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

 

Plan to Attend Heartland Administrators' Association on Sept. 5 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.

Crafting Lasting Impressions: Your Guide to Heartland AEA Creative Services

In this issue of the Heartland AEA Creatives Services newsletter, engage in these great products available to your classroom or building!

• Showcase student talent
• Make Math Visual
• Make it stick
• Way to go
• Our favorite custom designs

Start your order! Contact Creative Services with any questions.

Future Ready Network Kicks Off 2023-24 Year on Sept. 21

The first Heartland AEA Future Ready Network meeting will be on Sept. 21 and will highlight Future Ready MTSS resources and tools. This meeting and workshop will be offered as a hybrid option. District teams can join in person in the Johnston REC in Room 101 or via Zoom. Guest speakers will share how to use data to support Future Ready MTSS, and they will include district presentations on how to design and implement a Middle School Career Class. Erica Woods-Schmitz, Education Program Consultant for Academic & Career Planning from the Iowa Department of Education, will share updates and resources.

See the Save the Date flyer for upcoming dates and topics.

Be added to the Future Ready listserv using this sign-up form.

Explore the Latest in Library & Digital Resources

In this issue of the Heartland AEA Library & Digital Resources newsletter:

• Grant Sources
• PebbleGo Expands: New Health Section and Articles
• Learn 360 News: Topic Centers, New Titles, Split by Grade Span
• Heartland AEA Teacher Librarian Conference, Sept. 28, 2023
• New Spanish Language Books
• Professional Learning Readings

Numeracy Project 2.0 & The New Year - Read More About it!

In this issue of the Heartland AEA math newsletter, read about The Numeracy Project 2.0 Workshop. The workshop is for K-8 educators and high school teachers who have been trained in the Numeracy Project and would like further support in implementing with students. This workshop will address common questions that have come from practitioners who have been utilizing the Numeracy Project 2.0. We will also provide learning to assist teachers and coaches in planning for small group instruction along with suggestions for integrating progress monitoring.

Picking Up Where You Left Off with the Numeracy Project
Getting the Numeracy Project up and running again with the start of the new school year can seem overwhelming. Many have reached out with questions about how to pick up where last year ended. We hope to address some of those questions here, but if you still have some lingering questions, reach out to your Heartland AEA Math Consultant.

Maximize Your Data Course, Coming in October

This course is designed to build the capacity of individuals to be able to facilitate the use of data-driven decision making tools that are available to Iowa Schools within an MTSS Framework. Participants will learn how to maximize their use of several available data sets including:

• Panorama (including Conditions of Learning)
• FastBridge
• Iowa School Performance Profile
• Post Secondary

Do you know where to find all of your data?
Do you understand the reports?
Do you know what it’s telling you?
Do you know how to use this data to guide conversations and lesson designs?

This course was truly developed to ensure all educators can maximize all of the data that is available for decision making.

Attended Audience
All educators who use data to make decisions at the district, building, classroom, small group and/or individual student levels.

License Renewal and Evaluator Approval Renewal Available!

Course Objectives

1. Participants will understand the purpose and design of each data source.
2. Participants will interpret the information provided by each data source.
3. Participants will describe connections among data sources.
4. Participants will prepare for leadership of each data source within the school or district.
5. Participants will connect with resources for future support.

Dates and Time
Oct. 20 and 30, 2023

Registration
Course: #203942 HL - Maximize Your Data
Register at this link: Maximize Your Data
This course is offered at no cost to participants. License renewal cost is $35.

Location(s):
October 20, 2023
Heartland AEA
602 Visions Parkway
Adel, Iowa 50003

October 30, 2023
Grand View University Student Center
Speedy Lycium Room
2811 E. 14th street
Des Moines, IA 50316

Questions
Shannon Harken
Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant
Heartland AEA
sharken@heartlandaea.org

Kevin Schlomer
Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant
Heartland AEA

kschlomer@heartlandaea.org

Back by Popular Demand: Behavior Support Community of Practice

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

Registration is Open for IBEA Fall Convention

The Iowa Business Education Association 2023 Fall Convention: One Teacher, Many Hats will take place on Sept. 17-18 at the Courtyard Marriott in Ankeny. Attend the conference to gain fresh ideas, updated curriculum resources, and effective strategies for immediate implementation in your classrooms. Gene Natali, a renowned figure in the fields of finance and education, will be the keynote speaker. Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of his book, as well as access to the Troutwood App. Two teachers will have a chance to win a classroom set of The Missing Semester. View the conference flyer.

Conference Registration
Early Bird Conference Registration rate = $100 until Sept. 7
Standard Conference Registration rate = $120 from Sept. 8-12

Register Now

Supports for School Improvement

As an FYI, the Iowa Department of Education has released the process they will use for support for Comprehensive Schools. If you are a targeted building and would like support with your plan, reach out to your Heartland AEA Regional Director. Our regional directors are happy to partner with you to support your school improvement efforts.