The Channel

Dennis Craun, Jr., Director District 9, represents East Buchanan, Independence, Jesup, and Waterloo school districts.

Dennis has been employed by Diedrich & Associates Inc. since 1999 and is currently their systems administrator. After serving six years in the United States Marine Corp, he attended both Hawkeye Community College and Hamilton College and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Manufacturing Technology.

Dennis and his wife, Pam, have two teenagers, both of whom attend East High School in Waterloo. As a parent of two children, Dennis told us he has a deep appreciation for the services AEAs provide to impact student learning. He plans to bring his sense of fairness, a respect for diversity, and his belief that a quality education is the right of every student to his new role at AEA 267.

Maureen Hanson, Director District 6, represents the school districts of: Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom (BGM), Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Grinnell-Newburg, Hudson, Montezuma, North Tama County, South Tama County, and Union.

Maureen is currently employed with the John Deere Product Engineering Center in Cedar Falls and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She and her husband, Leonard have three adult daughters and two grandchildren whom they love spending time with. Maureen enjoys running and has completed seven marathons – most recently, the Green Bay Marathon this past May.

With 22 years of experience on the Hudson Community School District Board of Directors, Maureen has developed a deep appreciation for the vital role AEAs play in educating students. She hopes to use her experience to help strengthen ties between AEA 267 and local school boards, as well as support staff in making a positive difference for students.

Please join us in welcoming Maureen and Dennis to AEA 267’s Board of Directors!

Have you checked out all the resources the agency staff website offers? A new resource for staff members, “Who Do I Ask”  is located under “Get to Know Your Agency” on the staff website (use your email login and password to gain access.). Here you will find answers to many of your questions along with a contact person or link to the corresponding webpage. While many questions can be answered by your supervisor or sector secretary, this is a great tool to help staff know where to locate information quickly.

November is upon us and that means the possibility for agency closures and professional learning cancellations. Please be sure that you take time to thoroughly review the information on the inclement weather page of our staff website. (Use your email login and password to gain access.) This page provides all of the details you will need to learn about cancellations and office closures as well as updated procedures and answers to your most frequently asked questions about weather-related travel. If you have questions after reviewing this information, please visit with your supervisor. Stay safe and please exercise good personal judgement at all times!

Cari Teske, AEA 267 Integrated Learning Specialist, will be hosting several sessions to improve your skills and confidence in using Google. “Let’s Get Started with Google Apps for Education!”, is a three-hour course for AEA 267 staff only. During the workshop, participants will be creating and organizing files in Google Drive and working through a Google Doc. Time will be available to work independently and asking questions is encouraged!

Register online for course #15360, through the My267 website.

If you are unable to attend any of these sessions, additional training may be scheduled at your convenience; contact Cari Teske to set up a time. Look for additional dates and trainings coming up in the future!

Do you work with someone you consider to be the best-of-the-best?  Ad
Cabinet needs your nominations for the the AEA 267 “Hall of Fame” recognition program. All nominations will remain on file for consideration during future months.

Please join us in congratulating our November winners!

Deb Culp began working for AEA 267 in the 1970’s when the organization of intermediate service units, now known as AEAs, were called the “Joint County System”.  She began working in the Media Center in the ‘film department’ and has had the opportunity to grow and expand her knowledge and learning as the agency has transitioned over the past four decades. Deb worked in positions in Media and later in Print/Production and in the mid 80’s, left the agency to work for Apple Computer as an Education Support Specialist. Fortunately for us, she eventually returned to the agency affirmed that her passion remained being part of a service-based organization.

“I feel very blessed to have been given opportunities to learn and support the agency and my colleagues in many different areas as we (AEA) have expanded services and modified direction,” said Deb. “Through it all, we’ve always kept our eyes on how to support our teachers and students.”

Currently, Deb is the Administrative Assistant with Information Technology Services, with a key focus on supporting the AEA Media program along with overseeing and facilitating access to our digital online resources for our schools and AEA staff.

“What I find most rewarding about my position is the variety of work I get to do, along with continuing to look at new ways we can enhance and better our Media services to our school clients. Change can sometimes be hard, but if we can embrace it and look at it as an opportunity to better serve our clients, along with the chance for personal growth, it makes the job fun and enjoyable.”

Lori Thomas attended NIACC two separate times; the first time for journalism and then 25 years later for nursing. She is currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in communications. Prior to joining AEA 267 as an Audiometrist, Lori managed a business for over 10 years. While going to school and raising her three children, she worked in health care. She has been a volunteer at the Free Health Care Clinic in Mason City for the past five years dedicating her Saturdays to those who depend on these important health services.

Currently, Lori serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Communications/Site Superintendent in the Clear Lake Office.

“Lori has a ‘whatever it takes’ attitude toward customer service,” said her supervisor, Beth Strike. “She has high expectations for herself and is a model of lifelong learning. She is a valuable asset to AEA 267.”

When asked what she likes most about her job, Lori stated: “The most rewarding aspect of my work is the feeling that I am part of a team that is dedicated to doing everything possible to help students succeed in their education. My work is done behind the scenes; however I enjoy supporting those who do work directly with children and the schools we serve. I am passionate about promoting the services our agency provides.”

Rachelle (Rusti) Sparks began her career working in disability services over 32 years ago. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa. While working as a special education teacher for the Waterloo Community School District, Rusti completed her master’s degree.  

Rusti currently serves AEA 267 as a Special Education Consultant and Team Representative. She is a member of both the Behavior Resource Team and East Sector Leadership Team.

“I find the most joy on the days that I have helped teachers find the best strategies, the perfect assistive tech or develop and implement a behavior plan that unlock the barriers to learning for the students that we teach.”

Rusti gave these words of wisdom for staying positive and dedicated to our mission, “My advice is to find joy in everything that we do and that it’s in the difficult conversations that we find solutions.”

Congratulations to Deb, Rusti and Lori! You set the bar high for all of us.

“Meet the Team Monday” continues to be a hit with our fans and over the past month, we introduced you to six new staff members:

• Pat Heisterkamp, School Social Worker, served Northwest Area Education Agency for the last 18 years before coming to AEA 267 this year. She received her degrees from the University of Northern Iowa, Briar Cliff University, and the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Pat and her husband have four grown children which keep her very busy in her free time.

• Kelcy Crane, is an Audiometrist in our Marshalltown office. Before joining AEA 267, she worked in cosmetology for more than 10 years. Kelcy and her husband have a 2-year old son and she is very busy keeping up with the toddler’s endless energy. Kelcy told us she is very excited about this new chapter in her life.

• Anna Crenshaw, serves as Itinerant Teacher of Deaf & Hard of Hearing. Anna received her degree from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois and worked for several years as a Deaf Educator before moving back to Iowa. Anna spends her free time with her large family, which includes seven siblings and many nieces and nephews.

• Sydney DeMaris is one of our newest Speech-Language Pathologists. She received her master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and prior to joining AEA 267, worked in a medical setting. Sydney and her husband are expecting a child in January and in her free time, she enjoys biking, reading and shopping. When asked what she finds rewarding in her work at AEA 267, Sydney shared that it is being part of an agency that truly cares about students, as well as working in such great school districts.

• Jennifer Schmitt is a Special Education Consultant who received her degree from Iowa State University. She taught at both Garner and Central Springs before joining AEA 267. Jennifer enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her family, which consists of her husband and two daughters.

• Sarah Wessels is also one of our new Special Education Consultants and prior to joining AEA 267, she taught for seven years. Sarah earned her degrees from Waldorf College, Buena Vista, and Morningside. She enjoys biking, swimming, and spending time with her husband and four children.

Be sure to “like” us on Facebook and join us in welcoming our new team members as well as congratulating those nominated to the AEA 267 “Hall of Fame!”  #MTM  #WowWednesday

The Iowa Department of Education/AEA Customer Feedback Survey opened on October 19. The survey is administered to all licensed educators in accredited public and nonpublic schools and will be open through November 25. This serves as a chance for those we serve to share with us their feedback regarding AEA 267 services. Please promote participation with those you serve (but remember that AEA staff are not eligible to take the survey)!

Dawn Jaeger, AEA 267 School Social Worker, will be a featured speaker at the International Bullying Prevention Association (IBPA) Conference to be held this month in Denver, Colorado.

“Reaching New Heights in Bullying Prevention through Empathy and Kindness” is the theme for this year’s conference and will focus on the importance of adult/youth partnerships.

Participants will hear outstanding leaders from around the world share research, strategies and solutions dedicated to bullying prevention and intervention practices.

Presenting Bullying 101, Dawn’s audience will learn specific techniques and strategies to help them better understand how to prevent bullying behavior. She will share practical ways that schools can implement positive learning environments where respectful behaviors are the standard in order for all students to achieve academic success.

Recognized as the 2012 Iowa School Social Worker of the Year, Dawn has 20 years of experience in the field of bullying prevention. Along with being a certified Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Trainer, Dawn is an Olweus Technical Assistance Consultant, a School Wide Information System facilitator, and a Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports (PBIS) trainer.

Please join us in congratulating Dawn on her commitment to finding solutions around the issue of bullying and sharing her expertise with other educators on an international level.

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at 6 pm in the Cedar Falls AEA 267 Conference Center. The agenda for the November meeting can be found on the agency website under About Us>Board of Directors>Board Meetings & Agendas. Official minutes will be posted the following month after board approval.