FINAL CHANCE to Register for FASTBridge 2019-20 with Option for Grades 7 and 8

This year Iowa’s AEAs again will be subsidizing the costs for schools to upgrade their DE-provided FAST subscriptions to include math and behavior assessments for the 2019-20 school year, and are expanding the potential grades available for schools. This year schools will have the option to use the expanded assessment suite in math and behavior for K-6, and will have the additional option to include grades 7 and 8. This option is available both to schools that purchased the expanded assessment suite in 2018-19 and those that want to use for the first time in 2019-20. Please refer to this FASTBridge program document for more information about pricing, registration, billing, training and ordering materials.

Kristin Orton Selected as New Regional Director in Region 7

Heartland AEA is pleased to announce the hiring of staff member Kristin Orton as a regional director for Region 7. Kristin will replace Kristi Upah on July 1, 2019, as Kristi assumes the new Chief Student Services Officer position within the agency.

Kristin will work closely with the Ames, Ballard, Collins-Maxwell, Gilbert and Roland-Story districts, as well as Ames Christian and St. Cecilia non-public schools.

Kristin’s 15-year Heartland AEA career has centered on serving students and educators in our service area. Since 2004, she has served as a:

• School Psychologist, 2004 – 2007
• Special Education Trainer, 2005 – 2007
• Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant, 2007 – 2014
• Instructional Coach, 2013 – present

In 2018 she also took on roles as a school psychology internship supervisor and as a member of the state Dyslexia Task Force, which will make recommendations to the Iowa legislature in Nov. 2019 regarding potential legislation related to dyslexia.

In June, Kristin will earn her PK-12 Principal/Special Education Director license from Drake University.

Amy Hanken Selected to New Supervisor of Special Education: Early ACCESS, Early Childhood and Related Services Position

Heartland AEA is pleased to announce the hiring of Heartland AEA staff member Amy Hanken as the Supervisor of Special Education: Early ACCESS, Early Childhood and Related Services, a position new to the Agency. Amy will join the agency’s leadership team on July 1, 2019, and will lead and coordinate our work related to Early ACCESS, early childhood and that of our related services groups (i.e., occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language, hearing and vision). She will also be a member of the Special Education Leadership Team.

Amy brings nine years of experience in education as a special education teacher and an AEA consultant. Her previous experience includes:

• Special Education Teacher, Hansen Elementary, Cedar Falls, 2010 - 2012
• Special Education Teacher, Denison Elementary, Denison, 2012 - 2015
• Early Childhood Special Education Consultant, Heartland AEA, 2015 - present

In her time at the Agency, Amy has also been a member of the Child Find Cadre Team, implementing professional learning with team members around best practices in the Child Find process; early childhood PBIS coach, delivering early childhood PBIS training to districts; Teacher Quality instructor; and a mentor to a student in the University of Northern Iowa’s special education consultant program, meeting with the student weekly and providing ongoing mentorship.

In July 2019 Amy will earn her PK-12 Principal/Special Education Supervisor certificate from the University of Northern Iowa. She earned her special education consultant endorsement from Morningside College, her master’s degree in special education and her bachelor’s degree in elementary education, both from the University of Northern Iowa.