Thursday, March 24, 2022

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 Calendars for April 5 HAA Meeting

Reminder

The next Heartland Administrator Associations' (HAA) meeting will be held on April 5. The agenda features two guest speakers: Jeff Weld, Ph.D., the Executive Director of the Iowa STEM Council and Joan Bessman Taylor, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for School Library Studies from the University of Northern Iowa. The meeting will be held from 9:00 -11:30 a.m. at the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive in Johnston and via Zoom.

New Regional Directors Named: Crista Carlile Coming to Region 4; Joy Wiebers Coming to Region 5

Congratulations to Crista Carlile for Being Named New Region 4 Regional Director 


Heartland AEA is pleased to announce the hiring of Crista Carlile as the new regional director for Region 4. Crista, who is currently the Director of Teaching & Learning at Urbandale Schools, will replace Carlene Lodermeier, who will be retiring on June 30, 2022. As a regional director, Crista will provide coordination and leadership for the provision of AEA services to the Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) and the accredited non-public schools located in district boundaries. Her additional responsibilities will include supervision of the Shelter Care Educational Program Administrator with general oversight and support to the Shelter Care Program. 

Prior to her last eight years at Urbandale, Crista held a number of leadership positions at DMPS. She spent three years as the Supervising Administrator at Central Academy, a year as the School Improvement Leader at East High School and five years as the Science Curriculum Director for the district. She began her career as a science teacher and has taught courses in anatomy, physiology and biology. She has also taught a number of adjunct courses for Drake and Grand View Universities. 

Crista holds a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Drake University, an educational administration endorsement from Viterbo University, a master’s degree in secondary education from Viterbo and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Kansas State University. 

We look forward to Crista joining the Agency on July 1, 2022. 


Please Welcome Joy Wiebers to the Region 5 Regional Director Position 


Heartland AEA is pleased to announce the hiring of Joy Wiebers as the new regional director for Region 5. Joy, who is currently the Executive Director of Student Services for the Johnston Schools, will replace Jerry Gruba, who will be retiring on June 30, 2022. As a regional director, Joy will provide coordination and leadership for the provision of AEA services to Region 5 district West Des Moines as well as Dowling and Sacred Heart accredited non-public schools. 

Prior to her three years as Executive Director at Johnston Schools, Joy held two other leadership positions at Johnston. She spent two years as the Director of Student Supports & Equity and five years as the principal at Summit Middle School. She also served as the Principal and School Improvement Leader at Hiatt Middle School and the Dean of Students at Garton Elementary, both in Des Moines. She began her career as a special education teacher and has taught in a K-5 resource room and in an autism cluster program. 

Joy holds a superintendent certification from the University of Northern Iowa, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Drake University and a bachelor’s degree from Central College. 

We look forward to Joy joining the Agency on July 1, 2022.

Plan to Attend: April 7 Future Ready Network Meeting

Important
The April Heartland AEA Future Ready Network meeting will be a blended format held in person at Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, and via Zoom for those who prefer to join virtually on April 7, 2022, from 8:30-11 a.m. (note the earlier start time). Our topic next month is Post-Secondary Transition for Students with Special Needs, and we are excited to share that we have several guest speakers with lots of experience in this area. The Zoom Link for all of our network meetings is the same.

Bring Your Students to the 2022 Iowa Authentic Learning Network Virtual Student Expo on April 26

You and your students are invited to join whenever it is convenient for you, whether just for a class period or block! We will have live events throughout the day as well as “on-demand” video sessions for your convenience. Our hope is to create a day where students, educators, and business partners can network and share to promote the growth of more authentic learning opportunities for students.

Here is our tentative schedule and program guide for the day!

Please register yourself and your students (using school emails) via Eventbrite here. This registration is FREE!

If you are interested in license renewal for participating (either the same day OR at your own pace i.e self-paced learning), please register here.

Please reach out to Laura Williams at lwilliams@aealearningonline.org if you have any questions

Heartland AEA Library & Digital Newsletter - March 21, 2022

Heartland AEA one click
The Heartland AEA Library & Digital newsletter is now available. In this issue:
  • Annual Iowa School Library Survey Is Open
  • Pebble Go and PebbleGo Next Lessons and Activities
  • AEA Scout Online Module is Ready
  • Tales2Go Audiobook Collections
  • OneClick and Digital Resources--It's Free!

Heartland AEA Math Minutes Newsletter - 3rd Quarter

Procedural fluency
The Heartland AEA Math Minutes newsletter is now available. In this issue:
  • What does being "fluent in mathematics" really mean?
  • What's New in Our Heartland AEA Library
  • Now Available at Creative Services: Concept Circles
  • I Have, You Need
  • We Need Your Input: What Summer Learning Needs Do You Have?