Reprinted with permission from Master Teacher, July 2020
The past several months have been filled with surprises, challenges, bewilderment, wonder and stress. Our regular routines were disrupted. We were asked to engage in teaching and learning in new ways that often have felt awkward and out-of-balance.
Now, as we approach the transition back to face-to-face teaching and learning, we are not the same, and our students are not the same. In fact, a lot will change from when we closed schools because of the virus. Many of our students have learned how to use new tools to support their learning. They have developed new skills and experienced greater learning independence. And, we too have gained important input and insights about our work and how to engage and mentor students. We have also learned much about ourselves when facing the unknown and needing to find ways to adjust and succeed.
There is much from this experience we will want to take with us when we return to our school. There are adjustments we will want to make in the ways we engage in face-to-face learning. However, there also are assumptions and practices we will need to leave behind.
Our Mission To improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth by providing services and leadership in partnership with families, schools and communities.
Our Goals- Increase learning growth for students
- Decrease the gap in achievement
- Increase annual graduation rates
- Increase gateways to post-secondary success
Iowa’s Area Education Agencies are pleased to share information about virtual continuous learning and online curriculum options with Iowa school districts. Based on feedback from local districts on their needs and concerns, the AEAs have worked with vendors to cull information about their programs that includes volume pricing based on enrollment, details on how the tools integrate with student information systems and various LMS platforms, available professional learning and support, and other key details. Districts interested in any of these products should contact the individual vendor to coordinate district-specific contracts for the upcoming academic year. Please note that the AEAs are pleased to coordinate information about these resources, but the AEAs are not subsidizing or purchasing these resources for districts.
