Kristin Orton Selected as New Regional Director in Region 7

Heartland AEA is pleased to announce the hiring of staff member Kristin Orton as a regional director for Region 7. Kristin will replace Kristi Upah on July 1, 2019, as Kristi assumes the new Chief Student Services Officer position within the agency.

Kristin will work closely with the Ames, Ballard, Collins-Maxwell, Gilbert and Roland-Story districts, as well as Ames Christian and St. Cecilia non-public schools.

Kristin’s 15-year Heartland AEA career has centered on serving students and educators in our service area. Since 2004, she has served as a:

• School Psychologist, 2004 – 2007
• Special Education Trainer, 2005 – 2007
• Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant, 2007 – 2014
• Instructional Coach, 2013 – present

In 2018 she also took on roles as a school psychology internship supervisor and as a member of the state Dyslexia Task Force, which will make recommendations to the Iowa legislature in Nov. 2019 regarding potential legislation related to dyslexia.

In June, Kristin will earn her PK-12 Principal/Special Education Director license from Drake University.