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
Steve Robinson, Ed. D.
Administrator, Ankeny Christian Academy
Education:
B.S. Tennessee Temple University
M. Ed. and Ed. D., University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Past Work Experience:
Soddy Daisy High School History and Speech/Theater teacher and Administrator at East Ridge Middle School, Chattanooga area
What is your vision for the Academy?
To provide a solid Christian education to the students at Ankeny Christian Academy. To encourage students in the confidence that they can go anywhere from Ankeny!
What are your hobbies or things you like to do in your free time?
Home projects are my hobby!
Click here to download the 2016-17 Heartland AEA Superintendent Directory. A limited supply of these directories were printed and will be distributed at the September HAA meeting. If you would like a hard copy, please contact Julie McCarty, Communications Specialist, at jmccarty@heartlandaea.org.
The former Parent & Educator Connection has a new name but is still focused on the same mission.
Iowa Family & Educator Partnership helps build positive partnerships between parents and educators so children with special needs are successful. FEP coordinators are parents of children or young adults with special needs, so they share a unique perspective with the families they serve. They provide support and information to families individually and through parent workshops and support groups. They also facilitate linkages between families, schools and community agencies.
Contact the FEP coordinator assigned to your school district if you need assistance or information.
Anyone administering the Tennessee English Language Placement Assessment (TELPA) during the 2016-17 academic year must certify or recertify through training on AEA PD Online.
This class is the required course to receive the Paraeducator Certification Generalist II with the Area of Concentration: English as a Second Language (ESL). Through this course, participants will gain knowledge, skills and strategies to assist and support ESL students.
Dates: Nov. 5, Dec. 10, 2016; Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 4 & April 8, 2017
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
Register here
Cost: Take advantage of special pricing at $25 as the cost may increase in January 2017.
Title III funds will provide a stipend of $300 for all paraeducators who work with ELLs and who fulfill the course requirements and are currently employed by a public or non-public K-12 school in Heartland AEA 11. This option is not available for employees of Des Moines Public Schools. A reimbursement claim form will be available the last day of class.
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 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 by Sept. 8 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.
Keeping School Improvement Practical, Reasonable and Doable for PK - 6 Leadership Teams
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 & Deep Equity Program for Heartland AEA Partners
Dates: Oct. 4, Nov. 1 and Dec. 6, 2016 & March 7, 2017
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 8600 Northpark Dr., Johnston, IA 50131
Cost: *See Fee and Credit Options in Registration Link
Register by Sept. 9 at this link
**Secure your spot today! Superintendents are invited to register by SEPT. 9, 2016. After that date, registration will open for Heartland AEA staff and individuals outside of the Agency.**
Visible Learning is an in-depth school change model of professional learning and development. It’s designed for school-based leadership 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.
Participants will explore:
- The key philosophy of Visible Learning and the major factors that influence student learning and achievement
- The importance of effect sizes as a useful way to measure progress
- The key characteristics of assessment capable learners
- The mind frames leaders need to have in order to impact student achievement and instruction
- The role of feedback
- The importance of learning intentions and success criteria
Program Dates and Areas of Focus:
- Oct. 4, 2016 -- Effective instructional practices that impact student achievement and learning.
- Nov. 1, 2016 -- Five phases of the Deep Equity process with Dr. Gary Howard 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.
In this course, learn more about the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ (NCTM) guidance for filling the gap between the adoption of rigorous standards and the enactment of practices, policies, programs and actions required for successful implementation of those standards.
Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All
Dates: Nov. 29, 2016 (K-5) & Nov. 30, 2016 (6-12)Location: FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny, IA
Cost: $15
Registration:
K-5 Registration, Nov. 29, 2016
6-12 Registration, Nov. 30, 2016
Click here for more information about the course.
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.
The Iowa Department of Education’s Sept. 2016 School Leader Update is now available.
