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
The Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) meeting will be held on March 2 via Zoom from 9-11:30 a.m. The agenda is now available at this link. The meeting features guest speaker, Steve Bench, who will present on Generational Differences and Supporting Young Teachers. Steve is a nationally recognized speaker who has shared his message with audiences across the country. Prior to founding Generational Consulting, Steve was a program director for Business World where he worked with thousands of teenagers every year and those Millennials have informed and inspired his presentations.
The Heartland AEA Library & Digital Resources newsletter is now available. Make sure to follow the newsletter and share it with your colleagues!
In this issue:
- Computer Science Standards
- Research in Elementary Classroom Online Course
- TeachingBooks.net and 2021-22 IASL Award Books
- New Ebooks Added
- Black History Exhibits Online
- New COVID Information
In response to district needs surrounding Iowa Code Chapter 103, Iowa’s Area Education Agencies have developed Frequently Asked Questions along with supporting forms/templates. These resources are intended for district use and should be shared as needed. The templates below will force you to make a copy, and districts can format them with their district’s branding. If you have any questions about these materials, contact your regional director and/or Kristi Upah, Chief Student Services Officer.
Heartland AEA’s Heart of Innovation Summer Summit registration is open + New Pear Deck Course starts March 1. Check out all the details in the instructional technology newsletter. Also in this issue:
- New Digital Resources
- Professional Learning for Teaching and Learning with Tech
- Join Our Facebook Group
In an effort to support the well-being of districts, students, educators and families, we're pleased to bring you "Wellness Inspiration," a resource dedicated to well-being. Check out the Wellness Inspiration site for well-being resources, tips and fun and share with colleagues and families! This issue features:
- New Way to Think About Work-Life Balance
- February = The Month to Celebrate Your Heart
- An Iowa Winter Poem
Volunteer Iowa in partnership with Central College and statewide stakeholders is hoping to develop a better understanding of what local communities are doing, and what barriers they may be facing in implementing community engaged learning so they can better support you.
We are requesting at least one representative from each school complete this survey, even if you do not implement service learning. Recommended participants include school administrators, school counselors, service-learning or silver cord coordinators, and/or teachers with experience implementing service-learning. You can access the survey here: https://forms.gle/zV1kjN5SzonWw6J98.
In appreciation of the various methods of service-learning, we are using a broad definition - combining academic learning with a meaningful experience benefiting the common good. We are interested in compiling the current efforts of Iowa educators. We anticipate the survey will take about five minutes depending on whether you are or are not currently doing service-learning.
If you have questions please email Rachelle Talbott, Associate Director of Community-Based Learning at Central College at talbottr@central.edu.
