive)
Activity Number: TE092992111203
May 1, 2012 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Zion Church (4300 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines)
Activity Number: TE092999991201
May 7, 2012 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Adel AEA Office (602 Visions Parkway)
Activity Number: TE092992111205
May 10, 2012 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Indianola AEA Office (115 W. Salem Avenue)
Activity Number: TE092992111204
If you are interested, you may register for either one or both sessions. Register through the Heartland Professional Development catalog on our home page. Copy the appropriate activity number and paste it into the search box on the registration page in the browser.
March 5, 2012 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Room 13B of Johnston REC (6500 Corporate Drive)
Activity Number: TE092992111203
May 1, 2012 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Zion Church (4300 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines)
Activity Number: TE092999991201
May 7, 2012 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Adel AEA Office (602 Visions Parkway)
Activity Number: TE092992111205
May 10, 2012 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Indianola AEA Office (115 W. Salem Avenue)
Activity Number: TE092992111204
Reflection of AIW Regional Collaboration Day, February 17, 2012
Approximately 680 educators representing 36 buildings in 15 Heartland districts are currently improving their instructional practices through involvement in Authentic Intellectual Work (AIW). For each of the past four years, teachers incorporating authentic pedagogy into their instructional practices have gathered in the middle of winter to collaboratively score and discuss teacher tasks, student work and actual classroom instruction through DE-sponsored events. AIW offers teachers opportunities to reflect on their practice, through research-based criteria within a framework, while gathering feedback from colleagues, all in order to change what goes on in the classroom toward the benefit of improved learning for all students.
On Friday, February 17, Heartland sponsored its first AIW Regional Collaboration Day (and the fifth as part of statewide efforts). More than 250 K-12 educators attended the full day at Stilwell Junior High School in West Des Moines. They gathered in similar content areas, by grade band, and, through the facilitation of a Heartland-area AIW teacher-leader, scored tasks/assessments, pieces of student work and reviewed video clips of instruction brought by presenting teachers seeking feedback. In addition, several individual participants were captured on video offering thoughts on the practices of authentic pedagogy; some teams were recorded while scoring and discussing artifacts from classrooms. The video recordings will be compiled into an informational DVD for agency and LEA use.
The Heartland AIW coaches welcome your questions or comments on AIW. Please direct your feedback to an AIW team member listed below.
Becca Lindahl, blindahl@aea11.k12.ia.us
Teresa Bellinghausen, tbellinghausen@aea11.k12.ia.us
Mary Schmidt, mschmidt@aea11.k12.ia.us
Sue Ford, sford@aea11.k12.ia.us
Linda Moehring, lmoehring@aea11.k12.ia.us
On Friday, February 17, Heartland sponsored its first AIW Regional Collaboration Day (and the fifth as part of statewide efforts). More than 250 K-12 educators attended the full day at Stilwell Junior High School in West Des Moines. They gathered in similar content areas, by grade band, and, through the facilitation of a Heartland-area AIW teacher-leader, scored tasks/assessments, pieces of student work and reviewed video clips of instruction brought by presenting teachers seeking feedback. In addition, several individual participants were captured on video offering thoughts on the practices of authentic pedagogy; some teams were recorded while scoring and discussing artifacts from classrooms. The video recordings will be compiled into an informational DVD for agency and LEA use.
The Heartland AIW coaches welcome your questions or comments on AIW. Please direct your feedback to an AIW team member listed below.
Becca Lindahl, blindahl@aea11.k12.ia.us
Teresa Bellinghausen, tbellinghausen@aea11.k12.ia.us
Mary Schmidt, mschmidt@aea11.k12.ia.us
Sue Ford, sford@aea11.k12.ia.us
Linda Moehring, lmoehring@aea11.k12.ia.us
Des Moines Arts Festival® Seeks Student Artists for On-Site Exhibition
The 2012 Des Moines Arts Festival® is now accepting submissions for student artists to participate in the Nurturing a Student’s Vision: Celebrating Artists K-12 student art exhibition (NSV) on-site at the Festival on June 22-24, 2012, in downtown Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park! Sponsored by Hubbell Homes, Des Moines Art Center and Des Moines Arts Festival® this program spotlights the creativity of central Iowa’s youngest artists!
Art teachers from eligible schools in the Heartland area may select artwork from up to four students to submit for the exhibition. These selected pieces from students in grades K-12 will be showcased for all to see at the NSV display throughout the three-day Festival weekend. The artistic achievements of these participating students will also be celebrated at the Visionary Artist Ceremony on June 23 at 11:00 a.m. at the Festival. Each student will receive a Certificate of Appreciation along with a Des Moines Art Center Student Membership presented by Rick Tollakson, Hubbell Homes President and CEO.
In addition to the exhibition, a jury will choose artwork from five of the participating students to be made into banners that accompany the exhibit on-site at the Festival. Following the Festival, these banners are displayed at the Des Moines Art Center. The entire exhibition will be showcased at downtown Des Moines’ Central Library for six weeks following the Festival.
Art teachers who are interested in participating in the NSV program should visit http://desmoinesartsfestival.org/student_artists.php for all submission forms and guidelines. Letters of intent are due to the Festival by March 16, 2012, to confirm participation.
Please direct NSV participant questions to Ryan Garvey at (515) 286-4923 or rgarvey@desmoinesartsfestival.org.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Art teachers from eligible schools in the Heartland area may select artwork from up to four students to submit for the exhibition. These selected pieces from students in grades K-12 will be showcased for all to see at the NSV display throughout the three-day Festival weekend. The artistic achievements of these participating students will also be celebrated at the Visionary Artist Ceremony on June 23 at 11:00 a.m. at the Festival. Each student will receive a Certificate of Appreciation along with a Des Moines Art Center Student Membership presented by Rick Tollakson, Hubbell Homes President and CEO.
In addition to the exhibition, a jury will choose artwork from five of the participating students to be made into banners that accompany the exhibit on-site at the Festival. Following the Festival, these banners are displayed at the Des Moines Art Center. The entire exhibition will be showcased at downtown Des Moines’ Central Library for six weeks following the Festival.
Art teachers who are interested in participating in the NSV program should visit http://desmoinesartsfestival.org/student_artists.php for all submission forms and guidelines. Letters of intent are due to the Festival by March 16, 2012, to confirm participation.
Please direct NSV participant questions to Ryan Garvey at (515) 286-4923 or rgarvey@desmoinesartsfestival.org.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
UNI Jacobson Center to offer Literacy Coaching Preparation Program to Iowa School Districts
The Jacobson Center for Comprehensive Literacy at the University of Northern Iowa offers teachers a variety of educational and professional development opportunities to enhance literacy education and ultimately improve literacy learning in all children. A key initiative of the center is the Partnerships in Comprehensive Literacy (PCL), a model developed by the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. UNI's Jacobson Center is one of seven national training centers for the PCL, which features a systemic approach to school reform, based on preparing literacy coaches to work with school districts on best practices in literacy instruction.
PCL is dedicated to increasing student achievement. It includes high quality professional development, research-based instructional practices and a comprehensive assessment system. Highly prepared literacy coaches are the key to this effort. PCL literacy coaches are prepared by the Jacobson Center and other PCL centers during the course of a year-long training program. The Jacobson Center will welcome its first class of literacy coaches this summer at the Summer Institute scheduled June 25 through 28 at the Park Place Event Centre in Cedar Falls. Districts and Area Education Agencies are encouraged to send teams of teachers and administrators to the Summer Institute and to apply to have teachers trained to be PCL coaches.
Schools can apply for financial assistance for literacy coach preparation. The program is geared toward current teachers who hold a master's degree in literacy education or other related fields; are employed as a literacy coach in his/her school; hold a minimum of three years of teaching experience; and work in a school with a Reading Recovery program. School administrators must also apply and agree to implement the PCL model with integrity.
Prospective literacy coaches earn 21 hours of UNI graduate-credit coursework. They implement PCL in their schools during their year of preparation, conducting and facilitating professional development sessions with their school faculty and working with their principal to establish school-wide assessment and instructional systems.
For more information about PCL, the summer institute and to apply for the program, visit www.uni.edu/coe/pcl or contact UNI's Jacobson Center at (319) 273-2053 or jccl@uni.edu.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
PCL is dedicated to increasing student achievement. It includes high quality professional development, research-based instructional practices and a comprehensive assessment system. Highly prepared literacy coaches are the key to this effort. PCL literacy coaches are prepared by the Jacobson Center and other PCL centers during the course of a year-long training program. The Jacobson Center will welcome its first class of literacy coaches this summer at the Summer Institute scheduled June 25 through 28 at the Park Place Event Centre in Cedar Falls. Districts and Area Education Agencies are encouraged to send teams of teachers and administrators to the Summer Institute and to apply to have teachers trained to be PCL coaches.
Schools can apply for financial assistance for literacy coach preparation. The program is geared toward current teachers who hold a master's degree in literacy education or other related fields; are employed as a literacy coach in his/her school; hold a minimum of three years of teaching experience; and work in a school with a Reading Recovery program. School administrators must also apply and agree to implement the PCL model with integrity.
Prospective literacy coaches earn 21 hours of UNI graduate-credit coursework. They implement PCL in their schools during their year of preparation, conducting and facilitating professional development sessions with their school faculty and working with their principal to establish school-wide assessment and instructional systems.
For more information about PCL, the summer institute and to apply for the program, visit www.uni.edu/coe/pcl or contact UNI's Jacobson Center at (319) 273-2053 or jccl@uni.edu.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Adobe Youth Voices Aspire Awards
Adobe Youth Voices invites educators to participate in the Aspire Awards, giving young creatives the opportunity to have their work showcased publicly. This media festival seeks to recognize outstanding creative projects that demonstrate imagination and expression along with an evident motivation for social change.
Register: Sign up with Adobe Youth Voices Essentials and receive free creative curriculum covering subjects from printed posters to animated video.
Choose your format: The Aspire Awards will accept entries in the following categories (choose the format that best fits your students and their creative goals):
Need help finding project ideas? Check out the free creative curriculum offered by Adobe Youth Voices Essentials.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Register: Sign up with Adobe Youth Voices Essentials and receive free creative curriculum covering subjects from printed posters to animated video.
Choose your format: The Aspire Awards will accept entries in the following categories (choose the format that best fits your students and their creative goals):
- Animation
- Audio
- Graphic Design
- Digital Photography
- Documentary
- Music Video
- Narrative
- Poetry/Experimental
Need help finding project ideas? Check out the free creative curriculum offered by Adobe Youth Voices Essentials.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Friday, February 17, 2012
HEART and Using the New Iowa Assessments
After some delays, reports and data files for the new Iowa Assessments are starting to be delivered to schools. Naturally, there is some urgency to view the data in HEART and to start using the new reports from the Iowa Testing Program. Here is how the Agency is approaching these issues.
Unfortunately, it will take some time to rewrite the upload, import, storage and reporting features in HEART to handle the new data. The preliminary design ideas have been worked out based on the limited information previously available. Now that we have sample data files, the programming work can begin. Please be aware that it will take at least one to two months to take care of all of the new programming.
Based on what we know so far about the new data, a few changes in HEART are likely. There does not appear to be established proficiency cut points for any tests other than reading, mathematics, written expression, science and social studies for grades 3-11. Without cut points, proficiency graphs cannot be generated for any other tests of the Iowa Assessments or any grades outside of 3-11. Also, we do not have access to the necessary statistical data to build new growth charts which means these graphs will be unusable with the new Iowa Assessment data.
Finally, the individual student report and multi-test display will need some reworking to handle multiple score types in a way that helps prevent misinterpretation of the data. Thank you for your patience with the delays while we make all of the necessary changes.
If you have any further questions about HEART and the transition to the Iowa Assessments, please contact Connor Hood at chood@aea11.k12.ia.us.
As you work with the new Iowa Assessments reports, please remember that Heartland AEA has several resources available to help. There are videos from Iowa Testing Program workshops, handouts, PowerPoint presentations and the support of our Assessment Consultants. Check with your regional director for more details.
Unfortunately, it will take some time to rewrite the upload, import, storage and reporting features in HEART to handle the new data. The preliminary design ideas have been worked out based on the limited information previously available. Now that we have sample data files, the programming work can begin. Please be aware that it will take at least one to two months to take care of all of the new programming.
Based on what we know so far about the new data, a few changes in HEART are likely. There does not appear to be established proficiency cut points for any tests other than reading, mathematics, written expression, science and social studies for grades 3-11. Without cut points, proficiency graphs cannot be generated for any other tests of the Iowa Assessments or any grades outside of 3-11. Also, we do not have access to the necessary statistical data to build new growth charts which means these graphs will be unusable with the new Iowa Assessment data.
Finally, the individual student report and multi-test display will need some reworking to handle multiple score types in a way that helps prevent misinterpretation of the data. Thank you for your patience with the delays while we make all of the necessary changes.
If you have any further questions about HEART and the transition to the Iowa Assessments, please contact Connor Hood at chood@aea11.k12.ia.us.
As you work with the new Iowa Assessments reports, please remember that Heartland AEA has several resources available to help. There are videos from Iowa Testing Program workshops, handouts, PowerPoint presentations and the support of our Assessment Consultants. Check with your regional director for more details.
Check Out the New & Improved Iowa Educators Consortium Website
In a recent customer experience survey, it was obvious that many Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC) clients found the website difficult to navigate and hard to use. As a result, over the past few months IEC staff has been diligently working to create a more user-friendly site to help customers find the information they need when making a purchasing decision.
The IEC is excited to announce the launch of its new and improved website based on customer feedback. The address is the same (www.iec-ia.org) but the site looks completely different.
Some of the improvements include:
The IEC is excited to announce the launch of its new and improved website based on customer feedback. The address is the same (www.iec-ia.org) but the site looks completely different.
Some of the improvements include:
- Top bar navigation that follows your path, page by page
- Detailed category descriptions so you know what type of products are in each category
- Fewer category headings
- A more efficient search box tool to help you find specific products
- At-a-glance list of vendors to make it easier to find your favorite company
- Vendor spotlight feature to provide you with more information on a specific vendor
Earn a Reading Endorsement Through Heartland/Morningside Partnership
Heartland AEA and Morningside College have partnered up to offer a reading endorsement opportunity for area educators. The first class begins July 5, 2012. Two informational sessions have been scheduled for March 13 and March 21 for teachers to find out more about the program. Click here for more information about the sessions. If you have any questions, contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@aea11.k12.ia.us or Lori Pearson at lpearson@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Reminder: "Living in the New Normal" PD Provided by Iowa National Guard
We wanted to remind you of the two-day training for educators which will provide information for those working with military children. Heartland AEA will also offer teacher licensure renewal credit for completing this training.
The training will take place on March 21-22, 2012 at the Iowa Gold Star Museum on Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa (located at 7105 NW 70th Avenue, Johnston, IA 50131). Click here for more information about the training. You can register online by clicking here.
For more information, or if you experience issues completing the online registration form, please contact Jeremy Van Wyk, State Youth Coordinator, at jeremy.vanwyk@us.army.mil or by phone at (515) 252-4040.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
The training will take place on March 21-22, 2012 at the Iowa Gold Star Museum on Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa (located at 7105 NW 70th Avenue, Johnston, IA 50131). Click here for more information about the training. You can register online by clicking here.
For more information, or if you experience issues completing the online registration form, please contact Jeremy Van Wyk, State Youth Coordinator, at jeremy.vanwyk@us.army.mil or by phone at (515) 252-4040.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Friday, February 10, 2012
New Educational Resources and Opportunities via Google
Google has recently launched a new website for Education, a "one-stop" shop of sorts. Check it out at http://www.google.com/edu/index.html. The website has lots of information that is applicable to education.
Google in Education for Primary and Secondary schools provides information on some of the programs for education that Google is involved in, such as the Google Doodle contests, the Google Science Fair and the Google Teacher Academy. Read more about these opportunities in Google’s new booklet available at http://goo.gl/UARHc.
Doodle 4 Google Competition
Google has also announced details for the Doodle 4 Google Competition. The competition invites K-12 students to express the theme--“If I could travel in time, I’d visit...”--as creatively as possible using Google’s logo as their canvas. This year’s winner, along with having his or her doodle featured on the Google homepage for a day, will take home a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for their school. And as an added bonus, the winning Doodle will be featured on a special edition of Crayola’s 64 box!
All submissions must be postmarked by March 20, 2012 and received by March 23.
Check out www.google.com/doodle4google for more details about the Doodle 4 Google competition.
Google in Education for Primary and Secondary schools provides information on some of the programs for education that Google is involved in, such as the Google Doodle contests, the Google Science Fair and the Google Teacher Academy. Read more about these opportunities in Google’s new booklet available at http://goo.gl/UARHc.
Doodle 4 Google Competition
Google has also announced details for the Doodle 4 Google Competition. The competition invites K-12 students to express the theme--“If I could travel in time, I’d visit...”--as creatively as possible using Google’s logo as their canvas. This year’s winner, along with having his or her doodle featured on the Google homepage for a day, will take home a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for their school. And as an added bonus, the winning Doodle will be featured on a special edition of Crayola’s 64 box!
All submissions must be postmarked by March 20, 2012 and received by March 23.
Check out www.google.com/doodle4google for more details about the Doodle 4 Google competition.
February Educator Connection Newsletter
Click here for the latest issue of the Educator Connection newsletter. It was e-mailed last week to all educators in the Heartland area and is intended to keep our educators better connected to our agency and to the many programs and services we offer to educators, students and families. If you have any comments or suggestions for articles you’d like to see, please e-mail them to the Heartland AEA Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Paraeducator Certification and Level II Summer Classes
Heartland AEA is an approved provider of the Paraeducator Generalist Certificate Program. Heartland will continue to offer the Paraeducator Program Online option for paraeducators currently employed in a Heartland area school. Building principals should contact their Heartland Regional Director to get a course set up for their district.
Upon successful completion of the Paraeducator Generalist Certification, paraeducators may receive Level II certification in an area of concentration. Click here for more information of Level II classes being offered this summer through Heartland AEA.
Upon successful completion of the Paraeducator Generalist Certification, paraeducators may receive Level II certification in an area of concentration. Click here for more information of Level II classes being offered this summer through Heartland AEA.
Reminder: ESL Endorsement to Be Offered Through Heartland/Drake Partnership
Heartland and Drake are excited to announce a new partnership to offer an ESL endorsement for area educators. The first of six classes will begin in July 2012 and will finish by the end of summer 2013. A cohort of 25 Heartland area teachers will be the first to have the opportunity to earn this endorsement.
Two informational sessions are scheduled for February 23 and March 5 for teachers to find out more about the program. Click here for more information about the sessions. If you have any questions, contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@aea11.k12.ia.us or Stephaney Jones-Vo at sjonesvo@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Two informational sessions are scheduled for February 23 and March 5 for teachers to find out more about the program. Click here for more information about the sessions. If you have any questions, contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@aea11.k12.ia.us or Stephaney Jones-Vo at sjonesvo@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Iowa State University to Start New Principal Preparation Cohort
Iowa State University’s Educational Administration Program invites teachers looking for their next leadership challenge to apply for the next Greater Des Moines cohort. Please share this announcement with a potential administrator!
Iowa State University is proud to prepare building leaders for the 21st century. Here are highlights of the PreLEAD program:
For further information, contact Dr. Jan Beatty, Educational Administration Clinical Professor at jan1@iastate.edu or (515) 720-7167.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Iowa State University is proud to prepare building leaders for the 21st century. Here are highlights of the PreLEAD program:
- M. Ed. and/or PK-12 Principal/Supervisor or Special Education licensure
- 24-month program, 36 credits
- Outstanding faculty: researchers, practitioners and practicing administrators
- Standards-based curriculum grounded in practice and integrating theory and research
- Face-to-face, hybrid and online course delivery
- Face-to-face classes meet on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays fall and spring terms and during the day summer term at DMACC, Ankeny campus
For further information, contact Dr. Jan Beatty, Educational Administration Clinical Professor at jan1@iastate.edu or (515) 720-7167.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Reminder: Heartland AEA Regional Meeting for NCLB Waiver, Feb. 7
The Department has scheduled a series of meetings across the state to present details about Iowa’s waiver request and give Iowans a chance to weigh in. The format for these meetings is a combination of video, discussion and question and answer.
The Heartland AEA regional meeting will be held Tuesday, February 7, 2012. The meeting will be streamed from the Heartland Regional Education Center at 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston. Satellite sites include Ames High School, Dallas Center-Grimes High School, Newton High School and Knoxville High School.
The Department has scheduled meeting times for the following target audiences:
Superintendents
9:00-10:45 a.m.
Administrators & Board Members
11:00 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Students
1:30-2:45 p.m.
Teachers
4:00-5:45 p.m.
Parents & Other Community Members
6:00-7:45 p.m.
Videos and handouts for the meeting are available at http://educateiowa.gov/.
The Heartland AEA regional meeting will be held Tuesday, February 7, 2012. The meeting will be streamed from the Heartland Regional Education Center at 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston. Satellite sites include Ames High School, Dallas Center-Grimes High School, Newton High School and Knoxville High School.
The Department has scheduled meeting times for the following target audiences:
Superintendents
9:00-10:45 a.m.
Administrators & Board Members
11:00 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Students
1:30-2:45 p.m.
Teachers
4:00-5:45 p.m.
Parents & Other Community Members
6:00-7:45 p.m.
Videos and handouts for the meeting are available at http://educateiowa.gov/.
Superintendents: February 7 HAA Meeting & NCLB Waiver Regional Meeting
Download a PDF or Word Doc of of the February Heartland Administrators Association meeting agenda. Please note that the vast portion of the meeting will be dedicated to the NCLB Waiver input session scheduled by the Department. Director Glass will join us around 10:45 a.m. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 7 in Room 13 A/B of the Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive) and will begin at 9:00 a.m.
Learn About Instructional Practices Inventory Process at March Workshop
If you were unable to attend the Instructional Practices Inventory (IPI) workshops in January, now you may have your chance! Jerry Valentine, Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri and a leading expert on the IPI process, will be back to facilitate a workshop in which participants will develop the skills to document student engagement and learn how to use the profiles to engage in collaborative learning conversations.
Participants may choose to register for the March 5 workshop at I-35 Schools in Truro or the March 6 workshop at Hoyt Middle School in Des Moines. Click here for more information on the IPI process and how to register for the workshops.
Participants may choose to register for the March 5 workshop at I-35 Schools in Truro or the March 6 workshop at Hoyt Middle School in Des Moines. Click here for more information on the IPI process and how to register for the workshops.
UNI Webinar Highlights Research, Collaborative K-12 Partnerships
University of Northern Iowa College of Education is hosting a Hot Topics in Education webinar, "Iowa's Research & Development School-Strategic Directions and Iowa Connectivity," at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, February 23, 2012.
This webinar will present the vision of Iowa's Research & Development School (R&D), research currently occurring at the R&D School, existing collaborative partnerships with K through 12 school districts and new partner opportunities with the R&D School to build a statewide learning network.
Lyn Countryman, interim director and professor at Malcolm Price Laboratory School (MPLS) and Jody Stone, professor at MPLS, will present this webinar. For more information on these webinars or to register, visit www.uni.edu/coe/webinars.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
This webinar will present the vision of Iowa's Research & Development School (R&D), research currently occurring at the R&D School, existing collaborative partnerships with K through 12 school districts and new partner opportunities with the R&D School to build a statewide learning network.
Lyn Countryman, interim director and professor at Malcolm Price Laboratory School (MPLS) and Jody Stone, professor at MPLS, will present this webinar. For more information on these webinars or to register, visit www.uni.edu/coe/webinars.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Check out Drake's Specialist in Education Leadership Program
Click here for more information about a Drake program which is designed for busy principals who are interested in seeking licensure to become school superintendents, central office administrators or Area Education Agency administrators. Information about the program, as well as hard copy handouts, will be shared at next week’s HAA meeting.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
February Edition of "Each and Every Child"
Click here to download the February edition of "Each and Every Child" brought to you by the Department of Education’s Bureau of Student and Family Support Services. The e-newsletter is designed to enhance communication between parents and teachers. Please forward it to your parents, and use the stories as opportunities for discussion.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
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