The Channel

The Channel - a blog for Central Rivers AEA staff and board members blog site header

Author: cvanbuskirk

  • New monthly series: understanding our Strategic Plan (2025-2030)

    As we continue moving forward together, the agency is kicking off a new monthly series designed to help all staff better understand our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan – and, just as importantly, what it means for your work every day.

    Iowa AEA Strategic Plan 2025-2030
    Iowa AEA Strategic Plan 2025-2030

    Whether you support students directly, work in operations, provide professional learning, or serve behind the scenes – this series is meant to help CRAEA staff see how our shared goals and values align with the many ways we serve.

    We invite you to engage with this series along the way. Have questions? Want to share reflections or ideas? Feel free to leave comments on each post. Your input helps strengthen our collective understanding and supports ongoing alignment as an agency.

    Schedule:

    • January: Introduction to the Strategic Plan + Mission & Vision – Stan Rheingans, Chief Administrator
    • February: Core Values – Karl, Assistant Chief Administrator/Director of Human Resources
    • March: Goal #1: Promoting safe, orderly, and welcoming learning environments – Tesha Moser-Zimmerman, Executive Director of Educational Services
    • April: Goal #2: Promote equity in education by closing achievement and opportunity gaps – Annette Hyde, Executive Director of Special Education
    • May: Goal #3: Ensure consistent quality in the delivery of AEA services to Iowa’s accredited schools – Karl Kurt (Wrap-up/Summary)

    Thank you for taking time to follow along each month and for the work you do every day to advance our mission. We’re excited to build shared clarity and momentum around the Strategic Plan – and we hope this series helps every staff member feel connected to the bigger picture.

  • Supporting students & families: what to know about immigration enforcement concerns

    Across Iowa and the nation, some families are expressing concern about immigration enforcement activity and what it could mean for students at school. Central Rivers AEA is committed to helping schools maintain safe, calm, and welcoming learning environments for every learner.

    First, it’s important to recognize a foundational legal principle: all children have the right to attend public K–12 school regardless of citizenship or immigration status. This is long-standing federal law and is not subject to local interpretation.

    In addition, schools have clear responsibilities related to student privacy. Student education records are protected under federal law (FERPA), and staff should always follow established district procedures if any outside agency requests information about a student. For CRAEA staff members, the most important guidance is practical:

    • Follow district policy and administrative direction if any outside agency requests access to information or a school building.
    • Do not attempt to interpret legal documents or respond independently – route concerns to school administration immediately.
    • Maintain confidentiality and avoid speculation, rumors, or sharing unverified information.
    • Continue focusing on what schools do best: creating stable routines and safe relationships that support student learning.

    Families seeking legal information or assistance may benefit from reputable community resources, including legal aid providers and organizations that compile “know your rights” materials. (Two Iowa-based resources that some families may reference are the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice website and this tipsheet.)

    Central Rivers AEA supports schools by promoting lawful, consistent practices that protect student privacy, reduce misinformation, and reinforce safe learning environments for all.

  • Reminder to all staff: branding expectations with AI

    When you use an AI tool (like Gemini or ChatGPT) to help draft an email or a newsletter, copy and paste the section below into the chat first. This ensures the AI writes in a voice that sounds like us – helpful and focused on what’s best for students.

    Copy and paste this “persona” into your AI tool:

    • Role: You are [identify your title] for Central Rivers Area Education Agency (CRAEA).
    • Voice: knowledgeable, compassionate, collaborative, calm, evidence-informed, solutions-focused, student-centered. Professional but deeply human. “We” language.
    • Service stance: coach/partner/mentor/advocate/expert guide. 
    • Do: be curious; ask clarifying questions; reflect understanding; offer options and next steps; be direct and kind; transparent when uncertain; stay student-centered.
    • Don’t: blame, deflect, overshare, get defensive, match negative energy, use bureaucratic/political tone, use judgmental language, use “per my last email,” “did you read,” “that’s not my job,” “we can’t.”
    • Preferred phrases: “How can we support you?”, “Tell me more,” “Help me understand,” “Let’s work through this together,” “The data suggests…,” “Here are a few options…,” “Next steps
    • When saying no: replace with “Here’s what we can do…” + 2–3 alternatives.

    Branding requirements & expectations

    As AI tools become a popular way to help us get our work done faster, it is more important than ever to make sure everything we share still looks and feels like Central Rivers AEA. Whether you are using AI to help write a draft or design a layout, please keep the following guidelines in mind to ensure our work stays consistent and professional.

    Keeping our look consistent

    Whenever you create documents or presentations for school districts or team meetings, please use our official agency branding. This helps our partners immediately recognize and trust the information we provide.

    Presentations & themes

    CRAEA branded Google Slide template gallery

    To keep our look uniform, please do not build your own slide themes from scratch or try to customize existing ones in the Google gallery.

    • Use the templates: You can find all approved Central Rivers AEA branded resources on the Communication Guides and Agency Templates page.
    • Need something special? If you need a custom Google Slide theme or a unique banner for a document, you don’t have to do it alone. You can always place an order through Creative Services to have a professional design created for you. (Or reach out to Randy Darst, CRAEA Print Facilitator.)

    Flyers & promotional materials

    When you need to create a flyer or a brochure to promote a program or event, it’s important that it meets our agency standards.

    • Ready-to-Use Tools: Check the staff website for templates that are already set up with our colors and logos.
    • Professional help: For larger events or special promotions, please work with Creative Services. They can help you design high-quality materials that stand out while staying on-brand.

    If you have accessibility questions, please review the Accessibility Module. If you have questions regarding branding guidelines and requirements, please reach out to Beth Strike, Director of Communications & Creative Services or Contessa Van Buskirk, Communications Specialist, for assistance.

  • Planning for next year? Important FTE deadline ahead

    As we look toward the 2026-27 school year, we want to ensure everyone has the information they need to plan their schedules. If you are a member of our certified staff and are considering reducing your work hours (FTE) for the upcoming year, please keep the following details in mind:

    If you have questions about how a reduction might affect your role or benefits, please reach out to your direct supervisor or the HR team.

  • Clarification on van delivery for Special Education related items

    AEA media van

    Some questions have bubbled up recently regarding local school district access to van delivery for Special Education related items. Whether or not a school district purchases van delivery or not, special education items used in service of students can be delivered or picked-up by the agency if coordinated by a staff member. Because staff members are using the as part of their work (e.g. assistive technology devices, OT/PT equipment, test kits, etc.), this service is not subject to purchase. To arrange pick-up or delivery, simply email your request to delivery@centralriversaea.org.

  • Monthly Zoom updates for CRAEA & Keystone staff

    If you missed the all-staff update on Tuesday, January 13 via Zoom, the slide deck and recording information can be found below. The next meeting (unless canceled if there are no new updates) will be held on Tuesday, February 10, from 4:00-4:30 pm.

    Resources from 1/13/26:

  • Welcome aboard: meet the newest Central Rivers AEA team members

    We would like to welcome incoming staff for the 2025-26 school year!

    Melissa Walter, School Social Worker
    Melissa Walter, incoming School Social Worker