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

  

Sept. 2 Heartland Administrators’ Meeting Rescheduled for a 10:30 Zoom Check in

Due to a conflict with the Iowa Department of Education director’s schedule, and the meeting being scheduled immediately following Labor Day, the Sept. 2 HAA meeting will transition from an in-person meeting to a zoom check-in from 10:30 -11:30 a.m. The AGENDA will include beginning of the year messages from educational partners.

Our face-to-face meeting with Director Snow has been rescheduled for Oct. 7.

Showcase the Talents of Your Learners

Get the word out about upcoming plays, musicals, sports and other special events with:

• Banners
• Directional signage
• Posters
• Programs
• Tickets
• And more!

Submit ready-to-print items on our Creative Services website or have one of our professional graphic designers create custom materials specific to your event.

Have You Registered? Six Shifts for Success: Leadership Strategies to Improve Special Education and Intervention Outcomes

Educational leaders are invited to participate in Six Shifts for Success: Improving Special Education and Other Intervention Outcomes — A Leadership Course in Systems Thinking and Action. This in-person, two-day professional development opportunity will help district and school leaders strengthen student support systems using the evidence-based Six Shifts framework developed by Nathan Levenson (2020).

Who Should Attend
District and school leaders, administrators, special education directors, intervention coordinators, MTSS teams and teacher leaders.

Benefits for Participants
Attendees will leave with concrete tools to assess systems, identify challenges and implement changes that improve results for students with disabilities and those receiving interventions. The collaborative nature of this professional development fosters idea-sharing and problem-solving among leaders facing similar challenges.

Details
Sept. 29 and Oct. 30, 2025
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA

Registration
Registration Link

Cost: $150 participant fee; $200 for license renewal credit (1 credit)
Registration Deadline: Sept. 28, 2025

This is an evaluator approval licensure renewal option for administrators.

Contact
Angela Dvorak
advorak@heartlandaea.org

Misty Christensen
mchristensen@heartlandaea.org

Strengthen Your Numeracy Project 2.0 Implementation with Practical Strategies for K–12 Learning

Implementation of Numeracy Project Workshop is for K-12 teachers who have been trained in the Numeracy Project and would like further support in implementing their learning with students. This workshop will address common questions that have come from practitioners who have been using the Numeracy Project 2.0. We will also provide learning to assist teachers and coaches in planning for small group instruction along with suggestions for integrating progress monitoring.

Oct. 9, 2025
Johnston Regional Education Center
6500 Corporate Dr, Johnston, IA

Registration link
Session ID: 53619

Cost: $75
Material fee: $5

Contact a Heartland AEA Math Professional Service Provider for more information:
Hanna Hollamby
Katie Scholl
Barb Sersland

Join Cognitive Coaching℠ Training at Heartland AEA!

Research indicates that teaching is a complex intellectual activity and that teachers who think at higher levels produce students who are higher achieving, more cooperative and better problem solvers. It is the invisible skills of teaching, the thinking processes that underlie instructional decisions, that produce superior instruction. Cognitive Coaching℠ is a research-based model that capitalizes upon and enhances teachers’ cognitive processes.

Both courses are approved for Evaluator Approval.

Cognitive Coaching℠ Level 1
Unlock the thinking behind effective teaching. This 4-day foundational course helps school leaders develop essential coaching skills, including:

• Planning conversations
• Active listening
• Questioning techniques
• Reflection strategies

Oct. 14, 16, 28 & 30, 2025
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Register Here

Cognitive Coaching℠ Level 2
Build on your foundation with advanced tools to guide deeper, more impactful conversations. This 4-day course focuses on:

• Problem-solving strategies
• Refined paraphrasing and questioning
• Facilitating rich professional dialogue

Feb. 17, 19, 24 & 26, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Register Here

Location for both sessions: Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA

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.