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

  

May 6 HAA Meeting Reminder

The May 6 HAA meeting will be held in person from 9 - 11:30 a.m. at Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston. At 10:30 a.m., the meeting will transition to a zoom option for a legislative update with Dave Daughton and other educational partnership updates.

Summer Paper Buy is Here – Order Now to Ensure Fall Delivery!

The eagerly awaited Summer Paper Buy order form is now available. Don't miss your chance to stock up on paper and envelopes! Please submit all order forms to The Paper Corporation by May 18. Deliveries will be completed by Sept. 5. The order form and additional details can be found on Iowa's AEAs statewide website.

Secure Heartland AEA Continuous Improvement Support for the 2025–26 School Year

As you plan for the 2025–26 school year, Heartland AEA is here to support your district’s continuous improvement goals. Our team of Professional Service Providers is ready to partner with you in delivering high-quality professional learning and services aligned with your district’s needs.

Availability is limited, so we encourage you to complete your orders early to secure support on your priority dates.

Submit your 2025–26 service requests now using the Heartland AEA Service Request Form.

Let’s work together to make next year a success for your educators and students!

Why Self-Assess Your Gifted & Talented Program?

Ensuring all students thrive includes your gifted learners. A self-assessment can provide crucial insights.

Heartland AEA offers the Gifted Self Audit and Planner (G-SAP), a facilitated review using rubrics aligned with Iowa Code and best practices.

Why engage in the G-SAP? 

Your team will:

• Understand Iowa's G&T requirements and current best practices
• Gain a system-wide view of your implemented program
• Identify strengths and areas for growth using clear rubrics
• Develop a prioritized work plan for impactful improvement

Invest a day and a half (3 half-day sessions) with participating teaching staff, administrators and coaches. Follow-up coaching from Heartland AEA supports your implementation.

Don't wait to enhance your G&T program. Contact Kyra Wilcox-Conley or Kate Boonstra to schedule your facilitated G-SAP review and empower your gifted students.

Clarity for Your Team: Language Acquisition vs. Learning Differences

When multilingual English learners struggle academically, it can be difficult to know whether it’s due to typical language development or a possible learning difference. Heartland AEA offers a structured, evidence-based coaching cycle to help your team make this important distinction.

Our EL/Diversity Consultant works alongside educators to:

• Analyze student data to understand academic and language progress
• Differentiate between language acquisition and potential learning disabilities
• Review interventions to determine effectiveness and next steps

With guided support and clear data analysis, your team can make confident, informed decisions about student needs.

Let’s Collaborate
Cindra Porter, Heartland AEA EL/Diversity Consultant, cporter@heartlandaea.org

Requesting AEA Services: Start with Your Local AEA

If you would like to request a service for your district, please contact your local AEA as usual. If the requested service is not available through your local AEA, they will reach out to the AEA statewide system to coordinate the service on your behalf and manage all billing internally. All communication regarding the service will continue to go through your local AEA, in collaboration with the AEA delivering the service. If you reach out directly to the AEA providing the service, you will be referred back to your local AEA. It is essential that we follow this process to ensure accurate billing and efficient scheduling for staff. Thank you for your cooperation as we implement this updated system.

Example:
A school district requests a professional development session on inclusive classroom strategies. The district contacts their local AEA to request the training. However, this specific training is not currently offered by the local AEA. The local AEA then contacts another AEA that provides the inclusive classroom strategies training and coordinates the details. The local AEA handles all communication with the district and manages the billing internally with the other AEA. The district continues working with their local AEA throughout the entire process.

If the district had reached out directly to the AEA offering the training, they would have been referred back to their local AEA to begin the process. This approach ensures consistent communication, accurate billing and smooth scheduling for everyone involved.

Secure Your Digital Resources for 2025–26 - Last Call

If your district has already completed the Digital Resources Commitment Form—no further action is needed. We’ve got your information.

Still deciding? This is your last chance to commit to the AEA Digital Resources Bundle for the 2025–26 school year. The bundle provides access to high-quality digital tools for just $7.00 per student, available exclusively through the AEA partnership.

What’s Included

• Top tools like PebbleGo, Britannica, Gale (40+ products), Scholastic Flix series, Learn360 and more. 
• See the full list in the AEA Personalization Resource Guide.

Action Needed by May 15, 2025:

• If your district has NOT yet submitted its commitment, please complete the Digital Resources Commitment Form (one per district) **Only fill out the form if you haven’t already submitted it**

• Interested in select tools only? Contact your AEA Media Representative.

Questions?
Contact Tracie Marshall at tmarshall@iowaaea.org.

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

 

Student Planners: Help Keep Your Students Organized and Engaged!

Quality, affordable and beautifully-designed student planners are available for your school through Heartland AEA. Planners can support student engagement and awareness of school events, activities and projects. Visit our website to choose your planner style from the many options we offer. Order before the end of May to ensure delivery by the beginning of the 2025-26 school year.

Fundamentals of Restorative Practices: Strengthening School Culture Through Community & Connection

Creating a positive and supportive school culture is at the heart of student success. One approach that has gained momentum in schools across the country is restorative practices—a framework focused on building relationships, fostering accountability and resolving conflicts in meaningful ways.

Educators and school leaders interested in deepening their understanding of restorative practices are invited to participate in the upcoming Fundamentals of Restorative Practices training, hosted by Heartland AEA at the Johnston Regional Education Center on April 14-15, 2025.

During this two-day training, participants will explore practical strategies for:
✔ Setting high expectations while providing support
✔ Using direct feedback and reflective questioning to promote accountability
✔ Implementing proactive and responsive methods for conflict resolution

A key focus of the training will be learning to facilitate restorative circles—a structured approach to building community, engaging students in learning, resolving social issues and repairing harm when it occurs.

This face-to-face course includes:
✅ Two full-day sessions (April 14 & 15, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
✅ Pre-work assignments (approximately 4 hours of individual learning)
✅ Interactive learning experiences to apply restorative strategies
✅ 1 License Renewal Credit (for those selecting the credit option)

Registration - Register by April 7
Registration Link

• Licensure Renewal Credit (1 Credit/15 Hours) – $200
• Participant Only (15 Instructor-Led Hours) – $150
• $5 materials fee (for printed training materials)

Location
Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Dr, Johnston, IA

Thank You for Submitting Your 2025-26 Service Orders – Ongoing Requests Welcome!

Thank you for completing your order forms for 2025-2026 services. We will continue to take orders now and throughout the school year. Priority placements are made for services that require Professional Service Providers on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to develop a service plan to meet your school or district needs, reach out to our Service for Fee Leaders:

Jadie Boens, Professional Service Providers & SEBH
Crista Carlile & Wendy Robinson, Professional Service Providers & Content Experts
Susan Schrader, Library & Digital Resources
Amy Wichman, Technology
Susie Meade, Chief Academic Officer

Curso 1 de Certificación de Paraeducadores: Fundamentos

Toda la instrucción y los recursos para este curso serán en español

La certificación de paraeducador es un proceso mediante el cual una persona puede obtener una capacitación profunda y ser reconocida por completar con éxito esa capacitación a través de un programa reconocido por el estado. La certificación de paraeducador no es requerida por ley, pero puede ser requerida por los distritos escolares locales.

Todo el trabajo de curso para las clases se completa en línea. La certificación de paraeducador requiere que se complete una experiencia clínica de 10 horas en un entorno escolar. Los paraeducadores actualmente empleados pueden completar este requisito en el salón de clases en el que trabajan actualmente.

Curso 1 de Certificación de Paraeducadores: Fundamentos
REUNIÓN DE ZOOM
28 ABRIL 2025
5:30-8:30 PM
Register Aqui

SAVE THE DATE for our Regional Secondary Transition Fair!

This event is designed to empower students with disabilities and their families as they plan for their futures of living, learning, and working after high school. We're excited to announce the vendors who will be attending! Vendor List

April 14, 2025
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Waukee Innovative Learning Center

Superintendent and Education Leaders Update

The March 2025 Superintendent and Education Leaders Update from the Iowa Department of Education is now available.