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

 

Great Prairie AEA Presents Evaluator Courses and Fierce Conversations Training This Summer

Great Prairie AEA is thrilled to offer three exciting opportunities for evaluator courses and Fierce Conversations training this summer. Led by the experienced instructor, Anne Morgan, all sessions will be conducted via Zoom and are open to individuals from across the state who wish to participate.

• Fierce Conversations is designed to enhance your skills in leading and engaging in effective conversations. It equips you with the tools to navigate important discussions successfully.
• Investigations focuses on conducting investigations related to bullying/harassment, as well as covers Level 1 of Chapter 102. Throughout the sessions, guest attorneys will provide valuable insights, taking you deeper into relevant topics. There are two sections of the same class. In case of scheduling conflicts, participants may switch to a different class session on the same day of the rotation, provided there are enough participants to facilitate the class.

Districts that prefer to have their entire team take the Investigations course simultaneously are asked to contact Anne Morgan with Great Prairie AEA to arrange dates. A minimum of 10 participants is required for this arrangement.

Course Schedule and Registration
June 5, 6, 7 Investigations
June 21, 27, 28 Investigations
June 13, 15, 20, 22 Fierce Conversations

Contact Information:
Anne Morgan
Great Prairie AEA
(641) 208-1017

Enhance Your Numeracy Project Implementation: Join the Numeracy Project Workshop for K-8 Educators and High School Teachers!

The Numeracy Project Workshop is for K-8 educators and high school teachers who have been trained in the Numeracy Project and would like further support in implementing with students. This workshop will address common questions that have come from practitioners who have been utilizing the Numeracy Project 2.0. We will also provide learning to assist teachers and coaches in planning for small group instruction along with suggestions for integrating progress monitoring.

We will be offering this workshop agency-wide throughout the 2023-2024 school year. The date, time, location and registration links are specifically applicable to the event offerings listed below.

Section 1
Sept. 13, 2023, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Heartland AEA
602 Visions Parkway
Adel, Iowa

Section 2
Sept. 19, 2023 , 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center
6500 Corporate Drive
Johnston, Iowa

Registration
Register at this link: bit.ly/3InXGyM
Course #205446
There is no cost to attend.

Significant Disabilities Summer & On-Demand Professional Learning + Fall Assessment Supports

Teachers and administrators, we have professional learning, on-demand learning and fall assessment supports in your work with students with significant disabilities:

Summer Professional Learning Opportunities

Conventional Mathematical Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (Alternate Assessment)
July 10, 13, 14 2023, 316369


Emergent Mathematical Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (Alternate Assessment)
July 10-12, 2023, course number 316368


Conventional Literacy Strategies for Students on Alternate Assessment
July 17, 20, 21 2023, course number 182326


Emergent Literacy Strategies for Students on Alternate Assessment
July 17, 18, 19 2023, course number 182335


On-Demand Learning
Self-Paced Learning Modules: Overviews for instruction, assessment, core vocabulary, literacy, and math


Fall 2023 Assessment Support

Administrator Support for Data Stewards and Assessment Coordinators (DLM)
The SDLT will offer a virtual help session for district administrators who are Data Stewards and/or Assessment Coordinators. This session will have two distinct times. The Data Steward help session will be Sept. 8, 2023, 11-11:30 a.m. Directly following will be the Assessment Coordinator help session from 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. DLM Support for Data Stewards and Assessment Coordinators (same virtual room): https://heartlandaea.zoom.us/j/98510300021

Teachers: ELAA Certification
Teachers will need to take the self-paced certification course that the DE will release in August of 2023. The SDLT will host a virtual facilitated training to support teachers having difficulty accessing the certification and answer questions related to evidence requirements. ELAA Support for Teachers: Aug. 30, 2023 8 a.m.-12:00 p.m. https://heartlandaea.zoom.us/j/95480322736

Teachers: DLM Certification
DLM will continue to require teachers to pass the self-paced certification course that the DE will send out in August. The SDLT will offer a virtual facilitated training for teachers on preparing for DLM administration. DLM Support for Teachers: Aug. 30, 2023 1-4:30 p.m. https://heartlandaea.zoom.us/j/95152126006


Wait! There's More!
Check out our Significant Disabilities/ Alternate Assessment Google Site that has a variety of resources for teachers with learners with significant intellectual disabilities and learners assessed using the Iowa Alternate Assessments.

The Site includes a comprehensive math framework with ready-to-use lesson plans, routines and assessment resources for math instruction for students that require instruction aligned to the Essential Elements and who are on Alternate Assessment. The lessons are grouped in sets for emergent and conventional learners.

Teaching for Impact: Additional Learning Opportunities

We have opened up an additional day of learning opportunities!

Join us on June 15 for an exciting day of training workshops designed to help teachers deepen their learning. Our expert trainers will provide hands-on guidance on several different topics so you can choose the all-day workshop that is right for you. These training workshops were originally offered via invitation only, but we’re pleased to extend the opportunity for all participants.

The day-long workshops on June 15 follow the Teaching for Impact training on June 13 and 14 where you can choose from a variety of 90-minute training sessions across several content areas. Space is still available for all three days.

Each workshop will take place at the Iowa Events Center, 730 3rd St., Des Moines from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided. There is no cost to participants.

View more information about the specific workshops and register before the June 5 deadline!

Registration for Teaching for Impact sessions June 13 and 14

Registration for additional Teaching for Impact Training Workshops June 15*

*Registration requires a code that can be found in the agenda descriptions for each workshop

Teaching for Impact is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Area Education Agencies.

Free Training in Panorama's Student Success

The Iowa Department of Education is offering training opportunities in the use of Student Success, the MTSS Data Platform from Panorama.

Student Success is available to all Iowa public schools as a MTSS data tool to gather, store, display and organize student performance data with the intent to improve services to all students.

Outcomes:

• Finding sources of data in Panorama Student Success
• Understanding the Healthy Indicator data and how it connects to writing Interventions in Student Success
• Learning how to enhance use of Student Success from Panorama for interventions

When and where: Two, half-day learning opportunities are available at each of four AEA locations listed below.

• District or school leadership teams may bring up to eight attendees.
• Interested individuals or teams may attend any of the locations.
• Registration will be open until May 26. There is no cost to attend.

If enrollment numbers are low the sessions may be canceled. This will be communicated by May 30.

Questions: Greg Feldman

Date, Location	Audience, Time	Registration Link
June 19 Mississippi Bend AEA Central Office, Bettendorf (70 limit per session)	Elementary 9:00 a.m. -12 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/elementary-panorama-student-success-training
	Secondary 1-4 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-19-secondary
June 20 Green Hills AEA Regional Office, Avoca (85 limit per session)	Elementary 9:00 a.m. -12 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-20
	Secondary 1-4 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-20-secondary
June 21 Heartland AEA Regional Office, Ames (65 limit per session)	Elementary 9:00 a.m. -12 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-21-elementary
	Secondary 1-4 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-21-secondary
June 22 Central Rivers AEA Central Office, Cedar Falls (90 limit per session)	Elementary 9:00 a.m. -12 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-22-elementary
	Secondary 1-4 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-22-secondary

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

 

Strengthen Your Elementary Comp Sci Teaching Skills

Heartland AEA is offering the Elementary Computer Science Teacher Academy (ECSTA) for elementary teachers, coaches and administrators in Iowa to enhance their computer science teaching skills and earn license renewal credit.

Why it matters: Starting August 2023, at least one grade level in Grades 1-6 must include high-quality computer science instruction.

Catch up fast: Read House File 2629

Zoom in: The academy will help to prepare elementary teachers for the content and rigor of teaching computer science.

Academy Goals:

• build capacity with teachers
• connect and share with other elementary teachers who are teaching computer science
• provide ongoing exclusive learning opportunities
• administer differentiated professional development that's applicable practice

Of note: A unique feature of the academy will be mentorship from experienced computer science educators at Heartland AEA.

Apply! ECSTA is accepting applications for Cohort One that begins in early August.

Summer Course on Data-Driven Decision Making for Iowa Schools

Maximize Your Data will help build the capacity of individuals to be able to maximize the use of data-driven decision making tools that are available to Iowa Schools within an MTSS Framework. 

Participants will learn how to maximize their use of several available data sets including:

• Panorama (including Conditions of Learning) 
• FastBridge 
• Iowa School Performance Profile 
• Post Secondary 

Who should attend: All educators who use data to make decisions at the district, building, classroom, small group and/or individual student levels. 

Course objectives 

1. Understand the purpose and design of each data source Interpret the information provided by each data source 
2. Describe connections among data sources 
3. Prepare for leadership of each data source within the school or district 
4. Connect with resources for future support 

When and where: June 22-23 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, in Johnston 

Register at this link: https://bit.ly/44oltrT (course #203942) 

This course is offered at no cost to participants. License renewal cost is $35. 

Evaluator Approval renewal available. 

More information contact Heartland AEA Professional Learning & Leadership Consultants: 

Shannon Harken or Kevin Schlomer

Significant Disabilities Summer & On-Demand Professional Learning + Fall Assessment Supports

Teachers and administrators, we have professional learning, on-demand learning and fall assessment supports in your work with students with significant disabilities:

Summer Professional Learning Opportunities

Conventional Mathematical Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (Alternate Assessment)
July 10, 13, 14 2023, 316369

Emergent Mathematical Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (Alternate Assessment)
July 10-12, 2023, course number 316368

Conventional Literacy Strategies for Students on Alternate Assessment
July 17, 20, 21 2023, course number 182326

Emergent Literacy Strategies for Students on Alternate Assessment
July 17, 18, 19 2023, course number 182335

On-Demand Learning

Self-Paced Learning Modules: Overviews for instruction, assessment, core vocabulary, literacy, and math

Fall 2023 Assessment Support

Administrator Support for Data Stewards and Assessment Coordinators (DLM)
The SDLT will offer a virtual help session for district administrators who are Data Stewards and/or Assessment Coordinators. This session will have two distinct times. The Data Steward help session will be Sept. 8, 2023, 11-11:30 a.m. Directly following will be the Assessment Coordinator help session from 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. DLM Support for Data Stewards and Assessment Coordinators (same virtual room): https://heartlandaea.zoom.us/j/98510300021

Teachers: ELAA Certification
Teachers will need to take the self-paced certification course that the DE will release in August of 2023. The SDLT will host a virtual facilitated training to support teachers having difficulty accessing the certification and answer questions related to evidence requirements. ELAA Support for Teachers: Aug. 30, 2023 8 a.m.-12:00 p.m. https://heartlandaea.zoom.us/j/95480322736

Teachers: DLM Certification
DLM will continue to require teachers to pass the self-paced certification course that the DE will send out in August. The SDLT will offer a virtual facilitated training for teachers on preparing for DLM administration. DLM Support for Teachers: Aug. 30, 2023 1-4:30 p.m. https://heartlandaea.zoom.us/j/95152126006

Wait! There's More!

Check out our Significant Disabilities/ Alternate Assessment Google Site that has a variety of resources for teachers with learners with significant intellectual disabilities and learners assessed using the Iowa Alternate Assessments.

• The Site includes a comprehensive math framework with ready-to-use lesson plans, routines and assessment resources for math instruction for students that require instruction aligned to the Essential Elements and who are on Alternate Assessment. The lessons are grouped in sets for emergent and conventional learners.

Free Training in Panorama's Student Success

The Iowa Department of Education is offering training opportunities in the use of Student Success, the MTSS Data Platform from Panorama.

Student Success is available to all Iowa public schools as a MTSS data tool to gather, store, display and organize student performance data with the intent to improve services to all students.

Outcomes:

• Finding sources of data in Panorama Student Success
• Understanding the Healthy Indicator data and how it connects to writing Interventions in Student Success
• Learning how to enhance use of Student Success from Panorama for interventions

Free: There is no cost to attend.

When and where: Two, half-day learning opportunities are available at each of four AEA locations listed below.

• District or school leadership teams may bring up to eight attendees.
• Interested individuals or teams may attend any of the locations.

Registration will be open until May 26.

• If enrollment numbers are low the sessions may be canceled. This will be communicated by May 30.

Questions: Greg Feldman

Date, Location	Audience, Time	Registration Link
June 19 Mississippi Bend AEA Central Office, Bettendorf (70 limit per session)	Elementary 9:00 a.m. -12 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/elementary-panorama-student-success-training
	Secondary 1-4 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-19-secondary
June 20 Green Hills AEA Regional Office, Avoca (85 limit per session)	Elementary 9:00 a.m. -12 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-20
	Secondary 1-4 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-20-secondary
June 21 Heartland AEA Regional Office, Ames (65 limit per session)	Elementary 9:00 a.m. -12 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-21-elementary
	Secondary 1-4 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-21-secondary
June 22 Central Rivers AEA Central Office, Cedar Falls (90 limit per session)	Elementary 9:00 a.m. -12 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-22-elementary
	Secondary 1-4 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-22-secondary

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

 

Math Minutes Newsletter is Now Available

In this issue of the Math Minutes Newsletter:

• The Numeracy Project Workshop
• Attention if you use the Howard County Readiness Assessments!
• Upcoming Summer Professional Learning

Maximize Your Data: Summer Session Course for Iowa Schools

This course is designed to build the capacity of individuals to be able to facilitate the use of data-driven decision making tools that are available to Iowa Schools within an MTSS Framework. Participants will learn how to maximize their use of several available data sets including:

• Panorama (including Conditions of Learning)
• FastBridge
• Iowa School Performance Profile
• Post Secondary

Do you know where to find all of your data?
Do you understand the reports?
Do you know what it’s telling you?
Do you know how to use this data to guide conversations and lesson designs?

This course was truly developed to ensure all educators can maximize all of the data that is available for decision making.

Attended Audience
All educators who use data to make decisions at the district, building, classroom, small group and/or individual student levels.

License Renewal and Evaluator Approval Renewal Available!

Course Objectives

• Participants will understand the purpose and design of each data source.
• Participants will interpret the information provided by each data source.
• Participants will describe connections among data sources.
• Participants will prepare for leadership of each data source within the school or district.
• Participants will connect with resources for future support.

Dates and Time
June 22-23, 2023
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Registration
Register at this link: https://bit.ly/44oltrT
Course #203942
This course is offered at no cost to participants. License renewal cost is $35.

Location
Heartland AEA
6500 Corporate Drive
Johnston, Iowa

Questions
Shannon Harken
Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant
Heartland AEA
sharken@heartlandaea.org

Kevin Schlomer
Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant
Heartland AEA
kschlomer@heartlandaea.org

Free Summer Institute for Educators Working with Blind Students

Is there a blind student in your classroom next fall? Unsure how to make the upcoming school year as successful as possible?

At Iowa Educational Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired, we understand teachers, paras and others have likely not worked with a child who is blind before, and may have a lot of questions about this new unknown. That’s why every summer, we offer a free two-day institute to familiarize you with resources, techniques and strategies to build your confidence and knowledge of educationally-related topics important for the academic success of your student who is blind or visually impaired.

More than 30 classes are offered; most taught by vision education professionals from IESBVI. Attendees gain hands-on knowledge such as making materials accessible, how to adapt physical education classes, how to make assessment accommodations and more.

“I felt better going into the new year with an idea of what adaptations and assistive technologies were available to me.”

“It helps to know what to expect, where to find resources, how to plan for activities and so much more.”

Iowa Educational Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired Summer Institute

July 31 - Aug. 1

FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny

Register
Register by June 16 at this link: https://www.iesbvi.org/help-theres-a-blind-student-in-my-classroom/

• Meals are provided
• $100 stipends are available to attendees traveling more than 50 miles to the conference site

Looking for Summer PD? Here You Go!

Classes offered by Heartland AEA practitioners - Searchable by interest area!

Classes offered in Heartland AEA

Classes offered across the AEA system - Searchable by AEA or month, this list is updated weekly!

For more information about Heartland AEA’s professional learning opportunities, email profdev@heartlandaea.org. 

Nominate Your School Counselor!

Each year, the Iowa School Counselor Association gives awards to certain individuals who have been instrumental in the field of school counseling during the previous year(s). These individuals are nominated by their peers and chosen by an independent panel who follow the various criteria for each category. Award winners are recognized each year at the annual conference. Nominations will be taken until August.

School Counselor of the Year

Lifetime Achievement Award

Advocate of the Year

Nothing Says Summer Like Social Studies Professional Learning!

Four differentiated professional learning "pathways" will be offered this summer to support teaching and learning in social studies.

Pathway 1: Inquiry 101
Pathway 2: Unit Planning in Social Studies
Pathway 3: Disciplinary Literacy and the Use of Primary Sources
Pathway 4: Visible Learning in Social Studies Book Study

→Take this pre-assessment - see which workshop fits your needs!

→Then Register

License renewal credit is available if you take two workshops

Free Training in Panorama's Student Success

The Iowa Department of Education is offering training opportunities in the use of Student Success, the MTSS Data Platform from Panorama. Student Success is available to all Iowa public schools as a MTSS data tool to gather, store, display and organize student performance data with the intent to improve services to all students. Outcomes include:

• Finding sources of data in Panorama Student Success
• Understanding the Healthy Indicator data and how it connects to writing Interventions in Student Success
• Learning how to enhance use of Student Success from Panorama for interventions

There is no cost to attend. Two, half-day learning opportunities are available at each of four locations. District or school leadership teams may bring up to eight attendees. Interested individuals or teams may attend any of the locations.

Date, Location	Audience, Time	Registration Link
June 19 Mississippi Bend AEA Central Office, Bettendorf (70 limit per session)	Elementary 9:00 a.m. -12 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/elementary-panorama-student-success-training
	Secondary 1-4 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-19-secondary
June 20 Green Hills AEA Regional Office, Avoca (85 limit per session)	Elementary 9:00 a.m. -12 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-20
	Secondary 1-4 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-20-secondary
June 21 Heartland AEA Regional Office, Ames (65 limit per session)	Elementary 9:00 a.m. -12 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-21-elementary
	Secondary 1-4 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-21-secondary
June 22 Central Rivers AEA Central Office, Cedar Falls (90 limit per session)	Elementary 9:00 a.m. -12 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-22-elementary
	Secondary 1-4 p.m.	https://calendly.com/juneiowa/using-panorama-student-success-on-6-22-secondary

Registration will be open until May 26. If enrollment numbers are low the sessions may be canceled. This will be communicated by May 30.

Questions may be directed to greg.feldmann@iowa.gov.