Administrator Connection: Thursday, September 14, 2023

Thursday, September 14, 2023

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

Save the Date: Heartland Administrators' Association Oct. 3

The next Heartland Administrators' Association (HAA) meeting will be held on Oct. 3 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. The meeting will feature guest speaker Director McKenzie Snow from the Iowa Department of Education. Look for an agenda soon.

Save the Date: Advocacy Day on the Hill

Mark your calendars for the 2024 Day on the Hill to advocate for Iowa students. This year's Day on the Hill will be hosted collaboratively with the Iowa Association of School Boards, School Administrators of Iowa, and Iowa's Area Education Agencies.

Day on the Hill
Save the Date: Feb. 12 & 13, 2024

Feb. 12: Educational leaders are invited to attend a legislative advocacy briefing. This event will bring together school board members, administrators and partners from across Iowa to gain up-to-date legislative insights, and will briefly summarize how to best engage with legislators. A panel of legislators will discuss the session and answer questions.

Feb. 13: Join your colleagues from around the state for a day promoting public education in Iowa. In the morning, educational lobbyists will share the three things to communicate with legislators and tips on how to handle confrontational situations. Later that morning, attendees will go to the Capitol to celebrate public education and meet with legislators. Representatives from districts and AEAs from around the state are encouraged to attend to showcase their positive stories.

Also, please save the date for these two upcoming webinars in 2024 designed to help educational leaders:

Deeper Dive into the Issues with AEA, IASB and SAI lobbyists

Jan. 30: Noon-1:00 p.m.

State of the Budget and the Impact on AEAs with Finance experts from AEA and IASB

Feb. 7: Noon-1:00 p.m.

Watch for more details on these events later this fall.

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.

It's Here! DesignDash Startup for HS Students, Teachers and Industry Partners

Iowa high school educators, students and industry partners: Registration is now open for DesignDash!

The Jacobson Institute presents startup events engaging high school students in one-day, fast paced entrepreneurial excursions. High school students work in teams paired with entrepreneurs, business and industry partners to solve problems they face using entrepreneurial solutions that drive innovation forward. This is authentic, experiential learning at its best!

DesignDash is available in three locations – Iowa City (10/2), Cedar Falls (10/26) & Des Moines (11/17) - your choice! Register here: https://jacobsoninstitute.org/bizinnovator/designdash

EDUCATORS - Register today to secure a spot for you and your students! Space is limited!

INDUSTRY PARTNERS: We need you! Register to mentor students as they identify problems and create entrepreneurial solutions.

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

Cross-State Collaborative Explores Learner-Centered Pathways

Educators in Iowa and Michigan have a unique opportunity to engage in a 12-week professional learning and design experience aimed at fostering learner-centered goals tailored to individual education environments.

Building upon the success of last year's Personalized, Competency-Based CTE Cross-State Collaborative, this initiative has expanded its scope to encompass a wider array of personalized learning approaches.

Who should join?
Teams of educators are strongly encouraged to consider joining this collaborative initiative if they are eager to explore new possibilities, learn from like-minded peers, and drive positive change in their education ecosystems. Participants can be administrators, teacher leaders, teachers, counselors, regional AEA staff, or anyone who supports school transformation.

When is it?
Sept. 20 (in person)
Oct. 31 (virtual)
Dec. 12 (in person)

How does it work?
Districts will be paired with similar districts to facilitate the exchange of feedback and ideas and promote growth along the learner-centered continuum. Participants will have opportunities for site visits to observe learning environments, engage with educators, learn from learners and connect with industry partners.

RegisterView this program flyer to learn more and register.

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

Register Now for the 2023 Iowa BEST Summit

Join more than 1,600+ educators, school administrators and school counselors passionate about supporting school mental health at the Iowa BEST 2023 on Oct. 5-6 in Des Moines.