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

  • Updates with Educational Services & Media

    Live documents, helpful resources and guides can be found on our staff website.

  • What’s new with INspired Leadership?

    Central Rivers AEA wellbeing team logo

    Microcredential incentive deadline: May 8

    Central Rivers AEA is offering a $250 incentive to staff members who complete one leadership micro-credential focused on well-being by May 8, 2026. To learn more about microcredentials, review the Micro-credential Explanation document. To learn about and/or register for a microcredential you are interested in, choose and select: 1) Awareness of Internal Energy, 2) 4 Key Mindsets, and 3) Overcoming Internal Energy Blocks[requires both prerequisite microcredentials above]. Evidence submitted will be reviewed by Dr. Moore. If you need to create an account, have questions about microcredentials or aren’t sure how to sign up, contact Kay Schmalen at kschmalen@centralriversaea.org.

    Coaching available through May 12

    Central Rivers AEA offers free 1:1 coaching sessions with certified well-being coach Dr. Leslie Moore on Zoom. One-hour sessions are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays through May 12, 2026. There is no commitment to more than one session, so check it out if you are curious and want to see how it might benefit you. Schedule your session online today!

  • Help us tell our story!

    We’re always looking for ways to celebrate the impact of our work – and that starts with the students we serve.

    Do you know a student who’s made big strides in their learning or reached a milestone thanks to the support you or your team provided? We’d love to share their story as a way to highlight Central Rivers AEA services and the powerful results they lead to.

    If you have a story in mind, complete this quick Google Form to get started. Let’s keep shining a light on the difference we’re making together! For questions, please reach out to Contessa Van Buskirk, Communications Specialist.

  • All Central Rivers AEA offices closed April 3

    All Central Rivers AEA offices are closed on Friday, April 3.

    All Central Rivers AEA offices will be closed on Friday, April 3. Please update your voicemail and set an out-of-office email reply to let others know about the closure. All offices will reopen on Monday, April 6.

    Voicemail example:

    Hello, this is (your name and title). All Central Rivers AEA offices are closed on Friday, April 3. Please leave your name, number and a brief message and I will get back to you when offices reopen on Monday, April 6. Thank you!

    Email “away” message example:

    Thank you for your email. All Central Rivers AEA offices are closed on Friday, April 3. I will respond to your email upon my return when offices reopen on Monday, April 6. Thank you.

    If you need help with either task, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org or 319-273-8231.

  • Save the dates: upcoming CRAEA staff events

    We want to ensure you have these important dates on your calendar as we look forward to celebrating our team and preparing for the year ahead.

    Retirement Celebration & All-Staff Meeting

    Mark your calendars for May 21 to celebrate your retiring colleagues!

    This year’s retirement celebration and all-staff meeting will be on Thursday, May 21. We will gather to celebrate our retirees and hold our final all-staff meeting of the year. More details will be shared soon! Those retiring include:

    • Katherine Anderson, Early ACCESS Educator
    • Margy Averill, Special Education Secretary
    • Bret Battles, Audiologist
    • Diana Boeck, Early ACCESS Educator
    • Corlene Collum, Prof. Learning Conf. Center Service Facilitator
    • Rhonda Eilderts, Detention Center Teacher
    • Joe Kremer, Assessment Coordinator
    • Lorelei Lake, Special Education Consultant
    • Patsy Luker, Receptionist/Secretary
    • Michelle McFee, SLP
    • Suzann Mulnix, SLP Assistant
    • Lori Nurse, Early ACCESS Educator
    • Laura Rinnels, Admin Assistant – Integrated Services
    • Cheryl Rosenow, Acquisitions & Data Management Technician
    • Melissa Sander, Early ACCESS Educator
    • Elaine Schult, Early ACCESS Service Coordinator
    • Jody Seemann, School Psychologist
    • Lanette Sents, SLP Assistant
    • Ann Tippett, Early ACCESS Educator
    • Tina Westphal, Educational Assistant

    River Hills School

    • Tammy Knox, Educational Assistant
    • Diane Lavenz, Educational Assistant
    • Jane Reynolds, Educational Assistant

    2026-27 All-Staff Kick Off

    We are excited to begin another school year together! Please save the date for our All-Staff Kick Off in August 2026. While we are still finalizing the official date and location, we look forward to this time of connection and preparation. Keep an eye on your inbox for a full schedule and more details coming soon!

  • Agency offers retention incentive payment of $500 for early contract signing bonus as thank you to staff

    2026 Central Rivers Board of Directors

    We’re excited to announce that the Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors has again approved a retention incentive payment as an early contract signing bonus for all Central Rivers AEA eligible staff members! This incentive is a direct reflection of the Board’s appreciation for your ongoing dedication and commitment to the educators, students and families we serve. It’s also a way to recognize the exceptional work you’ve done, particularly during the challenging times we’ve navigated together.

    Here are the key details regarding this incentive:

    • Amount: $500 per eligible staff member.
    • Payment Date: This incentive will be issued as a separate deposit in September 2026, rather than in June as it was last year. Standard payroll tax withholdings will apply.
    • Eligibility: To receive this incentive, you must:
      • Accept and return your employment contract within five business days of receiving it. (Please note: You still have the standard 10 days for Classified, NUSS and Administrative staff and 21 days for Certified staff to sign your contract/NOC, but only five business days to receive the incentive).
      • Have received an employment contract/NOC during the 2025-26 school year and remain employed with CRAEA through the 2026-2027 school year.
    • Proration: The $500 incentive will be prorated based on your FTE for the 2026-2027 school year, if you work less than 1.0 FTE.
    • Ineligibility: Staff members who have received an early notification incentive are ineligible for this retention incentive.
    • Recoupment: If you receive this incentive and do not fulfill your 2026–2027 contract in full, the entire $500 will be subject to repayment. This replaces last year’s prorated repayment structure.

    To confirm your understanding of these requirements and to receive the incentive, please sign and accept your contract within the five-day time frame. If you choose not to receive the incentive, please wait until after the five-day time frame to sign your contract, or communicate your decision to the Human Resources Office.

    We are truly grateful for your continued commitment to our agency.

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

    Annette - Director of Special Education

    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:

    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.

  • Monthly Zoom updates for CRAEA & Keystone staff

    If you missed the all-staff update on Tuesday, February 10 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, March 10, from 4:00-4:30 pm.

    Resources from 2/10/26: