Our Mission
To improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth by providing services and leadership in partnership with families, schools and communities.
Our Goals
- Increase learning growth for students
- Decrease the gap in achievement
- Increase annual graduation rates
- Increase gateways to post-secondary success
We would like to introduce you to some new faces. Below are two of the new superintendents starting this year in Heartland AEA's area. We’ll introduce more new faces in upcoming issues of the Administrator Connection.
Duane (D.T.) Magee
Norwalk Community School District
Education
Drake Univ. - B.S.E.
Buena Vista University - M.S.E.
Drake University - Ed.S.
Past Work Experience
Five years teaching and coaching in the Jefferson-Scranton CSD; Two years teaching and coaching in the Harlan Community CSD; 10 years of principal experience (HS, MS and elementary) in the Harlan CSD; Three years as HR Director and Assistant Superintendent in the Waukee CSD; Four years as the Executive Director of the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners; Interim Director of the Iowa Department of Education for 10 weeks during the summer of 2013
Why did you decide to pursue the superintendent position at your district?
Norwalk CSD is an outstanding school district that is innovative and high achieving. I sought out the opportunity to lead a school district and be closer to the important work of educating students after having wonderful experiences at the state and national levels.
What is your vision for your district?
To create a world class education system focused on maximizing the potential of each student.
What are your hobbies or things you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, cheering on my favorite sports teams and serving my church.
Trevor Miller
Superintendent-High School Principal
Exira-EHK
Education
BS Degree from Buena Vista University
Masters Degree in Administration and Superintendent Certificate from Iowa State University
Past Work Experience
6-12 Business/Computer teacher at Pleasantville 11 years; Elementary Principal/SBO for Melcher-Dallas one year; Perry Elementary Principal for 3 years
Why did you decide to pursue the superintendent position at your district?
As I was looking at superintendent positions and completing research, I found that the community is very supportive. They have great staff, they’re looking to grow, very student centered, financially sound and a solid school board. This is a great school for my kids to attend!
What is your vision for your district?
To be leaders in 21st Century Learning. To expand our focus of being student centered and having our students being college/career ready. Being creative in providing opportunities for our students. Working with the community to continue to build upon the community and school district's partnership.
What are your hobbies or things you like to do in your free time?
Spend time with my wife and kids, bike ride, run, read when I get a chance and attend sporting events.
School counselors receive many updates and to help them stay current with important information, we’ve created a blog. Share this with school counselors in your district. For questions, contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@heartlandaea.org.
Digital citizenship is a fundamental aspect of being a student, teacher and administrator in PK-12 schools. To that end, Heartland AEA is hosting a FREE Digital Citizenship professional development opportunity on Sept. 13. Sessions will provide teachers and administrators with ideas, information, resources and inspiration to help guide their schools through the many facets of digital citizenship. Ryan Wise, director of the Iowa Department of Education, will provide opening remarks and sessions will focus around Mike Ribble's Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship.
Date: Sept. 13, 2016
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
Register here
Elementary Building Leadership Teams across Heartland AEA are invited to join this workshop to deepen their understanding in Iowa's Big Rocks:
- Effective leadership team traits
- The interconnectedness of Chapter 62/Early Literacy Initiative (ELI), Teacher Leadership Compensation (TLC), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Differentiated Accountability (DA), Collaborating for Kids (C4K), and Standards and Curriculum
- Building consensus with staff and constituents
- The use of C4K school improvement tools.
This opportunity will assist teams in moving forward from the summer TLC-C4K events on June 20 and Aug. 1, however attendance at those leadership sessions is not required for this day.
Date: Sept. 29, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, Iowa
Registration here
John Hattie’s work has fundamentally changed what we know about what works in education. Through a partnership with Corwin, Heartland AEA is pleased to bring the Visible Learning Institute to area schools. The Visible Learning Plus program includes a three-part foundational series of seminars in which participants learn about Hattie’s work and the Visible Learning approach.
Visible Learning is an in-depth school change model of professional learning and development. It’s designed for school-based teams to systematically examine effective instructional practices in order to determine the impact on student achievement and learning. By considering the effects of the practices of teachers and leaders, schools will be able to make substantial gains in student achievement.
Visible Learning Institute - Save the Dates
- Oct. 4, 2016 -- Learning strand designed to provide area school leadership teams an opportunity to review and discuss effective instructional practices that impact student achievement and learning.
- Nov. 1, 2016 --Review of 5 phases of the Deep Equity process for creating culturally responsive teaching.
- Dec. 6, 2016 --Evidence into Action Part One: Continuation of Visible Learning Institute with an emphasis on leadership actions which have the greatest impact on student outcomes.
- March. 7, 2017 -- Evidence into Action Part Two: Continuation of Visible Learning Institute with an emphasis on data analysis and management of change strategies.
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 8600 Northpark Dr, Johnston, IA
As widespread reform in teacher evaluation sweeps across the United States, school districts are responding by developing new professional performance review protocols for use in the evaluation process. Experts agree (Danielson & McGreal, 2000; Hammond 2013: Silverberg & Jungwirth, 2014), however, that it is not the evaluation instrument, but the evaluation process, particularly the communication between the evaluator and the teacher, that will determine whether or not evaluation supports growth and learning.
The maps and tools of Cognitive Coaching℠ offer the skill set needed for administrators and supervisors to conduct an evaluation process that supports professional development and promotes self-directedness in those they are evaluating.
This 2-day session is specially designed for administrators who have not taken the Cognitive Coaching Foundation Seminar. Participants will learn one conversation structure, the four basic tools of Cognitive Coaching℠, along with concepts and practices related to giving feedback and supporting thinking. This knowledge and skill can be integrated into any evaluation system in order to bring a growth-producing dimension often missing from traditional evaluation.
Self-Directed Evaluation Conversations
Date: Nov. 1-2, 2016
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
Register here
Level I Training
Heartland AEA will offer Level I Section 504 trainings at no cost to districts in the Fall of 2016 in Johnston and Indianola. Trainings are open to all schools within the Heartland AEA region but the primary standard taught will be free and appropriate public education. Districts are encouraged to send teams consisting of counselors, administrators and school nurses and to bring their district 504 manual (plan). The instructor for the course is MaryAnn Strawhacker MPH, RN, Section 504 Consultant and Special Education Nurse Consultant for Heartland AEA. Space is limited so register soon.
Topics to be covered include:
- Changes to the interpretation of Section 504 since the ADAA 2008
- How to review and update your district-wide Section 504 Plan
- The interaction of a Section 504 plan and an Individual Health Plan
- Review of obligations under the Child Find and grievance procedures
- Evaluation requirements
- Eligibility determination and eligible but not in need of a plan
- Section 504 vs. IDEA 2004, understanding the distinction
- Resources available to assist districts including, access to a Section 504 Google Site not accessible from Heartland AEA’s website
Choose to attend one date and location:
Level I Section 504 Training for Public School Staff: Johnston
Date: Sept. 7, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
Register here
Level I Section 504 Training for Public School Staff: Indianola
Date: Sept. 19, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Location: Heartland AEA, 115 W. Salem Avenue, Indianola, IA
Register here
Level II Training
Heartland AEA will host a Level II Section 504 Training for Coordinators and Administrators at no cost. A suggested prerequisite for this class is attendance at a Level I training in the Heartland AEA area within the last five years. Designed to enhance foundational knowledge, this content will focus on managing challenging situations with Section 504. Guest speakers will be Thomas Mayes JD, Attorney, Iowa Department of Education and Fred Kinne Equity Coordinator, Iowa Department of Education, in addition to MaryAnn Strawhacker MPH, RN. Space is limited so register soon.
Topics to be covered include:
- Manifestation Determination overview and demonstration
- Behavior intervention plan as part of a Section 504 Accommodation Plan
- District grievance procedures, making sure your policy meets the standard
- Due process hearing procedures
- OCR complaint resolution
- Transition planning for graduating students
- Dyslexia and eligibility standards
- Homebound instruction
- Dual enrollment and Section 504 for extracurricular activities
- Accommodations for school sponsored activities and events
- Practical application of eligible but not in need of a plan
Level 2 Section 504 Training for Coordinators and Administrators
Date: Nov. 21, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. - Noon (Optional Q & A from 12:00-12:30 p.m.)
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
Register here
The Special Education Statewide Procedures Manual (Aug. 1, 2016), Release Notes (Aug. 1, 2016 version), Parental Rights Summary (July 2015 version), Procedural Safeguards Manuals for Parents (Translations), Educational Evaluation Reports (Translations) and IEP Forms (Translations) are now posted on the Iowa IDEA website. These documents are currently posted on the front page of the IDEA website in addition to their permanent location under the IEP drop down menu > Statewide Special Education Procedures > Manual.
With full implementation of TLC this year, Iowa ASCD has resources to help you reach your goal that results in the best learning and achievement of the educators and students in your district.
One-to-one mentoring for Curriculum Lead(s) based on the functions of highly effective curriculum leads, resources for content areas and curriculum, best practices in classroom strategies, a discussion board especially for curriculum leads, tweets and more.
- Curriculum Leadership Academy, April 20-21, 2017 with Allison Zmuda on Day 1 and Iowa districts featured on Day 2, all focused on personalized learning.
- Iowa ASCD discussion board (coming soon) for curriculum leads as they work with teachers in implementing the standards and their TLC plans. If you would like your name added so you may participate in these discussions, contact Lou Howell at Lou Howell@mediacombb.net.
- Instructional strategy workshops that have an impact on student learning - answering the question, "So Now What Do I Do?" See attached flyer for more information.
- Ebooks for members of Iowa ASCD. These books are aligned with TLC for your convenience and accessible here. Password for Iowa ASCD members is IowaASCDTheSource2015.
- Iowa ASCD website includes subject-specific resources, multiple approaches to learning, grade/role-specific web pages, calendar of state and national events.
- The Source digital newsletter distributed to Iowa ASCD members the first and third Fridays that contains best practices, resources for teaching and learning, conference information and more.
- Advocacy training and trip “on the hill” Feb. 8 to meet with the Education Committee as well as individual legislators.
Membership is $45 per person. Join online or fax a purchase order to Bridget Arrasmith at (515) 271-2233. When you register 20 or more educators at once, the fee is $25 per person. Contact Lou Howell@mediacombb.net for details.
The first ever national data on chronic absence and the new reporting requirement in the Every Student Succeeds Act have energized a growing movement to address an urgent issue: too many children are missing too many days of school. Join the Call to Action during “Attendance Awareness Month” and pledge to reduce chronic absence. Local superintendents who sign up by Sept. 7, 2016 will be included in an Education Week ad showcasing their leadership. Check here to see who has already joined.
