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

April 6 HAA Meeting Reminder & In-Person Attendance Option

The next HAA meeting will be held on April 6 from 9 - 11:30 a.m. (Agenda) The meeting will be held via Zoom with an in-person option at Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, Rooms 107A/B. Covid mitigation efforts are in place, including masks and social distancing. If you wish to attend in-person, add your name to this list, so we can ensure room capacity.

The meeting will feature guest speaker Kristin Anderson, who is an educator, researcher, and founder and CEO of The Brilliance Project. Through her research and consultancy over her 20-plus-year career, Kristin has helped thousands of educators, leaders and aspiring world-changers transform their potential and unleash their personal power through the lens of education. She is the author of Data Teams Success Stories Volume 1, Real Time Decisions, Getting Started with Rigorous Curriculum Design, and soon to be published book on Educator Wellbeing.

Anderson's April 6 presentation will focus on emotional wellbeing. If we are to navigate the storm that has been brewing for the past several years, retain our educators and leaders, and cause human flourishing, then focusing on emotional wellbeing is critical.

New Student Planners are Here! Order Your School’s Today!

Quality, affordable and beautifully-designed student planners are available for your school through Heartland AEA. Planners can support student engagement and awareness of school events, activities and projects. Visit Creative Services Online to choose your planner style from the many options we offer. Place your order by May 1 to ensure delivery by the beginning of the 2021-22 school year.

Connect Students to Great Career Exploration Opportunities on this Website

The Iowa Intermediary Network https://www.iowain.org is a great resource that can be used to connect secondary school students to career exploration opportunities. The site includes links for educators, students, parents and businesses/organizations. We would like to make a special note of the student link that highlights speakers from a variety of CTE fields. Students can register and watch these free live events or they can watch recorded versions of the events at their convenience at https://www.iowain.org/live-events.

Iowa’s AEAs Continue Pear Deck Funding for 2021-22 + News on Seesaw, ClassLink OneClick and BrightBytes

Learn more about all of these opportunities in this March AEA Update for Districts!

Pear Deck
Thanks to the overwhelming use and positive feedback from educators across the state, Iowa’s AEAs are planning to continue to fund district access to the Pear Deck platform for the 2021-22 school year. AEAs will monitor usage, future costs and factors to determine AEA involvement in the purchase of Pear Deck beyond 2021-22. Future funding options will be communicated in early 2022.

Seesaw
To support the high usage of Seesaw for Schools across the state, Iowa’s AEAs are negotiating a statewide pricing model to reduce the costs for districts interested in utilizing Seesaw for Schools during the 2021-22 school year. By aggregating Iowa districts under one contract, Seesaw for Schools can offer their service for significant per student savings.

Districts new to Seesaw for Schools or whose contracts expire before Dec. 2021 can opt in and be eligible for consortium pricing that includes a significant discount off of the standard $5.50 per student rate. (Districts who have prepaid subscriptions and are under contract past 2021 can transition their agreement and opt into the statewide pricing per student when their contracts are up for renewal. This can be coordinated through your AEA contact when they reach out to you.)

ClassLink OneClick
The AEA system has purchased AEA ClassLink OneClick for Iowa districts. AEA ClassLink OneClick is a launchpad that provides district teachers and students single sign-on access to AEA resources, such as the Professional Learning System, AEA Learning Online, Online Resources and more. AEA ClassLink OneClick is managed entirely by Iowa AEAs, this resource is a low maintenance solution for school administrators—no on-site district support is required to use this high-impact resource.

Teachers and students around the state have started using this intuitive interface to organize and display the online applications and resources they use. The AEAs are working on an implementation plan that includes access for ALL districts by early fall 2021.

BrightBytes
For several years Iowa AEAs, in partnership with BrightBytes, have provided tools to assist districts with collecting actionable data to aid in decision making. Districts currently have access to several BrightBytes modules including Technology & Learning, Modern Learning Solution and Digital Privacy, Safety & Security.

The AEAs want to help ensure districts do not miss out on the opportunity to collect this important data as AEA financial support for these BrightBytes tools will end June 30, 2021. This spring is the last opportunity for Iowa districts to collect data for FREE.
Learn more about all of these opportunities in this March AEA Update for Districts!

Take Our Science Needs Survey!

Please take 2-3 minutes to complete this short survey to provide information about needs related to science education in your setting. We’d like your responses by April 9.

Iowa Mobile Crisis Outreach Map: Find Help For Anyone Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis

Mobile Response is an on-site, face-to-face mental health service for individuals experiencing a crisis. Mobile response staff is able to intervene wherever the crisis is occurring. With Mobile Crisis Outreach, mental health counselors are dispatched to homes, schools, emergency rooms or public places where a mental health crisis is occurring. Response time is within 60 minutes of dispatch. Anyone who is experiencing or is concerned about someone experiencing a mental health crisis can call. View the Mobile Crisis Outreach Map here.

A New Way to Think About Work-Life Balance

We're constantly told that we need to make sure we have a good work-life balance and that we need to embrace self-care, but these ideas are not one size fits all. In this article, a school leader shares how he came to understand that work-life balance looks different for different people and there's no need to feel guilty about that.

Check Out Our Wellness Inspiration Site: Shareable Resource For Educators, Families and Students

In an effort to support the well-being of districts, students, educators and families, we're pleased to bring you "Wellness Inspiration," a resource dedicated to well-being. Check out the Wellness Inspiration site for well-being resources, tips and fun and share with colleagues and families! This issue features:

• New Website Designed to Help Iowans with Mental Health Needs
• Self-Care Coloring & Activity Books Available for Students

NEW! Resource for Special Education Practitioners for Writing Quality Prior Written Notices

Parents are afforded procedural protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), one of which is the right to "Prior Written Notice." Heartland has recently created a resource document to support special education practitioners with tips and recommendations for writing quality Prior Written Notices. We hope both AEA and LEA practitioners find this resource helpful in documenting IEP team discussions and decisions through the writing of the PWN.

Join Us for the “Digital Equity Cycle: Anti-Racist, Diverse and Inclusive Digital Education” Webinar on April 8

Featuring Desiree Alexander, Ed.S.

In education, we love hot new buzz words. And recently, digital equity has become very popular with not many understanding what it entails or how to unpack it. In this session, let’s start an authentic conversation on how to unpack anti-racist, anti-bias, diverse and inclusive digital education.

Desiree Alexander, Ed.S., is an award-winning, multi-degreed educator. Dr. Alexander is Founder CEO of Educator Alexander Consulting, LLC. She holds various teaching, administrative and technology certifications, including IC3 certification, Google Certified Trainer and Innovator, Apple Teacher, and a Microsoft Innovative Educator Trainer and Expert.

Register at no cost at this link: 

bit.ly/31mQptq

Heart of Innovation Summer Summit is Back and it’s Going to be Totally Rad!

Heartland AEA Presents: Saved by the Summer Summit

June 15-16, 2021
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Click here to register for your free access to the Summer Summit! The first 50 people will receive Summit Swag mailed to them!

Join us for two mornings of free, virtual learning featuring John Spencer, Ed.D. and Nadine Gilkison

Call for presenters!
Submit a session proposal

We are also excited to offer graduate credit this year! Click here for more information.

Iowa State University Wants to Hear from You! Please Complete Their Survey By April 23

Iowa State University is surveying superintendents and teachers to understand the current use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in K-12 classrooms. This confidential survey will provide a snapshot of GIS in K-12 public education in Iowa as well as identify barriers and opportunities for the use of GIS technology among non-users. ISU will use the information collected to create new resources for promoting future K-12 education throughout the state. This survey is a small – but very significant way – to make a difference in your community!

Superintendent Survey: https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0jQblWlFieMMubj

K-12 Teacher Survey: tinyurl.com/IAK12GIS

Survey deadline is April 23, 2021.

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

Winterset CSD Casework for Sale

Winterset CSD recently completed a renovation project where the contractor ordered substantially too much casework for the project. Due to the sale of a building within the district, Winterset no longer has the ability to store these items. They are selling them (brand new still in the packaging material) on a first-come, first-served basis. Prices are negotiable. Anyone interested please contact Superintendent Justin Gross jgross@winterset.k12.ia.us or Director of Operations Ray Dawson rdawson@winterset.k12.ia.us.

7 of these items 36” Wide

32 of these items 42” wide

Self-Care Coloring & Activity Books Available for Students

Iowa’s AEA Well-being Team has created calming coloring books for middle school-aged children. This effort is part of a campaign to promote a new well-being and mental health website for Iowans created by the AEAs at www.IowaAEAMentalHealth.org.

If you would like to order some for your school or classroom, click on the links below.

IMPORTANT ORDER INFORMATION:

1. Before adding these items to your cart, you must log in using the same username and password you use to login to the AEA Learning System (system for Mandatory Reporter and Bloodborne Pathogens training).
2. Enter the school name in the PO field.

Self-Care Coloring & Activity Book

Iowa AEA Mental Health Bookmark

The website came from a request by the state legislature to help educators, parents, and students navigate resources related to mental health and well-being in Iowa. In addition to AEA mental health contacts for the schools, the site provides contacts for the home setting from Iowa’s Mental Health and Disability Services (MHDS).

The website features vetted sources to educate visitors about addiction and substance abuse; anxiety and stress disorders; attention deficit disorder; depression; eating disorders; and self-harm.

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

Erin Rush Selected as New Regional Director in Region 6

Heartland AEA is pleased to announce the hiring of Erin Rush as a regional director for Region 6. Erin, who has been a Heartland AEA staff member for almost 10 years, will replace Karla Jones who will be retiring on July 1, 2021.

As a regional director, Erin will provide coordination and leadership for the provision of AEA services to Ankeny Community School District, Ankeny Christian and St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School.

Erin’s career has centered on serving students and educators in the Heartland AEA service area. Since 2011, she has served in the following positions:

• School Psychologist, 2011 - present
• Social Emotional Behavior Mental Health (SEBMH) Regional Lead, 2017 - present

Erin brings extensive knowledge and experience in supporting the educational systems at all levels to continually improve in meeting the individual social/emotional/behavior/ and mental health needs of our students.

In August, Erin will complete her Educational Leadership program through VITERBO University. Prior to coming to Heartland AEA, Erin graduated with a Ed.S. in school psychology from Oklahoma State University.

Heartland AEA Literacy Newsletter is Now Available

The Heartland AEA Literacy Newsletter is now available. Make sure to follow the newsletter and share it with your colleagues! In this issue:

• Enhance Universal Instruction Through Accelerating Learning
• Intensifying Literacy Instruction: Essential Practices
• Science of Reading
• Repeated Reading with Goal Setting for Reading Fluency: Focusing on Reading Quality Rather Than Reading Speed
• Even Older Kids Should Have Time to Read in Class
• Comprehension Strategies in Grades 4-8 Course

Reach out to your Heartland AEA Literacy Consultant if you need any support.

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

Iowa’s AEAs Continue Pear Deck Funding for 2021-22 + News on Seesaw, ClassLink OneClick and BrightBytes

Learn more about all of these opportunities in this March AEA Update for Districts!

Pear Deck
Thanks to the overwhelming use and positive feedback from educators across the state, Iowa’s AEAs are planning to continue to fund district access to the Pear Deck platform for the 2021-22 school year. AEAs will monitor usage, future costs and factors to determine AEA involvement in the purchase of Pear Deck beyond 2021-22. Future funding options will be communicated in early 2022.

Seesaw
To support the high usage of Seesaw for Schools across the state, Iowa’s AEAs are negotiating a statewide pricing model to reduce the costs for districts interested in utilizing Seesaw for Schools during the 2021-22 school year. By aggregating Iowa districts under one contract, Seesaw for Schools can offer their service for significant per student savings.

Districts new to Seesaw for Schools or whose contracts expire before Dec. 2021 can opt in and be eligible for consortium pricing that includes a significant discount off of the standard $5.50 per student rate. (Districts who have prepaid subscriptions and are under contract past 2021 can transition their agreement and opt into the statewide pricing per student when their contracts are up for renewal. This can be coordinated through your AEA contact when they reach out to you.)

ClassLink OneClick
The AEA system has purchased AEA ClassLink OneClick for Iowa districts. AEA ClassLink OneClick is a launchpad that provides district teachers and students single sign-on access to AEA resources, such as the Professional Learning System, AEA Learning Online, Online Resources and more. AEA ClassLink OneClick is managed entirely by Iowa AEAs, this resource is a low maintenance solution for school administrators—no on-site district support is required to use this high-impact resource.

Teachers and students around the state have started using this intuitive interface to organize and display the online applications and resources they use. The AEAs are working on an implementation plan that includes access for ALL districts by early fall 2021.

BrightBytes
For several years Iowa AEAs, in partnership with BrightBytes, have provided tools to assist districts with collecting actionable data to aid in decision making. Districts currently have access to several BrightBytes modules including Technology & Learning, Modern Learning Solution and Digital Privacy, Safety & Security.

The AEAs want to help ensure districts do not miss out on the opportunity to collect this important data as AEA financial support for these BrightBytes tools will end June 30, 2021. This spring is the last opportunity for Iowa districts to collect data for FREE.

Learn more about all of these opportunities in this March AEA Update for Districts!

Iowa’s Therapeutic Classroom Grant is Now Open

This one-time competitive grant is offered to public school districts in Iowa and is part of requirements set in place by Iowa Code 256.25. The grant supports public school districts to establish therapeutic classrooms for learners whose emotional, social, or behavioral needs interfere with their ability to be successful in their current educational environment. Districts applying for the grant may seek funds to establish new classrooms and/or install critical components into current classroom/programs that they are developing into therapeutic classrooms. Listen to a webinar providing details about the grant and learn more on the Therapeutic Classroom Grant Webpage. Timeline: March 12: Grant applicant questions due March 19: FAQ released for grant application questions April 30: Applications due May 31: Awards announced No later than Aug. 1: Funds distributed For questions contact Barb Anderson at barb.anderson@iowa.gov or (515) 664-6732 or Kathy Bertsch at kathy.bertsch@iowa.gov or (515) 419-2444.

New Website Designed to Help Iowans with Mental Health Needs

Mental health professionals from Iowa’s nine AEAs recently collaborated to create a website for Iowans who are searching for mental health assistance. The website at www.IowaAEAMentalHealth.org came from a request by the state legislature to help educators, parents and students navigate resources related to mental health and well-being in Iowa. In addition to AEA contacts for the schools, the site provides contacts for the home setting from Iowa’s Mental Health and Disability Services (MHDS).

The website features vetted sources to educate visitors about addiction and substance abuse, anxiety and stress disorders, attention deficit disorder, depression, eating disorders and self-harm.

“A call was put out by educational committee legislators last year to offer support to Iowa families and educators in the area of mental health,” said Tom Lane, a lobbyist for Iowa’s AEAs. “The site was designed to alleviate the frustration of finding contacts for services. When educators visit the site, they will find a point of contact at their respective AEA and family members can reach out to mental health regions of MHDS.”

A listing of Iowa groups and agencies that advocate for children and families is part of an education component of the site, as well as reducing the stigma associated with mental health.

The site also provides information about proactive measures people can take for self-care.

“People who pay attention to their own physical and emotional health are better able to handle the challenges of supporting someone with mental health issues,” said Lane.

School employees are encouraged to check out the site, especially the “Find Support” page, in order to demonstrate how to navigate the resources. Schools should contact their local AEA for assistance with students who need mental health supports.

Collaborating to Build Inclusive Learning Experiences: An Introduction to Culturally Responsive Teaching Starts Online March 31

Featuring a webinar with Desiree Alexander, Ed.D.

April 8
Register at this link: https://bit.ly/3b7M9U4

More Instructional Technology Opportunities:

• Virtual Field Trips
• Heart of Innovation Summit
• Teaching and Learning with Technology Courses

Learn more in the Instructional Technology newsletter.

March 2021 School Leader Update

The March 2021 School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is available.