Leaders To Learn From Virtual Events Collection

Education Week's Leaders To Learn From Virtual Events take you deeper into the expertise and experiences of some of the nation's most innovative school district leaders. This group of forward-thinking district administrators covers a range of topics, including: whole-child accountability, parent engagement, fostering an environment for innovation, and more. You'll receive instant access to six fascinating Education Week Webinars led by Leaders To Learn From honorees and other experts. The presentations provide both practical, ready-to-use advice and essential contextual information. Learn more here.

AEA Purchasing Newsletter: Diverse Learning - December 2015

The Dec. 2015 issue of the AEA Purchasing Newsletter provides resources for:

• New vendor partners
• Products and technology webinars
• Furniture ideas for ADHD friendly classrooms
• Rosetta Stone’s language learning suite for K-12
• Multisensory environmental solutions

DMACC Surplus Available

The DMACC Ankeny campus has the following surplus supplies available:

18 Nikon Microscopes

If interested, please contact Julie Klocke, DMACC Purchasing, at (515) 964-6386.

FREE Professional Development Opportunity for Civics and U.S. History Teachers

Want to know more about America’s founding? Curious about how current events connect to Constitutional issues? If you are a middle or high school teacher who teaches civics or U.S. history, you are invited to apply to be part of the first year of the James Madison Legacy Project.

Only 10 teachers will be selected for the project. Teachers will have access to Constitutional scholars and teacher mentors who will help participants implement best practices in the teaching of the Constitution. Each participant will receive a $500 stipend with reimbursement for mileage and lodging, if needed, We the People textbooks and two license renewal credits.

The weekend seminars in 2016 are planned:

• Jan. 29-30
• Feb. 26-27
• April 1-2

The application deadline is Dec. 18. Learn more about the James Madison Legacy Project or contact John Wheeler or Stefanie Wager.

97 School Districts Added to Iowa’s Teacher Leadership System

Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise announced the next group of school districts chosen to launch local teacher leadership plans through Iowa’s Teacher Leadership and Compensation System. Ninety-seven school districts have been added to the state system, bringing the total number of districts in the teacher leadership system to 295 (88 percent of Iowa districts). To see the list of school districts and learn more about Iowa’s teacher leadership system, visit the Department’s website.

High School Principal Search - Waukee, IA

The Waukee Community School District is conducting a search for a High School Principal due to professional advancement. If interested, apply at www.waukeeschools.org/careers/career-opportunities/. Questions can be directed to Roxy Livermore at (515) 987-5161.

Our Mission

To provide services and leadership, in partnership with families, schools and communities, that improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth.

Our Goals

• Increase learning growth for students

• Decrease gaps in achievement

• Increase annual graduation rates

• Increase gateways to post-secondary success 

Holiday Office Hours and Van Delivery

All Heartland AEA offices will be closed to the public Dec. 24-Jan. 1. Please take note of the following schedule as you plan to place orders through Creative Services and send and receive items through our van mail.

Regular Van Delivery: Dec. 21-23
No Van Delivery: Dec. 24-Jan. 1
Regular Van Delivery Resumes: Jan. 4

Additionally, there will be no Administrator Connection Dec. 25 or Jan. 1.

Do You Know About Heartland AEA’s Parent & Educator Connection?

The Heartland AEA Parent & Educator Connection (PEC) encourages and promotes positive partnerships between parents and educators so that children with special needs are successful. Our PEC coordinators are parents of children or young adults with special needs, so they share a unique perspective with the families we serve.

The PEC offers:

• Conferences, workshops or networking groups
• Links to community resources, camps and leisure activities
• Transition support to help prepare a student in special education to move from high school to the workplace or higher education
• Parent Online Trainings for topics such as orientation to special education, eligibility for special education, managing behavior, bullying prevention

For more information, contact Terry Mendell, Lead Parent Coordinator, Heartland AEA, at (800) 255-0405 ext. 17135 or sign up to receive notifications of PEC events and newsletters.

Reminder: Applicants Sought for 2015 STEM Education Award for Inspired Teaching

Administrators, teachers, counselors, parents, students and other STEM advocates are invited to nominate an inspirational science, technology, engineering or mathematics teacher for the 2016 I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Award, sponsored by Kemin Industries and the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.

Nominations close Dec. 11, 2015.

For more information or to make a nomination, visit the 2016 I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Award website or contact Taylor Rookaird or Carrie Rankin.

Dec. 2015 School Leader Update

The Dec. 2015 issue of the School Leader Update is available from the Iowa Department of Education. Inside, Director Wise talks about two big pushes in the state – the Iowa School Report Card and Differentiated Accountability. Attorney Nicole Proesch reminds you to keep the holiday in (legal) perspective. And read about the 2016 Teacher of the Year.