Orton and Hanken Selected for Agency Leadership Roles

Heartland AEA is pleased to announce the hiring of Kristin Orton as a regional director for Region 7, and Amy Hanken as the Supervisor of Special Education: Early ACCESS, Early Childhood and Related Services. Each will begin their duties on July 1, 2019. 

Kristin Orton, Regional Director 

Kristin Orton

As a regional director, Kristin will provide coordination and leadership for the provision of AEA services to districts in Story county, namely Ames, Ballard, Collins-Maxwell, Gilbert and Roland-Story, as well as the Ames Christian and St. Cecilia non-public schools. 

Kristin’s career has centered on serving students and educators in the Heartland AEA service area. Since 2004, she has served in the following positions: 

• School Psychologist, 2004 – 2007 
• Special Education Trainer, 2005 – 2007 
• Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant, 2007 – 2014 
• Instructional Coach, 2013 – present 

In 2018 she also took on roles as a school psychology internship supervisor, providing weekly coaching to a first-year Heartland AEA school psychology intern, and as a member of the state Dyslexia Task Force. The Task Force has studied dyslexia best practices and current practices in Iowa schools and will make recommendations to share with the Iowa legislature regarding potential legislation related to dyslexia in Nov. 2019. 

In June 2019 Kristin will earn her PK-12 Principal/Special Education Director certification from Drake University. She graduated with a Ph.D. in school psychology from the University of Oregon, a master’s degree in special education from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Luther College.   

Amy Hanken, Supervisor of Special Education: Early ACCESS, Early Childhood and Related Services 

Amy Hanken

Amy will join the Heartland AEA leadership team and will lead and coordinate our work related to Early ACCESS, early childhood and that of our related services groups (i.e., occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language, hearing and vision). She will also be a member of the Special Education Leadership Team and will office out of the Johnston REC. 

Amy brings nine years of experience in education as a special education teacher and an AEA consultant. Her previous experience includes: 

• Special Education Teacher, Hansen Elementary, Cedar Falls, 2010 - 2012 
• Special Education Teacher, Denison Elementary, Denison, 2012 - 2015 
• Early Childhood Special Education Consultant, Heartland AEA, 2015 - present 

In her time at the Agency, Amy has also been a member of the Child Find Cadre Team, implementing professional learning with team members around best practices in the Child Find process; early childhood PBIS coach, delivering early childhood PBIS training to districts; Teacher Quality instructor; and a mentor to a student in the University of Northern Iowa’s special education consultant program, meeting with the student weekly and providing ongoing mentorship.
 

In July 2019 Amy will earn her PK-12 Principal/Special Education Supervisor certificate from the University of Northern Iowa. She earned her special education consultant endorsement from Morningside College, her master’s degree in special education and her bachelor’s degree in elementary education, both from the University of Northern Iowa.   

We are excited to welcome Kristin and Amy to these new roles within the Agency.