“Readers All" Conference Promotes Dyslexia Awareness

The Iowa Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), in collaboration with the Illinois, Wisconsin and Kansas-Missouri Branches of IDA, is holding a special conference "Readers All" on April 20 and 21 at the iWireless Center in Moline, IL.

The conference will feature keynote speakers Marilyn Jager Adams and Maryanne Wolf. In addition the conference will include (among others) noted presenters Margie Gillis of Yale University - Haskins Laboraties; Stephanie Gottwald of Tufts University; Marcia Henry, professor emeritus of San Jose State University; and David Tilly of Heartland AEA. Topics will include morphology, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, Response To Intervention, the Common Core Standards, assistive technology and many more.

Complete information (including registration) is now available at http://readersallconference.com/.

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute at Iowa State University

Iowa high schools have a unique opportunity to promote the study of STEM and global issues among their students by participating in the first ever World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute on April 30. On April 30th, each student will interact with other students from around the state in small discussion groups led by experts in research, industry, and policy. Students and teachers will take part in interactive activities on ISU's campus exposing them to research and work currently taking place in Iowa to solve global challenges. The day will include a luncheon and Governor Branstad will provide a keynote, recognizing all participating students as Borlaug Scholars.

Opportunities available to participating students:

• An exclusive scholarship to attend the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at ISU.
• The top 80 students will be selected to attend the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute October 18–20, 2012, in Des Moines. There, they will have the amazing opportunity to interact with Nobel and World Food Prize Laureates and leading research scientists from around the world to discuss global issues.
• Students who participate in the Global Youth Institute are eligible for the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, an all-expenses-paid, eight-week hands-on experience, working with world-renowned scientists and policymakers at leading research centers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
• The top students at the World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute will be eligible to apply for a USDA Wallace-Carver Internship, a unique opportunity to conduct original research or policy analysis and development through paid, summer internships with USDA research centers or field offices anywhere in the US, including USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

To participate in our Iowa Youth Institute, students research and write an essay about a key global issue affecting food security. The essay is an interdisciplinary exercise, with structured guidelines and a complete resource list for students to explore areas of interest. Students answer a series of guided questions to aid them in developing the essay. We encourage high schools to have many students write the essay and then select its “Borlaug Scholar” from among the most highly qualified and interested students. The essay can be easily incorporated into science, agricultural education, social science, language arts or gifted and talented curricula, and is aligned with the Iowa Core. Essay guidelines and program information is available at: www.worldfoodprize.org/iowayouth.

To ensure your high school does not miss out on this opportunity, please immediately contact, Catherine Swoboda, Director of Iowa Education Programs at the World Food Prize, at cswoboda@worldfoodprize.org or (515) 245-3727 to register your school to participate.

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

UNI to host Green Schools K-12 Symposium in Johnston

The University of Northern Iowa and the Iowa Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council will host the Green Schools K-12 Symposium from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 19, at the Stoney Creek Inn in Johnston. The symposium will discuss the benefits of green schools, such as enhanced student performance, increased teacher retention, improved student and staff health and a $100,000 annual average savings from energy and water efficiency.

Representatives from Krell Energy Efficiency, SystemWorks LLC, the Iowa Energy Center and Siemens Industy-Builiding Technologies will present at the symposium. Topics include identifying energy savings and achieving sustainability through behavioral change and education. To register for the Green Schools K-12 Symposium, visit www.usgbciowa.org.

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

Facebook's Timeline & Your District's Page

On March 30, 2012, all Facebook Pages will get a new design, Timeline. Although this change will take a little getting use to, you can still use your page to build connections, share news and gather feedback. Luckily, Facebook has provided guides for making the switch to Timeline.

• For information about new features, start with the Pages Overview Guide (PDF)
• If you're new to Pages and want to know how to get started, check out the full Pages Product Guide (PDF)
• Walk through key features with our product experts in the Pages Learning video
  
• See more examples of the new design on live Pages by clicking on the links in the examples section above
• To find answers to specific questions, visit the Help Center
  

Checklist

• Upload a cover photo, 851 x 315 pixels
• Use a clearly branded profile picture
• "Pin" a post each week (important story that will stay at the top of your page for 7 days)
• Post daily to your page
• Manage your Page through the admin panel
• Notify your audience of the switch (before and after the change)

Sample Message (Before)
On March 30, (Name of Facebook Page), will move to the "Timeline" layout. You will still receive updates and posts on your news feed, but our page layout will change. Don't forget to share our page with your friends!

Sample Message (After)
(Name of Facebook Page) has changed to a "Timeline" layout. Take a look and let us know what you think! Don't forget to share our page with your friends.

March Educator Connection Now Available

The March EducatorConnection contains a variety of topics including the new Mackin Via onlineebook collection, professional development opportunities, certification andendorsement opportunities and a featured story of Heartland AEA and NorwalkCommunity Schools’ partnership in bringing Peer Partner PE to the high school.Click here to read the latest issue!!

March 2012 Special Issue of Each & Every Child Newsletter

Click here to download a special issue of the Each & Every Child newsletter from the Department of Education. It contains information about the recent state special education survey as well as a letter from Marty Ikeda, the State’s director of special education.

Character Development & Leadership Workshops to be Held in Iowa

Workshops about the Character Development & Leadership curriculum and its accompanying Role Models textbook will be held on April 26 at Iowa State University and on April 27 at the University of Iowa on April 27. These workshops are free, and each participant will receive a copy of the Role Models textbook. 

This curriculum is currently used in over 1,000 high, middle and alternative schools across America, including 45 schools in Iowa. This is a comprehensive 18-week curriculum that allows teachers to use it as a stand-alone course or to integrate it into a variety of classes. The following are common ways schools in Iowa have decided to use this curriculum: 

• Hampton Dumont & Johnston: Freshmen Academy 

• Dowling Catholic & Clarksville: High School Leadership Course 

• Clayton Ridge & Carlisle Middle Middle: School Leadership Course 

• Scott County Juvenile Detention: Alternative Education Programs 

• Aplington-Parkersburg High: Senior-level Capstone Course 

• Ames & Mississippi Bend: Class for At-Risk Students 

 • 3 High Schools in Waterloo: Tier 1 & Tier II PBIS Intervention 

• Marion High & Perry Middle: Homeroom or Advisory Period 

If you are data-driven, please know that our ongoing 8-year study indicates that students have better GPA, improved standardized tests scores and lower incidences of absences, suspensions, bullying and several important social variables. We provide each school with an annual research report on 84 variables. Please consider sending a representative from your school to learn how this curriculum could be a valuable addition to your school. Click here for a registration form. 

If you have any questions, please contact Joseph M. Hoedel, Ph.D. at (336) 462-7834 or jhoedel@characterandleadership.com.

UNI Presents Hot Topics in Education For Content Area Teaching

The University of Northern Iowa College of Education is hosting a Hot Topics in Education webinar, "A Framework for Teaching in Content Areas," at 4 p.m., Thursday, March 29.The webinar will focus on classroom strategies for educators to engage students in learning.This webinar will be presented by Kurt Meredith, associate professor of curriculum and instruction. For more information on Hot Topics in Education or to register visit www.uni.edu/coe/webinars.

Iowa State University to Begin New Superintendent Cohort

Iowa State University to Begin New Superintendent Cohort
We have a leadership adventure that might be just what you’re looking for! Iowa State University’s Educational Administration Program is forming a new Superintendent/AEA Director cohort to begin classes this June. We invite you to apply.

Recognized as an innovative program rooted in administrative dilemmas of practice, the Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) offers classes that fit full-time building leaders’ schedules, a responsive and award-winning faculty and affordable tuition. Here are more highlights of the CAS program:
• 24-month program, 30 credits
• Courses taught face-to-face with technology integration
• Classes meet in central Iowa one weekend a month fall and spring terms
• Spiral curriculum that revisits core topics over the 24 months
• Instructors are Ph. D. prepared practitioners
• Instruction is focused around dilemmas of practice, activities designed to apply theory to real world situations
• Mentoring opportunities with practicing superintendents

Applications are due April 15: http://www.elps.hs.iastate.edu/edadmin.php

Contact:
Dr. Jan Beatty, Educational Administration Clinical Professor and CAS Co-Director: jan1@iastate.edu or 515-720-7167
Dr. Mike Book, Educational Administration Clinical Professor and CAS Co-Director: mbook@iastate.edu or 319-290-1153