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 HAA Meeting on March 4

The next HAA meeting will be held in person on March 4 from 9 - 11:30 a.m. at Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston. The agenda will feature:

• Learning session on changes to the open meeting laws with Siobhan Schneider from IASB
• Review of Special Education Finance Documents with Matt Cretsinger from the Iowa Dept. of Education
• Regional Planning Partnership update from Sue Schirmer, Heartland AEA Professional Learning and Leadership Consultant

At 10:30 a.m., the meeting will transition to a zoom option for a legislative update with Dave Daughton and other educational partnership updates.

District Service Plan Meetings & Order Forms: What You Need to Know

Heartland AEA is currently scheduling District Service Plan (DSP) meetings to help districts plan for the 2025-26 school year. If you haven’t signed up for your meeting, please take a moment to review and select from the available times.

Service Order Form Coming Soon
Following the completion of your DSP meeting, you will receive a service request form. This form is essential for outlining your service needs for the upcoming school year and includes sections for:

• Service for Fee
• Media Services
• Technology Services
• AEA Learning Online
• Critical Response Teams

We look forward to supporting your 2025-26 planning efforts!

Curriculum Network to Meet March 7

The Curriculum Network will convene on March 7. The meeting will cover information from the Iowa Department of Education, the process for adding assessments (presented by Kim Curry from FAST/Renaissance), and strategies for supporting language comprehension (led by Wendy Robinson).

Supporting Multilingual English Learners: Language vs. Learning Differences

Distinguishing between language acquisition challenges and learning disabilities in multilingual English learners is crucial. Heartland AEA offers an evidence-based coaching cycle to help schools make informed decisions and implement targeted support.

Our EL consultants assist school teams by:

• reviewing student data
• identifying learning barriers
• evaluating interventions

We provide:

• structured data analysis
• ongoing coaching

Contact us today to learn more!
Cindra Porter, Heartland AEA EL/Diversity Consultant
cporter@heartlandaea.org

WATCH: Perry Schools See Literacy Gains Through Coaching

Ongoing coaching and consulting after professional learning are essential for teachers! See how educators in the Perry Community Schools are thriving with expert coaching—and how students with disabilities are making strides in literacy as a result.

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

 

Mark Your Calendar for the HAA March 4, 2025

The next HAA meeting will be held in person on March 4 from 9 - 11:30 a.m. at Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, Conference Rooms 107AB. The agenda will feature a learning session on changes to the open meeting laws with Siobhan Schneider from IASB and a Regional Planning Partnership update from Sue Schirmer, Heartland AEA Professional Learning and Leadership Consultant. At 10:30 a.m., the meeting will transition to a zoom option for a legislative update with Dave Daughton and other educational partnership updates.

A Sweet Reward for Being Our Customer - 14% off printing

Our Creative Services team is offering a sweet deal as a thank you to our educator and district staff partners. We're offering a one time use discount of 14% off your entire Creative Services printing order.

Enter the promo code SWEET14 on the payment screen and click Apply before paying for your order.

Promotion code available for one time use only. Offer available until Feb. 28, 2025. Offer only available on new orders. Offer not available for Braille or custom graphic design orders.

And check out our Creative Services newsletter for featured products, Valentine Day ideas, Portrait of a Graduate graphics and lamination services.

Boost Literacy Success in Your Schools with AEA Implementation Support

Looking to improve literacy outcomes? Our Literacy Implementation Support services equip educators with the tools, strategies and resources needed to drive student success. We offer tailored support for classroom instruction, curriculum adoption and literacy interventions to create lasting, evidence-based improvements.

Why Choose Heartland AEA?

We work with you to refine goals, analyze data and implement effective literacy practices. Our services include:

✔ Science of Reading training
✔ Structured Literacy & Dyslexia Support
✔ LETRS Training & Curriculum Implementation
✔ MTSS Literacy Support (Tier 1-3)
✔ Cross-Content & Evidence-Based Writing Practices
✔ Data-Driven Decision Making
✔ New Teacher & Leadership Development
✔ Customized Professional Learning Plans

✔ And more!

Let’s Build Stronger Literacy Together

We’re here to help. Contact us today to learn how we can tailor our support to your school’s needs!

Susie Meade 

Chief Academic Officer

smeade@heartlandaea.org 

(515) 473-6689

Plan Ahead for Your Learning and Professional Development Needs

As you plan for professional learning opportunities for the remainder of this school year and the next, remember that we’re just a click away to support you. Each district has a designated contact who can allocate resources and guide you through the simple process of requesting services.

To ensure you receive the support you need, we encourage you to submit your requests as soon as possible. Looking ahead to the 2025-26 school year, we anticipate fewer providers, making early planning even more essential. Secure your spot now to maximize available resources for your district.

If you have any questions, please reach out—we’re here to help! 

WATCH: Heartland AEA/DMPS Instructional Tech Partnership

𝙋𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙉𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙃𝙄𝙋 = a collaborative relationship where individuals or groups come together, united by shared goals and mutual respect, to combine their strengths, resources and perspectives.

It’s built on trust, communication and a commitment to work together for a common purpose, creating something greater than what could be achieved alone. 

This is the perfect description of the partnership between Des Moines Public Schools and Heartland AEA to assist the district in reimagining instructional technology in its classrooms.

The proof will ultimately be in the pudding, but the partnership is off to a sweet start!

Check Out the February Digital Learning Newsletter: Day of AI Workshop & More!

In this issue of the Heartland AEA Digital Learning Newsletter: 

• Join us for Day of AI Workshop on Feb. 18
• Trying to Navigate the world of AI with students?
• Scholastic Story Starters K-6
• Digital Learning Day: Feb. 13, 2025
• Library Tool of the Month!
• Tool Time With the Tech Team: Canvas Tools Khanmigo

Heartland AEA Library & Digital Resources: Gamma, Learn 360 Updates, New Resources

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

• Lots of Reading, Viewing, and Listening Going On!
• What!? -- Gamma
• New Videos in Learn 360 & Accessibility Features
• Iowa's AEAs Portfolio of Services 2025-26
• Reminder: New Digital Resources for a Fee in 2025-26
• Professional Reading

Looking for a Rewarding Role in Education? Become a Paraeducator!

Do you have an interest in education and a passion for helping students? Do you want a flexible work schedule and to play a role in helping your community? Consider becoming a paraeducator!

There are still a few sessions available during winter and spring!

Learn more and register today! Courses start Feb. 11.

• One course at a time
• Each course (three) is two sessions
• 4:00-5:00 p.m.
• Online via Zoom

Learn more and register today! https://bit.ly/48doyNV

Check out our Paraeducator Area of Concentration Courses!

• English as a Second Language
• Library, Media & Technology
• Special Needs
• Early Childhood

Postsecondary Reports Released, AEA Support Available to Plan Next Steps

The annual postsecondary reports are complete and have been shared with your superintendent. If you would like assistance or to plan ways to respond to your data, contact Sue Schirmer, Heartland AEA Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant.

𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 for our Regional Secondary Transition Fair!

This event is designed to empower students with disabilities and their families as they plan for their futures of living, learning and working after high school.

April 14, 2025
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Waukee Innovative Learning Center