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

Heartland AEA Introduces the 2018 Leadership Series

Heartland AEA is pleased to invite you to participate in a new comprehensive leadership development experience. We are proud to announce the launch of the Heartland AEA Leadership Series. This new opportunity will give educational leaders and their teams the opportunity to learn and interact with national recognized leaders in education. Each session is designed to be highly interactive and provide participants an opportunity to draw upon the speaker’s expertise.

Morning sessions will be held for superintendents and afternoon sessions will be opened up to include building leaders, curriculum directors, teacher leaders, instructional leaders and teachers. It is recommended that districts consider bringing a team to the experience.

By attending the Heartland AEA Leadership Series you’ll join others from all sectors and levels of leadership with a common aspiration: to move forward on what you care about most.

Learn more about the speakers and schedule in this flyer. More information will be coming but if you have questions now, contact Jim Verlengia, Ed.D., Director of Leadership Supports at Heartland AEA, jverlengia@heartlandaea.org or (515) 270-0405 ext. 14388.

Upcoming HAA and SAC Meetings - Mark Your Calendar!

There have been some changes to the Heartland Administrators' Association (HAA) and Superintendents Advisory Council (SAC) meetings for Feb. and March. Mark your calendars with this information and be sure to stay tuned into meeting dates, agendas and materials on the HAA Google Site.

February
There will be NO Superintendents’ Advisory Council or Heartland Administrators’ Association meetings

March 6
Superintendents Advisory Council meeting
Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Rooms 107A/B
8:00 – 8:45 a.m.

Heartland Administrators’ Association meetingHeartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Rooms 107A/B
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

It's So Nice to Put a Face With a Name!

The Heartland AEA Staff Directory has been enhanced with staff photos so as you recall the name of one of our employees, you can now view a picture of the person! The directory can be used to quickly find an Agency employee by name, office or region, school building or district, job title or work group. You can even print a full contact list with photos of Heartland AEA staff who are assigned to your district or building.

The Heartland AEA Staff Directory is easy to use!

1. Go to www.heartlandaea.org

2. Click on the Staff Directory link in the top right

3. Start searching! 
Click on the preferred search criteria to view a staff list or go directly to Photo Directory to view the contact list with photos in a pdf. You may download, save, print and bookmark the pdf.

The New Year Brings Personnel Changes for Iowa’s Area Education Agencies

In Dec. 2017, Brent Siegrist retired from his former role as Iowa’s statewide AEA Executive Director, but will continue to support the AEA system by focusing on legislative advocacy. This change offers the AEA system the benefit of Brent’s considerable background, knowledge and expertise in the legislative process, and enhances relationships with policymakers. We are grateful for the leadership that Brent has provided for over 15 years.

Tom Lane, who has served as a legislative liaison for Iowa’s AEAs the past four years, has been named Executive Director and will now focus the majority of his time on coordination of our statewide work. His priority is to enhance and promote the work of the AEA system, and he will work closely with chief administrators, strengthen relationships with the director groups, and continue to maintain legislative advocacy efforts. Tom’s experience as a teacher, counselor, principal and superintendent will strengthen the community building, both within the AEA system and with other entities.

Brent and Tom have already begun to transition to these new responsibilities. We are fortunate to have the ability to capitalize on the strengths and interests of each of these professionals and to have two staff members who have the ability to complement each other and the work of the AEA system.

Tell Your District’s Story at This Month’s Legislative Advocacy Event

Iowa’s AEAs are bringing school administrators from across Iowa together to learn the most up-to-date legislative insight and meet with legislators face-to-face at the Capitol. This event opens the door for district leaders to share their stories about education with the state’s top elected officials.

Learn more about the event and register to attend by Jan. 23 at this link.

Legislative Update
Legislative update and preparation with education legislative liaisons Dave Wilkerson, Margaret Buckton, Emily Piper and Tom Lane. Moderated by Brent Siegrist.

Jan. 30, 2018
5:30 p.m.
Prairie Meadows Hotel, Skinner Ballroom
New! If you can’t attend this session in person, join by Zoom.

Visits with Legislators
Meet with legislators. Continue advocating in the rotunda if desired after the event. Individual meetings with legislators may also be arranged.

Jan. 31, 2018
7:30 - 9 a.m.
Iowa State Capitol, Room 116

Iowa’s AEAs Seek Nominations for Annual Awards Recognition

Do you know someone who has made outstanding contributions to education and Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs)? Please take a few minutes to nominate this person for recognition by Iowa’s AEAs. The AEA awards -- the Friend of the AEA Award, the E. Robert Stephens Award and the Innovative Creator Award -- recognize outstanding candidates for their contributions to education and the AEA system.


To submit a nomination, complete this application by Feb. 2, 2018. Anyone is welcome to submit a nomination. The nominations will be reviewed by a selected group of AEA personnel in February. Both the nominating individual and the person who is selected to be recognized will be notified the first week in March. The awards will be presented at the Iowa AEA Boards of Directors’ Conference on April 5, 2018 in Johnston.

More information about the awards can be found on the Iowa AEA website.

Steve Constantino, Ed.D., Returns to Iowa to Present “Engaging Every Family to Support Student Achievement” -- Save the Date

Are your students’ families really involved in their education? At this FREE event on June 18, participants will learn the importance of family engagement in the academic lives and success of learners and discover how to create a culture that is conducive to engaging every family in the school and classroom.

Engaging Every Family to Support Student Achievement
June 18, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Johnston Middle School Auditorium, 6501 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston

For more information, contact Terry Mendell, Heartland AEA Family & Educator Lead Coordinator, at (515) 270-0405 ext. 17135 or tmendell@heartlandaea.org.

Invited Audience: school administrators, teacher leaders, general and special education teachers

Presenter: Steve Constantino, Ed.D.
As a high school principal in 1995, Steve Constantino, Ed.D. became aware of research about the effects of family engagement on student learning and was convinced that this was the missing ingredient in helping all children learn. Using his high school as a laboratory, Dr. Constantino began to read more and more research and more importantly, figure out ways to apply it to his school. Steve’s work has gained national prominence as he’s traveled the United States speaking and working with all types of educators, school board members and businesses to promote sound practices in family engagement that result in increased academic achievement for all students.

Iowa's Educators Who Want to Continue Inspiring Students in STEM Now Have an Opportunity!

Through legislative appropriation, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is able to offer exemplary STEM programs throughout the state. The STEM Scale-Up Program has demonstrated success in increasing student interest and achievement in STEM across all demographics. Through a rigorous review process, the STEM Council selected nine programs to be offered on the 2018-19 STEM Scale-Up Program menu to provide high-quality STEM education offerings to schools, after-school programs and other settings for grades PK through 12.The 2018-19 Scale-Up Program application will open Jan. 22 and remain open until March 5, 2018. The Scale-Up program menu ranges from coding programs to hands-on biotechnology and agriculture projects to STEM career exploration. Any educator, formal or informal, serving Iowa students PK-12 grade may apply. For more information and to apply, visit the Iowa STEM Scale-Up website.

Peter DeWitt to Lead Collaborative Leadership Curriculum Academy in April

Want to learn more about collaborative leadership and how Iowa schools are leading the way? Plan on attending the 2018 Iowa ASCD Curriculum Academy on April 19-20, 2018. Details about the event are listed below and registration is at this link.

Collaborative Leadership: 6 Influences That Matter Most
April 19, 2018
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny

Peter DeWitt will provide a day-long presentation/workshop on "Collaborative Leadership: 6 Influences That Matter Most." Dr. Dewitt is a former K-5 teacher and principal. He is known for his workshops and keynotes nationally and internationally focusing on collaborative leadership, fostering inclusive school climates, and connected learning. Additionally, Peter is a Visible Learning Trainer for John Hattie and an Instructional Coaching Trainer for Jim Knight.

Connecting CBE and Personalized Learning Utilizing the Collaborative Leadership Framework
April 20, 2018
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny

Andrea Stewart will present "Connecting CBE and Personalized Learning Utilizing the Collaborative Leadership Framework." Following her presentation, several Iowa schools will share "Stories from the Fields of Iowa" focusing on collaborative leadership.