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
The first Curriculum Network Meeting of the year will be Sept. 1 at Heartland AEA in Johnston. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude by 11:30 a.m. The agenda can be found here.
Be sure to mark your calendars for the 2017-18 meeting dates:
2017
Sept. 1
Oct. 6
Nov. 3
Dec. 1
2018
Jan. 5
Feb. 2
March 2
April 6
May 4
If you have any questions, contact Kevin Fangman, Heartland AEA Chief Academic Officer at kfangman@heartlandaea.org or (800) 255-0405 ext. 14374.
The monthly Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) meetings resume Sept. 5, 2017, with the first meeting being held at the Ankeny DMACC Campus. DMACC has offered to sponsor the first meeting and superintendents are invited to stay for lunch immediately following the meeting. For those wishing to participate electronically, a Zoom option will be made available. To view the agenda, campus map and Zoom option, visit the HAA Google Site. If you have any problems accessing the information, contact Jennifer Ugolini, Heartland AEA Board Secretary/Executive Assistant at jugolini@heartlandaea.org or (515) 270-9030 ext. 14441.
Heartland Administrators' Association
Sept. 5, 2017
9:00 - 11:30 a.m., with lunch to follow
DMACC Ankeny Campus
2006 South Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny
Building 5, Student Center
Room 1240D
We would like to introduce you to some new faces. Below are new superintendents starting this year in Heartland AEA's service area.
Jon Hueser
Ogden Community School District
Education
Wayne State College - B.A.E
Drake University - M.S.E
Drake University - Ed. S
Past Work Experience
I spent 14 of my years teaching, coaching and serving as technology director and then six years as principal in the East Greene Community School District. I served as principal and superintendent at Corwith-Wesley and Lu Verne, and the past two years I have been with Lu Verne Community School District as both the elementary principal and superintendent. This year I am being shared in my superintendent position with Ogden.
Why did you decide to pursue the superintendent position at your district?
I have spent most of my career in a district that shared a common boundary with Ogden. I have always admired the amount of support and commitment that the Ogden community has had for its schools and thought it would be a great opportunity to help lead a forward thinking district into the 21st century.
What is your vision for your district?
We want to inspire our students to be the next generation of innovative thinkers to persevere and succeed in meeting tomorrow's opportunities.
What are your hobbies or things you like to do in your free time?
My wife and I have five children who keep us very active. In my free time I love to ride motorcycles, go camping and do woodworking.
Clark Wicks
Perry Community School District
Education
Luther College - BA
Drake University - MS
Iowa State University - Superintendent Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)
Past Work Experience
I was a superintendent for four years at Orient-Macksburg. I invested 23 years as an elementary principal at Perry and two years at Rockwell City. I also taught and coached at Johnston and Panorama School Districts.
Why did you decide to pursue the superintendent position at your district?
I love the community of Perry and the Perry School District. My 23 years as Perry’s Elementary Principal were exciting and fulfilling. Our three kids graduated from Perry High School. The support and strong relationships that we have in Perry were a difference maker to wanting to be the next superintendent. It is great to be a Bluejay again!
What is your vision for your district?
To work as partners with the board, staff and community to create a vibrant culture for learning and to have synergistic relationships with all those associated with the Perry Schools. Our theme this year is One Team, One Purpose. I want to help develop a strong team atmosphere with the focus of one purpose … student success.
What are your hobbies or things you like to do in your free time?
My wife and I love spending time with our grandkids (one who starts preschool in Perry!), golfing, biking and cheering on the Bluejays.
A new name, a new look, and the same great services and products for Iowa educators and students. On Oct. 1, 2017, AEA PD Online will transition to the new name: AEA Learning Online. This new name better reflects all of the products and services provided to Iowa educators and K-12 students. The transition to AEA Learning Online began in August with updated banners and brochures. Emails, websites and social media accounts will follow in October 2017 with current links automatically redirecting users. As the the transition moves forward, watch for details via their current and new social media accounts as well as post updates on the website. If you have any questions about the transition, contact Evan Abbey at eabbey@aeapdonline.org or Deborah Cleveland at dcleveland@aeapdonline.org.
The University of Iowa Baker Teacher Leader Center and Heartland AEA have developed a professional learning opportunity in response to a growing need by in-service teachers and teacher leaders to receive additional preparation in serving an increasing English Learner (EL) population.
The In-service Educator of ELs Certificate Program is open to 40 interested in-service educators (non-ESOL endorsed and might not prefer the full ESL endorsement) who are currently serving ELs while potentially feeling underprepared to meet the linguistic, cultural and academic needs of their students.
The program includes face-to-face sessions and follow-up field experiences. The first session begins on Oct. 5, 2017 and the program ends with a culminating event/celebration on May 5, 2018. Participants successfully completing the program will receive the following benefits/incentives:
- Five licensure renewal credits
- A credential verifying enhanced in-service educator of ELs expertise
- Reimbursement of all registration fees ($625), plus
For more detailed information, please see the following flyer. For detailed program information and to register online, visit The University of Iowa Baker Teacher Leader Center.
In addition, please note that this program is a refinement of one previously advertised in the spring of 2017 to better the needs of an in-service educator audience.
The annual Iowa Culture and Language Conference (ICLC) will take place on Nov. 6-8, 2017 at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Coralville, Iowa. There will be a Pre-Conference on Nov. 6, followed by the regular conference on Nov. 7-8. All current information about this conference is posted at the ICLC website. Title III support is available for districts in the Heartland AEA service area who send individuals/teams to reimburse registration and sub costs and partial travel expenses. See the 2017 ICLC Flyer for further details related to the schedule, registration and Title III support for districts.
At Heartland AEA, we have Classic and Digital STARLAB portable planetarium domes available for checkout. Teachers must receive training to use the domes. Our next training is Sept. 25 in Ames. More details are below. Click here to learn more about our STARLABs.
Digital STARLAB Training
Sept. 25, 2017, 8:30 - 11 a.m.
Stonebrook Church, 3611 Eisenhower Ave., Ames
Registration
The Digital STARLAB portable planetarium projects high-resolution images of celestial bodies of the night (and daytime) sky. The Digital STARLAB consists of an inflatable dome that can hold about 30 children or 25 adults. Inside is a digital projector (with speakers) that can display celestial images and even movies onto the dome. The seasons, the solar system (including the sun, planets, moon, constellations, etc.), as well as numerous other celestial bodies can be observed. There are mythology, weather and biological cell cylinders included with the software, as well.
This training addresses the care and use of the Digital STARLAB planetarium. Participants will learn how to setup and take down the STARLAB, as well as learn the basic functions of the software (Starry Night Small Dome) that powers the Digital STARLAB. If you are new to the Digital STARLAB, you need to attend the training. Returning users need not attend but are welcome if a refresher course is needed. If you are unable to attend this session and would like to use the Digital STARLAB in the future, contact Peggy Christensen at pchristensen@heartlandaea.org or (800) 255-0405 ext. 14553.
Classic STARLAB Training
Sept. 25, 2017, 12:30 - 3 p.m.
Stonebrook Church, 3611 Eisenhower Ave., Ames
Registration
Classic STARLAB consists of an inflatable room which can hold about 30 children or 25 adults. Inside is a novel projector, which can show the night sky with very realistic stars, planets and the moon. By changing the projection cylinder, the projector can also produce constellation outlines, a globe of the Earth or a diagram of a human cell. For astronomy, the changing motions of the sun, moon, planets and stars can be shown with a whole year condensed into a few minutes.
This training addresses the care and use of the Classic STARLAB portable planetarium. Participants will learn how to setup and take down the STARLAB, as well as learn the basic functions of the variety of cylinders available with the Classic STARLAB. If you are new to the Classic STARLAB, you need to attend this training. Returning users need not attend but are welcome if a refresher course is needed.
Heartland AEA is hosting an Instructional Practices Inventory (IPI) Workshop for teachers who want to enhance their practice of collecting and collaboratively studying student engagement. The workshop will be facilitated by Jerry Valentine, IPI Developer and Lead Trainer.
During the workshop, participants will develop the skills to document student engagement through the use of technology and learn how to use the profiles to engage faculty in collaborative learning conversations about engagement, instructional change, technology integration and school-wide instructional goals.
This workshop is appropriate for administrators, teacher leaders and teachers who are participating in collaborative efforts to improve instruction within a building and have successfully completed the IPI Level I Workshop with an accuracy score of .80 or higher.
Instructional Practices Inventory Technology Workshop
Oct. 5, 2017
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center
Register at this link
Information related to creating, reviewing and revising a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) or Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) that was included in the July 1, 2017, Area Education Agency Special Education Procedures and Release Notes reflected the best understanding at that time of how the Web IEP system would work for FBAs and BIPs during 2017-18 school year. Due to changes in programming, that information is now incorrect. Please use this corrected document as a guide for creating, reviewing and revising FBAs and BIPs.
The Special Education Statewide Procedures Manual and Release Notes are posted on the Iowa IDEA website as well as on the Heartland AEA website under Special Education Services > Guidance Documents. They 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.
If you have any questions regarding the content, contact your Heartland AEA Regional Director.
Due to heavy enrollment, a second section of Level 1 Section 504 Training for Public School Staff is being offered Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Heartland AEA Regional Education Center in Johnston. No additional sections will be offered until fall of 2018. This class is designed for administrators, counselors, and school nurses involved in evaluation and eligibility determination for students.
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
Level 1 Section 504 Training for Public School Staff
Oct. 30, 2017
9:00 a.m. - Noon
Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Registration Information
Register at this link
The class is free for school districts residing within the service area of Heartland AEA. Class size is limited to 70 persons and first priority is given to districts within the service area of Heartland AEA.
Nominations are now open for the 2018 I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Award sponsored by Kemin Industries. The award, offered by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, celebrates teachers whose leadership and dedication to STEM in Iowa increases students’ interest and awareness in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. One teacher from each of the six STEM regions will receive a $1,500 award along with an additional $1,500 to be used in their classroom. Deadline for nominations is Oct. 6, and recipients will be announced in Jan. 2018. The nomination process is simple and open to everyone, including fellow teachers, school administrators, students and parents. Visit www.stemaward.fluidreview.com to submit a nomination and learn more.
