Thursday, May 21, 2026

Custom PBIS & Behavior System Materials for Your School

PBIS materials
Order PBIS and similar behavior system materials for your school or classroom. Promote social, emotional and academic outcomes for all students with engaging, colorful and impactful designs.

Work with one of our professional graphic designers to customize posters, reward tickets, stickers, banners and more. The designer will work with you or your team to incorporate your school logo, mascot, school colors and the rules from your behavior intervention system.

Custom graphic design is $40.00 per hour, charged in 15-minute increments.

Reach out to creativeservices@heartlandaea.org to set up a time to discuss your project or submit your custom graphic design order on our website.

High Volume Orders Printed Quickly and Inexpensively

Heartland staff at a printer
More and more districts are adopting open source curriculum. We can increase your efficiency and free up staff time by printing your large volume materials. Consider sending us your:
  • Curriculum
  • Teacher materials
  • District letterhead and envelopes
  • Cumulative folders
  • Forms
Email creativeservices@heartlandaea.org with any questions or upload your order on our website.

Join us for Universal Mathematics for Early Childhood in August

Universal Mathematics for Early Childhood flyer
This professional development focuses on enhancing the teaching of early mathematics by equipping Educators with strategies, knowledge and tools to implement effective, engaging and developmentally appropriate math instruction in their classrooms. 

Alignment between Iowa Early Learning standards, the Smart Teach Gold Assessment Objectives for Development and Learning and evidence-based practices to support the development of number sense and the depth of key concepts for children in early childhood classrooms will be highlighted. 

By fostering a deep understanding of early childhood math standards and practical strategies, educators will be empowered to create rich mathematical environments for young learners.

Aug. 4-5, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

Register here by Aug. 4
Fees: Participant $166, License Renewal $221

Upcoming Professional Development for Educators Working with Students with Significant Disabilities, Coming this Fall

Educator working with young student
Secondary Transition (Cohort #1, Year 1)
Aligned to the SDI Framework, this professional development initiative supports secondary school teams in diagnosing, designing, and delivering effective, specially designed instruction through the use of evidence-based practices and predictors to improve the postsecondary outcomes for learners with disabilities.

Sept. 14 & Oct. 12, 2026, Jan. 11 & March 22, 2027
Baxter High School, 202 E State, Baxter
Register at this link
No fees for participant only
Licensure Renewal - $220

Literacy for Students with Significant Disabilities
Aligned with the SDI Framework, this Professional Development initiative aims to develop and implement tools and processes that support teachers in delivering effective, specially designed instruction to improve literacy outcomes for learners with significant cognitive disabilities.

Oct. 16 & Nov. 20, 2026, Jan. 15, Feb. 12, March 5, April 2, April 30, May 21, June 2-3, 2027
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Register at this link
No fees for participant only
Licensure Renewal - $220

Emergent and Conventional Math Combined for Students on Alternate Assessment
This course focuses on a comprehensive framework for teaching mathematical concepts to students on alternate assessment. Designed for those progressing through the Iowa Essential Elements in alignment with the Iowa Core Standards, the course emphasizes an approach that connects mathematics and literacy instruction. Teachers will explore methods for identifying whether students are at an emergent or conventional level of mathematical understanding, and receive practical strategies and routines tailored to both emergent and conventional learners. Participants will engage in hands-on mathematical activities aimed at deepening their understanding of evidence-based math practices, as well as accessing High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM). This course will provide the tools needed to support meaningful math learning for students on alternate assessment.

Aug. 3-4, 6, 7, 2026
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Register at this link
Participant Only - $332
Licensure Renewal $442

Emergent Mathematical Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (Alternate Assessment)
This course will cover a framework for instruction of mathematical ideas for students with significant cognitive disabilities. This course is designed for students who are progressing on the Iowa essential elements aligned to the Iowa core standards. Links to the literacy framework will be made, along with a process for determining whether students are at an emergent or conventional level for instruction. Strategies and routines for emergent learners will be provided. Teachers will participate in mathematical activities in order to increase understanding.

Aug. 3, 6, 7, 2026
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Register at this link
Participant Only - $249
Licensure Renewal - $304

Conventional Mathematical Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (Alternate Assessment)
This course will cover a framework for instruction of mathematical ideas for students with
significant cognitive disabilities. This course is designed for students who are progressing on the Iowa essential elements aligned to the Iowa core standards. Links to the literacy framework will be made, along with a process for determining whether students are at an emergent or conventional level for instruction. Strategies and routines for conventional learners will be provided. Teachers will participate in mathematical activities in order to increase understanding.


Aug. 3-4, 2026
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Register at this link
Participant Only - $166
Licensure Renewal - $221

Fulfill Your Evaluator Renewal Through This MTSS Lab

Teachers working together at round tables
This isn't just another sit-and-get professional development session. It’s a hands-on laboratory for school transformation. Grounded in the latest research from Brown & Stollar (2025), this course provides the blueprint for building high-octane MTSS frameworks and data cultures that actually work for every student.

You will gain
  • Practical protocols and tools to turn data meetings into action meetings
  • Deep-dive applications of the Science of Learning to refine schoolwide instruction
  • Customized, data-driven Leadership for Impact Action Plan ready for immediate use
Details
Nov. 30, 2026 & Feb. 9, 2027
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

Registration
Participant Only: $166
Licensure Renewal: $221
Credit: 1 License Renewal Credit (15 instructor-led hours)

Register by Nov. 30, 2026: Registration link

This course fulfills the Evaluator Approval licensure renewal requirement. Administrators from outside of Iowa seeking licensure must complete the iEvaluate course prior to registering.

WATCH! District-Level Collaboration in Action

Strategic literacy partnership
What does impactful district-level collaboration look like? Check out this video that highlights the many examples of collaboration happening between Heartland AEA and our partner districts to improve student outcomes.

Interested in leveraging these supports for your own school improvement goals? Contact your Heartland AEA Regional Director or your District Account Manager, Amy Wichman, Crista Carlile or Susie Meade to start the conversation.