We would like to welcome incoming staff for the 2025-26 school year!
Information Technology (IT) welcomes Tiffanie Zaugg, Assistive Technology/AI Specialist
Please give a warm welcome to Dr. Tiffanie Zaugg, who joined Central Rivers AEA as our new Assistive Technology & AI Specialist! Tiffanie is an accomplished education leader, researcher and consultant with deep expertise in assistive technology and artificial intelligence in K-12 settings.
She brings a wide range of experience to CRAEA, including serving as the Assistive Technology State Lead for the Iowa Department of Education, AT Coordinator and Special Education Consultant for Prairie Lakes AEA, K-8 Special Education Teacher, AI Consultant for a charter school, and Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Central Florida. Tiffanie has also designed several innovative AI tools that support learning, including the Education and Learning in an Inclusive Environment (EL) chatbot.
She is active on multiple national committees and advisory boards focused on inclusive technology, policy, and educator preparation. Her passion lies in advancing equitable access to learning through the thoughtful and responsible integration of AI and assistive technology.
Tiffanie is excited to connect with teams across the agency. Please take a moment to say hello to Tiffanie!
Creative Services welcomes Alex Richards, Web Developer/Programmer
We are delighted to welcome Central Rivers AEA Creative Services’ newest team member, Alex Richards! Alex joined our team on November 10 as a Web Developer/Programmer. He is based out of the Cedar Falls office.
Greetings! I’m thrilled to be part of such a dedicated and welcoming team. Most people would describe me as a natural problem solver with a strong ability to tackle challenges. As someone who believes in continuous learning, I’m always exploring new hobbies and developing new skills. I’m confident these qualities will help me make meaningful contributions to our agency and the communities we serve.
My background includes over a decade of experience in IT, where I supported small businesses and startups. I previously worked for a local assistive technologies company, Talk To Me Technologies, where I modernized their IT infrastructure, designed electronic interfaces for assistive devices, and provided technical guidance on integration challenges. I later left to pursue a degree in Software Engineering and recently completed my Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering. I look forward to applying the skills I’ve gained toward advancing the agency’s goals.
I’m originally from the area and graduated from Union High School. I also lived in Des Moines for a while, where I met my wife. We welcomed our daughter, Winifred, into the family this past March. When I’m not writing code, I enjoy playing video games, biking, gardening, cooking, and repairing electronics such as Game Boys and arcade machines.
Professional Learning welcomes Hope Moore, Professional Learning Support Assistant
Please welcome Hope Moore, our new Professional Learning Support Assistant! Hope is joining the PL team now as we prepare for Corlene’s upcoming retirement. You’ll find her at the Cedar Falls front desk (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) until she graduates on December 20 and starts full-time!
Hello! I am very excited to be joining the passionate team at Central Rivers AEA as the Professional Learning Support Assistant! I look forward to applying my recent academic knowledge, organizational skills, and dedication to support the agency’s mission.
My background is shaped by my experiences as a student-athlete at Shelton State Community College and as a manager for the University of Northern Iowa Softball team. These experiences allowed me to gain first-hand involvement in administrative support, where I discovered I fell in love with the behind the scenes work of coordinating and organizing. Through my internships and job shadowing, I’ve had the opportunity to implement my coursework in real world scenarios, particularly with managing game day operations. This experience has equipped me with a flexible approach to problem solving and to ensure smooth day to day operations.
I am excited to share that I will be graduating from the University of Northern Iowa later this December with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. I look forward to continuing to use the skills I have learned throughout my education going forward here at Central Rivers AEA! To get to know me better, I grew up in Van Horne, a small town outside of Cedar Rapids in Benton County. I am currently looking forward to remaining in the Cedar Falls area to apply myself fully at Central Rivers AEA. During my downtime, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and staying active!