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

  

REMINDER: Accept your Calendar Invite to Attend the Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) Meeting on Sept. 6

Superintendents should have received a calendar invitation to the Sept. 6 Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) meeting. The meeting will include an administrator-only learning session on Fundamentals of Communication and Media Interaction featuring Andy Garman with Wixted & Co. This is an in-person meeting only, with no Zoom option and it will not be recorded.

Lunch will be provided immediately following the meeting. Please accept or decline your calendar invitation as it will be used as a headcount for ordering lunch.

If you wish to bring an extra person, such as your Comms or PR person, please contact Jenny Ugolini. We will be monitoring attendance as attendance will be capped.

Assistance with Redistricting is Now Available

Iowa redistricting is currently underway. Redistricting is the process of redrawing electoral districts to equalize population between districts and is required by Iowa law following each decennial Census. If existing school director districts meet the standards in Iowa Code and the 2020 population between districts is still within the required parameters, existing districts can remain in place - though do still need to be recertified by the Iowa Secretary of State.

Redistricting Resources

Cornerstone
Owner Jodi Flory is an Experienced Geographic Information Systems Specialist with a 20+ year history of working with GIS mapping technologies and data analytics. Skilled in administering enterprise GIS for both municipal, county and state government operations. Extensive experience in legislative and local redistricting. Demonstrated experience with the ESRI suite of products in both desktop and web platforms. Superintendents may use this form to enter some basic information to request a meeting. This Frequently Asked Questions may also be helpful.

Jodi Flory
(970) 409-9238
jodiflory@gmail.com
Cornerstone website


Mapping Strategies
Mapping Strategies, LLC., is a data analytics firm focused on practical solutions to public policy issues. Mapping Strategies has provided redistricting services to school districts and is experienced in geographic information systems (GIS) projects. Jim Addy is a former Administrator of School Services and Information for the Iowa Department of Education. Jim oversaw departmental research, information technology, school finance, nutrition, health and transportation programs. Now the president of Mapping Strategies, Addy has personally provided spatial analysis solutions and redistricting for government jurisdictions.

Jim Addy
(515) 554-1049
info@mappingstrategies.com
Mapping Strategies website


Timeline

• Nov. 15, 2022 - First day that school boards can adopt a resolution redrawing director district boundaries
• May 15, 2023 - Deadline for school boards to complete redistricting
• July 1, 2023 - School director district boundaries become effective

Have you Registered for the Collective Equity Learning Series Coming in September?

Heartland AEA is proud to partner with thought leaders Drs. Nicole Law and Sonja Hollins-Alexander in providing the “Collective Equity Learning Series” for districts in the Heartland AEA service area. Law and Alexander are the authors of the Collective Equity Framework, published by Corwin. This series consists of four face-to-face learning dates, two virtual learning dates and one virtual coaching session for district teams.

Overview
When we create a learning community that works together through a collectivist lens of shared accountability, we begin to see how educators can convene around high expectations for all. The Collective Equity framework consists of the following dimensions: personal relational, professional, organizational and systemic. These dimensions empower learning communities to explore how their collaborative actions and decisions propel learning forward.

The Collective Equity Framework Includes:

• Considering all the dimensions we individually and collectively bring to school, including poverty, special needs, beliefs, values and more.
• Engaging in practices that fortify all members in the learning community as they develop a shared language, create a safe place for the work of equity and establish cultural sustainability.
• Activating the Collective Equity Organizational Analysis in a comprehensive process that informs the removal of organizational, instructional, programmatic and curricular barriers that impede the promise of equity.

*Presenters have reviewed HF802 and understand all content delivered has to meet the requirements in the law.

Dates:
In-person: Sept. 26 & 27 and Oct. 17, 2022, April 11 and June 12, 2023
Virtual: Nov. 14, 2022 (90-min. coaching session), Jan. 10 and Feb. 6, 2023

Registration:
Collective Equity Learning Series

More Information:
*View all dates and content overview*

New Education Technologies Course for Administrators Offers License Renewal and Evaluator Approval Opportunities

The Heartland AEA Digital Learning Team is excited to offer a new course specifically for administrators that’s focused on edtech.

This course will engage educational leaders in four modules for improving productivity, communication, organization and school management through the use of technology. The culmination of skills and strategies covered in this course include:

• Integrating technology tools for leadership in digital environments to support student engagement, adult learning and creativity
• Exposure to digital age learning experiences and digital tools that will help administrators become productive leaders in their schools and districts
• Growing an understanding of modernized, innovative options for feedback and data-based decision making
• Exploring instructional and leadership practices utilizing education technology

The first section starts on Oct. 17 in a virtual format. Additional face-to-face and virtual options are offered throughout the school year.

Register Here Course# 203354

Pear Deck Premium is Available Again for All Iowa Educators

As part of a partnership between Pear Deck and the Iowa AEAs, Pear Deck, the Iowa AEAs and ITEC are working in partnership to not only support Iowa educators in integrating Pear Deck with purpose, but also to amplify and share the amazing stories of passionate educators.

Throughout the school year, be on the lookout for tips, tricks and testimonials shared via our newsletter, the statewide Iowa AEA website and via social media (Heartland AEA Twitter, @iowa_aea, #iowaaea).

To kick things off, Andrew Fenstermaker from Iowa City Community School District shares how you can use Pear Deck’s IceBreaker Templates to build community in your classroom.

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

Heartland AEA Literacy Newsletter Highlights Several Important Updates

In this issue of the Heartland AEA Literacy newsletter:

• Updates from the Iowa Department of Education
• Brief Review of the Big Ideas of Early Literacy Implementation (ELI)
• Science of Reading for English Learners
• Thinking with a Book in Your Hand: Rethinking Reading Comprehension
• Learning Bit by Bit
• Professional Learning Activities
• Heartland AEA Literacy Supports

Paraeducator Courses Are Being Offered at No Cost to Anyone Who Would Like to Receive A Paraeducator Certificate

Iowa’s AEAs and community colleges are providing paraeducator certification courses at no cost to anyone who would like to receive a paraeducator certificate. Courses through Heartland AEA are full for the fall however, there are several other AEAs and community colleges offering the free courses this fall. Please see this list of available courses in Iowa.

Supporting Learners with Significant Intellectual Disabilities with these Alternate Assessment Fall 2022 Resources

Heartland AEA Supports for Students with Significant Intellectual Disabilities provides information teachers need to be prepared for test administration and instruction.

Are you a new administrator or tech coordinator who is responsible for assigning users and building rosters for the Dynamic Learning Maps Educator Portal? Attend a brief support session to learn about the process for Data Stewards on Sept. 9 from 11:00-11:30 a.m. Access the session at this Zoom link.

Are you a new administrator responsible for coordinating alternate assessment in your district? Attend a brief support session to learn about the process for Assessment Coordinators on Sept. 9 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Access the session at this Zoom link.

Iowa State University Presents the Go Further Fall Girls STEM Conference

Registration is now open for the Go Further Fall Girls STEM Conference hosted by The Program for Women in Science and Engineering at Iowa State University. Join us for a day full of exploration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Engage in activities centered on STEM Fields, learn more about STEM role models and the amazing opportunities at Iowa State! Conference is for 8-10th grade students. Register today to bring your students to the fall conferences, held at ISU, on Oct. 27 and Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Register today at the conference website. Cost is $25 (includes lunch). Scholarships are available for those with financial need. Email Mackenzie Schwartz for more information and check out the Go Further video!