The Channel

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

Author: cvanbuskirk

  • Continuing our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)+Belonging journey!

    Have you taken Unconscious Bias training and want more? The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee invites you to join us in a DEI-focused book study!

    • All interested Central Rivers AEA staff will complete a short Google Form regarding interest and potential books.
    • Based on the responses, a book will be selected and you will receive an email including the book title, a study guide and a schedule for the book study.
    • We understand everyone is busy, so we will divide the book into sections to complete prior to our meeting.
    • All meetings will be held via Zoom to discuss the book and dig deeper into learning, understanding and growing together.
    • The book study will begin in January 2024.

    If you are interested in participating in the DEI Book Study please complete this short form. We look forward to hearing from you and supporting each other as we navigate our DEI journey! Reach out to Dr. Dana Miller or MaKenzie Hakeman with questions.

  • Save the date for the 2024 All-Staff Kickoff Meeting!

    The 2024 Central Rivers AEA All-Staff Kickoff meeting will be held on Friday, August 16. Please add this date to your calendar. The meeting will be held in the Cedar Falls conference center, and attendance is mandatory for all CRAEA employees.

    Other important 2024 dates include:

    • Wednesday, August 14, 2024: CRAEA New Staff Orientation 
    • Thursday, August 15, 2024: CRAEA New Staff Mentoring

    Details about the day will be shared in a future monthly edition of The Channel.

  • Save the date for the “Grow Your Own” School Psychology Program meeting

    The “grow your own” program supports training of additional school psychologists to decrease the delay of, and improve access to, mental health services in high need, rural areas of western, central, and southern Iowa.
    If selected into the program, individuals must make a three year commitment to working in a rural district in one of the three AEAs.

    The University of Northern Iowa School Psychology Program is partnering with Central Rivers AEA, Great Prairie AEA and Northwest AEA for the “Grow Your Own” program.

    We will have a meeting to discuss the program at the Cedar Falls office on Thursday, October 12 at 3 pm (or join via Zoom https://buff.ly/46C00ft).

    Reach out to Amy Knupp, Executive Director of Special Education, with questions.

  • Join us for Coffee with the Chief

    Coffee with the Chief

    Plan now to join Chief Administrator, Joel Pedersen, for coffee with the chief! This is a great opportunity to hear virtual updates on agency events, current trends in K-12 education and have any questions or concerns you have answered. All of the meetings will be held via Zoom and on Fridays, starting at 8 am. So, grab a cup of coffee or your favorite morning beverage and join us!

    Meeting dates:

    • November 3, 2023
    • February 9, 2024
    • April 12, 2024

    Zoom details:

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

  • Fall training for new website content authors and editors

    Mark your calendars for Monday, October 9 for a training with new website editors! The training, led by Phil Hendricks and Contessa Van Buskirk, will be held from 9-10 am, via Zoom. We will stay on Zoom from 10-10:30 am to answer any extra questions editors may have.

    For those that cannot attend, this training will be recorded and sent out with a slide deck resource after the meeting. The resource/Zoom recording will also be available on the staff website in the upcoming week. Reach out to Phil or Contessa with questions.

    Zoom details:

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

  • INspired Leaders Mindset slides from October 2 session now available

    As promised during the October 2, “Judging Less Mindset w/ DEI,” INspired Leadership session, the slide deck is available for viewing! Future Mindset sessions will take place at all three CRAEA offices on November 28, February 15 and April 16.

  • What’s new with INspired Leadership?

    Central Rivers AEA wellbeing team logo

    Mindset Practices

    During October 2’s staff learning (prior to regional meetings), practices were shared which might help us to judge ourselves and others less. Take 30 seconds to reflect right now – have you noticed a time recently where you made a judgment? Noticing when we make judgments is the first step! If that is something you want to change, which practice might help? 

    Empowering Podcast

    Interested in a new podcast? Search your favorite platform for Jay Shetty’s On Purpose. Here’s an episode about 12 Lessons he’s learned this year. Enjoy!

    Get INspired Leadership resources delivered to your inbox

    Would you like to receive weekly emails that support your personal and professional leadership? If so, join ESSDACK’s INspired Weekly mailing list. You can also sign up to receive their INspired Leadership blog.