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 

Move Creativity Into Reality With 3D Printing From Heartland AEA

From engine parts to human organs, 3D printing opens a wide variety of creative solutions for the world's problems. Industrial tech and tech classes will find immediate applications but other teachers will also see the potential in their classrooms. Make those math and science abstractions concrete with a 3D model! Using special software, students submit designs electronically to our Creative Services and then the printed object is shipped back to the school via the Heartland van mail. Visit our 3D Printing page for more information.

STEM PD Opportunity: Hot Topic - Climate & Iowa

Need help developing relevant lesson plans that focus on student learning, NGSS/Common Core and STEM?

Interested in the latest professional development from the University of Iowa focusing on STEM and NGSS?

The University of Iowa College of Engineering and the College of Education have teamed up to offer a real-world, STEM focused professional development opportunity related to flooding in Iowa. This opportunity is geared toward middle and high school teachers in Iowa and teachers, administrators and STEM team members are encouraged to apply. 

Date: Nov. 13-14, 2015
Location: John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center, 1200 Grand Avenue, Des Moines
Stipend: $250 stipend 
Cost: Earn one optional continuing education/graduate credit for only $65
Application deadline: Nov. 4

Participation is limited to 25 people. Visit the event website for more information and application.

If you have any questions, contact Ted Neal at (319) 335-5327 or Gabriele Villarini, with the University 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.

Take the AEA/DE Customer Survey: Your Feedback is Important!

As you reflect back on the 2014-15 school year, and specifically on the Heartland AEA services you used last year, you and your staff are invited to participate in the annual statewide AEA/DE Customer Survey. This survey offers an opportunity to provide valuable feedback regarding AEA services. It is web-based and should take about 10-15 minutes to complete. To access the survey, go to this link and follow the instructions provided.

The survey is open until Nov. 25, 2015. Please share with your staff.

If you have any issues accessing the survey, contact Dr. Gary Dannenbring.

Thank you in advance for your participation! The information from this survey provides valuable data that assists Heartland AEA and the statewide AEA system in evaluating its services and working to meet current and future district/school needs.

All Iowa School Districts Applied to Join Teacher Leadership and Compensation System

Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that all 336 Iowa school districts have applied to join the state’s Teacher Leadership and Compensation System, the most comprehensive teacher leadership system in the nation. This targeted effort to tap into the expertise of top teachers to better support the more demanding work that teachers are expected to do and to raise student achievement is the centerpiece of the landmark education reform package adopted by the Legislature and signed by Branstad in 2013.

For more information, visit the Iowa Department of Education website.

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 the gap in achievement

• Increase annual graduation rates

• Increase gateways to post-secondary success 

Educators Brennan & Kinley Elected to Heartland AEA Board

We welcome Elizabeth (Liz) Brennan of West Des Moines and John Kinley of Ames, who have been elected to the Heartland Area Education Agency (AEA) Board of Directors!

Liz Brennan

• Fills Director District 9 position previously held by Jane Bell, who retired from the Board after 19 years of service
• Represents Des Moines, Martensdale-St. Marys, Norwalk and West Des Moines school districts
• Member of the West Des Moines Schools’ Board of Education and has served in many volunteer positions throughout the West Des Moines district

John Kinley

• Fills the Director District 5 position previously held by Cal Halliburton, who retired from the Board after six years of service
• Represents Ames, Ballard, Colo-Nesco, Gilbert, Nevada, Roland-Story and United school districts
• Educator for 40 years, beginning as a high school social studies teacher and then spending 15 years as a middle school principal.

“We’re delighted to have Liz and John join our board,” Paula Vincent, Heartland AEA Chief Administrator, said. “We are excited to have Liz and John collaborate with us and are confident their experience in the classroom, at the leadership table and with other community organizations will be a great benefit to our work.”

Visit the Heartland AEA website to read more about the new board members.

Our eBook Collection is Expanding; Tell Us What You Need

We have the opportunity to add to our MackinVIA ebook collection and we’re looking for content that best meets your curriculum. Let us know:

• What curriculum areas (and grade levels) are missing in VIA?
• What are your teachers requesting?

Send your recommendations or the curriculum that you need to have matched with digital ebooks to Susan Schrader, Director of Resources and Library Services, at 800-362-2720 ext. 14332.

Reminders and Updates for Administrators with ELLs

Districts in Years 2+
Districts in Years 2+ of not meeting one or more Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAO) are required to send a team to the Iowa Culture and Language Conference (ICLC). Review this information for ICLC registration and reimbursement directions.

Districts in Years 4+
Districts in Years 4+ of not meeting one or more AMAOs are required to send a team to ICLC and to select their administrators who will participate in the ELL Leadership Academy.

Participants in the ELL Leadership Academy are required to attend an ICLC Pre-conference session on Nov. 9 in order to launch the Academy with framework and expectations. Find the ELL Leadership Application form here.

If you have any questions, contact your Title III consultants, Stephaney Jones-Vo at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14680 or Janet Hiatt at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14022.

Watch Science Standards Conference Live

Oct. 20, 2015
9:00 a.m. - 3:55 p.m.
Watch the livestream here


Educators and administrators across the state can watch the Oct. 20 Science Standards conference through livestream. The conference is designed to bring together administrators, curriculum directors, Area Education Agency personnel, teacher leaders and higher education faculty to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of the new Iowa Science Standards. For more information, visit the Iowa Department of Education website.

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 the gap in achievement

• Increase annual graduation rates

• Increase gateways to post-secondary success