Iowa Teacher Librarians Again Have Opportunity to Collaborate During Monthly Online Sessions

Iowa’s AEAs are again offering Iowa school teacher-librarians the opportunity to network, share ideas and “talk shop.” The “Better Together: Collaborative Conversations” is a series in which an AEA teacher-librarian and a guest expert will facilitate a monthly online discussion about a predetermined topic with time built in for networking and Q & A. This year’s sessions will focus on the Iowa School Library Program Standards.

And the best part? No cost, no long agenda and no drive time!

Check out this online flyer for all the details.

Former Iowa Teacher and Administrator Matt Townsley Set to Speak at SBL Framework Friday on Nov. 1

Matt Townsley, Ed.D., will be the guest speaker at the Nov. 1 Standards-Based Learning Framework Friday on Nov. 1, 2019. Dr. Townsley will share his best advice and answer questions about implementation of Standards-Based Grading.

As a former teacher and administrator in Solon, IA, Dr. Townsley has experienced first-hand the benefits (and challenges!) of moving toward more effective grading practices. He is lead author of the forthcoming book, Making Grades Matter: Standards-Based Grading in a Secondary PLC (Solution Tree, March 2020) and an assistant professor of educational leadership at the University of Northern Iowa.

Join us for an up-close conversation!

Standards-Based Learning Framework Friday
With Guest Speaker Matt Townsley, Ed.D.
Nov. 1, 2019
12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

Register at this link http://bit.ly/2VV6umr with course number 180887, Section 272162

Heartland AEA Offers Professional Learning to Educators Around the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Program

The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Program, developed by the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), is a one-day training that provides the opportunity for educators to obtain initial certification in CPI's "Nonviolent Crisis Intervention" program or renewal certification for individuals who are not eligible for the recertification training (e.g., expired certification). Participants will receive an introduction to crisis prevention focusing on non-physical strategies, including non-verbal, para-verbal and verbal techniques that can be used to assist in de-escalating behavior.

Participants will receive instruction, role-playing, practice and feedback in using personal safety techniques, such as blocking, moving and releasing to avoid or minimize injury when interacting with an individual who is escalated. This training also includes instruction, role-playing, practice and feedback in the use of physical restraint strategies, transport techniques and team strategies to maintain safety when an individual engages in escalated behavior that is dangerous to self or others.

Please note:

• The strategies taught in this training are not intended to replace behavior intervention plans (BIP) for individual students, but rather to provide strategies for school staff to use to maintain safety during unusual situations or circumstances not addressed in a BIP.
• To maintain certification, individuals are required to participate in the CPI's "Nonviolent Crisis Intervention" re-certification training at least annually.
• Trainees must be employed by a school district in Heartland AEA’s service area.

Registration:

Initial Training
Registration Link
Use course #180648 and select a section

Intended Audience: District staff who work with individuals 3-21 years who engage in problem behaviors that have the potential to result in injury to self or others.


Refresher Training
Registration Link
Use course #180315 and select a section

Intended Audience: District staff who have been through the CPI: Nonviolent Crisis Intervention 1-day-training within the past year and who need to receive recertification.

For more information or questions, contact the Heartland AEA Regional Director who serves your district or one of the CPI trainers at Heartland AEA:

Region 1: Lauren Vanderhorst, Jenny Henscheid
Region 2: Becky Tigges, Sue Klein
Region 3: Aimee Schuppe, Stacey Warren
Region 5: Todd York
Region 6: Gina Koehler
Region 7: Chris Rial, Amanda Jefferson
Region 8: Brenda Gerdes, Amanda Khader