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 Winter Break Office Schedule

During Winter Break, Heartland AEA offices will be closed to the public from Dec. 23, 2022 - Jan. 2, 2023.

Heartland AEA Hearing Tests Will Temporarily Move to Capitol View Elementary

Due to remodeling in our Regional Education Center (REC) in Johnston, our sound booth will be temporarily relocated to the sound booth at Capitol View Elementary School in Des Moines. The last day for appointments in the Johnston REC sound booth will be Dec. 16 and will start back up at Capitol View on Jan. 5, 2023.

Heartland Administrators’ Association January Meeting is Via Zoom

Since this is the first day back for many school districts following winter break, the Jan. 3 HAA meeting will be held entirely via Zoom. It will begin at 9:00 a.m. and consist of partnership updates only. Superintendents will receive a calendar invitation with links to the Zoom meeting and agenda.

Register Your District for the ISU Education Career Fair!

Heartland AEA is once again excited to offer our districts an opportunity to participate in an event that will assist you in recruiting quality educators to your district -- the annual Iowa State University School of Education Teacher Education Career Fair! The Fair is open to the public and is predicted to host 250+ students in multiple content areas.

March 6, 2023
1 - 4 p.m.
Iowa State Alumni Center

To encourage your participation in this worthwhile event, Heartland AEA will cover the cost of your district/school's $75 Career Fair registration fee.

Registration for the Career Fair is open!

You will register for the event on your own, designating that you're a Heartland AEA area district. ISU will invoice Heartland AEA for all applicable registration fees. Please note that space is limited, and it fills up quickly!

Registration
Registration takes place through Iowa State's CyHire system. To login or create a new account, visit the CyHire website. If you don't remember your password, click on "Forgot Password" and enter your email address. On your CyHire homepage, click on the "Teacher Education Career Fair - Spring 2023" link under "Attend Events" to complete the registration form.

Career Fair Details
Registration includes lunch for two, a 6' skirted table, Wi-Fi, electricity (upon request), parking and unloading/set-up assistance. Lunch will be provided prior to set up. There is a limit of two recruiters per booth, at one time. Booths will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the date of registration.

Mock Interviews
On the morning of the Career Fair, we will provide professional development sessions, including mock interviews, for our current student teachers. Consider participating in our mock interview session to provide tips and suggestions to upcoming graduates. An option to sign up is included in your registration.

On-Site Interviews
You may sign up to conduct on-campus interviews with students you meet immediately following the fair. If you select this option, ISU will provide a blank interview schedule for you to fill at the fair.

Questions?
For more information about the fair, visit the ISU Teacher Education Career Fair website. If you have any questions, contact CHS Career Services, Teacher Education Services, tecareerfair@iastate.edu or (515) 294-7559.

We hope you will consider participating in this great event -- not only for your district but for students getting ready to begin their careers serving our schools and students!

Learn With Us! Power Knowledge Science and Core Concepts Science Webinars

Learn more about the AEA digital resources by attending these webinars! Recordings will be available if you aren’t able to attend in real time.

Learn With Us:
Join us for two webinars to learn more about two of our new digital resources: Power Knowledge Science and Core Concepts Science!

Power Knowledge Science Suite (3rd-6th grade)
Jan. 24, 2023
3:15 – 4:00 p.m.
REGISTER NOW!

Core Concepts Science Suite (7-12th grade)
Jan. 26, 2023
3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
REGISTER NOW!

Learn With Us: Power Knowledge and Core Concept flyer

The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Coming in January

An innovative professional learning opportunity that provides a toolkit of how the brain develops, along with ways you can develop healthy brain development in children from Birth to 5 years old.

One of the most powerful features of this curriculum is that it translates very complex concepts in a way that is digestible, meaningful and relevant, and provides a range of interactive activities that enable participants to integrate and apply these concepts in their daily work supporting young children.

Check out all the details of The Growing Brain.

Register at this link: https://bit.ly/3fT742B Course #203386

Choose one section to attend:
Dates: Jan. 6 & 23, 2023
Section #314273

Dates: Jan. 17 & 31, Feb. 3 & 10, 2023
Section #314275

Both sections are offered in person in Johnston.

Winter/Spring Course Offerings for Teachers Who Work with Students with Significant Cognitive/Intellectual Disabilities

The Significant Disabilities Leadership Team at Heartland AEA is offering four courses for educators supporting learners with significant intellectual disabilities. All four courses take three days (spread out over a month). Training dates and locations can be found here (link) as can course registration numbers.

Learn more about these offerings here

Conventional Literacy Strategies for Students on Alternate Assessment
Feb. 7 & 23 and March 8, 2023

Emergent Literacy Strategies for Students on Alternate Assessment
Feb. 7, 13 & 27, 2023

Conventional Mathematical Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (Alternate Assessment)
April 14, 26 & 27, 2023

Emergent Mathematical Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (Alternate Assessment)

April 14, 20 & 21, 2023

New Guidance: Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century

Earlier this week, the Iowa Department of Education issued new guidance related to the Alternate ELPA Assessment for students who are English learners and have the most significant cognitive disabilities. The guidance is intended to update educators, Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams, and administrators on the annual English language proficiency assessment requirements for students who are English learners (ELs) and have the most significant cognitive disabilities. If you have questions, contact Terri Schuster, at terri.schuster@iowa.gov or Jennifer Denne, at jennifer.denne@iowa.gov.

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

   

Happy Holidays

Heartland Administrators’ Association January Meeting is Via Zoom

Since this is the first day back for many school districts following winter break, the Jan. 3 HAA meeting will be held entirely via Zoom. It will begin at 9:00 a.m. and consist of partnership updates only. Superintendents will receive a calendar invitation with links to the Zoom meeting and agenda.

Dec. 15 Future Ready Network Meeting: It’s All About That Work-based Learning

The December Future Ready Network meeting will be on Dec. 15 and will be a full day with the Future Ready meeting in the morning from 8:30-11:00 a.m. and a workshop session in the afternoon from 12:30-2:30 p.m. District teams can join in person in the Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston or via Zoom at this link. The day will focus on Work-Based Learning and will include guest speaker Kristy Volesky from the Department of Education Bureau of Career and Technical Education and Laura Williams from the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning. Several districts will also present their Work-Based Learning programs and how they use the Iowa Clearinghouse to manage their projects. The afternoon workshop is for educators who are interested in becoming a district project board manager in the Clearinghouse.

If you would like to know more about becoming a project board manger on the Clearinghouse, watch this short video.

If you are interested in becoming a Clearinghouse project board manager for your district, please complete this survey.

Visit the Heartland AEA Future Ready Website to stay up to date on news, resources, past network Zoom recordings and more! For more information, contact Sue Schirmer, Heartland AEA Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant.

Another Juicy Tidbit About Pear Deck: Make It More Inclusive by Using Immersive Reader

Want to make Pear Deck even more engaging and empowering? The integration with Immersive Reader is an amazing option!

When students activate Immersive Reader in their Pear Deck session, the text from the slides is extracted, opening in a window that provides scaffolding and customization opportunities. Students can make choices to:

• To have the text read to them (and adjust the reading options),
• To change the appearance of the text in terms of size, font, spacing and background contrast color
• To highlight parts of speech and syllables
• To use additional features like line focus and translation

This month’s tip about using Immersive Reader is a recommendation from Michelle Gebel, 5th grade teacher in Indianola. She loves the access to the text students have when using the text-reading feature of Immersive Reader. Take a look!

Each month, be on the lookout for a variety of tips, tricks and testimonials shared via our newsletter, the statewide Iowa AEA website and via social media (@iowa_aea, #iowaaea, Heartland AEA Twitter).

For more information or to share your favorite Pear Deck features and ideas, check out the AEA website!

Heartland AEA Library & Digital Resources December Newsletter is Published

In this issue:

• Ebooks Added to Pebble Go
• Where are the holiday books?
• Winter Traditions
• Copyright BriefNotes Updated
• Social Studies and PBS LearningMedia
• Professional Reading: AASL

Heartland AEA Preschool Administrators Newsletter is Available

In this issue:

• Heartland AEA Community of Practice for Preschool Administrators
• IQPPS Desk Audit
• EC Handbook for Administrator
• ACHIEVE Professional Learning
• Assessment
• Upcoming Professional Learning
• Resources

The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Coming in January

An innovative professional learning opportunity that provides a toolkit of how the brain develops, along with ways you can develop healthy brain development in children from Birth to 5 years old.

One of the most powerful features of this curriculum is that it translates very complex concepts in a way that is digestible, meaningful and relevant, and provides a range of interactive activities that enable participants to integrate and apply these concepts in their daily work supporting young children.

Check out all the details of The Growing Brain.

Register at this link: https://bit.ly/3fT742B
Course #203386

Choose one section to attend:

Dates: Jan. 6 & 23, 2023
Section #314273

or

Dates: Jan. 17 & 31, Feb. 3 & 10, 2023
Section #314275

Both sections are offered in person in Johnston.

Iowa Council of Administrators of Special Education Presents Two-Part Webinar Series

The Iowa Council of Administrators of Special Education is presenting two great learning opportunities for administrators who are looking for more information about the many facets of apologizing related to special education disputes and conflicts, and legal issues in special education regarding parent involvement. The webinar series will be Jan. 18 and March 29, 2023. View the series information here and register at this link.

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

  

Happy Holidays!

Yelick Selected as Next Chief Administrator of Heartland AEA

The Heartland AEA Board of Directors is pleased to officially announce the selection of a new chief administrator for the Agency. Dr. Cindy Yelick, who is currently the chief administrator of Great Prairie AEA in Ottumwa, will succeed Dr. Jon Sheldahl when he retires after an almost 40-year career in education, including the past six years as chief administrator at Heartland AEA.

“The Board and I are excited to have Dr. Yelick return to the Heartland AEA family,” said Pete Evans, Heartland AEA Board President. “She brings a depth of experience with the statewide AEA system and has tremendous passion for the work that Iowa’s AEAs do across the state. We are confident she will continue the great work and positive culture of our agency and will bring a level of experience that will help us further enhance the services we provide to students, children, families and educators in our area.”

As the chief administrative officer of Heartland AEA, Yelick will oversee 735 full- and part-time staff members who provide special education services, instructional services, professional learning, library and digital resources and more to 150,000 students and 11,000 educators throughout the 11 central Iowa counties the Agency serves.

Yelick has been the chief administrator at Great Prairie AEA since 2017, and prior to this position, she was the deputy chief administrator at Heartland AEA. Yelick has previously held positions as executive director of instructional services, administrator for Iowa Core Curriculum, executive director of teaching and learning and a regional coordinator at Heartland AEA; director of early childhood, assessment and special education and elementary principal at Ames Community Schools; elementary principal at Des Moines Public Schools; director of McPrep Middle School Academy at Drake University; and assistant administrator at Spring Branch ISD in Houston, Texas. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Drake University, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, second language education from the University of Houston and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa.

Yelick will assume the responsibilities of chief administrator on July 1, 2023.

“I have great respect for Heartland AEA,” Yelick said. “In my experience working for Heartland AEA and in Iowa’s AEA system, Heartland AEA staff members have a sense of clarity about their work and a commitment to their mission. I have a deep appreciation for the strength and talent of staff and leadership at Heartland, and I’m excited to return to the team and get started.”

We Need Your Feedback on Training Options for our 5-Day Autism Training

We are seeking your feedback to help Heartland AEA's Challenging Behavior and Autism Team explore training dates and format for our 5-Day Autism Training. For reference, currently we provide this training one time per year in the summer months. We are exploring alternative training options and formats. Please respond to this short survey to help guide our decision making. Thank you!

Reminder: Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) Meeting Dec. 6

The Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) meeting will be held on Dec. 6 from 9-11:30 a.m. at Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston. The agenda will focus on cybersecurity with guest speaker Scott Augenbaum, former FBI - Cybercrime. Agenda here. Lunch will be provided immediately following.

January 3 HAA Meeting
Since this is the first day back for many school districts following winter break, the Jan. 3 HAA meeting will be held entirely via Zoom. It will begin at 9:00 a.m. and consist of partnership updates only.

Join Us As We Celebrate CSEdWeek, Dec. 5 - 11

Computational thinking skills inspire problem solving, innovation and creating – skills that are essential for our future workforce. Computer science opens worlds of opportunity for young Iowans to improve how we work and live. Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) takes place Dec. 5-11, 2022, and is an annual call to action to provide American youth with resources to learn more about computer science, explore the opportunities that exist and encourage participation in computer science education.

A variety of resources, panel opportunities and activities are available for anyone interested in learning more about computer science at www.iowastem.org/csedweek. These resources can be utilized to set up unique experiences and events and are customizable for a variety of settings, including classrooms, libraries, businesses, at home, among others.

Throughout the week, schools and other education providers in Iowa and all around the world will offer activities and programs to engage students in computer science education. Scheduled activities for Computer Science Education Week include:

Dec. 5
9 a.m. – Panel for Secondary Students: “What it’s like to be a computer scientist”
10 a.m. – Panel for Non-Traditional Learning Environments (Librarians, After-School Providers, Homeschool, 4-H): “How to include CS in your programming”
4 p.m. – Panel for Classroom Educators: “How to grow CS in your building and/or district”

Dec. 6
3:30 p.m. – Panel for School Counselors: “How to impact and support all learners with CS”
4:30 p.m. – Panel for School Administrators: “NOT one more thing! How to build a CS culture, incorporate into core content, support implementing your K-12 CS plan”

Dec. 7
11 a.m. – Panel for Business and Community Partners: “How to support CS efforts in your community, school districts and/or building”

Dec. 8
6:30 p.m. – Virtual Family Coding Night

Dec. 9
12:30 p.m. – Nutcracker Ballet + STEM at Stephens Auditorium, 1900 Center Drive, Ames, IA 50011

The following companies and organizations are collaborating to help build awareness and provide various resources, events and activities to integrate high-quality computer science education throughout Iowa’s educational systems.

• Alliant Energy
• Bio::Neos
• Computer Science Teacher Association (CSTA) Iowa
• Google
• Iowa’s Area Education Agencies
• Iowa Business Council
• Iowa Department of Education
• Iowa Technology & Education Connection
• Iowa Workforce Development
• Kirkwood Community College
• Microsoft
• NewBoCo K-12 Education
• Technology Association of Iowa

Learn more about CSEdWeek activities by visiting www.iowastem.org/csedweek. Follow on social media using the hashtag #CS4IA to see Computer Science Education Week events happening throughout Iowa.

Heartland AEA Digital Learning Newsletter is Now Available

In this issue of the Heartland AEA Digital Learning newsletter:

• Animate Your Audio with Adobe Express
• Computer Science Education Week
• Seesaw Updates
• The 12 Days of Chrome-mas
• Learning Over Break
• Technology Courses from Heartland AEA

Take a Read: EL/Diversity Newsletter

At this time of year, many of us may begin to look forward to holidays and celebrations with family and friends. In the December/January newsletter, we consider the celebrations that our newly arrived students and families may also celebrate at this time of year. You may access the newsletter through this link.

December Future Ready Network Meeting to Focus on Work-Based Learning

The December Future Ready Network meeting on Dec. 15 and will be a full day with the Future Ready meeting in the morning from 8:30-11:00 a.m. and a workshop session in the afternoon from 12:30-2:30 p.m. 

District teams can join in person in the Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston or via Zoom at this link. 

The day will focus on Work-Based Learning and will include guest speaker Kristy Volesky from the Department of Education Bureau of Career and Technical Education and Laura Williams from the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning. Several districts will also present their Work-Based Learning programs and how they use the Iowa Clearinghouse to manage their projects. The afternoon workshop is for educators who are interested in becoming a district project board manager in the Clearinghouse.

If you would like to know more about becoming a project board manger on the Clearinghouse, watch this short video.

If you are interested in becoming a Clearinghouse project board manager for your district, please complete this survey.

Visit the Heartland AEA Future Ready Website to stay up to date on news, resources, past network Zoom recordings and more! For more information, contact Sue Schirmer, Heartland AEA Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant.

Heartland AEA Literacy December Newsletter is Now Available

In this issue:

• 3 Recommendations on Teaching Secondary Students To Write Effectively
• Early Literacy Accelerators K-2
• Familiarity and Concreteness Can Help Beginning Readers
• Professional Learning Opportunities

Don't Miss Out! Youth Mental Health First Aid Training is Dec. 5

Youth Mental Health First Aid is a public education program that introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling; rather, participants learn to support a youth developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in an emotional crisis.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
Dec. 5, 2022
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

Invited Audience: Any District Staff

Register at this link: https://bit.ly/3OhHvom

The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Coming in January

An innovative professional learning opportunity that provides a toolkit of how the brain develops, along with ways you can develop healthy brain development in children from Birth to 5 years old.

One of the most powerful features of this curriculum is that it translates very complex concepts in a way that is digestible, meaningful and relevant, and provides a range of interactive activities that enable participants to integrate and apply these concepts in their daily work supporting young children.

Check out all the details of The Growing Brain.

Register at this link: https://bit.ly/3fT742B
Course #203386

Choose one section to attend:
Dates: Jan. 6 & 23, 2023
Section #314273

Dates: Jan. 17 & 31, Feb. 3 & 10, 2023
Section #314275

Both sections are offered in person in Johnston.

IEP Teams: New Contact for Meetings With DMPS Resident Students

When IEP teams are inviting Des Moines Public Schools to an IEP meeting for a resident student of DMPS attending another district, DMPS has asked that teams contact Deb Day, who will identify the appropriate DMPS representative to attend the meeting based on the learner’s address.

Board of Educational Examiners’ Newsletter December 2022

The December 2022 newsletter from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners is available. In this issue: Mandatory Reporter Requirements, Renewal Credit Options, Student Teachers as Substitutes, BOEE Code of Conduct and Recent Cases.

Registration is Open for the 8th Annual Emerging Educators Academy

The Outstanding Iowa Educators of the Iowa Department of Education along with the Iowa State Education Association, and Drake University School of Education are hosting the 8th Annual Emerging Educators Academy.

The Academy is for all pre-service teacher-prep students and first through third year teachers as well as their mentors. We encourage teams of beginning teachers and mentors to attend together as this event will elevate, celebrate and ignite all participants.

The Academy will feature breakout sessions on building classroom culture and community, social emotional learning, engagement strategies, and fostering a love of teaching. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with outstanding Iowa educators.

Thriving, Learning, Connecting: Growing As Educators
Jan. 21, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Drake University

For more information and to register, visit the Emerging Educators Academy website.

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

  

We Need Your Feedback on Training Options for our 5-Day Autism Training

We are seeking your feedback to help Heartland AEA's Challenging Behavior and Autism Team explore training dates and format for our 5-Day Autism Training. For reference, currently we provide this training one time per year in the summer months. We are exploring alternative training options and formats. Please respond to this short survey to help guide our decision making. Thank you!

Save the Date: Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) Meeting Dec. 6

The Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) meeting will be held on Dec. 6 from 9-11:30 a.m. at Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston. The agenda will focus on cybersecurity with guest speaker Scott Augenbaum, former FBI - Cybercrime. Agenda here. Lunch will be provided immediately following.

January 3 HAA Meeting

Since this is the first day back for many school districts following winter break, the Jan. 3 HAA meeting will be held entirely via Zoom. It will begin at 9:00 a.m. and consist of partnership updates only.

Join Us As We Celebrate CSEdWeek, Dec. 5 - 11

Computational thinking skills inspire problem solving, innovation and creating – skills that are essential for our future workforce. Computer science opens worlds of opportunity for young Iowans to improve how we work and live. Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) takes place Dec. 5-11, 2022, and is an annual call to action to provide American youth with resources to learn more about computer science, explore the opportunities that exist and encourage participation in computer science education.

A variety of resources, panel opportunities and activities are available for anyone interested in learning more about computer science at www.iowastem.org/csedweek. These resources can be utilized to set up unique experiences and events and are customizable for a variety of settings, including classrooms, libraries, businesses, at home, among others.

Throughout the week, schools and other education providers in Iowa and all around the world will offer activities and programs to engage students in computer science education. Scheduled activities for Computer Science Education Week include:

Dec. 5
9 a.m. – Panel for Secondary Students: “What it’s like to be a computer scientist”

10 a.m. – Panel for Non-Traditional Learning Environments (Librarians, After-School Providers, Homeschool, 4-H): “How to include CS in your programming”
4 p.m. – Panel for Classroom Educators: “How to grow CS in your building and/or district”

Dec. 6
3:30 p.m. – Panel for School Counselors: “How to impact and support all learners with CS”
4:30 p.m. – Panel for School Administrators: “NOT one more thing! How to build a CS culture, incorporate into core content, support implementing your K-12 CS plan”

Dec. 7
11 a.m. – Panel for Business and Community Partners: “How to support CS efforts in your community, school districts and/or building”

Dec. 8
6:30 p.m. – Virtual Family Coding Night

Dec. 9
12:30 p.m. – Nutcracker Ballet + STEM at Stephens Auditorium, 1900 Center Drive, Ames, IA 50011

The following companies and organizations are collaborating to help build awareness and provide various resources, events and activities to integrate high-quality computer science education throughout Iowa’s educational systems.

Alliant Energy
Bio::Neos
Computer Science Teacher Association (CSTA) Iowa
Google
Iowa’s Area Education Agencies
Iowa Business Council
Iowa Department of Education
Iowa Technology & Education Connection
Iowa Workforce Development
Kirkwood Community College
Microsoft
NewBoCo K-12 Education
Technology Association of Iowa

Learn more about CSEdWeek activities by visiting www.iowastem.org/csedweek. Follow on social media using the hashtag #CS4IA to see Computer Science Education Week events happening throughout Iowa.

You’re Invited: Complete This Survey That Explores Factors Leading to Teacher Burnout

The purpose of this study is to identify predictive factors for teacher burnout that may be related to working with students with disabilities. It is estimated that the survey will take no more than 20 minutes to complete. Participation in the study is totally voluntary, and responses are entirely anonymous. Participants must hold an appropriate teacher/teaching credential in Iowa, currently work in a middle or high school and are 18 years or older. If you agree to participate, follow this link to access the survey. Please consider sharing this invitation with your networks as appropriate.

For more information, contact the survey administrator:
Allison Levine, Ph.D., CRC, Assistant Professor, Department of Counselor Education,
Affiliate Research Faculty, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health, University of Iowa
Allison-levine@uiowa.edu
(319) 467-4355

Don't Miss Out! Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Dec. 5

Youth Mental Health First Aid is a public education program that introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling rather, participants learn to support a youth developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in an emotional crisis.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Dec. 5, 2022

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

Invited Audience: Any District Staff

Register at this link: https://bit.ly/3OhHvom

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

  

We Need Your Feedback on Training Options for our 5-Day Autism Training

We are seeking your feedback to help Heartland AEA's Challenging Behavior and Autism Team explore training dates and format for our 5-Day Autism Training. For reference, currently we provide this training one time per year in the summer months. We are exploring alternative training options and formats. Please respond to this short survey to help guide our decision making. Thank you!

UNI and Iowa’s AEAs Partner to Provide Computer Science Endorsement to Teachers at No Cost

Computer Science Education at University of Northern Iowa partnered with Central Rivers and Grant Wood AEAs to earn a $1,000,000 National Science Foundation Grant. 

This program will provide secondary (5-12) computer science endorsements at no cost for roughly 25 educators in each of Iowa's 9 AEAs and at a reduced cost for others from Summer 2023 through Winter 2025.

Participants will complete course work online and attend 15-20 total regional, in person Communities of Practice throughout the endorsement program. The computer science endorsement will be completed in 18 months and includes the following courses:

• Foundational Concepts of Computer Science
• Fundamentals of Programming
• Teaching and Learning Programming
• Methods of Computer Science
• Data Structures and Algorithms

We anticipate running three cohort groups at Central Rivers, Grant Wood and Northwest AEAs beginning Summer 2023 and six cohort groups Summer 2024 in various locations across the state. 

Teachers interested in receiving additional information about the program as more details are released can register their interest by completing this Teacher Interest Form.

For more information on this program you can visit csed.uni.edu, view an informational flyer at bit.ly/CSED_UNI_NSF23_Info or contact Ben Schafer, Ph.D., at schafer@cs.uni.edu or (319) 273-2187.

Nov. 17 Future Ready Network Meeting to Focus on Apprenticeships, Financial Aid, the Military & More

The next Heartland AEA Future Ready Network meeting will be on Nov. 17 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and will focus on apprenticeships, Job Corps, financial aid, scholarships and the military.

This network meeting will be offered as a hybrid option. District teams can join in person in the Johnston Regional Education Center, Conf. Room 123 or via Zoom. Participants will leave with a greater awareness of apprenticeship opportunities in central Iowa, scholarships and financial aid available in Iowa and Job Corps and military connections to post-secondary education. Several guest speakers will be on hand including Kris Byam, Registered Apprenticeship Bureau Chief, from the Iowa Department of Education; Shari Clausen from Denison Job Corps; Todd Brown from Iowa College Aid; and Maj. Daniel Torrence, Iowa Air National Guard, U.S. Air Force, ROTC.

Visit the Heartland AEA Future Ready site to stay up to date on news, resources, past network Zoom recordings and more. For more information, contact Sue Schirmer, Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant.

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

  

Digital Learning News from Heartland AEA

In this issue of the Digital Learning newsletter from Heartland AEA:

• Tech Tip of the Month
• Computer Science News
• Canva and Pear Deck
• Want to Earn Some Credits?
• Opportunities from Your Statewide AEA System
• From the Blogosphere

Canva and Pear Deck Go Hand in Hand

If you’re a K-12 educator, you can access Canva for Education for free! You’ll get all the benefits of Canva premium features such as millions of images, fonts, graphics, videos, animations, and templates, plus a dedicated classroom workspace to invite students and teachers to share, review, and manage your work.

AND if you’re an Iowa Educator you get Pear Deck Premium for free! You’ll get all of the bells and whistles of draggables, immersive reader, student paced mode, locks, timers review and reflect and more!

Combine the two and you have a plethora of ways to engage your students. Explore these ready-to-use Canva templates designed for Pear Deck — along with many more or jump on into Canva and create your own!

• About Me — build connections with your students by sharing an “About Me” presentation
• Social Emotional Learning (SEL) — understand your students with a Mood or Feelings check-in
• Science — teach a ready-to-use Science presentation template
• Social Studies — engage students with an eye-catching Social Studies lesson

Pear Deck also partners with Newsela! This month’s tip is a recommendation from Stephanie Hnesh, 5th grade teacher in Iowa City. She loves using the Daily Decks with Newsela content that are new every day to engage students in rich conversations. Take a look!

Each month, be on the lookout for a variety of tips, tricks and testimonials shared via our newsletter, the statewide Iowa AEA website and via social media (@iowa_aea, #iowaaea, Heartland AEA Twitter).

For more information or to share your favorite Pear Deck features and ideas, check out the AEA website!

READ: Heartland AEA Library & Digital Resources Newsletter

In this issue of the Heartland AEA Library & Digital Resources newsletter:

• New PebbleGo and PebbleGo Next Articles
• Open House: Explore Robots and Physical Computing Devices
• First Amendment and Students
• New Ebooks
• New Titles in Learn360
• Test Your Children's Lit Knowledge
• Teach Computational Thinking with Literature

Heartland AEA Literacy Newsletter is Now Available

In this issue of the Heartland AEA Literacy newsletter:

• Simple View of Writing
• Connecting Writing to the Science of Reading, Developing Writing for Young Learners (K-2)
• Instructional Resources
• Professional Learning Opportunities

Heartland AEA Introduces Preschool Administrators’ Newsletter

Welcome to the Heartland AEA Preschool Administrator's Newsletter! This e-newsletter is for district and community partner leaders to keep you updated on preschool initiatives, state requirements, professional development, assessment and best practices. Enjoy and share with your colleagues! In this issue:

• Communities of Practice
• IQPPS Desk Audit
• ACHIEVE Professional Learning
• Assessment GOLD Checkpoint dates
• myIGDIs
• Professional Learning Activities

Iowa Department of Education Releases Fall 2022 School Leader Update

The Fall 2022 School Leader Update is now available. Some topics include:

• Message from the Director
• Does your student want to serve on the Iowa State Board of Education?
• Iowa e-Learning Central now offers course sharing
• School vulnerability assessment update
• Preschool professional learning webinars
• Student Reporting in Iowa updates