Heartland AEA’s newly created Special Education Leaders Network will meet on Feb. 28 from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. The network provides up-to-date Special Education practices, procedures and requirements information, as well as time for district special education leaders to collaborate with one another, and with Heartland AEA leaders on timely topics.
The February agenda includes:
- Discussion of the Supreme Court ruling on Endrew F.
- Responding to parental requests for evaluation for special education
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
- Strive and Strive Academy Programs
Heartland AEA Special Education Network
Date: Feb. 28, 2018
Time: 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Participate in person with our Regional Directors at one of the Heartland AEA locations below.
- Adel Public Library Conference Room
- Heartland AEA Ames Office
- Heartland AEA Carroll Office
- Heartland AEA Johnston Office (Rooms 152 A/B/C)
- Heartland AEA Knoxville Office
- Heartland AEA Newton Office (DMACC, Rm 248)
- Lake Panorama National Conference Center
Due to district specific conversations, we recommend you attend in your region. However, participants are welcome to attend at the location most convenient for them.
Registration Link
Register by Feb. 21, 2018
Participating in person is recommended as activities and discussion regarding contextual application will occur. However, if you are unable to attend in person, participation via Zoom is available.
**Join the meeting by Zoom at this link
Questions: Contact Sara Mercer, School Psychologist, Heartland AEA at smercer@heartlandaea.org or (515) 270-9030 Ext. 14312
Ames Transition Fair
March 6
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Heartland AEA
511 S. 17th Street, Ames, IA
Invited: Boone and Story County educators and professionals who support students with special needs
The Resource Fair is a FREE event that focuses on linking transition-age students (14 and older) with special needs to community resources.
A wide variety of community providers will be on hand to provide information about the programs and services they offer to students with special needs.
Waukee Transition Fair
April 16, 2018
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Waukee Innovation and Learning Center
295 S.E. Ashworth Road, Waukee
Invited: Parents, students ages 14+, school administrators, AEA staff, counselors and educators who are preparing individuals to transition from high school to post-secondary pursuits
Registration is not required, but it would be helpful to let your child’s guidance counselor/special education teacher know that you plan to attend by March 30, 2018.
Tables will include representatives of agencies serving students with disabilities in the areas of living, working and learning. Topics will include the following:
- Vocational resources
- Assisted living
- College opportunities
- State and county resources
- Assistive technology
- Camps and leisure pursuits
- Finances
- Disability support resources
Are your students’ families really involved in their education? At this FREE event on June 18, participants will will learn the importance of family engagement in the academic lives and success of learners and discover how to create a culture that is conducive to engaging every family in the school and classroom.
Engaging Every Family to Support Student Achievement
June 18, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Johnston Middle School Auditorium
6501 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, IA
Register at this link
For more information, contact Terry Mendell, Heartland AEA Family & Educator Lead Coordinator, at (515) 270-0405 ext. 17135 or tmendell@heartlandaea.org.
Invited Audience: school administrators, teacher leaders, general and special education teachers
Presenter: Steve Constantino, Ed.D.
As a high school principal in 1995, Steve Constantino, Ed.D. became aware of research about the effects of family engagement on student learning and was convinced that this was the missing ingredient in helping all children learn. Using his high school as a laboratory, Dr. Constantino began to read more and more research and more importantly, figure out ways to apply it to his school.
Steve’s work has gained national prominence as he’s traveled the United States speaking and working with all types of educators, school board members and businesses to promote sound practices in family engagement that result in increased academic achievement for all students.
Today, he is the Acting State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Commonwealth of Virginia and is an adjunct professor at the School of Education, College of William and Mary where he teaches courses in the Executive Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership.
