Iowa STEM Teacher Award Nominations Open!

                                           

Iowa teachers are working hard to give students a great education. This year is a great time to recognize the outstanding educators who make sure our students are prepared for the future.

For the last seven years, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council and Kemin industries have recognized awesome STEM teachers across the state with the Iowa STEM Teacher Award. During the award cycle, teachers are nominated by fellow educators, administrators, students, parents, and community members. Then, nominated teachers apply and one teacher in each of the six STEM regions is selected. Each recipient receives $1,500 for their classroom and $1,500 for themselves.

Right now, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council and Kemin Industries are accepting nominations for the seventh annual Iowa STEM Teacher Award.

Know an outstanding STEM educator? Nominate them today. If selected as a recipient, they could receive $1,500 for their classroom and $1,500 for themselves. This is a great way to recognize how educators work to make sure our Iowa kids are ready for the future.

Nominating is free and only takes a small amount of time. Submit your nomination HERE!

Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities

Asbestos Hazard (AHERA) Refresher Course (Virtual)

Tuesday, October 6th, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
2020-21 AHERA Refresher Course Registration Form Please register by October 2nd

Regulations require all maintenance employees who perform small-scale asbestos work to attend an annual refresher course. Please have your asbestos notebook available during the training. The first two hours of training will be the mandatory awareness session and those who plan to attend this session only will be excused at noon.

If you have staff in need of the 2-day LEA Designated Person/16-hour Operations & Maintenance Training, please contact Phil Johnson at pjohn@midwesttrainingsite.com or call 402-505-2940.

Cost: $25/person for the awareness session; $50/person for the refresher course 

New Gifted/Talented Teacher Orientation Training (Virtual)

September 22, September 29, October 5 (3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.)

Course #190224 - click on link to register 

Rosanne Malek is the workshop presenter. New Gifted/Talented teachers are invited to join us for an orientation session.

K-6 SDI Literacy Foundations Webinar Series Information (Virtual)

September 22, 2020-May 14, 2021

Course #190320 - click on link to register 

This course will be a series of webinars along with question and answer sessions designed to help you accelerate the learning of your K-6 students through the implementation of a comprehensive literacy instruction approach. Those attending this course will be implementing Specially Designed Literacy Instruction which includes high impact focus skills in the areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, fluency, and writing.

Secondary SDI Literacy Foundations Webinar Series Information (Virtual)

September 22, 2020-March 3, 2021

Course #190315 - click on link to register 

This course will be a series of webinars along with question and answer sessions designed to help you accelerate the learning of your secondary students through the implementation of a comprehensive literacy instruction approach. Those attending this course will learn about the implementation of the SDI Framework (Diagnose, Design, and Deliver). Content will include screening, progress monitoring, assessments, and diagnostic tools, instructional frameworks and strategies, data analysis, and intensifying interventions. Attendees are expected to have access to screening data. 

Imagine Learning Language and Literacy Training (Virtual)

October 5, 2020 (9 am - 11 am)
Register Here
A representative from Imagine Learning will walk you through how to use the language and literacy tools.

Imagine Learning Math Training (Virtual)

October 5, 2020 (11:30 am - 1:30 pm)

Register Here

A representative from Imagine Learning will walk you through how to use the math tools.

Rosetta Stone (Virtual)

October 5, 2020 (2:00-3:30 pm)

Register Here

A representative from Rosetta Stone will walk you through RS and share how you add students and view progress

Face-to-Face Professional Learning Resumes October 1

Beginning October 1, 2020, face-to-face professional learning opportunities will be reinstated in GHAEA offices. Face coverings will be required and 6 feet of social distancing will be implemented. We will continue to follow the guideline limiting a 50% capacity in our meeting spaces.

Depending on the course, participants may have the option to Zoom in.

In addition, several ongoing virtual/webinar opportunities will continue to be offered this fall and beyond.

In order to minimize community spread, instructors will have participants keep track of safety requirements and complete a health survey. 

Using the most recent COVID data, this decision will be reviewed, renewed, and communicated no later than the 20th of each month through December 2020.

Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities

Building Back Better 1.1 (Virtual)

Course #190189 - click on link to register 

September 14-October 12 

Building Back Better is designed with The Distance Learning Playbook as the foundation of the course. The Distance Learning Playbook is an incredible resource with support for teachers and administrators. It provides information for areas that many schools may be experiencing gaps in for students in multiple learning environments. Throughout this course, with the support of the playbook, we introduce practical easy to implement ideas. For example, participants will see how to start and end a class, the social-emotional support needed, and setting up norms to develop a safe culture for students to learn at high levels. This resource is ideal for schools that are looking for answers to a whole-child approach within a gradual release model.

Materials Note: Participants must purchase the book The Distance Learning Playbook, Grades K-12: Teaching for Engagement and Impact in Any Setting (1st Edition). *This resource is currently available via Kindle version with anticipated print availability August 2020.

Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (Virtual)

Course #154185 - click on link to register
September 14-30

Born at Google and based on neuroscience, the SIY program teaches emotional intelligence skills that lead to sustained peak performance, strong collaboration and effective leadership. SIY increases self-awareness, empathy, communication and resilience. All of these help create positive emotional and mental states for a strong and inspiring leadership presence. The program includes sessions on mindfulness (the science of being present), self-awareness (understanding your thoughts, emotions and habits), self-management (skillfully managing your impulses and reactions), motivation (aligning your values and work), empathy (understanding others’ feelings and experiences) and leadership (influencing with compassion).

The mindfulness and emotional intelligence skills you'll learn will help you:

• Experience greater well-being, resilience and stress management.
• Improve performance, collaboration and empathy.
• Increase effectiveness and decision-making capacity.
• Cultivate innovative, creative thinking.

Digitize Your Classroom (Virtual)

Course #189685 - click on link to register
September 8-22 

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.

Suicide Risk Assessment Training (Virtual)
Green Hills AEA is offering a Suicide Risk Assessment Training virtual workshop on September 9. Details about the workshop including a registration link can be found in this flyer.

Ongoing Webinar Series:
Social-Emotional Behavioral Health Fall Return to Learn Session Series Schedule
Special Education Fall Return to Learn Session Series Schedule

We Went Virtual…. and So Did You!

Green Hills is so proud of all the virtual training we were able to provide for educators, especially during a time of such uncertainty. Check out this graphic to see how many people we reached!

AEA Learning Online Practicing Educator Course

Take control of your professional learning when you choose relevant trainings for license renewal credit. Enroll in AEA Learning Online's Practicing Educator course today! 

LEARN MORE HERE

Focusing In On Equity

During this year's Opening Day celebration, Green Hills AEA staff heard from Dr. PJ Caposey on the importance of equity in education. This message is especially important during the challenging times the global pandemic has brought about. Green Hills remains fully committed to providing equity and removing barriers in education. Stay tuned for more messages and resources regarding equity in education in future editions of the At-A-Glance!

 

Professional Learning Updates & Offerings

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:

In order to minimize community spread and to help instructors prepare more effectively, we will suspend all face-to-face professional learning opportunities planned in GHAEA offices and only offer virtual options through September 30th. Using the most recent COVID data, this decision will be reviewed, renewed, and communicated no later than the 20th of each month through December 2020. 

Note: This decision only affects outside visitors coming into offices and does not include internal team meetings, PLCs, and AEA staff-only training.

We Went Virtual…. and So Did You!

Green Hills was proud to host several virtual professional learning opportunities since March 2020 and the response has been overwhelming! We were excited to have so many of you join us on this journey and show your perseverance with doing everything possible to support students! Let’s keep it going! Check back in the next At-A-Glance for updates on enrollment for these courses!

Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities

Virtual Paraeducator Courses: Training only, certification for certificate
Paraeducator Course #1 - Ethical & Professional Practices/Professional Relationships

Course #189672 - click on link to register

Paraeducator Course #2 - Environment/Content & Instruction/Ethical & Professional Practice

Course #189673 - click on link to register

Paraeducator Course #3 - Emotional & Behavioral Needs/Professional Responsibilities/Ethical & Professional Practice 

Course #189674 - click on link to register 

Virtual Substitute Authorization Courses:
Statewide Remote Substitute Authorization Course Schedule (includes GHAEA courses)

New Opportunities:

Social-Emotional Behavioral Health Fall Return to Learn Session Series Schedule
Special Education Fall Return to Learn Session Series Schedule

Digitizing Your Classroom & Building Back Better Courses

Green Hills' School Improvement Team, in collaboration with the Digital Learning Team, and our Social Emotional Behavior Health specialists, have designed courses intended to equip teachers with tools and practices enabling them to meet the challenges of our situation. These courses meet the requirements of Senate File 2310, which mandates teachers be trained in delivering online instruction. While online instruction is certainly addressed in these courses, we purposefully designed the content to be applicable in any learning environment, be it online or in person. The course development incorporated the principles for technology integration outlined in state guidance.

Digitize Your Classroom: Learn best practices for delivering learning in an online platform. Digitize Your Learning is a course that guides participants through the design process and how to use selected digital tools while creating online learning opportunities for students.

Course #189685 - click on link to register (1 credit course)

September 8-September 22

Building Back Better: Participants in this course explore evidence-based instructional practices and gain practical tools for delivering instruction in any setting. Building Back Better addresses considerations for Social Emotional Learning, teacher clarity, and instructional design. The course utilizes a recently released book, The Distance Learning Playbook, by Doug Fisher, Nancy Frey, and John Hattie.

Course #190189 - click on link to register (2 credit course)

September 14-October 12

If you are interested in having your entire building and/or district engage in either course, please contact Tina Wahlert to make arrangements.

AEA Statewide Online Professional Learning Resources

Please take a few moments to watch this introductory video on AEA statewide professional learning resources

Find professional learning supports for online learning HERE!

Supporting Online Learning: an AEA Webinar Series 

Technical Support for Online Learning: AEA Webinar IT Series

Cover Page for Iowa AEA System Deliverables for Online Learning Professional Development

Continuous Learning: Tech Integration MENU

GHAEA Media and Van Routes Updates

The school year has begun! Media scheduling is back up and running and resources are ready for teachers to check out. Staff has been working hard to ensure that we are using best practices and safety protocols on cleaning materials housed and circulated through the GHAEA Media Center. Quarantine and cleaning time has been built into our scheduling program to allow for increased cleaning protocols. Some resources are temporarily unavailable for circulation because of the inability to be properly disinfected. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause but the health and safety of teachers and students we serve is our top priority. Please call if you need assistance. Media staff are happy to assist you in any way they can!

In addition, GHAEA van routes for the 2020/2021 school year have been updated. For a complete list of van routes, please visit the Van Delivery page of our website. For your safety, AEA van drivers will be wearing face coverings and following all building safety protocols.

Van Route Memo - Important Dates

Detailed Van Route Listing

For questions regarding media, please contact Julia Hood 

Print Services Update

In order to be more efficient and to offer schools a wider range of print, design, and specialty products, Green Hills is partnering with Heartland AEA. All school orders for copy, design, or other products will go to Heartland AEA Creative Services via an online ordering system. Our Green Hills vans will continue to deliver completed orders to schools. Schools will have access to a more comprehensive set of print and design products.

Orders for lamination only will still be done at Green Hills AEA

Check out our digital storefront with Heartland AEA to browse products and place your order. Select "login" in the upper right corner. You will use the same username and password as you do for AEA Learning Online. Select the product that you want and it will guide you through the process. Click here for a link to FAQ. You will have the ability to pay with a credit card or purchase order.

Submit Print & Design Requests