The Channel - a blog for Central Rivers AEA staff and board members Our Mission: To Deliver High-quality, evidence-based, and strategic services to our education partners that meet the diverse needs of iowa's learners (birth-21_), educators, and school Communities.

Author: cvanbuskirk

  • Mark your calendars for May 26 to celebrate your retiring colleagues!

    Mark your calendars for May 26 to celebrate your retiring colleagues!

    The virtual all-staff meeting to honor our retirees will take place on Friday, May 26. Please join us as we celebrate those retiring! The celebration will begin at 9 am and more details will be available in an upcoming edition of The Channel.

  • 2023 Central Rivers AEA’s Regional Administrator updates

    Following Dr. Beverly Plagge’s (Regional Administrator, Region 1) announcement of her retirement effective June 30, the agency welcome’s Melissa Hesner, Brena Huber and Dana Harskamp to new roles!

    Following Dr. Beverly Plagge’s (Regional Administrator, Region 1) announcement of her retirement effective June 30, the agency welcomes Melissa Hesner, Brena Huber and Dana Harskamp to new roles!

    • Effective July 1, Melissa Hesner will become Regional Administrator for Region 1, succeeding Dr. Plagge.
    • Brena Huber has been selected to take Melissa’s place as Regional Administrator in Region 7.
    • Dana Harskamp has been selected to serve as Assistant Regional Administrator in Region 7, replacing Brena.

    Melissa joined the agency in 2011 as a science consultant, consultant for school improvement and AIW lead coach. Her career as a professional educator started as a high school science teacher in the Postville Community School District. Melissa has also taught high school and middle school science in the East Buchanan Community School District.

    Brena joined the agency in 2016 as a Team Representative before transitioning to the Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) lead. Prior to that, she worked as a special education teacher, autism specialist and school psychologist in Arizona.

    Dana joined the agency in 2021 as a Consultant for School Improvement. She has served for over 20 years in both urban and rural settings as a building administrator, instructional coach, teacher and consultant in both Iowa and Omaha school districts.

    Congrats to all on your new positions!

  • Parent/Guardian/Caretaker support group meetings at the Clear Lake office will begin in April

    Parent/Guardian/Caretaker support group meetings at the Clear Lake office will begin on April 20.

    Caring for children can be a journey – let’s support one another! Starting on Thursday, April 20, there will be monthly Parent/Guardian/Caretaker support group meetings held at the Central Rivers AEA Clear Lake office. Important details can be found below.

    • Meetings will be held from 12:30–2 pm, or 5:30–7 pm, every third Thursday of the month.
    • They will be held only at the Clear Lake office location at this time.
    • The support group is for all parents, guardians and caretakers of children ages birth–21.

    Please reach out to Loni Jorgenson, Family Educator Partnership Coordinator, for questions or information.

  • What’s new with the Equity Committee?

    Interested in engaging in courageous conversations?
    Join us on March 6 for our next Courageous Conversations! Courageous Conversations are a space, either virtual or in person, for staff to gather for 30 minutes to have guided conversations, ask questions and learn about DEI topics.

    Want to submit questions or comments anonymously to discuss during the bi-monthly meetings? Would you like to facilitate a meeting? Do you have general thoughts or questions about DEI+belonging that you would like to submit anonymously? Fill out the “Courageous Conversations” Google survey. Meeting information can be found below. *All meetings are from 11-11:30 am.

    More information can be found on the “Courageous Conversations” page on our staff website. Please reach out to Gina Weekley, Coordinator of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, with any questions.

    Did you know… Individuals may identify as African, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latino or other? 

    • Black and African American are not always interchangeable.
    • Some people prefer the term black because they do not identify as African and/or American.
    • Use the term preferred by the group or individual.
    • Do not say “the Blacks.” And never, ever, ever “negro” the “n-word” or “colored.”

  • What’s new with INspired Leadership?

    Central Rivers AEA wellbeing team logo

    Micro-Credential coming this Spring
    Supporting staff to become aware of their internal core energy is an agency-wide priority as a support for personal well-being and organizational culture. Studies indicate that higher levels of awareness correlate to stronger relationships and greater life satisfaction.

    Following up with what was shared at the Coffee with the Chief on February 24, all staff will have a personalized opportunity to learn about and practice increasing awareness of their internal core energy levels. This spring, learning options in the form of a micro-credential will be available in the Central Rivers AEA’s on-demand library. Staff who submit evidence of learning and meet all success criteria will earn the micro-credential. *If earned by June 30, staff members may be eligible to earn $250. Stay tuned for more information!

  • Coffee with the Chief

    Coffee with the Chief (Sam Miller).

    Plan now to join Chief Administrator, Sam Miller, on Friday, February 24 and Friday, April 28, at 9 am for virtual updates on agency events and current trends in K-12 education. This is a great opportunity to get any questions or concerns you have answered. So grab a cup of coffee or your favorite morning beverage and join us!

    Join via Zoom:

    Need support? Contact the Central Rivers AEA Tech Help Desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org or 319-273-8231.

  • Fridays off again in the summer? Yes please!

    Summer hours – an alarm clock sitting on a sandy beach with an umbrella and chair.

    The Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors recently approved a plan for summer hours that will bring greater flexibility to those on contract in the summer months. In June and July, staff will work one of the following schedules in concert with their supervisor and department.

    1. Four, 10-hour work days with Fridays off.
    2. Four, 9-hour work days with a half day of work on Friday.
    3. Five 8-hour work days.

    *Please note that the office will officially be closed on Fridays during this period so staff working on Fridays will do so virtually with the exception of those whose roles and responsibilities do not enable them to work from home.

    Please see your supervisor for more information on the schedule your department will be observing this summer.

  • 2022 W-2s are now available

    W-2 form tax statement.

    W-2s for the calendar year 2022 were handed out to office staff or mailed to your home during the week of January 23. If you need another copy, please visit the Web Link portal under Employee Information > Payroll and Compensation and download the form. Questions should be directed via email to Shane Wolf or by calling 319-273-8203.

  • August 18 set for 2023 All-Staff Kickoff

    Save that date! The 2023 CRAEA All-Staff meeting is Friday, August 18!

    The 2023 All-Staff Kickoff meeting will be held on Friday, August 18. Please add this date to your calendar. The meeting will be held in the Cedar Falls Conference Center and attendance is mandatory for all Central Rivers AEA employees.

  • All Central Rivers AEA staff have access to virtual backgrounds in Zoom

    A reminder to all staff that the virtual background feature is available and allows you to display an image or video as your background during a Zoom meeting.

    Not everyone has a home office and sometimes letting coworkers see into your private space can be uncomfortable, which is why Zoom offers virtual backgrounds that let users hide what’s behind them. For recommended setup and examples, please review the Virtual Backgrounds in Zoom document or reach out to the Central Rivers AEA Tech Help Desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org or 319-273-8231.

  • New resources available in the Everyday Inclusion App

    February Everyday Inclusion App Black History Month badge

    The Everyday Inclusion App delivers diversity, equity and inclusion solutions that support inclusive values, create daily behavior change and embed inclusion in culture in a digital and scalable format on your cell phone. The app is available for all Central Rivers AEA staff to download and use. View the DEI+Belonging Resources page on the staff website for download details and to view account creation instructions.

    February’s Badge Challenge is, “Black History Month Inclusion Champion 2023.” Did you know… Black History Month originally started out as a week-long celebration in 1926? In 1976, President Ford officially recognized February as Black History month. Check out the history and background behind Black History Month for more information. Everyday Inclusion also provides all CRAEA staff with the Top Diversity and Inclusion Words/Phrases of 2023 for an additional resource.

    The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging page is available on the staff website and provides various resources for all staff to create awareness, educate and reinforce policies that support diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Please reach out to Gina Weekley, Coordinator of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, with any questions.

  • Interested in engaging in courageous conversations?

    Join us on February 6 for our next Courageous Conversations! Courageous Conversations are a space, either virtual or in person, for staff to gather for 30 minutes to have guided conversations, ask questions and learn about DEI topics.

    Want to submit questions or comments anonymously to discuss during the bi-monthly meetings? Do you have general thoughts or questions about DEI+belonging that you would like to submit anonymously? Fill out the “Courageous Conversations” Google survey. Meeting information can be found below:

    *All meetings are from 11-11:30 am.

    More information can be found on the “Courageous Conversations” page on our staff website. Please reach out to Gina Weekley, Coordinator of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, with any questions.

  • What’s new with INspired Leadership?

    Central Rivers AEA wellbeing team logo

    Call Others “In”
    It happens to all of us – even with good intentions, at some point we might feel the need to “call someone out.” Here’s a 1-minute read about an alternative way from our partners at ESSDACK. Think about how might you respond next time.

    Energy Level Refresher Videos
    Are you interested in refreshing your memory of the Seven Levels of Energy? If so, sign up here for a brief video each day (for seven days) to be delivered to your inbox from our partners at ESSDACK!

  • New Central Rivers AEA clothing/merch storefront coming soon!

    A new Central Rivers AEA clothing/merchandise storefront is coming soon! Keep an eye out for upcoming details such as the new storefront link on the staff website (coming soon) and the timeline to place orders.

  • Coffee with the Chief

    Chief Administrator, Sam MillerPlan now to join Chief Administrator, Sam Miller, on Friday, February 24 and Friday, April 28, at 9 am for virtual updates on agency events and current trends in K-12 education. This is a great opportunity to get any questions or concerns you have answered. So grab a cup of coffee or your favorite morning beverage and join us!

    Join via Zoom:

    Need support? Contact the Central Rivers AEA Tech Help Desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org or 319-273-8231.