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 Meeting Reminder and Agenda for May 3

The agenda for the Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) meeting on May 3 is now available at this link. It features updates on ACHIEVE training, cyber security strategy and services, Heartland AEA One Click and an update on the state-wide literacy project. The meeting will be held from 9:00 -11:30 a.m. at the Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive in Johnston, Rooms 107A/B and via Zoom. This will be the last spring meeting before the group recesses for summer break.

We Want Your Feedback: Possible Community of Practice to Support Behavior Coach / Specialist / Interventionist Role

Based on requests we have received from our district partners, Heartland AEA is exploring the possibility of offering a Behavior Coach / Behavior Specialist / Behavior Interventionist professional learning sequence and Community of Practice. The goals would be to provide a sequence of learning and increase the use of evidence-based practices, as well as an ongoing connection to a Community of Practice to support those who serve in this role.

As we begin to design this learning sequence and community of practice, we would appreciate feedback from those who guide the work of this type of role in their district. We are seeking feedback regarding the intention/goals of the role so we can align the learning.

Listening Sessions - May 20 or 24
We will offer listening sessions on May 20 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Zoom Link) or May 24 from 11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. (Zoom Link) to learn more about your needs related to these positions (you only need to attend one session). 

Provide Feedback

In preparation for the listening session, we would appreciate your feedback on the questions below. Please submit this Google Form with your feedback by May 11. 

• Which role is most preferred: better farmers (cultivate prevention) or better firefighters (reactive / responsive)? Or both? What percentage of their time do you anticipate will be spent on prevention vs. response/reaction?
• How do you envision this role differing from your school counselor?
• If your Behavior Coach / Behavior Specialist / Behavior Interventionist was successful in their job, what are the top three outcomes that would be achieved?
• What structure(s) would you prefer to be offered: structured course, a community of practice, or a combination of both?
• Would you release your Behavior Coach / Behavior Specialist / Behavior Interventionist to attend and participate in the professional learning sequence and/or Community of Practice? Please share any relevant thoughts.
• Will you plan to participate in one of the listening sessions? If so, please indicate which date/time you will plan to attend (May 20 or May 24).
• Any additional thoughts, comments, feedback, or questions?

If you have any questions, contact Jadie Boens, Director of Special Programs.

Student Planners: Help Keep Your Students Organized and Engaged!

Quality, affordable & 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 our website to choose your planner style from the many options we offer. Order by May 1 to ensure delivery by the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.

Coming on May 11: Iowa Meaningful Career Conversations Training Program

Iowa Career and Academic Planning via the CTE Bureau is providing an amazing opportunity to engage educators in a PK-20 professional development experience. Please see the information below about the Iowa Meaningful Career Conversations training program this spring.

As research shows, as we engage students in conversations and opportunities to learn more about their skills, aptitudes and career passions we find that they are more prepared to graduate from high school, move on to post-secondary training of some sort, and are better prepared mentally and emotionally for life. By introducing students to careers earlier in their schooling, we are providing them with more options and understanding of the world of work and how their career passions can be attained. The Iowa Meaningful Career Conversations training is a step in the right direction to support students in our PK-20 system.

We are thrilled to announce that nine training sessions have been scheduled and the registration form is now live. The sessions are listed on the flyers below and the time of the training is either 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Heartland AEA Trainings

All Session Trainings

We are looking to provide training for anyone in education who has a touchpoint with students in PK-20 settings — this could be school counselors, intermediaries, financial aid officers, teachers, coaches, administrators, librarians, nutritional staff members, school nurses, administrative assistants, college advisers, CCTCs, WBL Coordinators, STEM Council members, Career and Technical Student Organization EDs or State Officer Advisers, etc. Please share!

*Please note: Perkins funding or Regional Planning Partnership funds may be available to cover sub or travel costs.

If you have any questions, contact Sue Schirmer.

We’re Giving Away Books and DVDs to Educators!

Mark your calendars for June 21-22 when we offer PK-12 and professional books (and other assorted instructional resources) at no cost to educators in the Heartland AEA service area. Visit Heartland AEA at 6500 Corporate Drive in Johnston from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and pick up some awesome books!

Wait, there’s more!
We are also giving away PK-12 DVDs on a first-come basis to educators in the Heartland AEA service area to use in the classroom. Login to the Heartland AEA Library Catalog to make a selection. The Heartland AEA van will deliver the DVDs to your school. If you have questions, contact the Heartland AEA library.

Summer Professional Learning Opportunities Being Offered June - August 2022

Heartland AEA and the AEA system will be offering a variety of courses and workshops this summer. Here are the classes and workshops being offered by Heartland AEA practitioners. The tabs at the bottom of the document allow you to save time by searching by interest area.

These are all the classes and workshops being offered in Heartland AEA this summer.

If you are interested in classes and workshops being offered across the AEA system, you can search this document by AEA or month. This list is updated weekly.

If you have any questions related to Heartland AEA’s professional learning opportunities, email profdev@heartlandaea.org.

UNI Leadership Camp Begins June 8, Approved for Evaluator Renewal

The University of Northern Iowa Institute for Educational Leadership received a grant called Leading and Learning with Character through the Kern Family Foundation. As part of the grant, UNI continues to host Leadership Camps which 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
June 8-9, 2022
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
40 participants
Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center, Room 152B

Opportunity 2
June 23-24, 2022
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
40 participants
Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center, Room 107A

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

Registration
Contact Denise Schares to sign up. Indicate your choice of dates in your email.

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