Upcoming Early Childhood Professional Learning Sessions

If you or your staff are interested in a class, please register through the Heartland Professional Development Catalog.

Iowa Quality Preschool Program Study Groups
These study groups are an in-dept look into the Quality Preschool Program Standards and will assist with portfolio development. The IQPPS Overview is a prerequisite to this course. Participants would choose from one of the four sessions below. Target audience: Any state voluntary grant recipients (teachers, associates and administrators) who are preparing for a verification visit in the next year.

QPPS Study Group - Session 1
September 29, October 27, December 1 & January 19 from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church (4300 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines)
Activity Number: EC005599991101

QPPS Study Group - Session 2
October 1, October 29, December 3 & January 21 from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church (4300 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines)
Activity Number: EC005599991102

QPPS Study Group - Session 3
November 10, December 8, January 12, & February 16 from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Heartland AEA Ames Office (511 S. 17th Street)
Activity Number: EC005592111101

QPPS Study Group - Session 4
November 10, December 8, January 12 & February 16 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Heartland AEA Indianola Office (115 W. Salem Avenue)
Activity Number: EC005592111102

Every Child Reads: 3-5
This course provides participants with strategies for teaching language, reading and writing skills for preschool age children. One course has been scheduled. Please watch for additional Every Child Reads offerings in the future. Target audience: Any Early Childhood/preschool teacher

Every Child Reads: 3-5 - Session 1
October 13, November 17, February 23, April 13, May 11, & May 25 from 1:30-4:30 p.m.
North Ridge Elementary (400 NW 27th St., Grimes, IA)
Activity Number: EC004615761101

Level I Investigator ICN Session

In a previous Administrator Connection, we informed you of Level I Investigator training opportunity. The Hoover High School ICN site has been removed. Please click here for the updated flyer of course information and available locations. The training will be offered from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on October 4, 2010.

The training will familiarize designated individuals with their roles, rules, procedures and required timelines for action. You may wish to invite your Level II Investigator to attend the training. While this training is not required for Level II Investigators, they sometimes appreciate the opportunity to hear the information presented.

Registration is available through the Heartland Professional Development Catalog at https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/YYYYYYYYYYYYYYSRCH.

Heartland AEA Print & Production Services

Heartland AEA provides printing, production and graphic design services for all public and accredited non-public schools in the Heartland area. Check out the array of services by going to the Print & Production section of our website at http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/print/index.html.

You may also click here to download our informational booklet, A Guide to Heartland AEA Print & Production Services. The booklet details the many print and production services Heartland AEA provides. Please share this booklet with appropriate staff members. Hard copies of the booklets can be requested by e-mailing production@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Scholarship Opportunity: Abd el-Kader Education Project

Did you know that Elkader, Iowa was named after a 19th century world-renowned Muslim hero? Abd el-Kader was a philosopher, intellectual, humanitarian, poet and scholar and was tolerant of all faiths. What began as a local Elkader essay contest honoring their namesake has now evolved in a statewide education project and scholarship opportunity for Iowa high school juniors and seniors. Interested students must write an essay that evaluates the significance of Abd el-Kader’s life in light of current events in America and throughout the world. Click here for a brief background on the project and here for the registration sheet.

Teachers/mentors coaching essay students will be invited to a free two-day seminar in the Spring of 2011 (dates and venues to be determined). The seminars will be conducted by Barbara Petzen, Education Director of the Middle East Policy Council (MEPC) in Washington DC. She has taught non-partisan workshops on how to teach about the Middle East and Islam to educators in 45 states and over 200 cities across the U.S.

Please share this information with your guidance counselors, talented and gifted coordinators and English and social studies teachers. Questions about the Abd el-Kader Education Project and Essay Contest can be directed to Kathy Garms at kathygarms@yahoo.com or (563) 245-1022.