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

Happy New Year! (And My "State of the Agency Address")

As I listened to our Governor give her State of the State Address last week, I thought this was an appropriate time to share my reflections on my first six months at Heartland AEA by sharing my own “State of the Agency Address.” State of the State addresses are designed to celebrate previous accomplishments, identify new challenges and articulate the new aspirations one holds for the organization in the coming year. At the beginning of this new year, I also want to share celebrations, challenges and aspirations with you. 

I’ve now been serving at Heartland AEA for over six months and have had the opportunity to attend a majority of our council and committee meetings. It's been a pleasure to watch our teams at work, and I can confirm now what I suspected when I accepted this position: Heartland AEA is a special place, made up of special people who are engaged in important work for the right reasons. So, before I go any further, let me take this opportunity to celebrate you by saying "Thank you." Thank you for your work, for your commitment and for your service. AEAs are dynamic and complex organizations, and Heartland AEA is no exception. Even after several months on the job (and now nearly seven years serving Iowa’s AEAs), I continue to be amazed daily by not only how many different things are being done by this agency, but also by how well those things are being done. Everything each of you does, regardless of your role in the Agency, is in some way, improving the quality of life for a child somewhere. We should all be grateful for that privilege—it isn't a benefit found in every profession. So please always remember that this agency is special because of the people who work here. I hope you recognize and take pride in your important work. 

We have much to celebrate in Iowa schools. Literacy outcomes and graduation rates are on the rise. Thanks in part to our efforts, the vast majority of schools we serve have leveraged their teacher leadership programs to improve their coaching practices, resulting in improved programs and increased student achievement. Educators are collaborating around more and better data, engaging in richer conversations and innovating in new and exciting ways. While certainly not without challenges, schools are serving a broader spectrum of students than ever before—students who not long ago were being served in much more restrictive settings. Students with special needs are receiving specialized programming and instruction at unprecedented levels. None of these accomplishments could have been fully realized were it not for the contributions of Iowa’s AEAs. 

While it's important to occasionally reflect on our progress, it's equally important for us to understand that AEAs, including our own, are not universally embraced. The vast majority of teachers and families who work closely with us value our role and many will advocate for us publicly. Others, though, don't understand our work because they are unaware of the many types of services we provide. They simply have not been made aware of the many things we do for children, families and educators. Part of my job, especially during the legislative session, is to explain to stakeholders and policymakers the importance of our work and how it vitally contributes to the overall success of education in Iowa. I have to remember that some people simply don't know what we do, and I am encouraged when people respond positively when they learn more about our diverse services and see how those contribute to the quality of life in Iowa.  

Sadly though, there exists in our political landscape an element that simply does not believe in our mission. These are people who view education as a personal responsibility, not a collective one. They either do not believe in our society's obligation to educate all students and see our system as an unnecessary layer of government, or they see us providing services that would be better delivered by the private sector. Thankfully, this group holds what I believe is a minority opinion. I find that the vast majority of Iowans in both parties value public education and want to see it ultimately succeed. Those who do not hold that opinion, however, are becoming increasingly organized and are passionate in their advocacy for alternatives to our public system. Our state's challenging revenue picture exacerbates our challenge. While the Governor has not proposed cuts to K-12 schools or the AEAs (beyond our current annual $15 million cut), and has in fact proposed a 1.5% increase in state supplemental aid (SSA), there is virtually no chance we will realize that level of support when the session ends. 

Given our past successes and current political challenges, then, to what should we aspire going forward? The first thing we have to do, in my opinion, is to make sure we are continually viewing our work through a customer lens and doing our very best to understand exactly what it is that our districts want and need. We have to be inquisitive in both our individual daily interactions with district colleagues and in our more formal systems of needs assessment. I often say that in the service agency business, no news is never good news. We have to be intentional in establishing our formal and informal feedback loops through building relationships at every opportunity. The secret to providing quality service isn't being the person who has the answers as much as it is being the person who takes the time to ask the right questions and then listen closely to the answer. 

The next challenge to which we should aspire is to find the right balance between building internal capacity and providing optimal service. For the last year and a half, I have represented Midwestern states on the Association of Educational Service Agencies’ executive council, and this is a conversation going on across the country. “In a time of diminishing resources, how do we continue to build internal capacity through new learning and still increase service time to our districts?” Over the past two years, Heartland AEA has added 28 Certified positions, and I sincerely hope we can add more next year. (That will be somewhat dependent on what happens over the next three months under the golden dome.) We know that we have to find the time to engage in new learning ourselves if we are to improve our practice, but the fact remains that districts value our partnership and they want to see more of us in their buildings. This is a challenge that I apply to myself and to our leadership team as much as to our larger service teams. We can't build new relationships or improve on existing ones if we don't make the time to do so. How do we increase face time? Our council structures have served our culture and communication needs well, and we have no plans to change that structure, but we have to continually ask the question, “How do we increase service time even if we don't add significant numbers of new staff?” 

Finally, I want to reinforce a theme I have touched on before and that is that we need to do our very best every day to not only do our own work with excellence, but to support one another and be proponents of our profession. I have expounded before on the importance of supporting not only our AEA colleagues but those in our schools as well. What people sometimes don't realize is that even the innocent sharing of a frustration with our education system (and we all have those frustrations on occasion) can threaten the credibility of that system. We need to be the people who are intentionally looking for success stories to share with our public and our friends alike. Orchestrated efforts to undermine our public's confidence in its education system are underway in our country and our state. Eighty percent of Iowans have no direct connection to our education system, and they are being consistently exposed to a narrative explicitly designed to undermine our public system. It's incumbent on us who work in the system to actively and intentionally participate in the public championing of that system. We don't do this with data alone, though we are certainly seeing some promising improvements in student outcomes throughout the state. We do it one relationship at a time, one story at a time. You are doing great work every day, and so are your colleagues—share those stories. Make sure people know the special services you are providing. If modesty prevents, then champion a colleague—support one another. 

In closing, let me reiterate how proud I am to be a part of Heartland AEA. I know how important your work is, and I appreciate the investment it takes for you to do that work to a high standard. Our profession is one that will be engaged in continuous improvement efforts forever. We can never afford to become satisfied when our society continues to send us so many children and youth with so many challenges, and the stakes for those children and families are so high. I'm proud, though, of how we embrace the concept of improvement in our agency. When I look around, I don't see people resting on current practice or past accomplishment—I see people with a passion for improving schools and making all students successful. We aren't there yet, but I'm more excited than ever to see what we can do together. Have a great 2018!

- Jon

W-2s Are on Their Way!

Your 2017 Form W-2 has been mailed to your home address. A help document of tips to better understand your W-2 can be found on the Intranet > Business Office > Payroll Forms & Information. This help document provides an explanation of certain boxes on your W-2. 

Want to view your 2017 Form W-2 online? You can! Login to your Employee Dashboard and select the Employee Online navigation tab at the top of the page. Once in Employee Online, go to the left-hand navigation and click on “W2/ACA 1095C Info” then on the “W2 2017” link. This will open a PDF copy of your W-2 that you can print. 

If you have any questions, contact Steve Jordan, Senior Payroll Specialist, at ext. 14908.

Reminder: Have You Reviewed the Business Office Contact Guide Lately?

Thank you to all of you who took the time to complete the Business Office/Human Resources Customer Service survey at the end of October. We appreciate your feedback! 

The Business Office has reviewed the results from the survey and noticed many respondents had some confusion about what functions the Business Office performs as well as who to contact for certain function. Did you know a contact directory with Business Office functions already exists on the on the Intranet? Take a look by going to your Employee Dashboard >Intranet > Business Office > Contact Us. If you are unsure about who to contact for a business-related question, always feel free to start with Brian Whalen, Business Manager, at ext. 14005.  

Update on Reimbursement for Team Event Participation

Anyone who has participated on a Heartland AEA staff team for an organized event and wishes to receive their $20 reimbursement towards their entry fee, should email their payment confirmation to Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, to get the process started. 

If you’ve submitted your request but haven't received your reimbursement yet, you will be reimbursed in your Jan. 31st paycheck. If you would like your reimbursement in your Jan. 31st paycheck, you will need to submit your payment confirmation to Juliette by Jan. 19.



Note: You can only be reimbursed for one entry/race fee. Event options include but are not limited to: 

Marathon/Half Marathon 

Holiday Streakers 

Swimming Event 

Biking Event 

Weight Lifting Event 

Mud Run 

Iron Man 

Triathlon

5/10K Walk/Run Event

Make Way -- Water Challenge Coming in May!

Whoops! We goofed last week when we said there were only two challenges left for this year’s Wellness Program. There’s actually three left, including a Water Challenge to be held in May. Sorry for any confusion!

Question & Answer Document Compiled About FastBridge Suite of Assessments

The following is an FAQ document that was created by Iowa’s AEAs to capture questions related to the FastBridge formative assessment tools for behavior and math. 

If you have any questions, contact Kevin Fangman, Chief Academic Officer.

Remember What Your Mother Told You—Be Careful on the Ice!

It’s winter in Iowa, so we all know what that means—snow, slush, sleet and ICE! Our mothers always told us to be careful walking and driving on ice, so please remember her pleas this winter. Falls on the ice are no laughing matter – they can result in serious injury. Change your shoes if need be and take a walking lesson from a penguin. 

Safe Walking Tips
•    Always take the safest route – avoid short cuts.
•    Don’t rush, especially on slippery surfaces or in low light conditions.
•    Don’t use your smartphone while walking.
•    Walk deliberately on slippery surfaces. Take slow, short, flat-footed steps.
•    Wear boots or other slip-resistant footwear.
•    Look out for "black ice." Often shows up early in the morning or in areas that are shaded from the sun.
•    Use caution when getting in and out of vehicles; use the vehicle for support.
•    When entering a building, remove as much snow and water from your boots as you can. Walk carefully on hard-surfaced floors – even if there are no puddles, your outsoles may be wet.
•    Avoid carrying items. Keep hands empty and outside of pockets so arms are free to move for stabilization. If you must carry items, use backpacks.
•    When walking on steps, always use the hand rail and plant your feet firmly on each step.

Reminder: To Do: Nominate Deserving Individuals for Iowa’s AEAs Annual Awards Recognition

Do you know someone who has made outstanding contributions to education and Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs)? Please take a few minutes to nominate this person for recognition! 

Iowa’s AEAs bestow three awards annually to outstanding candidates for their contributions to education and the work of Iowa’s AEAs. To submit a nomination, complete this application by Feb. 2, 2018. Anyone is welcome to submit a nomination. The nominations will be reviewed by a selected group of AEA personnel in February. Both the nominating individual and those who are selected to be recognized will be notified the first week of March. Awards will be presented during the annual Iowa’s AEAs Boards of Directors’ Conference and the ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. on April 5, 2018 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Johnston. 

The three awards and criteria can be found below. Each nomination should include examples of why your nominee should receive the award. 

Friend of the AEA Award

Acknowledges contributions by policymakers, citizens, board members, school district partners, businesses and organizations who have been great partners and demonstrate strong support for furthering the mission of Iowa’s AEAs. Open to all policymakers, citizens, board members, school district partners, businesses and organizations. 

E. Robert Stephens Award
Dr. E. Robert Stephens, better known as “Dr. Bob” and the father of Iowa’s AEAs, acknowledges contributions in the area of innovation and support to local districts, AEAs, the Department of Education and other partners/organizations. There should be evidence of outstanding contributions to the well-being of the educational community including: 

• Benefits of this individual’s leadership; 
• Creative leadership in inspiring and motivating others to achieve and contribute; 
• Strong commitment to the profession by active participation in professional activities; and 
• Evidence that the individual is respected by his/her colleagues and the community. 

Open to AEA staff who serve in an administrative role and AEA board members. 

Innovative Creator 
Celebrates amazingly innovative and creative thinking and actions to get results for students, educators, Iowa’s AEAs, school districts and other partners. Open to all AEA staff, board members, educators, policymakers, students...all of us are creators! 

For more information, contact Connie Johnson, Iowa’s AEAs Communications Director, at (712) 335-6044.

Update: Get Up to Speed on the Agency’s Professional Learning Redesign

As you know, our agency is engaging in an ongoing process to redesign professional learning for our staff. Heartland AEA is committed to high-quality, timely and meaningful professional learning for staff, and the redesign effort is intended to enhance our commitments and efforts. The Agency embarked on the journey of professional learning redesign for a number of reasons, including:

• Maintaining highly skilled staff is critical to Heartland AEA’s success.
• Staff members said they want differentiated learning opportunities. 
• Ongoing professional learning is valued. 
• The Agency is committed to providing the services we are required and expected to provide.

Our vision for the redesigned professional learning system at Heartland AEA is to create differentiated learning pathways for staff to support the Agency’s mission while developing the knowledge and skills specific to their role in the Agency. Our Professional Learning System Map provides a visual piece that shows our redesigned process specifically for Certified staff. 

As the Agency began this work, it recognized the varied areas of learning focus our staff have based on roles, functions and assignments. While we all support our agency’s mission and goals, our individual professional learning needs differ. Therefore, we have dedicated time to hear from many staff and leaders along the way. Agency leadership listened to input, considered priority services and the varied responsibilities of our staff and determined eight areas of learning for our Professional Learning System for Certified staff. These eight areas are bolded below next to Professional Learning Cadre team members.

Member	Team
Karla Day & Kathy Scebold	Problem Solving
Nikki Roorda	Early Childhood/Early Learning
Carlene Lodermeier & Wendy Robinson	Instruction
Mande Gamble	Technology
Sara Mercer	Child Find
Berrett Rice	Data/Assessment
Sue Schirmer	Adult Facilitation
Stacy Volmer	Behavior
Brandie Gean	Licensure and Conference Center Manager
Lisa Smith	Physical Therapist; representative from Professional Learning Committee
Kevin Fangman	Chief Academic Officer
Martha Condon	Director of Professional Learning

Each of these Certified staff cadre members leads a workgroup of staff to support our redesign efforts. Workgroups began by identifying key components of learning, competencies and learning targets for each area of learning. The workgroups are currently designing, vetting and refining professional learning opportunities aligned with our agency’s foundational, concentrated and specialized competencies of learning. Over the course of the redesign process, more than 100 staff and leaders have been active contributors to the workgroups. 

This fall, Certified staff were asked to participate in a survey about our agency’s current professional learning. The survey addresses the seven standards of professional learning identified by Learning Forward, an international organization leading research and innovations in professional learning. The Standards for Professional Learning outline the characteristics of professional learning that leads to effective teaching practices, supportive leadership and improved student results. The standards include:

• Learning Communities
• Resources
• Learning Designs
• Outcomes
• Leadership
• Data
• Implementation

For more information on the Standards, visit the Learning Forward website. The survey provided an overarching view of the current state of professional learning in our agency. The survey items are arranged by Professional Learning Standard. Results can be viewed by Standard or by individual item. The Aug. 2017 survey results are provided here for your review. 

This year, two new exciting things are underway: 

Professional Learning System pilot: Our Professional Learning System is being piloted with all regional directors and approximately 100 Certified staff. Pilot participants are representative of our agency’s Certified job-alike groups. A tremendous “thank you” to all of our pilot participants for engaging in our Professional Learning System and new processes this year. We are looking forward to the feedback and impact our pilot participants will have as we further refine our Professional Learning System. 

Classified Staff Professional Learning Cadre: A Professional Learning Cadre for Classified staff has been formed for work which began in Dec. 2017. Members of our Professional Learning Cadre represent the various Classified workgroups in our agency and are listed below:

Member	Group Represented
Heng Fongkhamdeng	Business Office
Juliette Houseman	Human Resources
Sean Boyle	Information Systems
Marquis Jones	Internal Technology
Connie Kellogg	Library
Carol Naylor	Licensure/Conference Center
Steve Howard	Operations
Jill Lawrence	Shelter Care
Jill Crees	Communications/Creative Services
Sue Dunsmoor	Special Education Data Specialists
Kate Boonstra	Family & Educator Coordinators
Brenda Pierce	Audiometrists/Speech-Language Assistants
Sandy Anderson, Victoria Clemons & Sonia Nulle	Regional Administrative Assistants
Colleen Miller	Central Office Administrative Assistants
Jenny Ugolini	Executive Administrative Assistants
Sheila King	Chief Information Officer
Tony Chiaramonte	Human Resources Manager
Martha Condon	Director of Professional Learning
Sue Daker	Facilitator

Look for continued updates on our professional learning system through The Connection. If you have any questions or would like additional information, contact Martha Condon, Director of Professional Learning, at ext. 14416. 

New Course to Be Offered for Educators About Alternate Assessment

Linking Alternate Assessment, Essential Elements, and Quality IEPs for Literacy is a 2-day course that will help teachers, related service providers and AEA staff who support students with significant intellectual disabilities make connections between assessment, curriculum and instruction.



Participants will learn about the alternate assessment tools and resources that help match instruction to student need; how to unpack and apply essential elements to establish present levels of performance; and ways to write ambitious IEP goals, align services to needs, monitor progress and meet requirements of both alternate assessments. The five routines of literacy will be reviewed, but not explored in depth.



Linking Alternate Assessment, Essential Elements and Quality IEPs for Literacy

April 23 and 30, 2018

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Johnston Regional Education Center

Registration