The Channel

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.

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.

The agency will be hosting two contests with prizes. Like last year, the winners will be awarded a certificate, bragging rights and vouchers to purchase books for the school of their choice! The contest details are as follows:

Halloween Costume Contest #1 – categories: 

• Group: (2+ co-workers): first place $50 | second place $25 voucher for books
• Solo: first place $40 | second place $20 voucher for books
• Snap a picture and upload it here: Halloween Costume Contest #1 (Group/Solo) or email it to Robin Billerbeck before 12:00 pm on Tuesday, October 31.
• Voting will begin at 12:00 pm and end at 3:00 pm with winners announced via email. 

Halloween Family Photo or Pumpkin Contest #2 – categories: 

• Family (photo of you with your kids/pets): first place $30 | second place $15 voucher for books
• Pumpkin creations (photo of your unique pumpkin): first place $10 | second place $5 voucher for books
• Snap a picture and upload it to this Halloween Costume Contest #2 (Family/Pumpkins) or email it to Robin Billerbeck before 12:00 pm on Thursday, November 2
• Voting will begin at 12:00 pm and end at 3:00 pm with winners announced via email.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and this year’s theme is, “Secure Our World.” This theme encourages individuals and organizations to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace, stressing personal accountability and the importance of taking proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity.

Statistically, phishing emails are the leading cause of data privacy incidents, so it’s more important than ever to equip yourself with the knowledge necessary to identify these malicious messages! Phishing is a type of social engineering where an attacker sends a fraudulent message designed to trick a human victim into revealing sensitive information to the attacker or to deploy malicious software.

Please take one minute to review the message and search for any of the five common red flags shown below:

1. The message is unexpected or oddly timed.
2. The message contains odd spelling or grammatical errors.
3. The message urges actions like clicking links or opening attachments.
4. The message appears to be time sensitive or threatens consequences for inaction.
5. The message is requesting money or personal information.

When you receive any suspicious communications: Stop and think before you click! If you suspect a phishing email, please contact the Help Desk at 319-273-8231 or at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org.

It is that time of year to remind staff of the procedures for office closures due to inclement weather. The FAQ document provides a lot of information and specific examples for your reference.

260-day full-time staff:

• When there is an office closure or early out due to inclement weather, and you have been previously approved for remote/temporary remote worksite, you will now be required to work your regularly scheduled day, unless you are using leave.
• If there is an early out and you cannot work remotely the rest of the day, you should submit personal or vacation leave.
• Unpaid leave would also be allowed for this.
• For 260-day full-time staff, scheduled leave will not be granted back to you during inclement weather, except in extraordinary circumstances.

Timeclock Staff:

• With remote privileges timeclock staff will now be responsible for clocking in/out themselves when there is an office closed day or early out due to inclement weather.
• In the case of an early out, you should clock out when you leave the office and clock in when you arrive at your remote location.
• If you are scheduled to work eight hours a day, you need to work eight hours.
• This means that based on your commute, you might need to extend your work hours so that you can work a full eight hours.

Remote/temporary remote staff:

• Please remember that working remotely is a privilege and not everyone has been extended this opportunity.
• In the event an office closure due to inclement weather falls on your in-office day, you should adjust your schedule to dedicate three days in the office.

All-Staff:

• You may arrive up to an hour late for work without using leave time or making up the time within the week if you find yourself in a unique weather circumstance that causes your delay.
• It is expected that you will make contact with your supervisor to let him/her know your situation immediately upon knowing that you will be delayed so that s/he is assured that you are safe and an adjustment to your day can be made if necessary.
• See A. General FAQs for more information on this.

The FAQ document was produced to assist in clarifying the agency’s procedures for inclement weather questions. Please reference as needed, and contact your supervisor if you have any questions

Our office buildings, grounds and River Hills School are always looking spotless, thanks to our custodial/maintenance team! While they may be more behind-the-scenes, their hard work does not go unnoticed!

Cedar Falls office:

• Kevin McKenzie, Supervisor of Buildings/Maintenance
• Shyla English, Lead Custodian/Maintenance
• Derrek Grapp, Custodian
• Don Brown, Substitute Custodian (not pictured)

Clear Lake office:

• Skyler Wood, Lead Custodian/Maintenance
• Greg Hampton, Custodian

Marshalltown office:

• Micheal Ballhagen, Lead Custodian/Maintenance

River Hills School:

• Steve Hines, Lead Custodian/Maintenance
• Jessica Devries, Custodian
• Cory Teepe, Custodian

To support a timely staff replacement selection process and assist in budget planning, the Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors approved an incentive be provided for Certified, NUSS, CWA and Administrative Staff who provide early notification of their intent to resign or retire at the end of the 2023-24 work year.

The proposed incentive would be administered as follows:
1. Commitments of separation by resignation or retirement at the end of the 2023-24 work year, and

2. Notification of resignation or retirement received in the Human Resources Office before
January 2, 2024, and

3. Accepted by the Board no later than the regular meeting on January 3, 2024,

4. Will receive an early notification incentive payment of $2,000, payable June 20, 2024,

5. Subject to the employee fulfilling their individual employment contract obligations for the 2023-24 work year. Staff resigning or retiring who separate prior to the end of the 2023-24 work year are not eligible for the early notification incentive.

6. Staff must have worked for CRAEA for three full years to receive this incentive.

7. Staff may only receive the incentive once per their employment with CRAEA.

Continuing our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (and belonging) learning from last year, there will be upcoming opportunities for all Central Rivers AEA staff to participate in.

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs):

An ERG is a workplace affinity group organized around a shared interest or identity. ERGs give employees an opportunity to connect with people who may share similar identities and/or experiences. They provide an opportunity for support for those who are members of protected classes or marginalized communities. ERG members (with the support of a liaison of similar identity or you) are encouraged to bring forward concerns that surface to help the agency make changes to ensure all staff feel welcomed and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. If you are interested in joining an ERG, please complete this Google Survey or reach out to Dr. Dana Miller.

Continuing Courageous Conversations:

Central Rivers AEA strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcomed and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. Continuing work done by the Equity Committee and through the guidance of the Equity Coordinator, we will implement DEI training and provide resources to create awareness, educate and reinforce policies that support diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Bi-weekly “Courageous Conversations” will be a space, virtual or in person, for staff to gather for 45 minutes to have guided conversations, ask questions and learn about DEI topics.

Want to submit questions or comments anonymously to discuss during the bi-weekly 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.

Upcoming book study opportunity:

Keep an eye out in the upcoming editions of The Channel for information regarding a book study.

Congratulations to the October Central Rivers AEA staff that were nominated for a Difference Maker Award by our LEA partners (school administrators, superintendents, principals, teachers, etc.). For our October nominees, here is what our LEA partners that nominated you had to say:

Kaylah Godfrey, SLP

“Kaylah impacts the culture of the building in such a profound way – it is hard to put in words! Between her smile, her kind words and cards of encouragement, every staff member appreciates all she does for us. Watching her work with students is heavenly! Every kid enjoys visiting with Miss Godfrey. She is an employee that truly makes school great and is a breath of fresh air! Central Springs is so lucky to have her!” -Central Springs school administrator

Brian Foster, Work Experience Coordinator

“Brian always strives to do the best he can to enhance the lives of young adults that need a concerned, caring adult!” -WSR Transportation/Maintenance Secretary

Ronda Reid, Special Education Consultant

“Through thick or thin, Ronda has been there for our students and staff. She has been an advocate for our parochial school with the public school. She has ensured that we are successful with our IEP meetings, our data collection and the needs of our teachers in working with our IEP students. Ronda always gives 120%!” -St. Paul & LIED Center school administrator

Crystal Klahsen, SLP

“Crystal is a huge asset to our students who need speech services. She works so hard to accommodate all the different classroom teachers’ schedules when setting up her scheduled times to meet with students. It’s such a joy to see & hear her enthusiasm for each student. It is very clear to those lucky enough to witness her interaction with students how much she cares for each student. Crystal has always been such a positive role model for kids. She comes in everyday with a smile and dedication to her job. Not only have I seen her interact with other students, Ms Crystal also worked with my daughter for many years. During that time I watched my daughter grow with her speech leaps and bounds.” -DNH support staff and teachers

Somer Muller, Special Education Consultant

“Somer works closely with our staff on advising services for students. She always helps communicate with parents about their student’s needs. She is great.” -BCLUW school administrator

The Educational Directory for 2023-24 has been updated and can be viewed and downloaded on the agency website under the Resources page. If you would like to have a printed copy, please contact your region’s administrative assistant.

During our kickoff meeting in August, all Central Rivers AEA staff had the opportunity to participate in a game of human bingo. Staff who filled out and turned in their cards were included in a random drawing. Thank you to everyone who participated!

1. Dawn Swehla, Special Education Consultant – Cedar Falls (Montage GC from Joel)
2. Charlie Patterson, Youth Shelter Teacher – Woodhaven (Montage GC from Joel)
3. Andrea Haaland, Special Education Consultant – Cedar Falls  Montage GC from Joel)
4. Jeika Pinero, Early Access Service Coordinator – Cedar Falls (Montage GC from Joel)
5. Stacey Lyons, Work Experience Coordinator – Cedar Falls (Swag Bag)
6. Amy Gauthier, Speech Language Pathologist – Cedar Falls (Swag Bag)
7. Ryan Robison, Early Childhood Special Education Consultant – Hampton-Dumont (Swag Bag)
8. Jackie Fober, School Social Worker – Sumner-Fredericksburg (Swag Bag)