Our Mission
To provide services and leadership, in partnership with families, schools and communities, that improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth.

Our Goals
• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success

2014-15 Settlements Reached for Certified Union and Classified Union Employment Groups

We are pleased to announce the Heartland AEA Board of Directors has approved terms and conditions of employment for the Heartland Education Association (HEA) and Teamster Union employment groups for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. The compensation philosophy developed by the Board is to pay all categories of employees at competitive levels established by relevant labor markets and available resources, and which are consistent with job competencies, responsibilities and requirements, considering salary and benefits as a total compensation package. 

The transparent and interest-based approach of union representatives and management in monthly collaboration meetings has resulted in successfully addressing several issues over the course of the year. Below is a summary of key points of bargaining agreements for each employment group. 

Heartland Education Association – Certified Union 

• The settlement is a combined total package of 4.993% including Teacher Salary Supplement (TSS). 
• One step has been added to each lane before the longevity stipend; therefore, all employees will advance a step and receive a percentage increase based upon the salary schedule. 
• Each eligible employee will receive TSS monies based on a percent-of-the-base salary schedule. 
• With the exception of Article 16 (Insurance), Article 18 (Compensation) and Article 23 (Duration), all other articles will be in effect until June 30, 2016. 

Teamsters Local #238 – Classified Union 

• The settlement is a 3.346% total package increase. 
• A new salary schedule, including salary bands, will be implemented. 
• Longevity pay will be implemented over a two-year period. 
• An optional meeting for Classified Union employees interested in learning more about the new salary structure will be scheduled in May. 
• All articles of this agreement will be in effect until June 30, 2015. 

Classified Non-Union 

• A meet and confer session for Classified Non-Union staff has been scheduled for April 28 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Zion Lutheran Church (4300 Beaver Ave., Des Moines). More information about the agenda will follow. 

The 2014-15 Negotiated Agreements will be posted under the Human Resources link on the Intranet by May 1. If you have any questions about this information, contact Laura Gillon, Executive Director of Human Resources, at lgillon@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14416.

Spruce Up Your Spring Wardrobe With Heartland Logo Gear

Take a look at our Lands’ End e-store to see the great logo clothing and accessory options available to spruce up your wardrobe for spring! You can purchase any clothing item, case, bag or tote in any color with the Agency’s logo. Happy shopping!

Introducing Our New Benefits Specialist, Juliette Houseman

As our annual benefit enrollment approaches, now is a good time to remind everyone that Benefits Specialist, Kathy Martin, will be retiring at the end of March. (So please don’t try to contact her with insurance questions after March 27!) Juliette Houseman was hired in January to fill Kathy’s position, and she has been working side-by-side with Kathy the past two months to learn the ins and outs of the position. Since so many of you come in contact with the Benefits Specialist, we wanted to help you learn a little more about Juliette and below are some questions she answered for us. 

What was your most recent place of employment and position before coming to Heartland AEA? 
I was a Human Resources Generalist at the Lennox Industries NAPC, Inc. in Urbandale for over 22 years until the manufacturing/distribution site was closed. 

What drew you to seek the Benefits Specialist position? 
After being a Generalist, which handles all aspects of Human Resources and more, my first thought was that the Benefits Specialist position would be like looking at the tree instead of the forest and that it might be time to specialize rather than generalize. (Plus, my Magic 8 Ball told me “Definitely” when I asked it if I should apply for this position!) 

What do you enjoy most about your position/profession? 
I enjoy people, people watching, people interaction, meeting new people, helping people and inspiring people! Isn’t it incredibly intriguing that each person on this earth is a unique individual? And how boring would it be if everyone were alike? People are what I enjoy most about my profession and my new position. 

What is one thing that has surprised you or you have found interesting in the time you’ve been at Heartland AEA? 
I grew up knowing OF Heartland, and as a parent I knew OF Heartland, but I don’t believe I truly understood what Heartland actually does for our children, students and families. Through my training with Kathy, the other HR members and employees I have met and/or job shadowed, I am beginning to get a better understanding of the Agency. I’m really proud to say I’m a Heartland employee and share that distinction with so many wonderful and uplifting co-workers. I can’t wait to job shadow all of the different positions to get a true sense of our people and those who we help. From what I have seen so far and the co-workers I have met, Heartland is making a difference in the lives of others and that is really exciting! 

Anything else you’d like staff to know about you? 
I want everyone to know that for a little gal, Kathy leaves behind some huge shoes to fill! It is kind of funny because she and I have so many similarities that sometimes I think we are two peas in a pod! Probably what I most want people to know is that I don’t have all of the answers, and I don’t have the Heartland knowledge that Kathy has after 13 years. But if I don’t have the answer, I will find it for you, and if I don’t have the knowledge, I have met enough people at Heartland so far that I can find it! Oh, and one more thing…I raised four kids!

Pebble Go Added to Line-up of Heartland AEA Online Resources

Heartland AEA is pleased to announce the addition of Pebble Go to the digital content available for schools. Beginning readers and beginning researchers (of any age) can use these leveled texts, read-aloud ebooks and videos at school and at home! The username/password is the same one used for the other Heartland AEA online databases. 

Pebble Go includes games, articles, activities, word finds, lesson plans and correlations to standards. The read-aloud text highlights words as read. There is an easy-to-use search feature, and short videos illustrate concepts. It has been used successfully in Pella (Lincoln and Madison), SE Polk (Centennial & Mitchellville), Van Meter and West Des Moines (Phenix). 

You’ll find some fun and engaging reproducibles in Pebble Go so students can draw, practice writing and share what they learn. Teachers can make their own copies or they can order multiple copies from Heartland AEA at a cost of $.02 a sheet. A new version that will work on mobile devices and iPads should be available next month.

AEA Legislative Update

Click here to read this week’s legislative update from the AEA system’s lobbyists, Matt Eide, John Pederson and Tom Lane. We will bring you these updates weekly throughout the legislative session.

The Facts About Education Funding – A Team Approach

The Joint Education Allowable Growth Group (IASB, UEN, AEAs, SAI, ISEA) developed an action plan to address Iowa’s declining education funding and the need for consistent growth in the annual spending rate (as well as the need to set the rate consistent with law). A weekly “Fact About Education Funding” will be sent to all legislators, Gov. Branstad and Dept. of Education Director Buck highlighting a pertinent fact about education spending in Iowa. Each week this link will be shared in The Connection. 

Ending Balances and Revenues

Supports Available for Agency Staff Providing Professional Learning

Two options are available this spring and summer for Heartland AEA staff who facilitate professional learning to internal or external practitioners and professionals. A two-day course focused on both instructional design and presentation skills is available. A one-day session focused primarily on presentation and facilitation of adult learning is also available for staff who want to enhance their current skills and add to their toolkit for leading professional learning. Please find course registration information below for the various options. If you have questions, contact Martha Condon, School Psychologist, at mcondon@heartlandaea.org or Cheryl Risen, Special Education Consultant, at crisen@heartlandaea.org. 

Facilitating Adult Learning I 
This course is designed for providers of professional learning who have not had the opportunity to study professional learning design and delivery. Specific strategies will be covered for the “what” and the “how” of professional learning experiences. 

April 1 & 17, 2014 
Ames AEA Office, Conference Rooms B and C 
Registration Number: IN055992111402 

June 3 and 10, 2014 
Johnston Regional Education Center 
Registration Number: IN055992111501 
(currently has a waitlist) 

Presenting and Facilitating Professional Learning 
This session will focus on presentation strategies as well as facilitation strategies for small and large group learning opportunities. Each participant will be offered the opportunity to engage in 1-3 cycles of observation and coaching with the instructors as part of ongoing follow-up. 

May 6, 2014 
Johnston Regional Education Center 
Registration Number: IS020592111401 

June 4, 2014 
Johnston Regional Education Center 
Registration Number: IS020592111501

August 11, 2014 
Johnston Regional Education Center 
Registration Number: IS020592111502

Changes Made to Paraeducator Certification Competency

In February 2014 the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) approved new competencies for the Paraeducator Generalist and Paraeducator Special Needs Area of Concentration certifications. The new competencies for certification will be effective January 1, 2015. These changes have the possibility to impact many paraeducators as they pursue certification. Please see the Paraeducator Certification Competency Changes page on our agency website for a list of questions and answers regarding the changes.

Gallup’s Busteed to Speak About “Economics of Human Development”

Unfortunately, the original February 4 session with Brandon Busteed, Executive Director at Gallup Education, was snowed out. Fortunately, we were able to book Mr. Busteed for a May 6 appearance! After decades of focus on standardized testing and school accountability, American schools still trail much of the world on international measures of student performance. Amidst a time of globalization, disruptive technology and new demands in the workforce, are we educating our students in the right way? Learn what Gallup research has to say about the “economics of human development” and what should become a New Bill of Rights for All Students. Busteed will take you through a whirlwind of the most important research informing how we can get our education system back on the path to winning again. Gallup’s insights will change everything you think you know about education. 

May 6, 2014 
1:00-3:00 p.m. 
Heartland AEA West Des Moines Campus 
Click here to register.

Iowa Alternate Assessment Update

Given the significant number of delayed and cancelled school days in this third reporting period, the deadline for entering performance data has been extended until April 30, 2014. Please ensure all performance data is entered by midnight April 30 so that students are not considered an exclusion for AYP. If you have any questions, contact Angie Calhoun, Regional Director, at acalhoun@heartlandaea.org or ext. 11279.