Thursday, February 18, 2021
Authentic Learning Bootcamp through AEA Learning Online
We have some exciting news! We have digitized our Authentic Learning Bootcamp! If you are looking for a fun and flexible way to earn renewal credit or graduate credit, this would be a great course for you. This is a mostly self-paced course (complete as quickly as you'd like through August 1st when the course closes). There are 2 hours of "in-person" via zoom so we can get to know you and provide an opportunity to network with other educators from around Iowa. Sign up here.
2021 Lakin Outstanding Teacher Award Nominations
Nomination forms for the Charles E. Lakin Teacher Awards given annually to outstanding southwest Iowa public school teachers are available online at www.ghaea.org and are funded by the Charles E. Lakin Foundation.
For the 13th year, anyone can nominate an instructor for a $10,000 award from non-urban schools within a 40-mile radius of the late philanthropist Charles Lakin's hometown of Emerson.Thursday, February 4, 2021
Talented & Gifted Professional Learning Course from Central Rivers AEA
Serving TAG Students in the General Education Classroom - Course #190378
August 2 - 8-9 A.M.Register Here
This course is being offered by Central Rivers AEA. If you are a general education teacher, you are most certainly serving talented and gifted students, but are you providing them with the challenge and enrichment they need to continually grow? Are you a TAG teacher that is looking for additional ways to assist classroom teachers in differentiating? This course will provide instructional strategies that are ideal for not only TAG students but will benefit all your students. This blended course will be conducted through Canvas with the face-to-face component taking place through Zoom.
Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities
Self Care for Educators - Course #190076 (Virtual)
February 25, March 11, March 24, April 1 - 3:45 pm. - 5:45 p.m.
Register Here
Course participants will be able to define what self-care is, why it is important and how it can impact their personal well-being, family life, student interactions and work with colleagues. Through the completion of the course, participants will be expected to complete self-assessments, develop a self-care implementation plan across multiple domains, implement a self-care plan and reflect on their implementation personally and through group processing.
While there are requirements to pass this course, the hope of the instructors is that educators truly learn to practice self-care. Self-care is something that can be practiced for 30 minutes at one time or practiced several times throughout the day. The instructors want participants to create self-care plans that are manageable and work for them without creating anxiety for due dates and deadlines.
Course participants will be able to define what self-care is, why it is important and how it can impact their personal well-being, family life, student interactions and work with colleagues. Through the completion of the course, participants will be expected to complete self-assessments, develop a self-care implementation plan across multiple domains, implement a self-care plan and reflect on their implementation personally and through group processing.
While there are requirements to pass this course, the hope of the instructors is that educators truly learn to practice self-care. Self-care is something that can be practiced for 30 minutes at one time or practiced several times throughout the day. The instructors want participants to create self-care plans that are manageable and work for them without creating anxiety for due dates and deadlines.
Integrating SEL 101 - Course #189868 (Virtual)
February 11, February 15, February 18, February 22, 3:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m.
Register Here
Participants will become familiar with CASEL's 3 Signature Practices Playbook and use it to begin to develop lessons that integrate Social Emotional Learning into lessons with intention regardless of content. Iowa's Social Emotional Learning Competencies document, along with resources from CASEL will provide foundational knowledge for participants. The practices will be explicitly modeled and the instructional practices of discussion, reflection, guided practice, and independent practice will all be utilized. This course will require active engagement. Research demonstrates that instruction that includes Social Emotional Learning has been shown to increase academic performance, improve attitudes and behaviors toward school, decrease negative behaviors, and reduce emotional stress.
Participants will become familiar with CASEL's 3 Signature Practices Playbook and use it to begin to develop lessons that integrate Social Emotional Learning into lessons with intention regardless of content. Iowa's Social Emotional Learning Competencies document, along with resources from CASEL will provide foundational knowledge for participants. The practices will be explicitly modeled and the instructional practices of discussion, reflection, guided practice, and independent practice will all be utilized. This course will require active engagement. Research demonstrates that instruction that includes Social Emotional Learning has been shown to increase academic performance, improve attitudes and behaviors toward school, decrease negative behaviors, and reduce emotional stress.
Suicide Risk Assessment Training - Course #180546 (Virtual)
February 23, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.Register Here
This workshop will address best practices in school suicide risk assessment procedures. Participants will learn how to conduct a suicide risk assessment. The book Suicide in Schools and related risk assessment documents will be provided, as well as sample procedures from area school districts. Suicide Risk Assessment Training is designed for counselors, special education representatives, school-based interventionists, nurses, or anyone who would be involved in district-level suicide assessment. Team time will be provided to discuss district procedures and role-play, so it is beneficial to register as a district team.
NOTE: $50 Materials Fee
This workshop will address best practices in school suicide risk assessment procedures. Participants will learn how to conduct a suicide risk assessment. The book Suicide in Schools and related risk assessment documents will be provided, as well as sample procedures from area school districts. Suicide Risk Assessment Training is designed for counselors, special education representatives, school-based interventionists, nurses, or anyone who would be involved in district-level suicide assessment. Team time will be provided to discuss district procedures and role-play, so it is beneficial to register as a district team.
NOTE: $50 Materials Fee
Rapid Literacy For English Language Learners with Carol Salva (Virtual)
Join us for this free virtual event as we learn practical methods to help non-English readers accelerate their literacy in the target language. Secondary teachers serving English Language Learners deserve training in foundations of literacy that makes sense for the secondary classroom. Learn strategies that are based on research and Carol Salva’s current classroom experience. Registration closes February 26th, so sign up soon!
Website Designed to Help Iowans with Mental Health Needs
Mental health professionals from Iowa’s nine AEAs recently collaborated to create a website for Iowans who are searching for mental health assistance. The website at www.IowaAEAMentalHealth.org came from a request by the state legislature to help educators, parents, and students navigate resources related to mental health and well-being in Iowa. In addition to AEA contacts for the schools, the site provides contacts for the home setting from Iowa’s Mental Health and Disability Services (MHDS).
The website features vetted sources to educate visitors about addiction and substance abuse; anxiety and stress disorders; attention deficit disorder; depression; eating disorders; and self-harm.
“A call was put out by educational committee legislators last year to offer support to Iowa families and educators in the area of mental health,” said Tom Lane, a lobbyist for Iowa’s AEAs. “The site was designed to alleviate the frustration of finding contacts for services. When educators visit the site, they will find a point of contact at their respective AEA, and family members can reach out to mental health regions of MHDS.”
A listing of Iowa groups and agencies that advocate for children and families is part of an education component of the site, as well as reducing the stigma associated with mental health.
The site also provides information about proactive measures people can take for self-care.
“People who pay attention to their own physical and emotional health are better able to handle the challenges of supporting someone with mental health issues,” said Lane.
School employees are encouraged to check out the site, especially the “Find Support” page, in order to demonstrate how to navigate the resources. Schools should contact their local AEA for assistance with students who need mental health supports.
The website features vetted sources to educate visitors about addiction and substance abuse; anxiety and stress disorders; attention deficit disorder; depression; eating disorders; and self-harm.
“A call was put out by educational committee legislators last year to offer support to Iowa families and educators in the area of mental health,” said Tom Lane, a lobbyist for Iowa’s AEAs. “The site was designed to alleviate the frustration of finding contacts for services. When educators visit the site, they will find a point of contact at their respective AEA, and family members can reach out to mental health regions of MHDS.”
A listing of Iowa groups and agencies that advocate for children and families is part of an education component of the site, as well as reducing the stigma associated with mental health.
The site also provides information about proactive measures people can take for self-care.
“People who pay attention to their own physical and emotional health are better able to handle the challenges of supporting someone with mental health issues,” said Lane.
School employees are encouraged to check out the site, especially the “Find Support” page, in order to demonstrate how to navigate the resources. Schools should contact their local AEA for assistance with students who need mental health supports.
Iowa AEAs Bring Google Tech Support to Iowa District Partners
The Iowa AEA System has established a multi-year agreement to support Iowa school districts with access to and continued use of G Suite Enterprise for EDU (GSEfE) and Google Voice.
Effective immediately, any school district in Iowa can access the support services available through Tempus Nova (TN), a Google Cloud Premier Partner specializing in supporting educational organizations across the nation with their Google Cloud environments.
What This Partnership Means for Districts:
Reduced Pricing - Through this new agreement districts can upgrade from a G Suite for Education to a G Suite Enterprise for Education license at a significant savings. This agreement offers the upgrade for $41.28 per student, a reduction from the current MSRP of $48.00. This pricing discount of 14% offered by Tempus Nova is guaranteed for up to 5 years.
Additional Google Tech Support - This partnership brings additional support to your technology department and staff for Google products. Your district’s technology team can get support as they administer Gmail and Google Drive, manage domain-based challenges and recommendations, coordinate mobile device management, and provide district or building-wide Google resources.
Next Steps:
Your district’s technology director has received detailed information on the services available through Tempus Nova, and is encouraged to reach out to Tempus Nova to receive more information.
Effective immediately, any school district in Iowa can access the support services available through Tempus Nova (TN), a Google Cloud Premier Partner specializing in supporting educational organizations across the nation with their Google Cloud environments.
What This Partnership Means for Districts:
Reduced Pricing - Through this new agreement districts can upgrade from a G Suite for Education to a G Suite Enterprise for Education license at a significant savings. This agreement offers the upgrade for $41.28 per student, a reduction from the current MSRP of $48.00. This pricing discount of 14% offered by Tempus Nova is guaranteed for up to 5 years.
Additional Google Tech Support - This partnership brings additional support to your technology department and staff for Google products. Your district’s technology team can get support as they administer Gmail and Google Drive, manage domain-based challenges and recommendations, coordinate mobile device management, and provide district or building-wide Google resources.
Next Steps:
Your district’s technology director has received detailed information on the services available through Tempus Nova, and is encouraged to reach out to Tempus Nova to receive more information.
Computer Science Courses Available from Prairie Lakes AEA
Prairie Lakes AEA, in collaboration with Drake University, has been awarded grant funding from the Iowa Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund (CSPDIF). Registration for these courses is now open to all Iowa educators. Only 20 of the 60 seats remain available so if you're interested, register now! The grant provides teachers with university-level computer science courses at no tuition cost to them. Participants will be responsible for purchasing any required textbooks.
By July 1, 2023, schools must have a computer science offering that is aligned to the CSTA K-12 CS Standards in at least one grade level in grades 1-6 and 7-8 by July 1, 2023. High schools need to have one computer science course offering (CSTA standard aligned) in place by July 1, 2022. (The new legislation can be viewed in HF 2629 pages 7-9.) Iowa Department of Education: Obtaining a Computer Science Endorsement outlines the specifics of obtaining a computer science endorsement.
Please fill out this form if you are interested in attending one or more of the following three computer science courses from Drake University this summer: Computer Science in the Elementary Classroom, Secondary Computer Science Methods, or Introduction to Computer Science (not a prerequisite).
Contact Torrey Proctor at Prairie Lakes AEA for assistance.
By July 1, 2023, schools must have a computer science offering that is aligned to the CSTA K-12 CS Standards in at least one grade level in grades 1-6 and 7-8 by July 1, 2023. High schools need to have one computer science course offering (CSTA standard aligned) in place by July 1, 2022. (The new legislation can be viewed in HF 2629 pages 7-9.) Iowa Department of Education: Obtaining a Computer Science Endorsement outlines the specifics of obtaining a computer science endorsement.
Please fill out this form if you are interested in attending one or more of the following three computer science courses from Drake University this summer: Computer Science in the Elementary Classroom, Secondary Computer Science Methods, or Introduction to Computer Science (not a prerequisite).
Contact Torrey Proctor at Prairie Lakes AEA for assistance.
Thursday, January 14, 2021
NEW Online Catalog Format For Professional Learning
We are excited to roll out a new, more user-friendly way to search for learning opportunities at GHAEA! Explore the new format HERE and let us know what you think in the comments section below!
Professional Learning COVID-19 Update
Due to the high number of positive COVID-19 cases, EXTERNAL Face to Face Professional Learning has been suspended through the month of February. Virtual opportunities are still available for registration! Stay healthy. Stay safe.
Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities
NEW PREPaRE Workshop #2 - Course #154168 (Virtual)
March 4 - March 5 - 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.Register Here
PREPaRE Workshop 2 is a 2-day course that provides school-based mental health professionals and other school crisis intervention team members with the knowledge necessary to meet the mental health needs of students and staff following a school-associated crisis event.
NOTE: $55 materials fee
PREPaRE Workshop 2 is a 2-day course that provides school-based mental health professionals and other school crisis intervention team members with the knowledge necessary to meet the mental health needs of students and staff following a school-associated crisis event.
NOTE: $55 materials fee
Vocabulary in the Secondary Classroom - Course #200857 (Virtual)
January 21, February 25, March 25, April 22 - 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.Register Here
Course participants will learn about the importance of vocabulary development and the connection to reading comprehension. Sessions will include an overview of the current research into vocabulary development, background knowledge, and the implications to the educational classroom. Participants will learn how to choose high leverage words and the components of explicit vocabulary instruction.
Course participants will learn about the importance of vocabulary development and the connection to reading comprehension. Sessions will include an overview of the current research into vocabulary development, background knowledge, and the implications to the educational classroom. Participants will learn how to choose high leverage words and the components of explicit vocabulary instruction.
CPI Training - Virtual De-Escalation Training - Course #190305 - training only, no credit (Virtual)
January 18, 8 a.m. - NoonRegister Here
In an effort to minimize time outside of buildings, maintain the highest level of safety, while ensuring we can continue to meet your CPI training needs, Green Hills AEA will be moving to a hybrid learning model for de-escalation and physical restraint/holds. If staff have had the CPI refresher training two or more times, their blue card certification will be valid through the 2020-2021 school year.
In an effort to minimize time outside of buildings, maintain the highest level of safety, while ensuring we can continue to meet your CPI training needs, Green Hills AEA will be moving to a hybrid learning model for de-escalation and physical restraint/holds. If staff have had the CPI refresher training two or more times, their blue card certification will be valid through the 2020-2021 school year.
NOTE: Participants must register for the training in the online registration system so that materials can be van mailed prior to the training date.
Zoom link
Zoom link
Learning - Distance and Otherwise (Virtual)
January 25, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Register Here (Google Form)
Audience: Classroom Teacher, Instructional Coaches, and AEA Consultants who have NOT taken Building Back Better. What have we learned from the pandemic? How can we use what we’ve learned to make education better?
Audience: Classroom Teacher, Instructional Coaches, and AEA Consultants who have NOT taken Building Back Better. What have we learned from the pandemic? How can we use what we’ve learned to make education better?
Zoom Link
Understanding Standards Aligned Writing - Course #200888 (Virtual)
February 1, March 4, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.Register Here
This course content is developed by the members of the Iowa Statewide Literacy Leadership Team. The modules in this course will deepen teachers’ understanding of writing topics including unwrapping Writing Iowa Core Standards, standards alignment, student feedback types, the calibration process rubric scoring, and other evidence-based practices.
This course content is developed by the members of the Iowa Statewide Literacy Leadership Team. The modules in this course will deepen teachers’ understanding of writing topics including unwrapping Writing Iowa Core Standards, standards alignment, student feedback types, the calibration process rubric scoring, and other evidence-based practices.
Fierce Conversations - Course #160693 (Virtual)
February 5, February 19, March 4, March 26, April 8, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.Register Here
What gets talked about in an organization and how it gets talked about determines what will happen... or won’t happen. Consequently, the work begins by putting into place a foundation: four conversation models that become “workhorses” for individuals and organizations: Team Conversation, Coaching Conversation, Delegation Conversation, Confrontation Conversation.
NOTE: $130 materials fee.
What gets talked about in an organization and how it gets talked about determines what will happen... or won’t happen. Consequently, the work begins by putting into place a foundation: four conversation models that become “workhorses” for individuals and organizations: Team Conversation, Coaching Conversation, Delegation Conversation, Confrontation Conversation.
NOTE: $130 materials fee.
Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute - Course #154185 (Virtual)
February 1, February 3, February 8, February 10, February 15, February 17, 4 p.m. - 6 p.mRegister Here
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, self-awareness, self-management, motivation, empathy, and leadership. For more information about SIYLI the organization visit www.siyli.org.
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, self-awareness, self-management, motivation, empathy, and leadership. For more information about SIYLI the organization visit www.siyli.org.
Library Media Tech Concentration for Paraeducators
The support paraeducators offer in the school library setting is highly valued, and the support needed is unique to other positions in the building. Mississippi Bend AEA is offering a course, via Zoom, designed specifically for school library paraeducators. The course is twofold in that participants can earn 3 renewal credits and add the Level II Library Media Tech endorsement to their paraeducator certificate.
Paraeducators have the opportunity to grow their skillset and become licensed. In order to add the Library Media Technology Area of Concentration to a license, one must have completed the generalist program first. The generalist program consists of three courses, and in addition, includes a clinical experience and two observations. Questions can be directed to Heather Whitman at hwhitman@mbaea.org
Paraeducators have the opportunity to grow their skillset and become licensed. In order to add the Library Media Technology Area of Concentration to a license, one must have completed the generalist program first. The generalist program consists of three courses, and in addition, includes a clinical experience and two observations. Questions can be directed to Heather Whitman at hwhitman@mbaea.org
OpenSciEd Statewide Cohorts Beginning in February: Grades 6-8
h the implementation of A Framework for K–12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Even if teachers choose to not use these instructional materials, the learning around the instructional routines and accompanying shifts in classroom instruction will be valuable for 6th-8th grade science teachers and instructional coaches alike.
This course will utilize a blended learning model that includes three Zoom sessions which occur between three independently completed online, asynchronous learning sessions. Each unit training may be taken for one license renewal credit. To read an overview of each unit, click the corresponding link in the section below. You can also use the Course/Section number link to register. The registration deadline is February 1, 2021.
Chemical Reactions (Bath Bombs) - Recommended for 6th grade (Course #200877)
Matter Cycling and Photosynthesis - Recommended for 7th grade (Course #200882)
Weather, Climate, and Water Cycling - Recommended for 8th grade (Course #200881)
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