On March 2, Heartland AEA held its second annual Education Career Fair, to help match school districts in our service area with education job seekers. For the second year in a row, it was a resounding success, with approximately 300 in attendance! We were happy to see a great mix of attendees -- from experienced teachers, to new teachers to college students preparing for life beyond graduation.
In addition to being able to meet on-site with central Iowa school districts, applicants could participate in mock interviews, resume critiques and gather graduate program information from area universities. The mock interviews and resume critiques proved to be very popular as attendees filled all available slots for the day. And new this year, job seekers could have their professional head shots taken at no charge, courtesy of Heartland AEA’s multimedia specialists.
“We were excited to hold this education job fair for multiple reasons, first and foremost to provide a service to the districts and schools in our service area,” Tony Chiaramonte, Heartland AEA Human Resources Manager, said. “Our agency is aware of the high turnover rate in the teaching profession, especially during the first few years a teacher is in the classroom. We wanted to gather as many districts as we could in one place, so that educators can meet representatives from many districts at the same time and get a feel for what multiple districts have to offer. We want to be part of the solution and help keep new teachers from leaving the profession and from leaving Iowa by helping them find a district where they enjoy what they do.”
Find pictures of the event on our Facebook page.
Heartland AEA is beginning year two of the online Request for Transportation Approval process.
Chapter 285.9(3) of the Iowa Code requires the Area Education Agency Board of Directors to approve all bus routes outside the boundaries of the school district operating the buses. This has been interpreted to mean regular routes and regular special education routes, not bussing for field trips or activity trips. The Code requires you to request permission from neighboring district(s) before any bus routes cross district boundaries.
Last year the process was completed for the first time using an online submission process. Please review the instructions and timelines to complete the process for 2016-17, including the updated video tutorials.
Districts are asked to begin the process this month and to complete step III by April 30.
For more information, contact Jenny Ugolini at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14441.
Heartland AEA will be offering the 6-day paraeducator ESL certification class in June. Please let your associates who work with ELLs know about this opportunity. Title III funds will provide a stipend of $300 for all paraeducators who work with ELLs, who fulfill the course requirements and who are currently employed by a public or non-public K-12 school in the Heartland AEA area. (This option is not available for employees of Des Moines Public Schools).
Paraeducator Area of Concentration: English as a Second Language (ESL)
Dates: June 7-10, 13 & 14, 2016
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Dr., Johnston
Register: Here
For more information, contact Pam Childers at pchilders@heartlandaea.org.
