The March 21 Future Ready Network will focus on Taking Future Ready to the Next Level - Meaningful Career Conversations for Elementary. During our time together we will explore career conversations and activities for elementary students and hear from districts about how they are implementing career exploration at the elementary grade levels. Participants can join in person at Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston or via Zoom.
The March 21 Future Ready Network will focus on Taking Future Ready to the Next Level - Meaningful Career Conversations for Elementary. During our time together we will explore career conversations and activities for elementary students and hear from districts about how they are implementing career exploration at the elementary grade levels. Participants can join in person at Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston or via Zoom.
February’s Future Ready Network will focus on Utilizing Your Career Information Systems. During our Feb. 15, 8:30 - 11 a.m. session, we will discuss utilizing CIS within the DCAP, breakout to network with other districts using common CIS and have access to a variety of CIS reps to learn more. Visit the Heartland AEA Future Ready Website for other Future Ready opportunities across the state including STEM Best, Recordings, Career Exploration Events and more!
February’s Future Ready Network will focus on Utilizing Your Career Information Systems. During our Feb. 15, 8:30 - 11 a.m. session, we will discuss utilizing CIS within the DCAP, breakout to network with other districts using common CIS and have access to a variety of CIS reps to learn more. Visit the Heartland AEA Future Ready Website for other Future Ready opportunities across the state including STEM Best, Recordings, Career Exploration Events and more!
The Dec. 21 Future Ready Network will have time devoted to Work-Based and Authentic Learning. View the agenda here. Participants can join in person in the Heartland AEA REC, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, or via zoom at this link. Several districts will present about their Work-Based Learning programs and how they use the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning to manage their projects in the morning. The afternoon workshop from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. is for district Work-Based Learning leaders who are interested in becoming a district project board manager in the Clearinghouse. If you are interested in becoming a Clearinghouse project board manager for your district, please complete this survey.
The Jan. 18 Future Ready Network will be a DCAP Workshop from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. and will be face-to-face ONLY in two central Iowa locations:
- Heartland AEA, 602 Visions Parkway, Adel
- Learning Resource Center, 3550 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines
District DCAP Teams can join the DCAP Workshop to network and hear from other districts about their DCAP implementation. The afternoon will be saved for work time with your team. We will review feedback from the DCAP rubrics and utilize resources and tools to revise and refine your DCAP plans. Please complete the registration link to let us know if you plan to attend and the location you prefer by Jan. 5. DCAP plans are due to the RPP by March 29, 2024.
The Dec. 21 Future Ready Network will have time devoted to Work-Based and Authentic Learning. Several districts will also present their Work-Based Learning programs and how they use the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning to manage their projects in the morning. The afternoon workshop from 12:30-2:30 p.m. is for district Work-Based Learning leaders who are interested in becoming a district project board manager in the Clearinghouse. If you are interested in becoming a Clearinghouse project board manager for your district, complete this survey.
Visit the Heartland AEA Future Ready Website to stay up to date on news, resources, past network Zoom recordings and more! For more information, contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@heartlandaea.org or Angela Dvorak at advorak@heartlandaea.org.
The Dec. 21 Future Ready Network will have time devoted to Work-Based and Authentic Learning. Several districts will also present their Work-Based Learning programs and how they use the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning to manage their projects in the morning. The afternoon workshop from 12:30-2:30 p.m. is for district Work-Based Learning leaders who are interested in becoming a district project board manager in the Clearinghouse. If you are interested in becoming a Clearinghouse project board manager for your district, complete this survey.
Visit the Heartland AEA Future Ready Website to stay up to date on news, resources, past network Zoom recordings and more! For more information, contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@heartlandaea.org or Angela Dvorak at advorak@heartlandaea.org.
The Heartland AEA Future Ready Network meeting on Nov. 16 will focus on updates to the FAFSA. This network meeting and workshop will be offered as a hybrid option. District teams can join in person in the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center or via zoom at this link. Erick Danielson, ICAN Vice President of Programs, will share changes to the FAFSA and how to best support students and families through the financial aid process. If you have questions about the FAFSA or any other financial aid, add your questions to this Q&A document so we can respond to those during this session.
The Dec. 21 Future Ready Network will have time devoted to Work-Based and Authentic Learning. Several districts will also present their Work-Based Learning programs and how they use the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning to manage their projects in the morning. The afternoon workshop from 12:30-2:30 p.m. is for district Work-Based Learning leaders who are interested in becoming a district project board manager in the Clearinghouse. If you are interested in becoming a Clearinghouse project board manager for your district, complete this survey.
Visit the Heartland AEA Future Ready Website to stay up to date on news, resources, past network Zoom recordings and more! For more information, contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@heartlandaea.org or Angela Dvorak at advorak@heartlandaea.org.
Join your local colleagues to learn and share about all things Future Ready! Heartland AEA Future Ready Network meets next on Nov. 16. Learn about:
- What’s New with FAFSA and Financial Aid
- Review of the FAFSA changes for 2024-25
- Advising students 8-12 in FAFSA Process
- Financial Aid options
Mark Your Calendar: Future Ready Network Meetings
When: Third Thursday of the month from 8:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Where: Hybrid Option in person at the AEA or join via Zoom
Who: Administrators, Counselors, WBL Teachers/Coordinators, Secondary Teachers and Leadership Team Members, and AEA Staff
The October Heartland AEA Future Ready Network meeting will be a District Career and Academic Plan Workshop. Districts are encouraged to bring members of their District Career Guidance Team to review their plans and explore the trends with feedback to continue to improve opportunities for all students.
The morning will include information about updates regarding the DCAP and the afternoon will be saved for work time with your team. We will review feedback from the DCAP rubrics and utilize resources and tools to revise and refine your DCAP plans. Erica Woods-Schmitz, Education Program Consultant for Academic and Career Planning from the Department of Education, will share additional requirements about ICAP reporting. See agenda here.
Oct. 19, 2023
Network time: 8:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Work time: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
If you plan to attend, please register your district and note the location you plan to attend (Johnston CSD Admin Office; and AEA offices in Adel, Ames, Indianola, Newton, Carroll) or via Zoom.
If you have already registered, you do not need to register again. A detailed email to participants will be coming soon.
The first Heartland AEA Future Ready Network meeting will be on Sept. 21 and will highlight Future Ready MTSS resources and tools. This meeting and workshop will be offered as a hybrid option. District teams can join in person in the Johnston REC in Room 101 or via Zoom. Guest speakers will share how to use data to support Future Ready MTSS, and they will include district presentations on how to design and implement a Middle School Career Class. Erica Woods-Schmitz, Education Program Consultant for Academic & Career Planning from the Iowa Department of Education, will share updates and resources.
See the Save the Date flyer for upcoming dates and topics.
Be added to the Future Ready listserv using this sign-up form.
The first Heartland AEA Future Ready Network meeting will be on Sept. 21 and will highlight Future Ready MTSS resources and tools. This meeting and workshop will be offered as a hybrid option. District teams can join in person in the Johnston REC in Room 101 or via Zoom. Guest speakers will share how to use data to support Future Ready MTSS, and they will include district presentations on how to design and implement a Middle School Career Class. Erica Woods-Schmitz, Education Program Consultant for Academic & Career Planning from the Iowa Department of Education, will share updates and resources.
See the Save the Date flyer for upcoming dates and topics.
Be added to the Future Ready listserv using this sign-up form.
We are excited to start this year’s Future Ready Network! See our Save the Date Flier for upcoming dates and topics.
September Network Meeting - Kickoff!
Date: Sept. 21, 2023
Location: Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
District teams may join in person or via zoom at this link.
Topic: Future Ready MTSS resources and tools
Guest speakers will share how to use your data to support Future Ready MTSS and include district presentations on how to design and implement a Middle School Career Class. Erica Woods-Schmitz, Education Program Consultant for Academic and Career Planning, from the Department of Education, will share updates and resources.
October Network Meeting
Date: Oct. 19, 2023
Location: District teams may join in person in one of the following locations or via zoom at this link.
- Johnston Community School District Office, 6510 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston
- Heartland AEA Adel Office, 602 Visions Parkway, Adel
- Heartland AEA Ames Office, 511 S. 17th Street, Ames
- Heartland AEA Indianola Office, 115 W. Salem Avenue, Indianola
- Heartland AEA Newton Office, 600 N. 2nd Avenue W., Suite 259, Newton
Topic: District Career Guidance Plan Workshop
Districts are encouraged to bring members of their District Career Guidance Team to review their plans and explore the trends with feedback to continue to improve opportunities for all students. Guest speakers will join the meeting in the morning. The afternoon work time is reserved for districts to work on their plans with support from AEA consultants.
RSVP
Please complete this survey to indicate how and if your team is attending by Oct. 2 so we can plan for space and activities accordingly.
More Information
Visit the Heartland AEA Future Ready Website and Save the Future Ready Network Dates to stay up to date on resources and more! For more information, email Sue Schirmer.
The April Future Ready Network meeting will focus on Portrait of a Graduate. District teams can join in person at the Johnston Regional Education Center or via Zoom. Guest speakers from Bondurant-Farrar, Boone and VanMeter 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, the Future Ready Team would like you to give them feedback to help them plan for next year’s Future Ready Network via this Future Ready Planning Survey.
April 20, 2023
Johnston Regional Education Center
Conference Room 101
Zoom link (NEW LINK)
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.
The Heartland AEA Future Ready Network meeting on March 23 will be a District Career Guidance Plan Workshop. Districts are encouraged to bring members of their District Career Guidance Team to review their plans and explore the trends with feedback to continue to improve opportunities for all students. Plans need to be submitted to the Regional Planning Partnerships by March 31. Please complete this survey to indicate how and if your team is planning to attend by March 6 so we can plan for space accordingly.
The Heartland AEA Future Ready Network meeting on March 23 will be a District Career Guidance Plan Workshop. Districts are encouraged to bring members of their District Career Guidance Team to review their plans and explore the trends with feedback to continue to improve opportunities for all students. Plans need to be submitted to the Regional Planning Partnerships by March 31. Please complete this survey to indicate how and if your team is planning to attend by March 6 so we can plan for space accordingly.
UPDATE: We have made the decision to cancel the Feb. 16 Future Ready Network, due to the high likelihood of a large number of late starts and/or cancellations due to the weather. We will plan to have the Portrait of a Graduate make-up session on April 20 from 8:30-11:00 a.m. Further details about this rescheduled date will be shared on our Future Ready Website and in future communications.February Future Ready Network - Portrait of a Graduate
The content for the February Future Ready Network will now be Portrait of a Graduate content that was originally scheduled for January and postponed due to weather. The meeting will be on Feb. 16 from 8:30-11:00 a.m. District teams can join in person in the Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, room 123 or via Zoom at this link. Guest speakers will share 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.
March Future Ready Network - District Career Guidance Plan Workshop
The Heartland AEA Future Ready Network meeting on March 23 will be a District Career Guidance Plan Workshop. This network meeting and workshop will be offered as a hybrid option. Districts are encouraged to bring members of their District Career Guidance Team to review their plans and explore the trends with feedback to continue to improve opportunities for all students. This date will include morning work time from 8:30-11:30 a.m. for districts to revise and update their plans with support from AEA consultants. Plans need to be submitted to the Regional Planning Partnerships by March 31. Please complete this survey by March 6 to indicate how and if your team is planning to attend so we can plan for space accordingly.
For more information, contact Sue Schirmer, Heartland AEA Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant.
Jan. 19 - Portrait of a Graduate8:30-11:00 a.m.
District teams can join in person in the Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, or via this Zoom link. The day will focus on Portrait of a Graduate. 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.
Feb. 16 - Future Ready MTSS and Supporting ALL Students
8:30-11:00 a.m.
District teams can join in person in the Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, or via zoom at this link. The day will focus on Future Ready MTSS and Supporting ALL Students and how to provide access to future ready opportunities for ALL students. Participants will be able to choose from multiple breakout sessions to highlight district work across all tiers.
March 23 - District Career Guidance Plan Workshop
This network meeting and workshop will be offered as a hybrid option. District teams can join in person in a regional Heartland AEA office or via zoom at this link. Districts are encouraged to bring members of their District Career Guidance Team to review their plans and explore the trends with feedback to continue to improve opportunities for all students. This workshop will include morning work time for districts to revise and update their plans with support from AEA consultants. Plans need to be submitted to the RPP by March 31. Please complete this survey to indicate how and if your team is planning to attend by March 6 so we can plan for space accordingly.
Visit the Heartland Future Ready Website to stay up to date on news, resources, past network Zoom recordings and more! For more information, email Sue Schirmer, Heartland AEA Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant.
The January Future Ready meeting will be on Jan. 19 from 8:30-11:00 a.m. District teams can join in person in the Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, or via this Zoom link. The day will focus on Portrait of a Graduate. 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.
Visit the Heartland AEA Future Ready Website to stay up to date on news, resources, past network Zoom recordings and more! For more information, email Sue Schirmer, Heartland AEA Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant.
