Administrator Connection

Friday, February 22, 2013

Update on Wormeli and Fisher Learning Opportunities

Registration for Rick Wormeli's session on Standards-Based Grading on April 8, 2013 has been closed. The session is currently full.

We have expanded our space for Doug Fisher's session on the Gradual Release of Responsibility. The session will be held on April 12, 2013 at the FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny DMACC Campus. Registration is still available on our Professional Development catalog using activity number SI014399111301. For more information about this session, read our January 18 article located here.

Reminder: Regional iPad Trainings

To help schools and educators successfully infuse iPads into instruction, Heartland’s Educational Technology team has scheduled a series of regional iPad trainings where participants explore apps that correlate with the 4 Cs (Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Communication) of the Universal Constructs of the Iowa Core.

Carroll AEA Office (906 N. Grant Rd, Suite 160)
February 28, 2013
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Activity Number: TE096792111302

Carroll AEA Office (906 N. Grant Rd, Suite 160)
March 28, 2013
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Activity Number: TE096792111303

Zion Lutheran Church (4300 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines)
April 12, 2013
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Activity Number: TE092999991301

Adel AEA Office (602 Visions Parkway)
April 18, 2013
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Activity Number: TE096792111306

Johnston REC (6500 Corporate Drive)
July 22, 2013
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Activity Number: TE092992111401

Use the sharing functions below to email this post to interested teachers or post on your professional blog, Twitter, Facebook or Google+ pages.

RtI Statewide Data System and Assessments

Click here for a letter that was released yesterday by the Iowa Dept. of Education. The letter is an important announcement about the RtI data system and assessments, a major step in Iowa's commitment to promote early literacy results.

ITEC IT Conference, March 21-22

Iowa Technology and Education Connection (ITEC) will host their annual technology conference March 21-22, 2013 at Ames Middle School. The conference focuses on supporting school IT Staff with sessions that include network security, filtering solutions, iOS management, wireless solutions, virtualization, BYOD, Chromebooks and much more. For more information and a place to register, go to http://www.itec-ia.org/en/it_conference/.

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

Registration Open for Iowa 1:1 Institute, April 4

The fourth annual Iowa 1:1 Institute (i11i) will be held at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines on April 4, 2013. The purposes of the institute are to:

Help Iowa’s 1:1 districts learn from each other about innovative teaching, learning and administrative practices that are occurring in their districts;
Build excitement and ‘buzz’ around 1:1 laptop computing initiatives in the state; and
Help others who are interested in 1:1 computing learn more about how to get started and be successful.

The institute is open to anyone interested in 1:1 laptop computing initiatives in PK-12 schools, whether they currently are working in such a program or just want to learn more. Registration is $50/person. Participants are responsible for their own travel, parking, and meal expenses. Register at http://iowa1to1.com/.

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

Character Counts Iowa Looking for 2013 Award Nominees

Character Counts In Iowa is proud to recognize Iowans who show good character at the 2013 Iowa Character Awards in August. Currently they are looking for nominees for this year's award. Students, teachers, schools, organizations, sports teams can all be nominated. Go to http://www.charactercountsiniowa.org/ica for the online nomination form. Click here to find a flyer to help spread awareness.

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

Brain Injury Quick Guide for Schools

Visit the Advisory Council on Brain Injuries at http://www.idph.state.ia.us/acbi/HRSAGrant.aspx to access the Brain Injury Quick Guide for Schools. Scroll down the page to Pediatric TBI & Schools.

This Guide is a product of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Brain Injuries, the Iowa Department of Public Health, Grant Wood AEA and the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa. The development of this guide was funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Grant #H21MC06748.

In addition to the Quick Guide, you will find links for the Pediatric Brain Injury Webinar Series hosted by the Iowa Department of Public Health in partnership with the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa.

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

Friday, February 15, 2013

February Impacting Lives Update

In the latest Impacting Lives update to hear from parents and teachers of how the AEAs have improved student outcomes.

Milestones Meaningful to This Mom
Success for LuCasey: A Family’s Journey
North Union Learners Benefit from Prairie Lakes AEA Transition Grant
People Who Make A Difference: Hearing Teachers

Regional iPad Trainings

Meeting the Common Core Standards for English Workshop, April 12

Heartland AEA will host a morning workshop on April 12, 2013 as an overview of the Character Development & Leadership Curriculum and accompanying Role Models Textbook. This is a high-interest program that is used in 1,300 secondary schools nationwide, including 68 schools in Iowa. This program has been implemented in a multitude of ways, including elective leadership classes, advisory approaches and as a full curriculum for English and/or reading writing recovery classes. By the end of the 4 hour workshop, participants will have and educated understanding of how this program aligns with common core standards for English, prepares students for school and life and creates leaders and citizens for the next generation.

Meeting the Common Core Standards for English Through Teaching Character
April 12, 2013
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Johnston REC
Activity Number: WK031392111301

Behavior Workshop to Support Student Mental Needs, April 25

Heartland AEA will host a one-day presentation on April 25, 2013 that will describe and illustrate how private events (e.g., anxiety, anger, frustration,) contribute to disruptive behaviors displayed by students within school settings. Dr. Steege will describe and illustrate the Behavior Analytic Problem Solving Model (Steege & Watson, 2009) in analyzing the complex array of variables that elicit, evoke, occasion and reinforce disruptive behaviors. The presentation will include a blend of lecture, clinical examples, discussion, and applied learning experiences. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to:

Identify and describe each of the components of the BAPS model
Describe how anxiety, frustration, and anger contribute to disruptive behaviors
Identify multi-component function-based interventions that address the complex array of variables that contribute to occurrences of disruptive behaviors

This workshop is designed for individuals with a background in functional behavioral assessment, specifically, educators who routinely assess and program for students K-12 with complex behavioral and mental health needs, including AEA/Related Services staff (e.g., special education consultants, school psychologists, school social workers) and District staff (e.g., administrators, behavior interventionists, guidance counselors, special education teachers).

Behavior Analysis of Private Events: Supporting Student Mental Health Needs
April 25, 2013
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
FFA Enrichment Center (1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny)
Activity Number: DL010299111301