Author: cvanbuskirk

New Micro-credential available: 4 Key Mindsets

All Central Rivers AEA staff have access to a personalized, self-paced opportunity to learn about and adopt practices to support the 4 Key Mindsets in or to enhance relationships and meet their personal and professional goals. Some important details:

• The 4 Key Mindsets Micro-credential is now available in the CRAEA On-Demand Library.
• Staff who demonstrate and submit evidence of meeting all success criteria will earn the Micro-credential.
• If earned before June 1, 2024, staff members may be eligible for $250.
• Read over the document for more information or log in now and register in the CRAEA On-Demand Library by selecting “Micro-credential” in the “Categories” dropdown.

If you have content questions, reach out to Dr. Leslie Moore, Leadership Coach. If you have registration questions, please contact Angie Gansen, Professional Learning Registration System Coordinator.

April 16 Zoom meeting follow-up

Thanks to Jennifer Seward for capturing the anabolic and inspiring words our staff identified that they want to embody as we move forward together! How are you embodying your word? Remember, you’ve made it through 100% of the challenging events in your life – we will do so again – together!

We want to take a moment to recognize our retiring superintendents! All were honored by their peers this week during the monthly superintendents’ meeting. 

• Dr. Ed Klamfoth, Waverly-Shell Rock CSD
• Fred Matlage, Sumner-Fredericksburg CSD
• Dan Fox, East Buchanan CSD
• Dr. Anne Lundquist, Charles City CSD
• Mark Olmstead, North Butler & Clarkville CSD
• Chris Bergman, Belmond-Klemme CSD
• Steve Hanson, Meskwaki Settlement School
• Todd Liechty, Nashua-Plainfield CSD

Thank you all for your years of services and dedication to children, families, educators, schools and communities! Happy retirement!

Remember to change your voicemail greeting and schedule an “away” message to your email for Monday, May 27 so that callers and/or emailers will know all Central Rivers AEA offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. 

Voicemail example:

“Hello, this is (your name). All Central Rivers AEA offices will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. Please leave your name, number and a brief message and I will get back to you when offices reopen tomorrow, Tuesday, May 28. Thank you.

Email “away” message example:

Thank you for your email. All Central Rivers AEA offices will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. I will respond to your email upon my return when offices reopen on Tuesday, May 28. Thank you.

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If you need assistance with either task, please contact the Central Rivers AEA Tech Help Desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org or 319-273-8231.

Thank you all for your strong advocacy efforts, courage and tolerance over the last few months. While we accept the challenge before us and get about the business of planning for our new reality, we know there are more questions than answers at this time

A reminder about the mandatory all-staff meeting that will be held in person in Cedar Falls on Tuesday, April 16 to coincide with Regional/Discipline meetings. We are planning to meet with all staff from 9-11 am and then dismiss regional and discipline staff to their meetings for the remainder of the day. This will be an opportunity for us all to come together, begin to craft a vision for the future, and reaffirm our commitment to our team.

Please note that staff working at a detention center, youth shelter or River Hills school do not attend this meeting.

A variety of sandwiches, chips and cookies will be provided for lunch. If you have a dietary restriction, please contact Lori Thomas, by Monday, April 15 to ensure your lunch is set aside for you at the front desk.

Links to the latest updates and resources:

• CRAEA Staff Q & A document: A time of transition
• CRAEA Staff Update – April 3, 2024 (slides)
• Summary of FINAL House File 2612

Zoom recordings

• Central Support (HR, Business Office, Custodial) | Passcode: MWxo02Y^
• Ed Services/Media/IT/Creative Services | Passcode: #Fw3Ru14
• Special Education | Passcode: &Daf3g3D

In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out with any immediate questions or concerns. Be gentle with yourself and others in the days ahead.

The all-staff Coffee with The Chief Zoom for Friday, April 12 has been canceled due to the fact that we will be together on April 16 for the all-staff meeting.

The Open Enrollment period* for insurance begins Monday, April 29 and ends on Friday, May 24. *All benefit-eligible employees must enroll or waive coverage, even if you have no changes or are resigning/retiring!

Some important details to note:

• Beginning Monday, April 29, you will have access to EASE via the employee dashboard in ClassLink.  
• Updates to insurance will be shared during the benefits insurance presentation for all staff, held on Tuesday, April 30 at 4 pm.
• We will allow time for questions during the Zoom, or you can email your questions in advance to benefits@centralriversaea.org.
• The meeting will be recorded and posted on our benefits website for staff that cannot attend.
• Zoom Link: https://centralriversaea.zoom.us/j/82073489020

If you have questions regarding your insurance, please contact Kevin Klobassa, Benefits Specialist, at (319)-273-8202 or via email at benefits@centralriversaea.org.

While we say farewell to Executive Director of Educational Services, Jen Sigrist, and Executive Director of Special Education, Amy Knupp, we want to welcome Tesha Moser and Annette Hyde from Keystone AEA, who will be stepping in as interim directors in Jen and Amy’s roles, beginning July 1.

Tesha Moser has served as the Director of Educational Services at Keystone AEA since 2016 and also serves as Keystone’s Associate Administrator. In this role she provides leadership for the fiscal work of Iowa’s Association of AEAs. Prior to her work at Keystone, Tesha was an elementary principal between two buildings and served as the district EL Program Coordinator in the Western Dubuque CSD. She also served as a School Administrative Manager and teacher in the Linn-Mar Community Schools. Tesha started her educational career as a teacher at Edgewood-Colesburg Community Schools. She is a UNI Panther who earned her principalship and superintendency degrees. She is actively writing her dissertation to complete her doctorate. Tesha is also a Mount Mercy Mustang where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education.

Annette Hyde has served as the Director of Special Education at Keystone AEA since 2016. She has worked for Keystone for 23 years and served in multiple roles including Early Childhood Special Education Teacher/Consultant, Special Education Consultant, and Regional Administrator. Annette started her career at AEA 7 as an ECSE teacher and also taught in Oelwein Community Schools. She is currently the President of Iowa’s Council for Administrators in Special Ed (I-CASE) and the chair of Iowa’s Early ACCESS Council. She is a UNI alumni and lives in Fairbank with her husband Tom and has three adult children attending college.  

Annette and Tesha have worked closely together the past eight years and look forward to working with colleagues at Central Rivers AEA to continue the great work!