Welcome!

We’re excited to bring you the first issue of the Heartland AEA Administrator Connection newsletter for 2025-26, arriving in your inbox twice a month on Fridays. Look for updates from the AEA, special education, professional development, educational services, creative solutions,  and more—all designed to support your leadership and student achievement. We look forward to keeping you informed and connected!

Sept. 2 Heartland Administrators’ Meeting Features Iowa DE Director

The first Heartland Administrators’ Association meeting for the 2025-26 school year will be held on Sept. 2 from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston. The agenda will feature guest speaker, Director McKenzie Snow, from the Iowa Department of Education.

Fully Prepared Illustrative Mathematics Kits Just a Click Away with Heartland AEA Creative Services

Heartland AEA Creative Services will now offer a variety of materials that support the implementation of Illustrative Mathematics, K-8. The following materials can be ordered to be printed and delivered to your buildings!

• K-5 Center Materials: Each order includes 15 copies of cards (pre-cut into decks polypaper), 15 spinners on cardstock, and 15 gameboards on cardstock for each center. This is enough for a class of 30 to play the games at the same time!
• K-5 Center Recording Sheets: Each order includes15 copies of recording sheets on cardstock or paper
• K-5 Card Sorts: Each order includes15 copies of cards (pre-cut into decks polypaper or cardstock)
• 3-5 Info Gaps: Each order includes 15 copies of cards (pre-cut into decks polypaper or cardstock)
• 6-8 Card Sorts: Each order includes 15 copies of cards (pre-cut into decks polypaper or cardstock)
• 6-8 Info Gaps: Each order includes 15 copies of cards (pre-cut into decks on polypaper or cardstock)
• 6-8 Reusable Blackline Masters: Each order includes 15 copies of each blackline master on cardstock
• 6-8 Vocabulary Cards: cards with word, definition, and picture to be used as an interactive word wall

K-5 Pricing Information
Grades 6-8 Pricing Information

Heartland AEA's Creative Services is ready to help your teachers implement Illustrative Mathematics by taking the copying, cutting and organizing tasks off of their plate at an affordable price! Reach out for more information by visiting Creative Services Online and search Illustrative Mathematics.

Place Your Order Today for FastBridge Screening Binders for Essential Math and Reading Assessments

Districts can order FastBridge screening binders through Heartland AEA Creative Services. Please reference the following product numbers when ordering:

• #3222 Math Screening Assessment Binders for grades K-1 and grades 2-6
• #3223 Math Progress Monitoring Assessment Binders for grades K-6
• #2789 Early Reading Universal Screening and Progress Monitoring Assessment Binder for grades K-1
• #2788 CBM Reading Universal Screening and Progress Monitoring Assessment Binder for grades 2-6

Get Your Classroom Ready in a Click

Heartland AEA Creative Services can help you get your classroom ready and welcome students this fall. Browse our website by subject or keyword to find ready-to-print instructional materials for your classroom, upload a file to print, order lamination, bindery, custom graphic design and so much more.

Secure Your Digital Resources for 2025–26

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

Still deciding? The AEA Digital Resources Bundle for the 2025–26 school year provides access to high-quality digital tools for just $7 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

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 Amy Wichman, Director of Media, Technology and Digital Learning

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.

Dates for Important Math Professional Development Now Available

Let Heartland AEA be your go-to source for high-quality professional development in math. Upcoming training dates for initial Numeracy Project training, Implementation of Numeracy Project, and MTSS Progress Monitoring with AAIMS are now open for registration. Please visit the Professional Learning Registration System for more information and to register.

Heartland AEA Announces 2025 Paraeducator Certification Course Schedule

Heartland AEA’s paraeducator certification course schedule is now available. There are three courses you must register for and complete to be able to apply for the Paraeducator Generalist Certificate through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. Each course is $120 for a total of $360. It is strongly recommended that participants complete Foundations (Course I) before taking Courses II and III. Each course has required Zoom sessions plus additional online coursework. Visit the Certified Paraeducator Course Schedule on our website for more information.

Important Updates on CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training for 2025-26

The Iowa Department of Education has directed Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs) to use state-allocated children’s mental health school-based training and support funds to provide CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training—free of charge—for school districts during the 2025-26 school year. This means all CPI training facilitators and materials will be available at no cost to Iowa schools.

Refunds for Previously Registered Trainings
Many districts and schools have already registered and paid for CPI training sessions. The Heartland AEA professional development team will be working diligently to issue refunds for these payments. With numerous sessions in progress, we thank you for your patience as this process unfolds.

If your district has not yet registered but has an upcoming confirmed training, your CPI trainer will reach out directly with registration instructions once available.

New CPI Training Model Beginning Fall 2025
To improve cost efficiency and access, Heartland AEA is transitioning its training model:

July 1 – Aug. 31, 2025: Previously scheduled district-based trainings will take place as planned. However, staff unable to attend these sessions will need to join one of the upcoming service area-based trainings (full schedule available August 2025).

September 2025 and Beyond: All CPI trainings will move to a service area-based model, with multiple opportunities available throughout the Heartland AEA region. Training sessions are planned for September/October 2025 and January/February 2026, and are open to any districts within the service area.

Next Steps

• Look for communication from your district’s assigned CPI trainer regarding registration.
• Watch for upcoming training schedules and locations.
• Ensure staff are aware of these changes and adjust training plans accordingly.

For details on the CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training - Blended Learning model, please see page 2 of the CPI communication.

With these changes, Iowa schools will have improved, equitable access to CPI training, strengthening our collective ability to support student safety and mental well-being.

Primary Grades Talented and Gifted Professional Development Coming to a Location Near You

If you're feeling like services for your youngest students could use a tune-up (or even a start-up!) join us for this professional development focused on the primary grades. Teachers and administrators will learn effective strategies for recognizing giftedness early through observation and data collection, and emphasis will be given to using the data to drive effective programming.

Find a location close to you and register now!

Heartland AEA, Johnston
Dates: 8/8/2025, 10/22/2025, and 12/8/2025
Registration Link: Primary Talented and Gifted Identification and Services for Students
Section #53261

Grant Wood AEA, Cedar Rapids
Dates: 9/15/2025, 11/18/2025, and 1/28/2026
Registration Link: Primary Talented and Gifted Identification and Services for Students
Section #54112

Great Prairie AEA, Ottumwa
Dates: 9/23/2025, 11/13/2025, and 12/16/2025
Registration Link: Primary Talented and Gifted Identification and Services for Students
Section #54111

Prairie Lakes and Northwest AEAs, Pocahontas
Dates: 10/1/2025, 11/17/2025, and 1/13/2026
Registration Link: Primary Talented and Gifted Identification and Services for Students
Section #54151

Subscribe
And be sure to subscribe to the Heartland AEA Gifted & Talented News so you receive future communications and learn more about what's coming up in 2025-26!

New Special Education Teacher IEP Training Announced for Fall 2025

As you bring on new special education teachers for 2025-26, please note the updated IEP training options designed for those new to the field or new to special education in Iowa. All training and community opportunities are free. Detailed schedules and registration information are in this overview document.

Highlights:

• IEP Training Sessions: Step-by-step guidance on IEP process and compliance
• Virtual Community of Practice: NEW for 2025-26—a no-cost, online support group for new special education teachers

Take Our Survey on AEA Services for 504 Support & Medicaid LMHP Sign-Off

Please share with your District Approvers

While the majority of the special education services districts have received from Heartland AEA will continue at no charge, Iowa’s AEAs have identified specific special education program enhancements that districts may want to continue that do not align with the Iowa Department of Education's guidance (i.e., Distribution and Use of State and Federal Special Education Allocations Beginning July 1, 2025, AEA Special Education Funded Staff Involvement in General Education Interventions) around what AEA special education practitioners provide as part of their special education role. Two of those services are Medicaid sign-off from a Licensed Mental Health Professional and 504 Plan support from an AEA practitioner.

To clarify which services your district intends to continue, we need your input through this brief 2-question survey by Aug. 1. This will help us accurately communicate with our special education staff about approved services.

Coming Soon! Preschool Specially Designed Instruction PD Opportunity

Heartland AEA is excited to announce the upcoming Preschool Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) Professional Development series for the 2025-26 school year. This statewide initiative is designed to empower early childhood educators with the knowledge and tools to deliver high-quality, specially designed instruction to improve outcomes for young learners with disabilities.

About Preschool SDI
Preschool SDI is part of Iowa’s commitment to inclusive, effective early childhood education. The SDI framework helps practitioners diagnose, design and deliver customized instruction, offering both embedded and individualized learning opportunities for preschool students. Participants will examine fidelity tools, professional learning materials, coaching supports and action planning resources, all grounded in the Division for Early Childhood Recommended Practices.

Scope & Sequence
For the full three-year scope and sequence of Preschool SDI, please visit the Preschool SDI website.

What Will Participants Learn?

• Year 1: Apply the critical features of the SDI Framework and DEC Recommended Practices, along with universal supports for inclusive classrooms to ensure effective SDI for all children.
• Year 2: Design evidence-based instruction that is embedded throughout the day and leverages child engagement and social learning opportunities as instructional foundations.
• Year 3: Use a data-based approach to measure fidelity and implement a plan for full integration of Preschool SDI practices.

2025-26 Training Dates and Locations:

Preschool SDI Year 1 (Central Cohort)
Sept. 24, 2025 Register for Session 54224

Preschool SDI Year 2

• Central Cohort: Oct. 1, 2025 Register for Session 54226
• South Cohort: Oct. 8, 2025 Register for Session 54225

Preschool SDI Year 3

• North Cohort: Oct. 15, 2025 Register for Session 54228
• West Cohort: Oct. 6, 2025 Register for Session 54227