Urbandale Schools to host Langford Four-Day Quality Learning Seminar

The Urbandale Community School District will host the Langford Four-Day Quality Learning Seminar from June 13-16, 2011 in the media Center at Urbandale High School. This intensive seminar will introduce you to Quality Learning principles, history, tools and applications to learning. Gain the vision, purpose and direction for quality implementation in your organization.

Langford Quality Learning applies statistical thinking, human interaction techniques and philosophies of quality to the learning environment. The Four-Day Seminar focuses on the Deming philosophy of Profound Knowledge as it is applied to learning organizations. It incorporates brain research, current learning and teaming concepts and techniques, as well as effective uses of technology to improve learning environments. With its focus on continual improvement and student-centered learning, the seminar strongly supports the Iowa Core Curriculum.

David Langford will provide you with case histories that illustrate the successes and pitfalls associated with implementing quality improvement methods in education, government and corporate environments. You will learn:
• New ways to strengthen and build the relationship between learner and facilitator
• How to create an educational environment where learners are responsible for learning
• How to build systems that enable learners to make choices and give them experience in self-evaluation

Through an interactive multimedia process, you will study learning concepts, how to improve learning systems, how to gather data and how to work in teams. The seminar explores these essential Quality Learning concepts and tools:
• 60 Tools for Improvement from the Tool Time Handbook
• Exponential Learning
• Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation
• Teaming and Teamwork
• Result-Oriented Learning
• Process Learning
• Improvement vs. Change
• The Deming PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) Cycle and Profound Knowledge

For more information (including registration), please go to the following website: http://www.langfordlearning.com/events/2011-urbandale-iowa-4-day-quality-learning-seminar/

Heartland AEA to Host School Budget Workshops

Heartland AEA will once again be hosting school budget workshops for area school district personnel. The goal of the workshops is to assist schools in completing their school budget in a single work session. Larry Sigel and Margaret Buckton will facilitate sessions on February 7 and March 9, and Dennis Scudder, AEA 267 Director of Finance, will host a session on February 22. Workshops will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Johnston Regional Education Center at 6500 Corporate Drive on their scheduled days. Click here for session descriptions and registration information on these workshops. You may also register online through the Heartland AEA Professional Development Catalog if paying by credit card or purchase order.

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities for ESL Teachers and Administrators

I-ELDA Trainings
Districts are encouraged to send representatives to one of the two state I-ELDA trainings scheduled in Denison and in Marshalltown, listed below. These test administration trainings will support the newly shortened I-ELDA form.

Go to the link below to register for the I-ELDA training in Denison, Iowa on January 11, 2011.
http://eventactions.com/ea.aspx?ea=Rsvp&invite=0gfm52331ec01cwgy8kra214dr03cgystkmgx0p4a15vmb8d4nsd

Go to the link below to register for the I-ELDA training in Marshalltown, Iowa on January 18, 2011.
http://eventactions.com/ea.aspx?ea=Rsvphttp://eventactions.com/ea.aspx?ea=Rsvp

Questions can be directed to John Scott at john.scott@iowa.gov or (515) 281-3805.

Title III-Funded Workshops for ELL Teachers
Title III funds are providing two workshop opportunities that will benefit classroom teachers who have ESL students. We encourage you to send teams of classroom teachers or ESL and classroom teams to these workshops. For a complete description, go to the Heartland AEA Professional Development Catalog.

Introduction to Sheltered Instruction for Teachers of ELLs
Dates: January 29 & February 19, 2011
Instructors: Stephaney Jones-Vo & Shelley Fairbairn
Activity Number: ES004292111101

This workshop is not for teachers who have previously attended unless they come with a team of at least four other classroom teachers. A $200 stipend will be given for full attendance and completion of the assignment. Graduate credit is available.

Empowering ELLs in the Mathematics Classroom
Dates: February 5 & 26, 2011
Instructor: Judy Kinley
Activity Number: ES006192111101

Participants will receive the book Supporting English Language Learners in Math Class and a $200 stipend upon completing the attendance and assignment requirements. Graduate credit is available.

Communication of Inclement Weather Closings & Cancellations

Inclement weather office closings and professional development class cancellations will no longer be communicated via TV & radio stations. Closings and cancellations will be posted on our agency website under our “Latest News” section, on our Facebook and Twitter pages and on our cancellation hotline at (515) 270-0405/(800) 255-0405 ext. 14041.

Holiday Office & Van Route Schedule

Heartland offices will be closed December 24, 27, 28 and 31 during the holiday season. Please take note of the following schedule as you plan to send and receive items through our van mail.
• December 20-23, 2010 Regular Van Delivery
• December 27-31, 2010 No Van Delivery
• January 3, 2011 Regular Van Delivery Resumes

Message from Dr. Tom Lane to Superintendents

Greetings to all,

The holiday season is fast approaching and it is important we all reach out to our legislators now. Their calendars will fill up very quickly, so I’d ask you touch base before Christmas and invite them to our Legislative Breakfast on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. We’ll host in West Des Moines at the Learning Resource Center from 7:00-8:30 a.m. We’ll serve our typical breakfast fare.

Please contact your legislators soon.

On another matter, I’ll be representing our group again this year in gathering contract information. Jim Moore has been brought back by IASB and will be leading our group. IASB has a team developing new tools to assist in our work and they will be presenting to us at either our January or February AEA meeting. This team includes Jackie Black, Lee Tack, Jim Moore and Tony Vander Zyl. I think we’ll all be very appreciative of the work they are doing.

I probably won't see most of you prior to break, so have a great holiday season.

Dr. Tom Lane
Carlisle Community Schools

Use and Storage of Video/Audio/Photography of Eligible Students

Flip Video camcorders are becoming more popular and are an easy, efficient tool to capture student behavior. Some of our special education staff are using Flip Video camcorders for intervention work (e.g., video self-modeling) with students in special education. We wanted to inform you of the legal requirements for using and storing video/audio/photography with eligible students. This information has been summarized and shared with AEA special education staff and Partnership Directors. To view the memo and flowchart, please click here.

If you have any questions about the contents of the memo or flowchart, please see your Partnership Director.

Additional Information: ARRA-Funded Opportunities for Special Education Teachers

Last week, we informed you of the ARRA-funded professional development opportunities aimed specifically for special education teachers. Please be reminded that substitute costs will be reimbursed to allow teachers to attend. Click here to download an updated list and summary of sessions along with activity numbers. Teachers can register through the Heartland AEA Professional Development Catalog. If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Risen at crisen@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Iowa Core Teaching Videos Online

Help bring clarity to the Iowa Core by viewing any of the 44 short videos on collaboration, assessment, universal constructs, characteristics of effective instruction, teaching for understanding, rigorous and relevant instruction, math instruction, social studies instruction, etc. Just like YouTube, the videos are keyword searchable can be viewed full-screen. View the videos here.

Transitional Life Skills Training Coming in April

Sign up now to attend the "Transitional Life Skills: Educating Beyond Basics" training to be held April 7, 2011 in the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive). The session will focus on functional programming in the area of transition planning for students with disabilities. Information will be presented about resources, curriculum and units of study to help successfully incorporate transition activities to enhance post-secondary living, learning and working. Learn more by clicking here.

NOTE: Heartland AEA will reimburse schools the substitution pay for teachers to attend.

Keeping Students & Teachers Up-to-Date on Copyright Laws

Violation of copyright law is an ongoing and serious issue with Internet usage – especially with music and images. Click here to download Copyright BRIEFnotes for Students and here to download Copyright Condensed which is aimed toward teachers and administrators. These documents will provide staff and students will the proper guidance around copyright issues. They are always available on the Heartland website under the Educators tab>Library & Online Catalog. If you ever have any questions about copyright issues, contact Susan Schrader, Resource & Publications Supervisor, at sscrader@aea11.k12.ia.us.