Heartland AEA Announces 2025 Paraeducator Certification Course Schedule

Heartland AEA’s paraeducator certification course schedule is now available. There are three courses you must register for and complete to be able to apply for the Paraeducator Generalist Certificate through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. Each course is $120 for a total of $360. It is strongly recommended that participants complete Foundations (Course I) before taking Courses II and III. Each course has required Zoom sessions plus additional online coursework. Visit the Certified Paraeducator Course Schedule on our website for more information.

Important Updates on CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training for 2025-26

The Iowa Department of Education has directed Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs) to use state-allocated children’s mental health school-based training and support funds to provide CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training—free of charge—for school districts during the 2025-26 school year. This means all CPI training facilitators and materials will be available at no cost to Iowa schools.

Refunds for Previously Registered Trainings
Many districts and schools have already registered and paid for CPI training sessions. The Heartland AEA professional development team will be working diligently to issue refunds for these payments. With numerous sessions in progress, we thank you for your patience as this process unfolds.

If your district has not yet registered but has an upcoming confirmed training, your CPI trainer will reach out directly with registration instructions once available.

New CPI Training Model Beginning Fall 2025
To improve cost efficiency and access, Heartland AEA is transitioning its training model:

July 1 – Aug. 31, 2025: Previously scheduled district-based trainings will take place as planned. However, staff unable to attend these sessions will need to join one of the upcoming service area-based trainings (full schedule available August 2025).

September 2025 and Beyond: All CPI trainings will move to a service area-based model, with multiple opportunities available throughout the Heartland AEA region. Training sessions are planned for September/October 2025 and January/February 2026, and are open to any districts within the service area.

Next Steps

• Look for communication from your district’s assigned CPI trainer regarding registration.
• Watch for upcoming training schedules and locations.
• Ensure staff are aware of these changes and adjust training plans accordingly.

For details on the CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training - Blended Learning model, please see page 2 of the CPI communication.

With these changes, Iowa schools will have improved, equitable access to CPI training, strengthening our collective ability to support student safety and mental well-being.

Primary Grades Talented and Gifted Professional Development Coming to a Location Near You

If you're feeling like services for your youngest students could use a tune-up (or even a start-up!) join us for this professional development focused on the primary grades. Teachers and administrators will learn effective strategies for recognizing giftedness early through observation and data collection, and emphasis will be given to using the data to drive effective programming.

Find a location close to you and register now!

Heartland AEA, Johnston
Dates: 8/8/2025, 10/22/2025, and 12/8/2025
Registration Link: Primary Talented and Gifted Identification and Services for Students
Section #53261

Grant Wood AEA, Cedar Rapids
Dates: 9/15/2025, 11/18/2025, and 1/28/2026
Registration Link: Primary Talented and Gifted Identification and Services for Students
Section #54112

Great Prairie AEA, Ottumwa
Dates: 9/23/2025, 11/13/2025, and 12/16/2025
Registration Link: Primary Talented and Gifted Identification and Services for Students
Section #54111

Prairie Lakes and Northwest AEAs, Pocahontas
Dates: 10/1/2025, 11/17/2025, and 1/13/2026
Registration Link: Primary Talented and Gifted Identification and Services for Students
Section #54151

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