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

 

Meade Selected as New Chief Academic Officer at Heartland AEA

Heartland AEA is pleased to announce the hiring of Susie Meade, Ph.D., as the new chief academic officer. Meade, who is currently the chief administrator of Prairie Lakes AEA, will replace Kevin Fangman, who will serve in a new leadership role of Chief Human Resources Officer beginning July 1, 2023.

As Chief Academic Officer, Susie will steward the agency vision, mission and core values; serve as a liaison to the Iowa Department of Education; oversee policies, procedures and professional learning; develop and maintain proficiency in Iowa’s professional standards for educational leaders; provide co-leadership for the Agency’s Leadership & learning Planning Council; and supervise regional directors and other leaders.

Susie has been the Chief Administrator at Prairie Lakes AEA since 2020. Prior to that, she was superintendent of the Winterset Community School District from 2012-2020.

Prior to serving in Winterset, Susie was assistant superintendent at Ankeny Community Schools where she led, facilitated and directed curriculum, instruction, professional development, special programs, state/federal reporting, technology and student registrar functions of the district. Susie served as elementary principal in the Mesa, AZ and Saydel school districts and director of special programs for West Des Moines Community Schools. Susie began her career in the field of education as a family and consumer science teacher. She transitioned into teaching students in elementary school who had behavior disorders, as well as those in elementary and secondary special education.

Susie holds a doctorate of philosophy in educational administration from Iowa State University, master of science degree in special education from Mankato State University, and bachelors degree in secondary education from the University of Iowa.

“Student achievement and the quest to ensure all learners are prepared for their next journey in life has been my personal mission and passion throughout my educational career,” Susie said. “I am a leader who believes in a clear vision and plan, open and honest communication, consistent follow-through on commitments, leading by example, a sense of humor and good old-fashioned hard work. I am honored to have the opportunity to become a member of the Heartland AEA team.”

We look forward to Susie joining the Agency on July 1, 2023.

FastBridge Registration Open for 2023-24, AEA Subsidy Available for Grades K-8

This year Iowa’s AEAs again will be subsidizing the costs for schools to upgrade their DE-provided FAST subscriptions that includes the expanded assessment suite in math and behavior for K-6, and literacy, math and behavior for grades 7 & 8. Participation is available both to schools that purchased the expanded assessment suite in previous years and those that want to use it for the first time in 2023-24. Refer to this FastBridge registration overview for details on pricing, billing, registration process, training, and more. Contact Kevin Fangman for more information.

Time to Register for CS PD Week!

Join us for a great week of learning and collaboration with other educators throughout Iowa! Not only is it FREE to attend, but you will also earn a stipend for engaging in professional development!

It’s official! Iowa’s Computer Science Professional Development Week will begin with a kickoff event on the evening of June 11 with professional development happening throughout the week of June 12 - 16, 2023. All professional development will be held in person on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Now is the time to register for this amazing opportunity sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa AEAs, UNI, CSTA and NewBoCo.

WHEN: June 12 - 16, 2023, Kickoff evening of June 11

WHERE: University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls (High School Cybersecurity at Waterloo Career Center)

WHO: All PreK-12 Educators, Counselors, Instructional Coaches and Administrators who will be providing or supporting CS instruction in accredited public and non-public schools that have created a computer science plan

WHY: Support state and K-12 district CS plans and provide equitable access to high-quality CS professional development throughout the state

WHAT: PK-12 Computer Science professional development opportunities range from 1 to 5 days in duration from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. each day.

Logistics
What is covered?

• Stipends: $150/day Monday - Friday (Sunday not included)
• Lodging: UNI dorm suites available Sunday - Thursday night
• Food: Breakfast & Lunch provided

What is not covered?

• Mileage/Travel expenses
• Evening meals
• Cost of licensure renewal or graduate credit if desired

Registration
Register by May 5: AEA CS website or go to the registration system and search for CSPD week

Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis with limited capacity so register soon! If the section is full, please register and you will be put on the waitlist. Registration after the deadline will not guarantee a spot or materials.

Not able to attend this summer? 

Iowa’s CS PD Week will move each summer. In 2022, CS PD week was in Ames, and in 2023 will be in Cedar Falls. We are working on scheduling 2024 on the west side of Iowa and will share details once finalized.

Heartland AEA’s Digital Learning Team Announces the 2023 Heart of Innovation Summer Summit!

Heartland AEA’s Digital Learning Team is thrilled to announce the return of the Heart of Innovation Summer Summit! The 2023 Summit will be held virtually on the mornings of Aug. 8 and 9. It’s a convenient and cost-efficient way to access some terrific learning!

This year we are delighted to welcome two outstanding keynote speakers: Jon Corippo, co-creator of EduProtocols, and Punya Mishra, Dean of Scholarship & Innovation at Arizona State University and co-creator of the TPACK framework. They will share their knowledge, experience and innovative ideas to inspire and inform educators at all levels.

The Heart of Innovation Summer Summit is a unique opportunity for educators to connect, collaborate and learn from each other…and all for FREE! As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving educational landscape, it is essential to stay informed and up-to-date on the latest trends and innovations in teaching and learning. We encourage all educators to join us for this exciting event!

In addition to our keynote speakers, we invite all educators to submit proposals to present at the Summit. The Heart of Innovation Summer Summit is an excellent platform to showcase your expertise and share your knowledge and ideas with a broad range of educators. We welcome proposals that explore successful educational practices, innovative teaching strategies, and effective approaches to student engagement and learning.

Registration is now open for the 2023 Heart of Innovation Summer Summit. To register, or to submit a session proposal, please visit our summit event site. We look forward to seeing you there!

Heartland AEA Digital Learning Newsletter: Summer Summit, Computer Science Updates, Online Resources, Library Resources and More!

In this issue of the April 2023 Heartland AEA Digital Learning newsletter:

• Heart of innovation summer Summit Session proposals
• Summer Summit registration and license renewal
• Computer science updates
• AEA learning online resource updates
• Heartland AEA Library resources
• Graduate and license renewal options

Future Ready Meeting on April 20 to Focus on Portrait of a Graduate

The April Future Ready meeting will be on April 20 and will focus on Portrait of a Graduate. District teams can join in person at the Heartland AEa Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Dr., Johnston, IA, or via zoom at this link. Guest speakers from Bondurant Farrar, Boone and Van Meter will share about their Portrait of a Graduate journey and how they navigated each phase. Question and answer breakout sessions will also be available for districts to learn more about different aspects of Portrait of a Graduate. As we wrap up this year, please give us feedback to help us plan for next year’s Future Ready Network on this Future Ready Planning Survey.

Heartland AEA Literacy Newsletter: Action Needed for Student Success Updates, Small Group Reading Instruction Strategies, and More!

In this issue of the Heartland AEA Literacy newsletter:

• Iowa Department of Education: Action Needed: FAST and Panorama Student Success Updates
• Maximizing Small Group Reading Instruction
• Iowa Reading Research Center April Newsletter
• Looking to Research for Literacy Success
• Learning Bit by Bit
• Spring and Summer Literacy Classes

Want to Know More about Supporting Students with Disabilities in Transition?

Join the Canvas course, Promoting Successful Transition for Students with Disabilities, starting May 22. Engage in a dynamic learning environment with opportunities to discuss, network and learn from other educators across Heartland AEA. Topics include: quality transition assessment, Future Ready resources, and educational tools to support students in transition for postsecondary living, learning and working. Welcome and mid-course Zoom check-in sessions will be held on May 22 and July 31, 2023. The remainder of the course will include asynchronous learning opportunities on Canvas. Join the course by registering at this link.

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 through 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 us for an informational session on April 11 at 5:00 p.m. to visit with the UI leadership team. The event will be held at Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, Iowa.

To register, click on this link and complete the Qualtrics RSVP.

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 from 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 with 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: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/574739530407

Southwest Iowa Schools Invited to Participate in New Farm to School Ag Opportunity for K-12 Teachers

Schools in 12 counties in southwest Iowa are encouraged to apply to participate in a new farm to school agriculture education program hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs.

Five K-12 schools will be chosen to begin and/or reinvigorate agriculture education. Schools must be located in Monona, Crawford, Harrison, Shelby, Pottawattamie, Cass, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, Carroll, Audubon, and Page counties.

The goals are to increase access to agriculture and gardening skills for food production and to promote access to healthy, delicious locally-grown foods for students and their families.

Selected schools will receive the following:

• Technical assistance and support on food production and agriculture education through December 2023
• Farm to school curriculum resources, online and in print
• $2,000 mini grant for food production, garden, greenhouse, aqua/hydroponics
• $200 for garden tools
• $150 stipend for one teacher to attend the Iowa Farm to School Conference in June
• $150 stipend for one teacher to attend the Southwest Iowa Local Foods Summit
• $200 for one farmer speaker who grows fruits, vegetables, herbs, and/or livestock to visit the school and give a presentation
• Assistance with accessing Iowa local foods procurement programs

Visit the Southwest Iowa Farm to School page and Farm to School application for more information.

UNI is Offering Two Opportunities at Heartland AEA for Evaluator Approval Credit

The University of Northern Iowa Institute for Educational Leadership received a grant called Leading and Learning with Character through the Kern Family Foundation. As part of the grant, UNI continues to host Leadership Camps (approved for evaluator renewal) for $75. The two camps being offered at Heartland AEA this summer are:

CANCELLED: Leadership Camp 2.0: New Iowa Standards for School Leaders
June 22-23, 2023


Leadership Camp 1.3 with Special Education Focus
July 24-25, 2023

Free lunch is provided.

Expand Your Knowledge & Skills in Supporting Learners with Disabilities at Teaching for Impact Training

Registration is open for the Teaching for Impact training to be held June 13-14, 2023 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.

Sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa’s AEAs, the training is for all educators supporting learners with disabilities. There is no cost to attend.

The purpose of the training is for educators to develop and expand knowledge and skills related to the education of learners with disabilities from birth to age 21. Emphasis will be placed on integrating information into practice across a variety of educational settings in these content areas:

• college and career readiness
• mathematics
• literacy
• early childhood
• leadership
• positive learning environments

Three dynamic speakers have been invited to headline Teaching for Impact including Jennifer Wolfsheimer, Hedy Chang and Clay Cook. They bring a wealth of personal and professional experience to the field of education.

IMPORTANT: AEA staff are asked to hold off on registering until the week of April 17 to ensure teachers and district staff have the opportunity to register prior to hitting the registration cap. See the April 3 Heartland AEA staff intranet article for more information.

Registration