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

 

Join the Educator Renewal for Student Achievement Workshop with Dr. Timothy Kanold and Revitalize Your Well-Being in Education

If you are a teacher, teacher leader, building leader or HR professional, this event is for you.

Based on the combined research-affirmed works of Dr. Timothy Kanold and Dr. Tina Boogren and their 2021 title, Educator Wellness, this timely workshop will help focus your time, energy, routines and actions on strategies to avoid the physical, emotional and relational burnout that educators often face.

Educator Renewal for Student Achievement
April 4
1 - 4 p.m.
Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

View the event flyer here.

Register at this link: https://bit.ly/3DLnbb8
There is no cost to attend.

Dr. Kanold will inspire you to:

• Develop strategies for bringing your best self to work each day
• Prioritize routines for physical, mental, emotional and social wellness
• Examine research-affirmed strategies to avoid prolonged stress, exhaustion and burnout
• Utilize a robust rating protocol to identify wellness routines
• Learn and grow with colleagues to share wellness practices that influence student achievement
• Reflect on your current wellness story to reconnect to your “why” and a greater purpose as an educator

Our daily wellness and well-being as educators can be elusive. There is a fine line between being busy while living a well-managed life and being hurried into a stress-filled life on the brink of emotional and physical exhaustion. Participating in an active process toward achieving a positive state of good health and well-being provides a pathway for overcoming obstacles to a fulfilling life as an educator.

Heartland Administrators' Association to Host Brooks Harper for College and Workforce Readiness Talk

The Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) meeting will be held on March 7 from 9-11:30 a.m. at Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston. Lunch will be provided immediately following.

College and workforce readiness speaker Brooks Harper will present, “Passionately Preparing the Next Generation.”

It is time to revitalize, recharge and be impassioned in your profession! Re-energize your faculty and staff and let Brooks adjust the lens by which they view their roles and excite them about the tremendous opportunities their positions provide every day. Brooks will discuss the power of gratitude, value development, investing in others and avoiding burnout; increasing your team’s morale and ability to provide passionate performance.

Read more about Brooks

Watch his video!


SAVE THE DATES

April 4

• Timothy Kanold, Ph.D., Solution Tree, Educator Wellness

May 2

• Future Ready Task Force
• Recognition of Retiring Superintendents

HAA meetings are scheduled from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, Rooms 107A/B. Lunch to immediately follow. View the speaker series flyer to learn more.

ESL/Diversity Team at Heartland AEA Provides Valuable Resources for Standardized Testing Season

April showers may bring May flowers, but February brings ELPA testing season, followed by ISASP in Iowa.

Standardized testing is challenging and can present unique challenges for our students learning English and the educators who support them.

In the Heartland AEA ESL/Diversity newsletter, you will find topics related to standardized testing and resources to use when interpreting student results and planning for future assessments in our classrooms and schools. Don't hesitate to contact your Heartland AEA ESL/Diversity consultant if you would like to extend this learning to a conversation about assessing English Learners in your classroom or school.

Numbers, Tacos, Dots….Oh My!

You might be asking yourself, “What do numbers, tacos and dots have to do with Pear Deck?” Well, one of the awesome question types that Pear Deck offers is the draggable question. Believe it or not, numbers, tacos and dots are all types of draggable elements you can add to your Pear Deck slides. Can’t decide on which one you want to use? Don’t worry because you can use multiple and even change the color of each one.

Here are just a few creative ways to leverage draggable items:

• Use math symbols for students to make number equations true
• Incorporate different colored pins for students to showcase locations around the world
• Leverage a variety of colored numbers for students to sequence events
• Include multiple dots for students to identify certain parts of a speech in a sentence

This month’s tip about draggable questions might have you thinking about tacos (sorry about that) but we hope it also sparks thinking of additional ways you can engage learners and empower them to visualize their thinking.

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!

Unlocking the Benefits of Small Group Math Learning: Insights from Heartland AEA Math Minutes Newsletter

In this issue of the Heartland AEA Math Minutes Newsletter:

• Why Use Small Groups in Math?
• ChatGPT: A Powerful AI Tool for Mathematics Education
• Contextual Learning: Integrating Math and CTE to Become Future Ready
• ISASP Information
• UpcomingProfessionalLearning