The paraeducator competency re-write
is in progress, and the updated competencies for the paraeducator
generalist and concentration areas such as special needs and early
childhood will be going to the state board for review sometime in this
fall. The online program for paras currently employed by Heartland area
districts and schools will continue for 2013-14. Please make
arrangements with your regional director if you need this training
offered in your area.
As you consider the needs for paraeducators
in your district and building, please be reminded of the Iowa Code
requirement for cultivating diversity:
281—80.10(272) Diversity.
80.10(1)
Efforts toward racial, ethnic, and gender diversity among paraeducator
candidates and unit faculty shall be documented. In addition, diversity
efforts shall include persons with disabilities, persons from different
language and socioeconomic backgrounds, and persons from different
regions of the country and world.
80.10(2) Unit efforts in increasing or maintaining diversity shall be reflected in plans, monitoring of plans, and results.
For questions regarding the paraeducator program at Heartland AEA, please contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@aea.k12.ia.us.
Title
III will provide a stipend of $300 for up to 150 K-12 educators
currently employed by schools in the Heartland region who participate in
two full days of the Our Kids Summer Institute on June 18 and 19, 2013
at Waukee High School. (Des Moines Public Schools are not eligible to
receive Title III funds though Heartland AEA.) Click here to register.
The University of Northern Iowa has again received funding to work with PreK-12 teachers to advance math and science instruction through a professional development program called IMPACT (IMPacting Achievement with Collaborations and Technology). This Title II program follows the Iowa Professional Development Model with a two week Summer Institute at UNI and ongoing education and support throughout the school year. Science and math teachers will be brought together with scientists through the GLOBE and STORM programs. Teachers will also integrate educational technology in their classroom units.
Participants are paid for their time and implementation. The workshop is free and housing/meals are provided. There is a credit option, including an earth science endorsement credits option from UNI and reaccreditation credits from the AEA. Click here for more information.
