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

  

Adjusted Summer Schedules for Library and Administrator Connection

Heartland AEA Library Hours Reduced in July
During the month of July, the library will be open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – noon. Full-time hours will resume on Aug. 4.

Administrator Connection is Going on Summer Vacation
Today is our last planned weekly Administrator Connection until August. We’ll communicate any important information via email during the summer. Keep up-to-date this summer with Heartland AEA and statewide AEA happenings through our social media!

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube

Join Your Colleagues for AEA-Sponsored Professional Learning Networks

Iowa’s AEAs are once again sponsoring free network opportunities for schools and districts. Join your colleagues to increase your knowledge and skills, gain support from peers and connect to AEA resources. Information regarding statewide learning network opportunities can be found at this link.

Save the Date: 2026 Day on the Hill with Iowa's AEAs, IASB® & SAI

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies, Iowa Association of School Boards® and School Administrators of Iowa invite you to the 2026 Day on the Hill on Jan. 26, 2026! This advocacy event will provide the opportunity to meet and network with legislators and support the displays showing innovative programs and initiatives happening in Iowa public schools.

Call for Student Showcase Submissions
At the Day on the Hill, we're shining a spotlight on the incredible programs, student achievements and creative initiatives happening across the state. We want to showcase exhibitions that highlight the great things your students are achieving! Share your story! Application deadline is Aug. 25.

Stock up and Save Summer Sale!

Enjoy 10% off!

Now through June 30, save 10% on your entire Creative Services order! Enter the promo code SUMMER10 on the payment screen prior to paying for your order.

Need to pay after July 1?
Let us know if you'd like your order to be billed/charged after July 1 and we will hold your order for billing and delivery. Add a note to your order or email creativeservices@heartlandaea.org if your order needs to be billed after July 1.

Promotion available until June 30, 2025. Offer only available on new orders. Offer not available for Braille or custom graphic design orders.

View other products for your fall classroom in the Heartland AEA Creative Services Newsletter

Don’t Lose Access: Re-Subscribe Now to Keep AEA Digital Resources for 2025-26

The Iowa AEA Digital Resources Bundle will be discontinued for schools that have not subscribed for the 2025-26 school year. Access to schools/districts will end on July 1, 2025, and non-subscribed users will lose access to digital resource materials at that time. If your district wishes to continue or initiate the use of these tools, contact Amy Wichman at awichman@heartlandaea.org to arrange for the continuation of services.

If your school would like training on how to access or use the Digital Resources Bundle to its greatest potential, submit the District Request for AEA Services and ask for Alicia Patten.

Need Library Assistance? Iowa’s AEAs Will Help

Heartland AEA Teacher Librarian Services are available. If your district is finding it difficult to hire and retain a qualified teacher librarian, Heartland AEA now offers teacher librarian services that fulfill Iowa Code requirements and strengthen K–12 library programs. Highlights include:

• A certified teacher librarian who can serve as the district’s official librarian of record, advise on best practices, and plan a high-impact library program.
• Flexible service packages starting at 15 days per year for $15,000 (one library), with options to add collections or contract days.

Districts simply provide a library associate for daily operations and budget for materials; our teacher librarian handles the rest.

Ready to explore? Contact Amy Wichman, Director of Media, Technology & Digital Learning at awichman@heartlandaea.org or (515) 383-5018.

Submit Your Service Requests and Secure Your Dates for Service for 2025-26

Heartland AEA is accepting service requests for the upcoming school year. Requests for service can be submitted at any time by completing the District Request for AEA Services form. If your district or school has contracted with a Professional Service Provider for specific services and you haven’t determined dates preferred for services, do this as soon as possible by contacting the service provider. Preferred dates are a first-come, first-served basis.

Bring Your Full Threat Assessment Team to This Important Training on June 26

Heartland AEA is offering a valuable training opportunity for building and district teams this summer: Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) Workshop.

June 26, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $150 per participant (includes registration fee and manual)

CSTAG is an evidence-based, decision-tree model used by school teams to assess and manage student threats in a systematic, proactive way. The model helps distinguish between transient and substantive threats—allowing teams to resolve minor issues quickly while focusing deeper attention on serious concerns. This process supports both school safety and student success.

This workshop is especially timely as a complement to Iowa’s recent legislation, HF604: Disruptive Students and Teacher Complaints.

Who Should Attend?
Each participating school/district is asked to register a full threat assessment team, which typically includes:

• A school administrator (principal or assistant principal)
• One or more mental health professionals (e.g., counselor or therapist)
• A law enforcement officer (e.g., school resource officer)

Some schools may also include teachers, a school nurse or other staff members with relevant expertise. AEA staff may support or consult but should not be core members of the team.

Why Attend?

• Learn a structured, research-based method for assessing threats
• Build team capacity to make thoughtful, informed decisions
• Align your practices with best practices and new legislative expectations
• Receive the official CSTAG manual to support implementation fidelity
• Register here: Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) Workshop

Each team member must register individually

Questions? 

Contact Jadie Boens, Director of Social, Emotional & Behavior Health Services

Support Your District Through Crisis—Save Money and Be Prepared

When a school experiences the death of a student or staff member, the ripple effects can be profound. A structured postvention response helps stabilize the community, reduce the risk of further trauma and support mental health. This isn’t just about coping — it’s also about preventing additional crises by addressing the needs of ALL affected individuals. This is accomplished through a well-planned systematic response with organization strategies to promote calm and reduce chaos in the midst of tragedy. Heartland AEA’s Critical Incident Response Services can help stabilize your school community, support mental health and prevent further trauma.

Why sign up now?
It’s much more affordable to enroll your district in our service than to pay for individual providers during a crisis. You’ll have immediate access to expert support, proven strategies and peace of mind—all at a predictable, lower cost.

Take action today
Request Critical Incident Response Services

Questions? Contact Jadie Boens, Director of Social, Emotional & Behavior Health Services

PD Opportunity: Specially Designed Literacy Instruction for Students with Significant Disabilities

Specially Designed Literacy Instruction for Students with Significant Disabilities (SWSD SDI) professional development provides educators the foundational knowledge and skills to expand language, communication and comprehensive literacy skills for early emergent readers and writers. It supports IEP teams in developing their interprofessional collaboration knowledge and skills in order to diagnose, design and deliver high-quality, specially-designed literacy instruction encompassing language, communication and text comprehension.

Who Should Attend

• Elementary, middle and high school teachers who provide instruction to students with significant disabilities
• Professionals who support students with significant disabilities (e.g., Speech-Language Pathologists, Instructional Coaches, School Improvement Leaders, Behavior Interventionists, Autism Specialists, Consultants, TVI, TDHH, OT/PT, etc.)

Affordable
Free: Districts designated as Tier 2 or Tier 3 for IDEA-DA
or
Tier 1 districts: $75 per teacher per day
(license renewal credit $50 additional per credit)

Dates
Aug. 5-6, Oct. 24 and Nov. 21, 2025; Jan. 23, Feb. 20, March 27 and June 8-10, 2026
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Dr, Johnston

Registration
4 credits/10 days: Register Here

• $750 for participant only or $950 for license renewal credit
• Includes 3 group coaching sessions
• Coaching included for districts designated as Tier 2 or Tier 3 for IDEA-DA (Tier 1 districts: Contact your Heartland AEA Regional Director for options)

Contact
Kristi Upah, Chief Student Services Officer
kupah@heartlandaea.org
(515) 473-6794

Thinking Tech? Think AEA!

• Competitive & Cost-Effective Pricing
• Collaborative Relationships
• K-12 Experience
• Consulting/Professional Development
• Local commitment to all school sizes, all needs

For more information on services: Iowa AEAs Technology Support and Services

Inquiries?
Contact Amy Wichman, Director of Media, Technology and Digital Learning