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

 

HAA Will Not Meet in February, Superintendents to Attend IASB Day on the Hill Feb. 1

The Heartland Administrators' Association (HAA) will NOT meet on Feb. 1 so superintendents can participate in IASB's Day on the Hill. The next regular HAA meeting will be held on March 1. Look for an agenda and more details coming soon.

Plan to Attend: Curriculum Network Meeting Feb. 4

Curriculum Network will be meeting on February 4 from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. in Room 107 at Heartland's Regional Education Center in Johnston. The agenda is this month features ISASP updates from Iowa Testing Programs, a legislative update, an overview on Title IX and an overview of Academic Seminar.

Participants can attend in person or via Zoom. The Zoom links are in the agenda for both the statewide section of the meeting and Heartland's section. If you have any questions, email Kevin Fangman at kfangman@heartlandaea.org.

Everything School Administrators Need to Know about Title IX

Miriam Van Heukelem, attorney at Ahlers Cooney Attorneys, will be presenting Everything School Administrators Need to Know about TItle IX at the Curriculum Network meeting on Feb. 4 at 10:15 a.m. in Heartland AEA's Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive in Johnston. Participants can attend by Zoom or in person. The session will last 45 minutes and will be recorded. If you have any questions, email Kevin Fangman at kfangman@heartlandaea.org.

Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund Grant Interest Survey *Action Needed*

The Iowa Department of Education announced the Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund (CSPDIF) this month. Applications are now open and will be accepted until Feb. 11. You can learn more about the (CSPDIF) here: CSPDIF Information.

Iowa's AEAs are collaborating to write a CSPDIF grant application to help meet the needs of Iowa school districts. Many current (and future) computer science teachers are singletons in their building or district. Our intent is to provide educators with professional development opportunities they may not otherwise have access to in order to implement K-12 district plans for computer science instruction and provide quality computer science education. Together, we can support one another to deliver K-12 computer science to all students!

This website is the communication hub for the AEA Statewide Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund (CSPDIF). It includes information about each of the options we plan to include in our grant proposal.

The Statewide AEA Collaborative grant applications will include:

Elementary CSPDIF grant proposal

• BootUp Professional Development with stipends
• Code.org CS Fundamentals & Deep Dive Professional Development with stipends
• CS Micro-credentials asynchronous learning with stipends
• AEA PD Online CS Standards asynchronous modules with stipends

Secondary CSPDIF grant proposal

• Code.org CS Discoveries professional development with stipends (middle school)
• Carnegie Mellon CS Academy(Python) with stipends (middle school)
• AEA PD Online CS Standards asynchronous modules with stipends (middle and high school)
• Code.org CS Principles professional development with stipends (high school)
• Code.org CSA (Java) professional development with stipends (high school)
• Carnegie Mellon CS Academy (Python) with stipends (high school)

Next steps for district admins and computer science leaders:
1. Complete this survey by Jan. 31. The form only needs to be completed once per district. Your response will: provide us with the information needed to complete the grant application and implement the programs allow us to plan meaningful, K-12 computer science professional development allow you to express interest in participating in our grant applications.

2. Save your spot: Share this website and the program menu above with educators in your district so they can save their spot ASAP! Registration will only be open through Jan. 31 so we can have the most accurate numbers in our grant proposal. If you aren’t sure which teachers will be participating, have the building administrator complete this process.

* Expressing interest in a statewide application does not prevent districts from submitting district/building applications.

Feb. 2022 Iowa AEA System Update for Superintendents

The Feb. 2022 Iowa AEA System Update for Superintendents is now available. In this update:

• Iowa's Computer Science Requirements
• Customer Satisfaction Survey Results

Collaborative Pilot Announced for Districts Interested in Developing a Comprehensive School Mental Health System

Heartland AEA is excited to announce the opportunity for districts/schools to engage in a collaborative pilot to develop and implement Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems (CSMHS). The goal of this pilot is to focus on long-term, systems change for integrating school and community-based mental health supports within a multi-tiered service delivery framework based on a shared children, youth, family, school and community vision (Florida AWARE Guidance). Read more about the collaboration pilot opportunity and complete the survey if interested.

Interested in Future Ready Topics? ​​Join the Heartland AEA Future Ready Network on Feb. 3

The next Heartland AEA Future Ready Network session will be Feb. 3 from 9-11 a.m. The meeting will be on Zoom (link) and the focus of the session will be “Special Populations: Hispanic/Latinx.” We are excited to announce that Sonia Reyes and Karen Ruiz from the Iowa Department of Latino Affairs/LCAN will be our guest speakers. Make plans to participate in this amazing opportunity. As a reminder, all sessions of the Heartland AEA Future Ready Network are recorded and resources as well as recordings can be found on this Google Site. Contact Sue Schirmer for questions or more information.

Registration is Open for Authentic Learning Network Student Expo April 26

The Iowa Authentic Learning Network is hosting “Innovate without Boundaries,” a virtual student expo on April 26, 2022. Learners of all ages are invited to join this one-of-a-kind FREE event designed to showcase student projects, community partnerships and professional learning for all. This networking opportunity is your chance to immerse yourself in authentic environments driven by student leadership and personalized learning through projects with area partnerships. PK-12 educators and students this day is for you! Strategically designed to allow you the flexibility to join all day or for just a portion. You won’t want to miss this day! Please use your school email or professional business address to register at this link.

MISIC Conference to Focus on Key Challenges for Schools: Social-Emotional Learning, Equity, Quality Instruction and Technology

Register today to attend the 2022 MISIC Conference on March 7 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. “Reset & Reinvent: Rising to the Challenges,” will focus on key challenges for schools, including social-emotional learning, equity, engagement, quality instruction and technology. Lunch keynote is Stacey Cole, Superintendent of Storm Lake Schools. Check out the speaker lineup and breakout session topics, and register at this link.

Cost
MISIC Members: $100
***Special Member Benefit: Register 4people and the 5th person is free!***

Non-MISIC Members: $195

Save the Date! Iowa Education Conference June 6-9

You’ll want to save the date for the June 6-9 Iowa Education Conference held in Des Moines! 

The Iowa Education Conference (IEC) 2022 is designed to support school leadership teams, educators and their organizational partners to prepare all learners for their future at every step of their educational journey. Formerly the Special Education Symposium and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) June Institute, the IEC seeks to align statewide efforts to support Iowa’s school districts, area education agencies (AEAs), and partnering agencies and organizations in the provision of leadership, instructional services and other supports to promote the success of all Iowa learners. Content strands across the event include college and career readiness, early childhood, leadership, literacy, mathematics and social-emotional-behavioral health. Read more about the conference and watch for registration to open.

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

 

IASB Day on the Hill is Feb. 1, HAA Will Not Meet in February

The Heartland Administrators' Association (HAA) will NOT meet on Feb. 1 so superintendents can participate in IASB's Day on the Hill. The next regular HAA meeting will be held on March 1. Look for an agenda and more details coming soon.

Collaborative Pilot Announced for Districts Interested in Developing a Comprehensive School Mental Health System

Heartland AEA is excited to announce the opportunity for districts/schools to engage in a collaborative pilot to develop and implement Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems (CSMHS). The goal of this pilot is to focus on long-term, systems change for integrating school and community-based mental health supports within a multi-tiered service delivery framework based on a shared children, youth, family, school and community vision (Florida AWARE Guidance). Read more about the collaboration pilot opportunity and complete the survey if interested.

*Action Needed* AEA Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund Grant Interest Survey

The Iowa Department of Education announced the Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund (CSPDIF) this month. Applications are now open and will be accepted until Feb. 11. You can learn more about the (CSPDIF) here: CSPDIF Information.

Iowa's AEAs are collaborating to write a CSPDIF grant application to help meet the needs of Iowa school districts. Many current (and future) computer science teachers are singletons in their building or district. Our intent is to provide educators with professional development opportunities they may not otherwise have access to in order to implement K-12 district plans for computer science instruction and provide quality computer science education. Together, we can support one another to deliver K-12 computer science to all students!

This website is the communication hub for the AEA Statewide Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund (CSPDIF). It includes information about each of the options we plan to include in our grant proposal.

The Statewide AEA Collaborative grant applications will include:

Elementary CSPDIF grant proposal
BootUp Professional Development with stipends
Code.org CS Fundamentals & Deep Dive Professional Development with stipends
CS Micro-credentials asynchronous learning with stipends
AEA PD Online CS Standards asynchronous modules with stipends

Secondary CSPDIF grant proposal
Code.org CS Discoveries professional development with stipends (middle school)
Carnegie Mellon CS Academy(Python) with stipends (middle school)
AEA PD Online CS Standards asynchronous modules with stipends (middle and high school)
Code.org CS Principles professional development with stipends (high school)
Code.org CSA (Java) professional development with stipends (high school)
Carnegie Mellon CS Academy (Python) with stipends (high school)

Next 3 steps for district admins and computer science leaders:
1. Complete this survey by Jan. 31. The form only needs to be completed once per district. Your response will:

• provide us with the information needed to complete the grant application and implement the programs
• allow us to plan meaningful, K-12 computer science professional development
• allow you to express interest in participating in our grant applications

2. Save your spot: Share this website and the program menu above with educators in your district so they can save their spot ASAP! Registration will only be open through Jan. 31 so we can have the most accurate numbers in our grant proposal. If you aren’t sure which teachers will be participating, have the building administrator complete this process.

3. Join the webinar: We are going to host a Heartland AEA Computer Science Webinar to go over these grant options, on Jan. 20 from 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.

Computer Science Webinar Zoom Link
Heartland AEA Computer Science Webinar Agenda

* Expressing interest in a statewide application does not prevent districts from submitting district/building applications.

Interested in Future Ready Topics? ​​Join the Heartland AEA Future Ready Network on Feb. 3

The next Heartland AEA Future Ready Network session will be Feb. 3 from 9-11 a.m. The meeting will be on Zoom (link) and the focus of the session will be “Special Populations: Hispanic/Latinx.” We are excited to announce that Sonia Reyes and Karen Ruiz from the Iowa Department of Latino Affairs/LCAN will be our guest speakers. Make plans to participate in this amazing opportunity. As a reminder, all sessions of the Heartland AEA Future Ready Network are recorded and resources as well as recordings can be found on this Google Site. Contact Sue Schirmer for questions or more information.

Investigations, Fierce Conversations and Professional Standards Courses Available for Evaluator Renewal, Beginning in February

Zoom classes must have a minimum of 10 participants with a cap at 18..

Investigations: Bullying and Section 102 Level 1
3 different opportunities, virtual in the morning. Administrators and counselors are encouraged to attend to refresh learning about investigations. Seats are still available!

Feb. 15, 17, 22 and 24
March 22, 24, 28 and 31
June 8, 9, 13 and 14

This course reviews bullying investigations and Section 102s (briefly the difference between Title IX and Section 102), conversations with attorneys. It also includes a recorded zoom with two students talking about social media apps and how they work.

Fierce 1
2 offerings, 2 credits, virtual in the morning. More participants are needed!

Feb. 1, 10, 14, 16 and 21 + a placeholder only date

June 15, 16, 20, 21 and 22 + a placeholder only date

Fierce 2
1 credit, virtual in the morning
June 23, 27, 28 and 29

Professional Standards That Support Students' Academic Success and Well-Being
This course is best suited for teams to attend together; most beneficial to include teacher leaders. The course unpacks the new administrator standards but with a lens on SEL of students and leads to planning for the future. Class meets twice then a third time at a later date with your team.

June 6 and 7, 3rd date TBD by your team
1 credit, in person at the AEA in Ottumwa - 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

If a couple districts would like to have a class (need 10+ participants), that can be done on a mutual schedule next year or second semester, contact Anne Morgan at Great Prairie AEA, (641) 208-1017.

UNI Leadership Camp License Renewal Credit – Approved for Evaluator Renewal Summer 2022

The University of Northern Iowa again is hosting leadership camps that are approved for evaluator renewal. The course focuses on the three pillars of an effective evaluation process (standards, aligned evidence and coaching conversations). Participants consider the evaluation process through the lens of the new Iowa Leadership Standards as they collaborate with colleagues to consider how to implement the evaluation process in an authentic, meaningful manner to most fully support those they serve. The class is very engaging and interactive. Heartland AEA has hosted leadership camps in the past, and the feedback from participants has been exceptional.

Opportunity 1:
Date: June 8-9, 2022
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Participants: 40
Location: Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA 50131
Phone: (515) 270-9030 or (800) 362-2720

Opportunity 2:
Date: June 23-24, 2022
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Participants: 40
Location: Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA 50131
Phone: (515) 270-9030 or (800) 362-2720

Registration:
Email Denise Schares to sign up and indicate your choice of dates in your email.

Cost and Credit:

• One graduate credit needed to renew Evaluator Approval license
• $75 includes one graduate credit, all materials and lunches

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 Administrators' Association Will Not Meet in February, Next Meeting Scheduled March 1

The Heartland Administrators' Association (HAA) will NOT meet on Feb. 1 so superintendents can participate in IASB's Day on the Hill.

The next regular HAA meeting will be held on March 1. Look for an agenda and more details coming soon.

Registration is Open for Authentic Learning Network Student Expo April 26

The Iowa Authentic Learning Network is hosting “Innovate without Boundaries,” a virtual student expo on April 26, 2022. Learners of all ages are invited to join this one-of-a-kind FREE event designed to showcase student projects, community partnerships and professional learning for all. This networking opportunity is your chance to immerse yourself in authentic environments driven by student leadership and personalized learning through projects with area partnerships. PK-12 educators and students this day is for you! Strategically designed to allow you the flexibility to join all day or for just a portion. You won’t want to miss this day! Please use your school email or professional business address to 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

 

Heartland Administrators' Association Will Not Meet in February, Next Meeting Scheduled March 1

The Heartland Administrators' Association (HAA) will NOT meet on Feb. 1 so superintendents can participate in IASB's Day on the Hill.

The next regular HAA meeting will be held on March 1. Look for an agenda and more details coming soon.

Heartland AEA Digital Learning News

Welcome back! Hopefully everyone had a safe, relaxing winter break and you’re feeling recharged for the new year! The start of a new year often leads us to examine where we are and to set goals for where we’d like to be, personally and professionally. We would love to hear your education-related New Year’s resolutions on Heartland's Innovative Educator Facebook Group!

In this issue of Heartland AEA Digital Learning News:

• Adobe Spark is now Creative Cloud Express
• Heart of Innovation Learning Series
• Computer Science Updates
• Teaching Strategies with Tech
• Heartland's Digital Learning Team's Best of 2021
• Technology Courses

Save the Date! IowaALN Student Expo April 26

The Iowa Authentic Learning Network is hosting “Innovate without Boundaries,” a virtual student expo on April 26, 2022. Learners of all ages are invited to join this one-of-a-kind FREE event designed to showcase student projects, community partnerships and professional learning for all. Registration coming soon!

Heartland AEA Library & Digital Newsletter is Now Available

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

• Better Together this Thursday
• IASL Intellectual Freedom Webinar
• AEA Scout Online Course Coming Soon
• New Pebble Go Articles
• Popular TItles in MackinVIA

Literacy News from Heartland AEA

In this issue of the Heartland AEA Literacy Newsletter:

• Assessment Reminders
• Science of Reading - What to learn next?
• Nancy Young Reading Ladder
• Improving Literacy in Secondary Schools and Seven Recommendations
• Professional Learning Opportunities

Math Minutes Newsletter is Here!

The Heartland AEA Math Minutes newsletter is now available. In this issue:

• Math Diagnostic Flowchart App
• Subitizing Flip Cards
• The Always, Sometimes, Never Routine
• What Summer Learning Needs Do You Have?

Educators, Plan to Attend this Seesaw Webinar on Feb. 9: “Creating Accessible Learning Experiences with Seesaw”

This 50-minute session is for all teachers who support students with diverse needs, including English Language Learners and students with IEPs/504s. Teachers differentiate instruction on Seesaw to make meaningful learning experiences accessible for all learners.

Link to Webinar Registration
Feb. 9, 2022
3:30 p.m.

Learning Outcomes:

• Create accessible instructions using audio, icons and images
• Add scaffolds such as embedded videos and images to support all learners
• Provide choice and use Multimodal outputs to support all learners

How to get the most out of the webinar:

1. Make sure you have a Seesaw teacher account and practice logging in (you do not need a student account for this session)
2. If possible, bring two devices to the webinar so you can join the training on one device and explore Seesaw on the other
3. All attendees will receive a recording of the session, presentation slides and a certificate of completion within 48 hours after the training.

STEM Scholarships Available for Current Educators and Professionals Interested in Career Change to Teaching

The Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council has launched two new scholarships. One is for in-service STEM teachers to take an update course at a local college or university - at no cost to educators! The other scholarship is for professionals in STEM fields to career-change to teaching - also at no cost to the professional! Please share these scholarship opportunities with colleagues and friends!