A school administrator plays a critical role in the overall success of a school. While the importance of teachers should never be understated, it is the school leader who ultimately sets and sustains the structures for teaching and learning within the building. Green Hills AEA, in partnership with Insight Education and LEA principals, will offer a learning experience that is a facilitated collaboration around professional problems of instructional practice.
Principal Impact is designed to meet the needs of principals, so they can then best meet the needs of their building teachers and students. It is delivered through a principal lens while being able to address whole school needs regardless of a specific district’s current student outcomes.
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Learning Supports Symposium Update
Please continue to save the date for our Third Annual Learning Supports Symposium. At this time, we remain hopeful for a live event on August 3rd and 4th at Atlantic High School. That said, we are making plans to host the event in an alternate format if needed. We are not formally opening registration at this time, as we continue to monitor the trajectory of COVID-19. Please complete the following google form if you are interested in receiving a registration link when registration opens.
NEW Virtual Professional Learning Opportunity
Mentor "ReBoot" Camp - Course #189741 - click on link to register
Prerequisite: Completion of mentor training through Journey to Excellence or The Right Track (prior to 2018)
Prerequisite: Completion of mentor training through Journey to Excellence or The Right Track (prior to 2018)
- One license renewal credit available
- No materials fee
- 7.5 hours of virtual instruction and 7.5 hours of online coursework
- May 11-May 20 (specific times in link)
Virtual Paraeducator Training
Training to obtain the Paraeducator Generalist Certification is currently being offered virtually. Two cohorts have already begun and we are opening a 3rd due to high demand. Participants will complete work online through the statewide AEA Learning Online modules AND will meet with instructors through Zoom once per week for support and instruction. Three separate courses are required to complete the Generalist certification.
Dates for Cohort 3 are:
Course #1 - 6/16-6/29/20
Course #2 - 7/7-7/20/20
Course #3 - 7/21-8/3/20
SUPERINTENDENTS AND PRINCIPALS: PLEASE CONTACT MICHELLE CATTERSON IF INTERESTED IN THIS OPPORTUNITY AS SPACE IS LIMITED.
Additional training opportunities for Paraeducators (for renewal credit or non-credit) can be found HERE.
Dates for Cohort 3 are:
Course #1 - 6/16-6/29/20
Course #2 - 7/7-7/20/20
Course #3 - 7/21-8/3/20
SUPERINTENDENTS AND PRINCIPALS: PLEASE CONTACT MICHELLE CATTERSON IF INTERESTED IN THIS OPPORTUNITY AS SPACE IS LIMITED.
Additional training opportunities for Paraeducators (for renewal credit or non-credit) can be found HERE.
Online Resources from AEA Learning Online
AEA Learning Online:
These professional learning opportunities, offered through AEA Learning Online, called the Future Ready Playlist. The playlist includes courses on important topics like:
- Using Future Ready Data Sources
- Transition
- Work-Based Learning
- High-Quality Instruction
- Learner-Centered/Personalized Learning
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Green Hills AEA Continuous Learning Resources
Green Hills AEA staff has been working hard to put together a repository of quality, vetted, online resources for students, educators, and families. Resources will be updated and added throughout the upcoming weeks. The link to the resource repository will also be housed on our website for you to access at your convenience.
Remember that these are all voluntary learning opportunities and participation should not be required or used for a grade. We encourage educators to always check with their district administration before adopting a resource or continuous learning opportunity to ensure it aligns with the district curriculum and technology platform
Remember that these are all voluntary learning opportunities and participation should not be required or used for a grade. We encourage educators to always check with their district administration before adopting a resource or continuous learning opportunity to ensure it aligns with the district curriculum and technology platform
Digitize Your Classroom Opportunity
The Digital Learning Team at Green Hills AEA is offering a second Digitize Your Classroom cohort beginning on April 27 for LEA staff to learn best practices for delivering learning in an online platform. Digitize Your Classroom is a course that guides participants through the design process and how to use selected digital tools while creating online learning opportunities for students.
NAMI Southwest Iowa Virtual Support Groups
A Message from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Southwest Iowa:
After hearing from many of our supporters that an offering of an online support group would be beneficial, we have been working diligently to make this happen! Today, we are rolling out three virtual support groups that are open to anyone and free to join. We are offering two Connections groups -- one in the afternoon and one in the evening. The Connections support group is for individuals living with a mental illness or personally experiencing mental health challenges. We are also offering a Family Support Group. This is for those who are supporting a loved one with a mental illness. Each of these three groups will meet weekly and be led by a trained facilitator.
To receive the Zoom information for the support group, please sign up using this form. Your information will not be shared with anyone outside of NAMI Iowa.
You may have heard in recent news articles about concerns regarding the security of the Zoom platform for meetings. Please be assured that this is something NAMI Iowa takes very seriously. We NEVER record our meetings which would make us vulnerable to viewing on the cloud.
As a Host we are able to mute and remove any individual in the group who fails to comply with our NAMI Support Guidelines. Among the precautions that we take are the following:
If at anytime you are uncomfortable during a Zoom meeting you have the ability to turn off your camera, or leave the meeting.
After hearing from many of our supporters that an offering of an online support group would be beneficial, we have been working diligently to make this happen! Today, we are rolling out three virtual support groups that are open to anyone and free to join. We are offering two Connections groups -- one in the afternoon and one in the evening. The Connections support group is for individuals living with a mental illness or personally experiencing mental health challenges. We are also offering a Family Support Group. This is for those who are supporting a loved one with a mental illness. Each of these three groups will meet weekly and be led by a trained facilitator.
To receive the Zoom information for the support group, please sign up using this form. Your information will not be shared with anyone outside of NAMI Iowa.
You may have heard in recent news articles about concerns regarding the security of the Zoom platform for meetings. Please be assured that this is something NAMI Iowa takes very seriously. We NEVER record our meetings which would make us vulnerable to viewing on the cloud.
As a Host we are able to mute and remove any individual in the group who fails to comply with our NAMI Support Guidelines. Among the precautions that we take are the following:
- Only the Host can control chat access
- Only the Host can screen share
- If necessary, the Host can exclusively control the mute function
- The Host has the ability to remove an individual from the Zoom meeting
If at anytime you are uncomfortable during a Zoom meeting you have the ability to turn off your camera, or leave the meeting.
New Professional Learning Opportunities
1) We are excited to share Learning Live with GHAEA - a menu of 1-hour virtual learning opportunities for educators and AEA staff to browse. This is an evolving list of opportunities. If you have questions about Live Learning Opportunities, please reach out to Stephanie Lane or the consultant hosting the session.
2) Next Wednesday, AEA Learning Online is live-streaming a conversation with Marcia Kish, an expert in blended learning. Marcia facilitated a Blended Learning course for TLC leaders in the Green Hills area in 2017.
Entitled "Getting Ready for the New Normal", Marcia will talk about how digital learning does not replace the teacher. We will look at ways districts can prepare their schools, educators, students, and parents for the use of digital content.
Register for the session here.
Find out more about Marcia Kish here.
Contact Laura Williams, facilitator for the session, for more information.
2) Next Wednesday, AEA Learning Online is live-streaming a conversation with Marcia Kish, an expert in blended learning. Marcia facilitated a Blended Learning course for TLC leaders in the Green Hills area in 2017.
Entitled "Getting Ready for the New Normal", Marcia will talk about how digital learning does not replace the teacher. We will look at ways districts can prepare their schools, educators, students, and parents for the use of digital content.
Register for the session here.
Find out more about Marcia Kish here.
Contact Laura Williams, facilitator for the session, for more information.
AEA PREP Update
AEA PREP is pleased to provide you with this list of links and resources specific to the postsecondary transition process during the COVID-19 school closures. In this document, you will find links to various organizations' pages focused on current and future students' transitions to postsecondary education during the public health emergency. This document will be updated no less than once per week and updated copies will be made available on our homepage at www.aeaprep.org beginning 4/23.
In reviewing links in the attached resource, please consider your local plans for continuous learning and how they may impact students as they complete this school year. Please refer to the Iowa Department of Education's COVID-19 Resource Page for specific guidance on continuous learning plans.
Finally, we are developing a list of FAQs, so please forward any questions related to these topics or the attached document to questions@aeaprep.org.
In reviewing links in the attached resource, please consider your local plans for continuous learning and how they may impact students as they complete this school year. Please refer to the Iowa Department of Education's COVID-19 Resource Page for specific guidance on continuous learning plans.
- P/F vs. grading vs. no credit and its impact on:
- admissions and financial aid;
- entrance requirements for specific programs, such as engineering
- Iowa public universities still require 2 years of a world language to enter and 4 years to complete;
- how the NCAA will view these for prospective student-athlete eligibility;
- GPA/rank as they relate to financial aid/scholarships;
- ACT/SAT and placement exams such as Accuplacer, ALEKS
- Local graduation requirements
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
3D Printing Facemask Project
In an effort to help out those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, Atlantic, Hamburg, Missouri Valley, East Union, Tri-Center and Green Hills AEA are 3D printing facemasks. When they have them ready the AEA will pick them up and deliver them to where they need to go. Any districts interested in joining the 3D printing efforts should contact Julia Hood for more information.
Special Education Supports for Iowa Public Schools During COVID-19
Iowa's Area Education Agencies have compiled a listing of resources for special education resources for various possible needs during COVID-19.
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Logins for Iowa AEA Online Resources
Due to the current school closures because of COVID-19, the following Iowa AEA Online resources are NOT requiring a username/password to access their content at this time:
For GALE resources, select your school from the drop-down menu, then you will be granted access with NO username/password.
All other Iowa AEA Online resources still require the use of your unique building username/password.
- BookFlix
- TrueFlix
- ScienceFlix
- FreedomFlix
- CultureGrams
- Learn360
- SIRS
- TeachingBooks.net
For GALE resources, select your school from the drop-down menu, then you will be granted access with NO username/password.
All other Iowa AEA Online resources still require the use of your unique building username/password.
Questions? Contact Julia Hood
IowaALN Student Expo Cancelled
As you may have expected, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we will, unfortunately, have to cancel the 2020 IowaALN Student Expo scheduled for April 15th, 2020 at CAM High School in Anita. We want to thank all of you for your support, especially the students that have been instrumental in planning for this year’s event.
As the situation changes and develops, we hope to be able to offer an alternative event either yet this spring, or in the coming school year. We will communicate via email the next steps. If we have missed a partner who you had made personal contact with please forward this message to them. If you have any questions contact Stephanie Lane (slane@ghaea.org). Until then, hope you stay safe and healthy!
Your Green Hills AEA Digital Learning Team
As the situation changes and develops, we hope to be able to offer an alternative event either yet this spring, or in the coming school year. We will communicate via email the next steps. If we have missed a partner who you had made personal contact with please forward this message to them. If you have any questions contact Stephanie Lane (slane@ghaea.org). Until then, hope you stay safe and healthy!
Your Green Hills AEA Digital Learning Team
Professional Learning Opportunities Update
All GHAEA "in-person" offerings have been canceled through May 31st. Some consultants are working on offering the course through a digitized platform which would include some Zoom sessions. Instructors who decide to move forward with digital learning will be in contact with registered participants. We love continuous learning!
If you have any questions, please contact:
Michelle Catterson Michelle Lidgett
Professional Learning Coordinator Licensure Assistant/Registrar
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