The Channel

Twitter continues to serve as an important source for personal learning for many educators. Did you know that you can follow streams of conversations/resources directly related to your favorite topic, content or discipline area on Twitter? Each topic has a specific “hashtag” that allows the user to access what others are sharing. Many useful articles, strategies, and resources are shared daily across the world via this powerful tool.

A comprehensive directory is shared below. (Remember that new hashtags are being added daily!)

Need help getting started with Twitter? Contact any IT staff member or Beth Strike.

Kathy Enslin

During the February board meeting, the AEA 267 board voted to approve the employment of Kathy Enslin as the agency’s Assistant Chief Administrator/Director of Human Resources beyond the 2013-14 interim year.

“Kathy has done a tremendous job during this interim period and is well respected by both staff and our local school partners,” said Dr. Roark Horn. “I am very pleased that we are able to keep her on staff and continue to move forward as an agency.”

Congratulations, Kathy!

Again this year, we are seeking letters of advocacy from LEA parents, teachers, administrators (and even students!) who are willing to write their local legislator(s) on our behalf. Specifically, we are looking for letters of support around our legislative priority areas where we are seeking additional categorical funding.

Please review the AEA legislative priorities. Consider the families, educators and students you work with and provide names and contact information on this document. Beth Strike will then follow up with you with further instructions. Your feedback is needed by February 14. We have set a goal to have at least five letters in each funding area but more are welcome!

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met Wednesday, February 5, 2014 from 4-5:30 p.m. in the AEA 267 Cedar Falls Conference Center for a work session. A public hearing on the 2014-15 AEA 267 proposed budget was held at 6 p.m. The regular meeting was held immediately following. During the meeting, the board:

• Heard a program review regarding the 2012-13 Audit report. Auditor’s gave the agency a “clean bill of financial health” and commended the work of the agency Business Office for their leadership and service.

• Approved the 2014-15 proposed budget for AEA 267.

• Reviewed the mileage rate. The mileage rate will remain at $.37/mile. In consideration of their decision, the board reviewed the rates of other AEAs and public agencies and found the current rate to be competitive.

• Approved AEA 267’s Annual Progress Report.

• Approved the recommendation for an insurance consultant beginning July 1, 2014.

• Accepted the lowest bid and approved the purchase of two media vans.

• Heard a second reading and approved the following board policies:

  • 300 Series (Administration

  • 400 Series (Personnel)

• Approved participation in the Iowa Drug and Alcohol Testing Program (IDATP).

• Approved the 2014 Extended School Year calendar.

• Approved the office calendar for 2014-15.

• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.

A board strategy session for collective bargaining was held immediately after the board meeting.

Did you know that 88% of Iowans filed their income tax returns electronically last year? Filing electronically or “e-filing” is easy, safe, and decreases the time it takes to receive your refund. Those individuals who are 25 or younger, 65 or older, or in the military may qualify to efile for free. For more information, visit www.iowa.gov/tax

The Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) website offers a convenient feature called “My Account” which offers individualized information about your IPERS benefits. This feature allows you to view a record of contributions, keep your contact information up-to-date, estimate your benefits, and update beneficiary information. For more information, visit www.ipers.org

Did that headline grab your attention? Of course you make a difference! Every day, AEA 267 staff members are doing incredible things to improve the lives of children and families and/or positively impact teaching and learning where they work.

Beth Strike is in need of your success stories! What makes a great success story? Stories have a better chance of attracting news media interest when they meet one or more of the following criteria: (1.) the story is current; (2.) there is a local angle; (3.) well-known organizations or people are involved from the community–could be a partnership we have with another organization; (4.) there is something “unique” or different about the story (this really helps!); (5.) the story has a “human” element to it to grab the reader/viewer’s attention (perfect for the type of stories we have to share); (6.) there is some conflict involved (typically not stories we like to involve ourselves in); and/or (7.) the story topic presents something completely new.

Here are some ideas to get you thinking:

• What has happened in the past month, six months or year that is new, different or relevant in the way the service or program you are involved in is delivered, received or administered?

• Can we provide a case study (with names) of a student, family, teacher or AEA staff person that exemplifies an agency service/program? Keep in mind that we need people who are very willing to share their story.

• Have you won a significant award in your field?

• Can a development in one of our services tie into a well-known week, day or event?

• Do you have a well-known expert coming to speak to educators or others?

• What significant projects are we partnering with other organizations on?

• Is there a trend that we could provide comment on?

Remember to contact Beth Strike to make all contacts with the news media. Your story ideas are welcome!

Thank you to everyone who donated both cash and prizes for the 2013 Food Bank Drive. Together, we were able to raise $1,887 to help stock food pantries in Iowa. What a great accomplishment! Special thanks to Kerri Wilson, Donna Perry, Morgan Frederick, Tricia Petersen, Joan Coffin, Beth Strike, and Lori Thomas for their support and assistance with this process.

On December 18, a random number generator was used to pick the winners of the prizes donated by our administrative staff. The winners are:

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 6 p.m. via a conference call from the AEA 267 Cedar Falls Conference Center for their regular meeting. During the meeting, the board:

• Approved the 2014-15 proposed budget for publication.

• Approved the first reading of the following board policies:

  • 300 Series (Administration)

  • 400 Series (Personnel)

• Approved the agreement with Dunkerton CSD for the Ladders to Learning program for the 2013-14 school year.

• Tabled a recommendation for an Insurance Consultant.

• Tabled action on the purchase of Media Vans.

• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.

Please change your voice mail greeting and set an away message to your email during the holiday breaks so that callers and/or e-mailers will know when they can expect to hear from you.

Voice mail example:

“Hello, this is (your name). Our office will be closed beginning Monday, December 23 and will reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2014.  Please leave your name, telephone number and a detailed message and I will call when I return. Thank you!”

Email “away” message example:

“Thank you for your email.  I will be out of the office beginning Monday, December 23 through January 1 and will respond to your email upon my return. Thank you and have a wonderful holiday!”

If you need assistance with either task, please visit with your administrator.

Many thanks to Kandi Beinfang-Lee for her contributions to our latest success story which highlights the impact of AEA services on student achievement. Watch and learn how Nicki Schaumberg, a recent graduate of Forest City CSD, achieved academic success with the help of AEA 267 staff and her local teachers.