Dec. 2021 Newsletter from Heartland AEA's Digital Learning Consultant Team

We hope you find some helpful info and/or ideas in this month's edition of Heartland AEA Digital Learning News. Please reach out if our team can assist you with teaching and/or learning in any way!

In this issue:

• Computer Science Updates
• Want to Earn Some Credits?
• VR Kits are Back
• Google Updates
• Join Our Facebook Group

2021 Iowa AEA System Update for Superintendents

The Dec. 2021 Iowa AEA System Update for Superintendents is now available. In this update:

Heartland AEA Library & Digital Newsletter is Published

In this issue of the Nov. 30 Heartland AEA Library & Digital Newsletter:

• New Elementary Ebooks
• Computer Science and Coding Resources
• Use AEA Scout to Find Documentaries
• Culture Grams and Standards
• Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit
• Professional Readings, New Reports and School Libraries
• Just Wanted to Share the Excitement

Heartland AEA Literacy Team Has News You Can Use

In this issue of the Dec. 2021 Heartland AEA Literacy newsletter:

• Reading as a Social Justice Issue
• "Scaffolding Up" Adolescent Literacy Grades 4-12
• Science of Reading Professional Learning Opportunity
• Comprehension Strategies for Grades 4-8
• Fluency, Phonics, Sound Walls

NEW! Heartland AEA Gifted & Talented Newsletter, Share with Colleagues!

In this debut issue of the Heartland AEA Gifted & Talented newsletter:

• Welcome to the first edition of the SMORETAG newsletter!
• Smart, But Scattered Workshop Recording
• Upcoming Heartland AEA Professional Development Opportunities
• What's new in the Heartland AEA Professional Library?

Scholarship Opportunities Now Being Accepted for HS Seniors Headed to College AND Skilled Trades

Applications are now being taken for the United States Junior Chamber International Senate Foundation Scholarship Program. Graduating high school seniors in Iowa are eligible to apply. Each year $1,000 national grants will be awarded to graduating high school seniors in the United States, who plan to continue their education at accredited post-secondary colleges, universities or vocational schools.

The Iowa JCI program will be honoring three high school seniors (two going to college and one going to skilled trade education) with at least a $100 scholarship and send the top two forward to USJCI national judging, where the top 33 national seniors will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

Applications must be postmarked by Jan. 14, 2022. For more information, see this scholarship program flyer and application checklist or contact John Buttolph at (515) 290-0383.

Iowa Department of Education Publishes the Winter 2021 School Leader Update

The Winter 2021 School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is available.

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

 

Save the Date: HAA Meeting Reminder - Dec. 7

The next Heartland Administrators' Association meeting will be held on Dec. 7 from 9 - 11:30 a.m. The meeting will be held at Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, in Johnston and via Zoom. The agenda features:

• Legislative panel with guest speakers, Margaret Buckton, Phil Jeneary, Kate Walton and Dave Wilkerson
• Information about College and Career Transition Counselor grants and partnership with guest speaker Gail Zehr from Des Moines Area Community College

What Does Learning Look Like in a Post-Pandemic World? Attend the Dec. 10 Virtual Event to Learn More About the CTE Collaborative

Are you wondering what learning might look like in a post-pandemic world? How we might leverage what we learned about more effectively meeting students’ needs in ways that are both practical and deeply meaningful? What if we could include the application of college-, career-, and civic-readiness skills in all classes...and what if those experiences didn't have to happen solely in the brick-and-mortar of our schools?

Consider blending competency-based education (CBE) within career and technical education (CTE). CBE allows for flexible pacing, learning anytime/anywhere, validation of core competencies within CTE experiences, the development of learners’ agency in their own learning process, and a focus on the application of college-, career-, and civic-ready knowledge, skills and dispositions.

The 2021-2022 Personalized, Competency-based CTE Collaborative is an opportunity to learn about cross-curricular, career-connected, deeper learning experiences from educators in Iowa and in Michigan. Please review this CTE Collaborative flyer and Dec. 10 save-the-date card to see if our Who, What and Aim describes you and challenges you would like to solve in your context.

Interested in Future Ready Topics? ​​Join the Heartland AEA Future Ready Network on Dec. 2

Join your local colleagues at the next Heartland AEA Future Ready Network meeting on Dec. 2, from 9:00 -11:00 a.m. on Zoom! 

Topics will include: 

• Why Future Ready
• District Future Ready Data Analysis
• Action Planning Discussions 

If you would like to attend a breakout session for a deeper dive into PREP Dashboards, follow this link for instructions to ensure you have access to EdInsight (page 2).