Assessing Academic Rigor Course Added for This Summer

We have added another Assessing Academic Rigor course to the catalog! This course is required for school administrators (superintendents, central office administration, building principals, assistant principals, etc.) and other educational leaders responsible for evaluating educators who are renewing their licenses. The class will be held June 25, 26, July 1 and 8 at the Johnston REC. For more information or to register, click here.

Requirements for a Paraeducator Generalist Certification

In February 2014 the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) approved new competencies for the Paraeducator Generalist and Paraeducator Special Needs Area of Concentration certifications. The new competencies for certification will be effective January 1, 2015. These changes have the possibility to impact many paraeducators as they pursue certification. Please see the Paraeducator Certification Competency Changes page for a list of questions and answers regarding the changes.

Challenging Behavior Presentation April 1

In recognition of Autism Awareness month, join the ASPIRE support group in Ames for a presentation from behavior expert Dr. Sean Casey, as he explains functional behavior assessments and how they can benefit students. Please pass on the attached flyer to parents, teachers and students who may be interested.

April 1, 2014
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Heartland AEA Ames Office

To register, contact Jamie Gurganus, Heartland AEA Parent Coordinator, at jgurganus@heartlandaea.org and include any accommodations needed.

Transition Fair to Help Students Get Ready for Post-Secondary Pursuits

Parents, students ages 14+, educators and AEA staff are invited to attend this fair to gather information that will be of assistance for students with special needs who will be transitioning from high school to post-secondary pursuits.

April 7, 2014
5:30-8:30 p.m.
ADM High School, Adel

Click here to register. Please pass on the attached flyer to parents, teachers and students who may be interested.

Introducing Pebble Go for Young Readers!

Heartland AEA is pleased to announce the addition of Pebble Go to the digital content available for schools. http://www.pebblego.com

Beginning readers and beginning researchers (of any age) can use these leveled texts, read-aloud ebooks and videos at school and at home to learn about

Animals
Earth & Space
Biographies
Social Studies

Pebble Go includes games, articles, activities, word finds, lesson plans and correlations to standards. The read-aloud text highlights words as read. There is an easy-to-use search feature. Short videos illustrate concepts. It has been used successfully in Pella (Lincoln and Madison), Southeast Polk (Centennial & Mitchellville), Van Meter and West Des Moines (Phenix).

The username/password is the same one used for the other Heartland AEA online databases. You may want to share this URL and username/password with parents so students can use Pebble Go at home.

Reproducibles
You’ll find some fun and engaging reproducibles in Pebble Go so students can draw, practice writing and share what they learn. Teachers can, of course, make their own copies. Or, you can order multiple copies from Heartland AEA at a cost of $.02 a sheet.

Mobile Access
A new version that will work on mobile devices and iPads will be available April 2014.

If you have questions about Pebble Go or any online resource provided by Heartland AEA, contact Susan Schrader, Director of Resources and Library Services, at sschrader@heartlandaea.org.

Creative Services Can Do Your Spring Printing!

It's spring and your school is bustling with activity! Remember that Heartland AEA Creative Services can design and print materials for prom, graduation and other springtime activities. Click here to see samples of what we have done for area schools.

For more information, contact Creative Services at creativeservices@heartlandaea.org or 
(800) 255-0405 ext. 14368.

Reminder: Johnston REC Closed & No Heartland AEA Vans Week of March 15-22

The Agency has successfully made it through the first month of the Johnston REC HVAC remodeling project, and things are progressing largely on schedule. As was previously communicated, our Johnston REC building will be completely closed the week of March 15-22. No one will be allowed in the building during this week, and there will be no van delivery to schools. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but tried to schedule this interruption when many schools are on spring break. 

We would appreciate it if you would pass this message on to everyone in your district/school.

Stipend Opportunity for Mathematics Teacher-Teams of ELLs and Other Diverse Students

The course, Empowering Middle and High School ELLs in the Mathematics Core, will be held on April 12 and 26, and License Renewal and EDEX graduate credit are being offered.

The participants will examine strategies and techniques to assist English Language Learners develop both language skills and content knowledge in the mathematics classroom. Teachers will practice and take away useful strategies rooted in the firm understanding of the language acquisition process. Teachers will examine the principles of differentiation as they apply specifically to ELLs. Teachers will also examine how language-rich instruction and hands-on experiences empower ELLs with the skills to be successful in mathematics.

Title III funds will provide a stipend of $200 for all grade 5-12 educators who fulfill the course requirements and are currently employed within the Heartland AEA ELL consortium. Des Moines Public Schools educators are also eligible to receive the stipend through Vinh Nguyen, DMPS ELL Coordinator.

Click here to register. Please pass this information on to eligible teachers.

ISPRA Spring Conference, April 3-4

The Iowa School Public Relations Association (ISPRA) is an organization of public relations professionals, superintendents, principals, teachers and others interested in fostering understanding and support for education. Their annual spring conference will be held on Thursday, April 3-4, 2014 in West Des Moines. Click here for more information and to register.

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.

Upcoming Iowa ASCD Learning Opportunities

Curriculum Leadership Academy
April 10 & 11, 2014
Hilton Garden Inn, Johnston, IA
Click here for more information about the Iowa ASCD 12th Annual Curriculum Leadership Academy. The Curriculum Leadership Academy will be held on April 10 and 11 and is designed for those who have leadership responsibilities in the areas of curriculum, instruction, assessment or professional development.

2nd Annual Competency-Based Education Conference
June 23 & 24, 2014
Iowa Events Center, Des Moines, IA
CBE provides a strong framework for teachers and administrators to understand the Iowa Core and ensure students are college, career and citizenship-ready. Come learn how students can learn and demonstrate competencies which will endure throughout time. Click here for more information.

Click here to register for either or both events.

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.

Scholarship Opportunity for Students

The Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church is conducting an essay contest and will present five scholarships ranging from $1,000 - $200.  The contest is open to students who are high school juniors or seniors during the current school year (2013-2014) who live in Iowa or attend an Iowa high school. Students need not be a member of a United Methodist church or any other religious body. 

"Causes and results of inequitable distribution of wealth, opportunity or education" is the topic for this year. Essays must be 1,000 words or less and sent to Paul Linn in Word.doc at plinn@msn.com on or before March 21. The student must include a brief summary of activities that he/she has participated in at school or in the community including efforts for social justice. Also included should be the student’s name, address, phone number, name of high school and name of counselor. Awards will be presented during Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in June in Des Moines, Iowa.

If you have questions, contact Paul Linn at (515) 225-6150.

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.