Thursday, December 15, 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

   

Heartland AEA Winter Break Office Schedule


During Winter Break, Heartland AEA offices will be closed to the public from Dec. 23, 2022 - Jan. 2, 2023.

Heartland AEA Hearing Tests Will Temporarily Move to Capitol View Elementary

Announcement
Due to remodeling in our Regional Education Center (REC) in Johnston, our sound booth will be temporarily relocated to the sound booth at Capitol View Elementary School in Des Moines. The last day for appointments in the Johnston REC sound booth will be Dec. 16 and will start back up at Capitol View on Jan. 5, 2023.

Heartland Administrators’ Association January Meeting is Via Zoom

zoom
Since this is the first day back for many school districts following winter break, the Jan. 3 HAA meeting will be held entirely via Zoom. It will begin at 9:00 a.m. and consist of partnership updates only. Superintendents will receive a calendar invitation with links to the Zoom meeting and agenda.

Register Your District for the ISU Education Career Fair!

Teacher Education Career Fair

Heartland AEA is once again excited to offer our districts an opportunity to participate in an event that will assist you in recruiting quality educators to your district -- the annual Iowa State University School of Education Teacher Education Career Fair! The Fair is open to the public and is predicted to host 250+ students in multiple content areas.

March 6, 2023
1 - 4 p.m.
Iowa State Alumni Center


To encourage your participation in this worthwhile event, Heartland AEA will cover the cost of your district/school's $75 Career Fair registration fee.

Registration for the Career Fair is open!

You will register for the event on your own, designating that you're a Heartland AEA area district. ISU will invoice Heartland AEA for all applicable registration fees. Please note that space is limited, and it fills up quickly!

Registration
Registration takes place through Iowa State's CyHire system. To login or create a new account, visit the CyHire website. If you don't remember your password, click on "Forgot Password" and enter your email address. On your CyHire homepage, click on the "Teacher Education Career Fair - Spring 2023" link under "Attend Events" to complete the registration form.

Career Fair Details
Registration includes lunch for two, a 6' skirted table, Wi-Fi, electricity (upon request), parking and unloading/set-up assistance. Lunch will be provided prior to set up. There is a limit of two recruiters per booth, at one time. Booths will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the date of registration.

Mock Interviews
On the morning of the Career Fair, we will provide professional development sessions, including mock interviews, for our current student teachers. Consider participating in our mock interview session to provide tips and suggestions to upcoming graduates. An option to sign up is included in your registration.

On-Site Interviews
You may sign up to conduct on-campus interviews with students you meet immediately following the fair. If you select this option, ISU will provide a blank interview schedule for you to fill at the fair.

Questions?
For more information about the fair, visit the ISU Teacher Education Career Fair website. If you have any questions, contact CHS Career Services, Teacher Education Services, tecareerfair@iastate.edu or (515) 294-7559.

We hope you will consider participating in this great event -- not only for your district but for students getting ready to begin their careers serving our schools and students!

Learn With Us! Power Knowledge Science and Core Concepts Science Webinars

register watch discuss
Learn more about the AEA digital resources by attending these webinars! Recordings will be available if you aren’t able to attend in real time.

Learn With Us:
Join us for two webinars to learn more about two of our new digital resources: Power Knowledge Science and Core Concepts Science!

Power Knowledge Science Suite (3rd-6th grade)
Jan. 24, 2023
3:15 – 4:00 p.m.
REGISTER NOW!

Core Concepts Science Suite (7-12th grade)
Jan. 26, 2023
3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
REGISTER NOW!

Learn With Us: Power Knowledge and Core Concept flyer

The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Coming in January

Teacher with young student
An innovative professional learning opportunity that provides a toolkit of how the brain develops, along with ways you can develop healthy brain development in children from Birth to 5 years old.

One of the most powerful features of this curriculum is that it translates very complex concepts in a way that is digestible, meaningful and relevant, and provides a range of interactive activities that enable participants to integrate and apply these concepts in their daily work supporting young children.

Check out all the details of The Growing Brain.

Register at this link: https://bit.ly/3fT742B Course #203386

Choose one section to attend:
Dates: Jan. 6 & 23, 2023
Section #314273

Dates: Jan. 17 & 31, Feb. 3 & 10, 2023
Section #314275

Both sections are offered in person in Johnston.

Winter/Spring Course Offerings for Teachers Who Work with Students with Significant Cognitive/Intellectual Disabilities

Register today
The Significant Disabilities Leadership Team at Heartland AEA is offering four courses for educators supporting learners with significant intellectual disabilities. All four courses take three days (spread out over a month). Training dates and locations can be found here (link) as can course registration numbers.

Learn more about these offerings here

Conventional Literacy Strategies for Students on Alternate Assessment
Feb. 7 & 23 and March 8, 2023

Emergent Literacy Strategies for Students on Alternate Assessment
Feb. 7, 13 & 27, 2023

Conventional Mathematical Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (Alternate Assessment)
April 14, 26 & 27, 2023

Emergent Mathematical Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (Alternate Assessment)

April 14, 20 & 21, 2023


New Guidance: Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century

new
Earlier this week, the Iowa Department of Education issued new guidance related to the Alternate ELPA Assessment for students who are English learners and have the most significant cognitive disabilities. The guidance is intended to update educators, Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams, and administrators on the annual English language proficiency assessment requirements for students who are English learners (ELs) and have the most significant cognitive disabilities. If you have questions, contact Terri Schuster, at terri.schuster@iowa.gov or Jennifer Denne, at jennifer.denne@iowa.gov.