Friday, June 7, 2019

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

Administrator Connection is Going on Summer Vacation

As the school year comes to a close, so does our weekly Administrator Connection. Today is our last planned weekly update until August. We’ll communicate any important information via email during the summer.

If you’re leaving your district, contact the Heartland AEA Communications Department at comms@heartlandaea.org with your successor's name and email address (if known). We won't take your email address out of our email distribution list until after July 1. Have a very enjoyable summer!

Summer’s Almost Here! Watch for a Heartland AEA Van to Pull Up to Your District Admin Building Twice a Week

Heartland AEA vans will deliver twice a week to each district administration building during the summer months. If you have summer school, professional development programs or intercessions and would like regularly scheduled deliveries to additional buildings, email Colleen Miller.

Schedule-to-date:

  • Twice-a-week delivery to each district administration building runs June 19 to Aug. 8, 2019.
  • Twice-a-week delivery will automatically continue to each building that has an extended year calendar.
  • Regular fall van delivery resumes Aug. 12, 2019.

A note about printing:

  • Heartland AEA will contact the district to arrange for special delivery of large printing orders during the summer.

Stay Connected With Us This Summer

Remember you can always keep up-to-date this summer with Heartland AEA and statewide AEA happenings through our social media! Be sure to “follow” and “like” (and Share!) the following sites to stay updated with the latest news and information.

Facebook

Instagram


Twitter


YouTube

Registration Closes Today for Our Kids Summer Institute!

Our Kids Summer Institute
15th annual event for ALL educators who support English Learner students


June 18-19, 2019
FFA Enrichment Center
1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy., Ankeny, IA
Register by June 7 at Our Kids Summer Institute 2019 (Course #180032)

Participants will receive a book from keynote speaker Diane Staehr Fenner titled, “Advocating for English Learners: A Guide for Educators”.

PK-12 educators will have the opportunity to network with other educational professionals, discover new strategies for working with English Language Learners (EL) in Iowa and meet national and local experts to enrich practices for increasing EL achievement.

Conference topics include:

  • Unlocking ELs potential to enhance academic success
  • Preventing long-term English Learners
  • Supporting strategies for English Learners in core content learning
  • Approaches to address English Learner students at the Pre-K Level
  • Distinguishing typical language development from special education needs
  • Enhancing EL success using data through the MTSS/PLC process

For more information on learning topics and keynote presenters, visit 15th Annual Our Kids Conference Presenters and Topics.

Instructional Coaching Academy Coming in September; New Coaches to be Paired with Mentors for Year-long Learning

Heartland AEA’s Instructional Coaching Academy is a year-long course for new instructional coaches to explore the foundations of effective instructional coaching. The Academy begins Sept. 12, 2019, and will meet face-to-face six days throughout the year at Heartland AEA in Johnston. Additional online activities will also be required.

Register at bit.ly/2WazxWk with Course #180520. This course is offered for 2 credits (license renewal or Drake graduate credit).

Download the Academy flyer for more information.

Mark Your Calendars for June 17 -- We’re Giving Away Books!

We're making room for some new titles so we are having a book giveaway at Heartland AEA this summer! PK-12 educators can choose from over 2,000 gently used professional and PK-12 books … for FREE! The dates are June 17-18, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive in Johnston. So come see us and pick up some awesome books for your classroom.

Last Call to Register for the Heart of Innovation Summer Summit

Get ready for something new in tech integration with the Heart of Innovation Summer Summit! The summit on June 13 is a kick off to year-long blended learning opportunities as you pursue innovation in your classroom with support from Heartland AEA. Enjoy a day full of networking and learning alongside your education peers, featuring Jennifer Williams, Ed.D., and presentations from leaders in education!

Conference tracks include:

  • Promoting Creativity in Every Classroom
  • Communicating Student Learning and Guided Informed Action
  • Building a Collaborative Learning Environment for All
  • Fostering Curiosity to Empower Critical Thinking

Heart of Innovation Summer Summit
June 13, 2019
8 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

This is a NO COST event for Iowa K-12 educators and administrators! Learn more and register at bit.ly/HeartofInnovation.

June 2019 School Leader Update

The June 2019 School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is now available.