Perry District to Offer Secondary Science Unit Writing Summer Camp on June 13

Secondary science teachers in the Perry Community School District are once again hosting a secondary science unit writing summer camp on June 13. This workshop is open to all secondary science teachers in grades 6-12. Teachers will meet in the Perry High School library and then break into grade level / subject-based teams and create a NGSS Unit to use in the 2018-19 school year. Participants will have access to all units created. Heartland AEA will also share some of the many instructional resources available through the AEA. To register, contact Kevin Vidergar, Perry CSD Director of Teaching and Learning, at kevin.vidergar@perry.k12.ia.us or (515) 608-2866.

Educators Are Invited to a Two-Day Literacy Conference Hosted by Central Rivers AEA

Central Rivers AEA in Cedar Falls will be host to a literacy conference on June 13-14. The conference is designed to provide educators with an opportunity to learn from nationally acclaimed literacy experts whose research focuses on effective practices. Researchers will engage participants in learning that supports the implementation of research-based effective practices that lead to a strong core literacy program, as well as interventions that support struggling readers. Separate learning strands will focus on elementary, middle and high school educators, and building and/or district leadership teams.

Literacy Conference
June 13-14
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Central Rivers AEA, 1521 Technology Parkway, Cedar Falls
Register at this link by June 8

View the conference details in this flyer.

Are You Interested in Having Your Teachers Trained in the Well-Managed Schools Classroom Management Approach?

Researchers at Iowa State University are conducting a study to evaluate the Well-Managed Schools (WMS) classroom management approach. WMS is a set of strategies that can be used by teachers during day-to-day classroom instruction, focusing on social skills and dealing with inappropriate behaviors. WMS can be implemented as a stand-alone approach or be integrated within a school-wide MTSS-B/PBIS model. The research is being funded by a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Studies.

The grant pays all costs for participating teachers, including training, follow-up coaching and stipends. Participating schools will also receive $50 per participating teacher each year of the study and reimbursement for substitute costs, if needed. Researchers are now contacting schools about participation for the 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years, with the goal of adding 150 additional classrooms each year. The Well-Managed Schools Workshop and Well-Managed Schools Project Overview provide more detail on the research study and the Well-Managed Schools training. For​ ​more​ ​information,​ ​contact​ ​Charlie​ ​Johnson​ ​at​ ​(515) 520-2467.

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

Calling All Teachers & Education Students: The Heartland AEA Education Career Fair Will Be Held on March 7

Heartland AEA is hosting its 4th annual education career fair! School districts will be on-site to meet with job candidates for any and all types of education careers. Candidates will have the chance to attend classes to learn how to navigate a career fair, have a successful interview and write a top-notch resume. And returning this year will be the popular mock interviews and resume critiques!

We look forward to this opportunity to serve the education community and hope teachers and college students alike will be able to attend this event! If you have any questions, contact the Heartland AEA Human Resources Dept. at (800) 362-2720.

This is a FREE event for both school districts and job candidates!

For more information, visit the Career Fair page on our website to job candidate materials, registration and participating districts/schools.

Have we got a deal for you! 60+ laptops on GovDeals!

We have more than 60 laptops available for bidding on the GovDeals website. See those items plus more Heartland AEA items on the Heartland AEA GovDeals listings.

Heartland AEA Presents a Standards-Based Learning Workshop - With a New Diagnostic Tool for Your District!

Districts or buildings are encouraged to attend an overview workshop on the topic, "Standards-Based Learning including Grading and Reporting." This session will explore a framework authored by Heartland AEA and designed as a diagnostic tool to identify gaps, growth areas and help you to determine focus and priority areas for your district. District Guiding Teams are encouraged to attend, as the majority of the time together will consist of self-diagnosis, conversation and action planning for next steps.

Workshops will be held in March, April and June. Registration is currently open for the March and April sessions. June registration information will be coming soon.

For more information, contact Amy Wichman, Regional Director/Instructional Leadership with Heartland AEA at awichman@heartlandaea.org.

March 2, 2018
12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Registration Link

April 5, 2018 (Select the morning or afternoon session)
8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Registration Link

12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Registration Link

June 6, 2018 - Save the Date!
8:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. SessionsRegistration Coming Soon!

Heartland AEA Special Education Leaders Network Will Convene on Feb. 28

Heartland AEA’s newly created Special Education Leaders Network will meet on Feb. 28 from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. The network provides up-to-date Special Education practices, procedures and requirements information, as well as time for district special education leaders to collaborate with one another, and with Heartland AEA leaders on timely topics. The February agenda includes:

• Discussion of the Supreme Court ruling on Endrew F.
• Responding to parental requests for evaluation for special education
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
• Strive and Strive Academy Programs

Heartland AEA Special Education Network
Date: Feb. 28, 2018
Time: 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Participate in person with our Regional Directors at one of the Heartland AEA locations below.

• Adel Public Library Conference Room
• Heartland AEA Ames Office
• Heartland AEA Carroll Office
• Heartland AEA Johnston Office (Rooms 152 A/B/C)
• Heartland AEA Knoxville Office
• Heartland AEA Newton Office (DMACC, Rm 248)
• Lake Panorama National Conference Center

Due to district specific conversations, we recommend you attend in your region. However, participants are welcome to attend at the location most convenient for them.

Registration Link Register by Feb. 21, 2018

Participating in person is recommended as activities and discussion regarding contextual application will occur. However, if you are unable to attend in person, participation via Zoom is available.

**Join the meeting by Zoom at this link

Questions: Contact Sara Mercer, School Psychologist, Heartland AEA at smercer@heartlandaea.org or (515) 270-9030 Ext. 14312

Are You Interested in Having Your Teachers Trained in the Well-Managed Schools Classroom Management Approach?

Researchers at Iowa State University are conducting a study to evaluate the Well-Managed Schools (WMS) classroom management approach. WMS is a set of strategies that can be used by teachers during day-to-day classroom instruction, focusing on social skills and dealing with inappropriate behaviors. WMS can be implemented as a stand-alone approach or be integrated within a school-wide MTSS-B/PBIS model. The research is being funded by a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Studies.

The grant pays all costs for participating teachers, including training, follow-up coaching and stipends. Participating schools will also receive $50 per participating teacher each year of the study and reimbursement for substitute costs, if needed. Researchers are now contacting schools about participation for the 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years, with the goal of adding 150 additional classrooms each year. The Well-Managed Schools Workshop and Well-Managed Schools Project Overview provide more detail on the research study and the Well-Managed Schools training. For​ ​more​ ​information,​ ​contact​ ​Charlie​ ​Johnson​ ​at​ ​(515) 520-2467.

AmeriCorps Members Are Available to Serve in School Districts as Sustainability Coordinators

Through the Sustainable Schools AmeriCorps initiative based out of the University of Northern Iowa, AmeriCorps members may be placed directly in school districts to serve as Sustainability Coordinators.

The cost is $5,000 cash match for two, full-time AmeriCorps members to serve 11 months at the district and work in a full-time capacity in order to decrease district wide energy costs, help facilitate and promote environmental education, and create greater opportunities for low-cost service learning.

For more information, you can read about the programs at three participating school districts or contact Carmen Rae Finken, Sustainable Schools AmeriCorps Program Manager, UNI Center for Energy and Environmental Education, at carmenfinken@gmail.com or (319) 273-7194.

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