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

 

Coming April 4! Dr. Timothy D. Kanold to Lead Wellness Sessions for Educators on Leadership and Physical/Mental Wellness: Thriving At Work and At Home!

Afternoon Workshop 

April 4 

1:00 - 4:00 p.m. 

Heartland AEA

Regional Education Center

6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston 

In this decade, teaching and leading in pursuit of improved student achievement is hard to do well – day in and day out. The work at hand takes its toll physically and mentally. During this highly interactive, sometimes funny, sometimes serious, and always engaging session, Dr. Timothy D. Kanold, uses the Wellness Solutions for Educators™ framework to take a deep dive into the physical and mental wellness challenges that exist in the daily life of all educators. The neuroscience research is crystal clear: Improved sleep and rest, food and hydration, and movement are interwoven together as a result of daily decision-making and the intentional planning for living a more balanced and active life. Participants will be (re)invigorated, (re)inspired, and (re)connected to the benefits of a sustainable and thriving home and work life. 

Outcomes: 

Participants can expect to: 

• Discover brain research associated with sleep, rest, hydration, movement and decision fatigue. 
• Consider specific strategies for incorporating improved sleep, rest, hydration, movement, balance, and decision-making routines into daily life. 
• Embrace the emotional wellness routine of mindfulness to build atomic habits that stick.
• Give the physical wellness routine of movement clout in everyday life. 
• Understand how to use the social wellness routines of trust and relationships to develop friendships and effectively collaborate with others. 

Registration 

There is no cost to attend. Registration includes a copy of Dr. Kanold’s book, Educator Wellness (2022).  

About Dr. Kanold 

Timothy D. Kanold, Ph.D., is former Director of Mathematics and Science and School Superintendent of Adlai E. Stevenson HSD 125, Lincolnshire, Illinois, the birthplace of PLCs At Work. Also author of the best-selling and award-winning books HEART! (2017) and SOUL! (2021) and co-author with Dr. Tina H. Boogren of the best-selling book Educator Wellness (2022).

Discover the University of Iowa's Dynamic Programs for Educational Leadership – Attend an Informational Session to Learn More

If you are interested in earning a graduate degree in educational leadership, check out the dynamic programs offered by the University of Iowa including expanded scholarship opportunities for new and returning students! The UI Masters, Ed.S., Ed.D. and Ph.D. programs provide outstanding opportunities for learning and advancement with an emphasis on equity and social justice. 

Please join the UI for an informational session to visit with the UI leadership team. The event will be held:

April 11, 2023

5:00 p.m.

Heartland AEA 

Johnston Regional Education Center

6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston 

Register today! 

Application Deadlines

• Summer 2023 Session: April 30 
• Fall 2023 Session – July 1 
• *Ed.D. Cohort Application – Feb. 1 (Still Open)

Join Iowa PBS in Honor of Autism Acceptance Month with a Special Event Featuring the Film In a Different Key

In a Different Key Screening + Discussion 

April 13, 2023

6:00 - 8:15 p.m. 

Iowa PBS, Maytag Auditorium

6450 Corporate Dr., Johnston 

This screening and conversation will focus on the importance of inclusion and provide the opportunity for an open conversation. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-nominated book of the same name by journalists Caren Zucker and John Donvan, In a Different Key follows the mother of an autistic son as she finds and then befriends the first child ever diagnosed with autism – Donald Triplett, who still lives in the rural Mississippi town where he was born nearly 90 years ago. 

This documentary tells the stories of different people with autism and is a true story of love, difference and the fight to belong. Following the film screening, an interactive discussion will be moderated by Kris Steinmetz, Executive Director of the Autism Society of Iowa. Panelists will include Tyler Leech, an autism advocate who is featured in Iowa PBS’s documentary The Life Autistic, Evelyn Horton, BCBA, Vice President of Children Services with Balance Autism and Scott Atwood, Ph.D., Vice President of Adult Services with Balance Autism. 

Attendees will be able to ask questions anonymously during the conversation. This event is made possible in part by the Lainie Grimm Fund for Inclusive Programming at the Iowa PBS Foundation. 

Register for free

Iowa Dept. of Management to Hold Town Hall Meetings to Address Digital Inequality & Broadband Access

The Iowa Department of Management, Office of the Chief Information Officer announces they will conduct more than 50 public town hall-style meetings to get feedback from everyday Iowans on digital services, including broadband in their area. They want to hear from Iowans of all walks of life on how Iowans use the internet and digital services in general. 

If you ever felt like the digital world is passing you by, for whatever reason, this is your chance to speak up and help Iowa identify ways to help you and your community. Attendees will hear a short presentation on digital services followed by a discussion with the audience on the barriers and potential solutions for full participation in the digital aspects of society. 

All meetings will start at 6 p.m. at the designated locations and are anticipated to last about 90 minutes. Join in a town near you!  

For more information, contact the Office of the Chief Information Officer.