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
Jim Verlengia, Ed.D., who recently retired from Heartland AEA after 23 years, is available to assist districts with a variety of leadership services and supports, namely:
- Individual and Team Coaching
- Administrative Team and School Board Effectiveness Training
- Leadership Development
- Strategic Planning and Needs Assessment Facilitation
- Culture Development
- Systems Thinking Approach
- Motivational Presentations
- Special Assignments
For more information or to inquire about a specific district need, contact: Jim Verlengia, Ed.D. at (515) 499-6490 or Jon Sheldahl, Chief Administrator, at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14314.
Numeracy Project training begins this month and will introduce teachers, teacher leaders, consultants and administrators to the trajectory by which learners acquire a solid foundation in numeracy. Sessions provide training and materials around universal screeners, diagnostic tools, progress monitoring and intervention activities. Use this link to get you and your team registered and choose the section that works best for your team. Contact your Heartland AEA Math Consultant if you have any questions.
Numeracy Project Training Dates
Section 1: 2/19/20, 3/25/20 and 4/2/20 (8 - 11 a.m.), Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Section 2: 2/19/20, 3/25/20 and 4/2/20 (12:30 - 3:30 p.m.), Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Section 3: 2/24/20, 3/9/20 and 4/16/20 (8 - 11 a.m.), Heartland AEA, 602 Visions Parkway, Adel
Section 4: 2/24/20, 3/9/20 and 4/16/20 (12:30 - 3:30 p.m.), Heartland AEA, 602 Visions Parkway, Adel
Section 5: 2/27/20, 3/11/20 and 4/21/20 (8 - 11 a.m.), Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Section 6: 2/27/20, 3/11/20 and 4/21/20 (12:30 - 3:30 p.m.) Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Just four more EdCamp-style workshops will be held this school year to provide additional learning, collaboration and conversation for those interested in Standards-Based Learning (SBL) including Grading and Reporting. The workshops coincide with specific strands of the Standards-Based Learning Framework developed by Heartland AEA.
Standards-Based Learning Framework Fridays
Next Session: March 6
12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Visit our website to learn more and register
Join this special event with Anthony Muhammad, Ph.D., to explore the dynamics of school culture from a sociological, psychological, anthropological, political, historical and economic lens, using the Transforming School Culture framework.
Dr. Muhammad has been a practitioner of education for 20 years, serving as a middle school teacher, assistant principal and high school principal as well as an author and educational consultant. He is recognized as a leading expert in school culture and developing strong PLC schools.
Dr. Muhammad is a best-selling author of the books:
- Time for Change: The Four Essential Skills of a Transformational School Leader
- Overcoming the Achievement Gap Trap: Liberating Mindsets to Effect Change
- The Will to Lead and the Skill to Teach
- Transforming Schools at Every Level
- Transforming School Culture: How to Overcome Staff Division
Transforming School Culture: Understanding and Overcoming Resistance to Necessary Change Featuring Anthony Muhammad, Ph.D.
April 23, 2020
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn
8600 Northpark Drive Johnston, IA
Registration
Register by April 20, 2020 at this link: http://bit.ly/2MEyMyA using course #181933
$50 per person. Lunch included.
Registration is limited to 125. There is no waiting list for this event.
All educators are invited!
The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Program, developed by the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), is a one-day training that provides an opportunity for educators to obtain initial certification in CPI's Nonviolent Crisis Intervention program or renewal certification for individuals who are not eligible for the recertification training. Participants will receive an introduction to crisis prevention focusing on non-physical strategies, including non-verbal, para-verbal and verbal techniques that can be used to assist in de-escalating behavior.
Initial Training
Registration Link
Use course #180648 and select a section.
Intended Audience: District staff in the Heartland AEA service area who work with individuals 3-21 years who engage in problem behaviors that have the potential to result in injury to self or others.
Refresher Training
Registration Link
Use course #180315 and select a section.
Intended Audience: District staff in the Heartland AEA service area who have completed the CPI: Nonviolent Crisis Intervention 1-day-training within the past year and need to receive recertification.
For more information or questions, contact the Heartland AEA Regional Director who serves your district.
Conventional Literacy Strategies for Students on Alternate Assessment
This class is for educators who work with students with significant cognitive disabilities, K-12, who take the alternate assessment and are beginning readers and writers. In this course, teachers will learn about specially designed instruction and the comprehensive literacy framework as developed by Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver. Content will include: principles of effective literacy instruction, the importance of communication and core vocabulary, a brief overview of reading theory, and literacy routines (comprehension instruction, word identification, independent reading, spelling and writing). This class is designed for teachers and assumes instructional knowledge, but it may also be appropriate for paraeducators.
July 24, 27-28, 2020 (8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Course #182326: Registration Link
Emergent Literacy Strategies for Students on Alternate Assessment
This class is a revision of Emergent Literacy Instruction for Students on Alternate Assessment. It reviews the same routines but adds depth and breadth. This course will focus on emergent literacy skills for students with significant cognitive disabilities. The concepts and strategies apply to any student on alternate assessment, K-12, who is not yet reading or writing. It is not appropriate for students with dyslexia or other learning disabilities. Content is based on the work of Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver, and will include specially designed instruction, the comprehensive literacy framework, principles of effective literacy instruction, communication and core vocabulary, and five instructional routines: shared reading, independent reading, foundational skills, independent writing and predictable chart writing.
July 24, 30-31, 2020 (8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Course #182335: Registration Link
This online book study course and Zoom webinar is designed to help educators find ways to integrate curiosity and critical thinking into their classrooms. Ditch That Textbook: Free Your Teaching and Revolutionize Your Classroom by Matt Miller will be the focus. If you would enjoy working in a collaborative network of teachers and discover ways of using technology purposefully, this is the class for you!
Matt Miller Webinar: Fostering Curiosity to Empower Critical Thinking
Author of Ditch That Textbook
Feb. 20 from 1-2 p.m.
http://bit.ly/39lt4do
Heart of Innovation Summer Summit 2020
June 10, 2020
Are you ready for something new in tech integration? The Heart of Innovation Summer Summit 2020 is a full day of learning and networking with your fellow educators. John Spencer, co-author of Launch: Using Design Thinking to Boost Creativity and Bring Out the Maker in Every Student, and, Empower: What Happens When Students Own Their Learning will keynote this exciting event, and a variety of breakout sessions will follow. Don't miss out on this fabulous opportunity to learn how you can bring innovative practices to your classroom! Recertification Credit will be an option this year! Want to present? Now accepting session proposals! Submit a session!
Professional Learning Opportunities
Check out new courses and information about Microsoft DigiGirlz Day here.
Tech Integration
Have questions about integration tech in the classroom? Contact your Heartland AEA Instructional Technology Consultant.
Iowa ASCD is seeking proposals for breakout sessions that will take place on the second day of its Spring Leadership Academy on April 20-21 in Ankeny, Iowa.
Every Child. Every Day. Whatever it Takes
April 20 - Learning all day with Jimmy Casas
April 21 - Iowa Educator Breakout Sessions - related to the social & emotional CASEL competencies and/or the theme of "Every Child. Every Day. Whatever It Takes."
We need YOU to share your experiences!
We want educators from districts throughout the state to lead the breakout sessions (50 min.) so we can learn from each other. If you are interested, please submit a proposal by completing this form as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, contact Tricia Kurtt at tricialkurtt@gmail.com. Thank you and mark your calendars for April 20-21, 2020!
