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 Kicks Off with Erik Dominguez

The next Heartland Administrators' Association (HAA) meeting will be held on Sept. 5 from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive in Johnston. This will be an in-person meeting with lunch provided immediately following the meeting. Agenda topics include guest speaker Erik Dominguez and updates from partners.

Guest Speaker
Erik Dominguez is a communication and confidence expert with over 25 years of experience teaching thousands of individuals from all walks of life how to speak up for themselves. As an immigrant who grew up between two cultures and mixed messages, his first-hand familiarity with communication fears fueled him to learn and share the mindsets and tools to be seen and heard.

Connect and Collaborate with Curriculum Colleagues

Every month, you're invited to join the Heartland AEA Curriculum Network and Huddle! You can opt for either or both of these options:

Curriculum Network
Date: First Friday of each month
Time: 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center or join virtually via Zoom

Sept. 1, 2023
Oct. 6, 2023 (no meeting due to BEST conference)
Nov. 3, 2023
Dec. 1, 2023
Jan. 5, 2024
Feb. 2, 2024
Mar. 1, 2024
Apr. 5, 2024
May 3, 2024

Join by Zoom
Statewide updates: https://heartlandaea.zoom.us/s/921776193
Heartland AEA updates: https://heartlandaea.zoom.us/j/97524379201


Curriculum Huddle *NEW*
Date: Third Friday of each month, beginning Aug. 18, 2023
Time: 8-8:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual session through Zoom

This will be an informal time to connect with colleagues and collaborate on questions, projects and problems of practice.

Questions? Contact Susie Meade, Heartland AEA Chief Academic Officer

Iowa Principals: The Statewide Principal Alliance Welcomes You!

Iowa principals are invited to join the Iowa’s AEAs statewide Principal Alliance, beginning Aug. 31. The Principal Alliance Lasting Leadership Series will focus on current practices in the field of leadership and principalship. Join your colleagues via Zoom on the last weekday of the month from 9-10 a.m. for thematic whole group and small group discussions centered on current problems of practice. Additional resources will be shared to support the topics.

Sessions & Topics
Aug. 31: Aug. Artificial Intelligence for Productivity as a Principal
Sept. 29: Removing the Chronic from Absenteeism
Oct. 31: Recognizing Student Engagement - Continuum of Engagement - Amy Berry
Nov. 30: Relationship Building
Jan. 31: Hiring Staff, Retaining Staff, and Recruiting Staff
Feb. 29: Positive Culture
March 20: SEBH - Strategies to “Wash Off the Lighter Fluid”
April 30: SEBH - Self Care
May 31: SEBH- Strategies to Support Skills for Learning

Connections
Agendas
Principal Alliance webpage
Meeting Zoom link

Questions: Contact Tesha Moser or Jen Sigrist with questions. Contact Amy Wichman with questions about Canvas or course credit.

Behavior Support Community of Practice: Back by Popular Demand!

Based on feedback and district requests, the Behavior Support Community of Practice (CoP) is back for the 2023-24 school year.

Why it Matters
CoP engages in common learning, networking and collaboration to build community among individuals who hold roles such as Behavior Interventionist, Behavior Coach, Behavior Strategist, etc.

How it Works
In-person attendance is recommended for a meaningful CoP. However, a Zoom option will be offered upon request. Need a zoom link or have questions? Contact Jadie Boens, Heartland AEA Director of Social Emotional Behavior Mental Health Services.

Didn’t attend last year? No problem! If you’re interested in attending this year, complete this Google Form to be added to the distribution list.

Dates
Sept. 28, 2023 – 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Nov. 14, 2023 – 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Jan. 25, 2024 – 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Feb. 29, 2024 – 12 - 3 p.m.
April 9, 2024 – 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
May 14, 2024 – 12 - 3 p.m

Location
Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, Iowa

Nominations Open for STEM Teacher Award

The Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education is partnering with Kemin Industries for the 10th year of the Iowa STEM Teacher Award. Nominations opened Aug. 20 and will be accepted through Oct. 10.

The Iowa STEM Teacher Award recognizes one full-time, licensed PreK-12 teacher from each of the state’s six STEM regions whose passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) motivates their students to develop a lifelong interest in STEM fields—both in and out of the classroom. The six selected recipients will each receive an award of $1,500 for their classrooms and $1,500 for personal use.

Any individual can nominate a teacher by visiting iowastem.org/teacheraward-application and completing the nomination form by Oct. 10, at 11:59 p.m. The award recipients will be announced in early 2024. For more information, visit the Iowa STEM website.