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

 

Save the Date: HAA Meeting Reminder - Dec. 7

The next Heartland Administrators' Association meeting will be held on Dec. 7 from 9 - 11:30 a.m. The meeting will be held at Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, in Johnston and via Zoom. The agenda features:

Legislative panel with guest speakers, Margaret Buckton, Phil Jeneary, Kate Walton and Dave Wilkerson

Information about College and Career Transition Counselor grants and partnership with guest speaker Gail Zehr from Des Moines Area Community College

Computer Science Education Week Begins Dec. 6

Computer Science Week, Dec. 6 - 10, is celebrated the first week of December to help promote computer science amongst students, parents, communities, and organizations. How are you getting ready for Computer Science Education Week coming up? Check out some resources that have been curated to help educators and students learn more about Computer Science!

The Hour of Code is always a popular event and something rather easy to get started. Learn more here --> https://www.smore.com/nu7ft

Mark Your Calendar! Computer Science Webinar - Dec. 7

The next Heartland AEA Computer Science Webinar is Dec. 7, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. Administrators, teacher leaders and educators will network with others, receive computer science resources, and learn more about what the AEA can and will do to support the work our districts are doing. Click here for the agenda and the Zoom link

Webinar guests include representatives from Dallas Center-Grimes CSD who will share about how they used a Standards Comfortability Survey to gather data on how familiar teachers were with the standards and if they taught them, what did they use.

Dec. 2021 Newsletter from Heartland AEA's Digital Learning Consultant Team

We hope you find some helpful info and/or ideas in this month's edition of Heartland AEA Digital Learning News. Please reach out if our team can assist you with teaching and/or learning in any way!

In this issue:

• Computer Science Updates
• Want to Earn Some Credits?
• VR Kits are Back
• Google Updates
• Join Our Facebook Group

2021 Iowa AEA System Update for Superintendents

The Dec. 2021 Iowa AEA System Update for Superintendents is now available. In this update:

Heartland AEA Library & Digital Newsletter is Published

In this issue of the Nov. 30 Heartland AEA Library & Digital Newsletter:

• New Elementary Ebooks
• Computer Science and Coding Resources
• Use AEA Scout to Find Documentaries
• Culture Grams and Standards
• Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit
• Professional Readings, New Reports and School Libraries
• Just Wanted to Share the Excitement

Heartland AEA Literacy Team Has News You Can Use

In this issue of the Dec. 2021 Heartland AEA Literacy newsletter:

• Reading as a Social Justice Issue
• "Scaffolding Up" Adolescent Literacy Grades 4-12
• Science of Reading Professional Learning Opportunity
• Comprehension Strategies for Grades 4-8
• Fluency, Phonics, Sound Walls

NEW! Heartland AEA Gifted & Talented Newsletter, Share with Colleagues!

In this debut issue of the Heartland AEA Gifted & Talented newsletter:

• Welcome to the first edition of the SMORETAG newsletter!
• Smart, But Scattered Workshop Recording
• Upcoming Heartland AEA Professional Development Opportunities
• What's new in the Heartland AEA Professional Library?

Scholarship Opportunities Now Being Accepted for HS Seniors Headed to College AND Skilled Trades

Applications are now being taken for the United States Junior Chamber International Senate Foundation Scholarship Program. Graduating high school seniors in Iowa are eligible to apply. Each year $1,000 national grants will be awarded to graduating high school seniors in the United States, who plan to continue their education at accredited post-secondary colleges, universities or vocational schools.

The Iowa JCI program will be honoring three high school seniors (two going to college and one going to skilled trade education) with at least a $100 scholarship and send the top two forward to USJCI national judging, where the top 33 national seniors will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

Applications must be postmarked by Jan. 14, 2022. For more information, see this scholarship program flyer and application checklist or contact John Buttolph at (515) 290-0383.

Iowa Department of Education Publishes the Winter 2021 School Leader Update

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