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

 

AEA Customer Satisfaction Survey Open through October 30

Love AEA services? Have suggestions for improvement?

Either way, we want your input! Participate in the Iowa AEA customer survey through Oct. 30.

Click here to take the survey.

Please share with your staff and families.

Your feedback matters! Your responses are completely anonymous and will be kept strictly confidential, so please be as open and honest as possible. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Questions? Contact Jenny Philpot at Hanover Research. Thank you for your participation!

Plan to Attend: Heartland Administrators' Association Nov. 7

The next Heartland Administrators' Association (HAA) meeting will be held on Nov. 7 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 agenda features a legislative update with guest panelists Margaret Buckton, Dave Daughton, Emily Piper and Kate Walton, an update on Artificial Intelligence from Amy Wichman, and partnership updates.

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 Dates: Feb. 12-13, 2024
Feb. 12 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 Day on the Hill: 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.

Save these dates 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.

More details coming!

Ignite Thoughtful Conversations with Our New AI Education Documents

Whether you're a teacher, administrator or a passionate advocate for our learners, these AI docs are designed to steer you in the right direction. If you’re just starting your AI journey, these documents are your gateway to understanding Artificial Intelligence.

AI Policy Considerations
As AI becomes more prevalent in our daily lives, it’s imperative for districts to think about how they want to address policies and use around them. This document is intended to help guide conversations as districts move forward in this work.

What is AI/Prompts
This document provides an introduction to AI, including its various forms and applications. It also includes sample prompts and discussion topics to engage teachers and students in AI-related conversations.

Next Week’s AI Topics:

• AI for Educator Productivity
• Modeling AI in the Classroom

If you would like more information, contact a member of the Heartland AEA Computer Science Team.

Join Us Every Month for Curriculum Network!

Join us on the first Friday of each month at 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. for updates and networking with other curriculum directors. Connect at the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center or via Zoom.

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

Network Dates

• Nov. 3, 2023
• Dec. 1, 2023
• Jan. 5, 2024
• Feb. 2, 2024
• Mar. 1, 2024
• Apr. 5, 2024
• May 3, 2024

NEW! Join us for “Huddles” This will be an informal time to connect with colleagues and collaborate on questions, projects and problems of practice. The 3rd Friday of each month from 8:00-8:30 a.m. via Zoom at this link: https://heartlandaea.zoom.us/j/8376018864.

See You at the Next Future Ready Network on Nov. 16

Join your local colleagues to learn and share about all things Future Ready! Heartland AEA Future Ready Network meets next on Nov. 16. Learn about:

• What’s New with FAFSA and Financial Aid
• Review of the FAFSA changes for 2024-25
• Advising students 8-12 in FAFSA Process
• Financial Aid options

Mark Your Calendar: Future Ready Network Meetings

When: Third Thursday of the month from 8:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Where: Hybrid Option in person at the AEA or join via Zoom

Who: Administrators, Counselors, WBL Teachers/Coordinators, Secondary Teachers and Leadership Team Members, and AEA Staff

Visit the Heartland Future Ready Website to stay up to date on news, resources, past network Zoom recordings and more! For more information, contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@heartlandaea.org.

Calling all Principals! We have a Networking Group Just for You

Principal Alliance Meeting: Nov. 30, 2023

The Principal Alliance Lasting Leadership Series will focus on current practices in the field of leadership and principalship. Join your colleagues 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. Visit the Iowa’s AEAs website for meeting dates.

Training Dates Announced for Intro to Restorative Practices & Using Circles Effectively

The two-day course will provide participants with knowledge of the key concepts of restorative practices; an opportunity to reflect on how restorative practices may impact their professional and personal lives; practice in applying strategies from the restorative practices continuum; and an understanding of how to facilitate circles effectively and for different purposes.

Day 1: Introduction to Restorative Practices
Day 2: Using Circles Effectively

Date
Section #318005 - Jan. 22-23, 2024 Heartland AEA Adel Office
Section #318006 - Jan. 22-23, 2024 Heartland AEA Ames Office
Section #318022 - Apr. 11-12, 2024 Heartland AEA Johnston REC

Recommended Audience
PK-12 teachers, administrators, school counselors, instructional coaches, at-risk staff, school leadership teams and AEA staff

Registration
License renewal credit is available
Register at this link

Heartland AEA to Offer Trauma-Informed Classrooms Training on Nov. 10

Heartland AEA is offering a learning opportunity on Nov. 10, facilitated by Melissa Crowl, a special education consultant who supports the HEART Classrooms and has agency-wide allocation for therapeutic programming. This training is intended for early childhood educators, general education teachers, special education teachers, administrators, and/or support staff.

The training, titled "Trauma-Informed Classrooms: Creating a Safe Learning Environment," will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center, located at 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston. To register, visit this link: HL - Trauma-Informed Classrooms: Creating a Safe Learning Environment, (Course # 205668).

During the training, attendees will learn strategies for fostering a positive and inclusive classroom culture that promotes emotional safety and resilience among students. The course will cover a range of topics, including:

• building and sustaining relationships
• classroom culture
• the impact of trauma
• student empowerment

Participants will gain an applicable framework for creating a trauma-informed classroom, from brain science and self-regulation to preparing students for learning.

This training is an excellent opportunity for educators and support staff to learn how to create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.

School Culture Workshop on Nov. 14: Increasing Belonging, Well-Being and Engagement

Heartland AEA will be hosting a School Culture Workshop, facilitated by Character Strong, on Nov. 14 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Stoney Creek Hotel, 5291 Stoney Creek Court, Johnston. Participants will learn about, and begin to apply, an instructional framework that promotes powerful relationship-building and helps students find value in their learning. The cost of the workshop is $349/person. However, Character Strong is offering a buy one - get one free discount. If you have a team that would like to attend, register via this link. After clicking on the link, click on "Register Now." Then choose the Des Moines, IA - Nov. 14 training in the dropdown menu. Enter the discount code CSVIP1, and Character Strong will apply your BOGO free discount when invoicing the district.