The Channel

What do you want to learn today? Check out the latest on-demand learning pieces by our Central Rivers AEA experts!

English Language Development: Social and Academic Language – Lisa Wymore & Annalisa Miner, Consultants for English Learners
Understanding a student’s English language development is a first step in planning appropriate instruction and supports. This video will assist educators in understanding the difference between social and academic language as well as the implications these hold for instruction.

Submitting On-Demand Content– Kay Schmalen, Director of Professional Learning
Looking to submit learning for our Learning Management System? Review this slide show for guidance for on-demand submissions, paying special attention to resources for copying/branding and accessibility.

Universal Constructs: Critical Thinking– Dana Harskamp & Kelly Gallagher, Consultants for School Improvement
Imagine an environment where learners question, engage, connect and think critically! Here is an overview of what exactly it means to think critically. This learning will help you begin to think about infusing these strategies into your own classroom. Through examples and connections to your own work, you’ll go on a critical thinking journey of your own!

Check out all our learning opportunities by visiting Central Rivers AEA LMS. Didn’t see what you were looking for? Provide us with feedback on content you’d like to see in the LMS.

A reminder that staff have the opportunity to personally choose and purchase a “Thank You” Central Rivers AEA branded apparel item until December 31. There are two storefronts set up for this promotion; One site is preset with $30 items only and will be charged straight to the agency for each order. The second site will allow those who want to shop for little higher-end merchandise to use the $30 “THANKYOU” code voucher and your own credit card to make a purchase. Instructions to access the storefronts can be found below:

1. Visit the CRAEA staff intranet.
2. Go to the Business Office/HR page.
3. Select the Central Rivers AEA “Thank You” Storefront page.
4. Choose one of the two catalogs to shop from (read the page for web store details e.g. – tax-exempt vs. non-tax-exempt).

For more information, please see the FAQs for CRAEA “Thank You” storefront document or contact Jenny Young, (jyoung@storeykenworthy.com) our apparel account representative.

Well-being Supports

Are you interested in accessing Central Rivers AEA Well-being supports? Log into your employee dashboard and access the list of supports on the staff intranet.

Weekly INspired Well-being Zooms!

Want help to live your best life? Take time for yourself by joining your Central Rivers AEA colleagues every Friday from 3:15-3:45 pm or Monday from 8:00-8:30 am via Zoom. You’ll get ideas found in Tina Boogren’s 180 Days of Self-care for Educators, connect in a quick breakout room with a few colleagues and consider the next step to enhance your well-being. While the Zoom links are specific to the Friday or Monday sessions, the topics are repeated. The below meetings are listed on the CRAEA Master Calendar and include the Zoom information.      

• Friday Session Zoom Link (meeting ID: 886 8353 7957)
• Monday Session Zoom Link (meeting ID: 858 6041 3872)

Get INspired Leadership resources delivered to your inbox!

Want to receive weekly emails to support your anabolic energy? Join ESSDACK’s INspired Weekly mailing list and sign up to receive their INspired Leadership blog!

The 2022 All-Staff Kickoff Meeting will be held at the Cedar Falls office on Wednesday, August 17! This year’s theme is All In which underscores our collective commitment to serving each other and the children, families and educators in our area at the highest level possible. All In also symbolizes our agency’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

From 7:30-9 am, Bowls of Love smoothie bowl truck and Sidecar coffee truck will be set up onsite for staff to purchase coffee and breakfast before the meeting.  An assortment of sandwiches will be provided for lunch. If you have dietary restrictions (gluten-free or vegetarian), please contact Lori Thomas by August 9 to ensure a lunch is set aside for you. 

The meeting agenda and document with links needed for the day will be available the morning of the meeting.  We look forward to seeing everyone on August 17 and kicking off another great year at Central Rivers AEA!

The Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors have secured the services of GR Recruitment to lead the search for the agency’s next Chief Administrator. During the July board meeting, the board heard presentations from four search firms but ultimately selected GR Recruitment based on their experience leading other Chief Administrator searches in the state.

A timeline for the search process was also established last week. The board intends to begin work immediately and make a final selection in mid-December. Updates will be provided monthly via The Channel. 

Questions? Contact Lori Thomas.

Gina Weekley, Coordinator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

As an outgrowth of the important work done by the Equity Committee this past year in partnership with the Leadership Academy, the agency is happy to announce the hire of Gina Weekley, Coordinator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 

In her new role, Gina will develop and implement the organization’s diversity initiatives and strategies to attract, hire and maintain a diverse workplace and execute creative strategies to foster the agency’s DEI goals.

Formerly serving as the Coach/Facilitator for Leader Valley, she comes to Central Rivers AEA bringing extensive experience in promoting inclusive environments, as well as coaching around unconscious bias, equity in education, empowering instruction and developing foundations of trust.

“I hope to create an inclusive environment that is a space in which all people feel heard, valued and respected as they belong and have access to the same opportunities – a place in which everyone can show up as their authentic self resulting in better and happier humans,” said Gina. “I believe that better humans make better leaders, educators, students and contributors!”

When she’s not serving students, families and educators, Gina enjoys spending quality time with those she loves. She enjoys laughter, music, traveling to places with sunshine and a beach and jogging outdoors with her puppy. Gina also loves to serve the community in which she lives by being a board member of several nonprofits and advocating for those who don’t have a voice. 

Welcome to the team, Gina!

As a reminder or for those new to the agency, Central Rivers AEA has three primary communication channels used to reach staff with agency news, decisions and relevant resources. The three major channels we use frequently are:

The Channel: a monthly blog designed to keep staff informed about all major internal news.

• How do I access The Channel? – the front page of the staff website (note that you will need to login to access the staff website) or access it via the Employee Dashboard.
• Who is The Channel for? – All Central Rivers AEA staff; typically sent electronically on behalf of the Chief Administrator 1-2 days following the monthly board meeting.

The Stream: a monthly blog used to keep regional staff updated on initiatives, deadlines and opportunities.

• How do I access The Stream? – the front page of the staff website (note that you will need to login to access the staff website) or access it via the Employee Dashboard.
• Who is The Stream for? – All staff serving schools as part of a Region; typically sent out twice a month.

Agency Staff Website: an internal website used to archive timely and relevant resources to enhance productivity and communication.

• How do I access the Agency Staff Website (Staff Intranet)? Bookmark the staff website on your browser or access it via the Employee Dashboard.
• Who is the Agency Staff Website for? – All Central Rivers AEA staff

The Central Rivers AEA Staff Website has been updated. Some important things to note:

• Business Office/HR page: this page was added to the new staff intranet and contains important information and forms that were previously accessed on the iVisions site.
• Most pages have an “important contacts” shortcut listed at the bottom of the page for easy access to the staff member to contact for additional information.

Web Link is the “new iVisions” software. As a reminder, you will use Web Link to request mileage reimbursement and leave requests and view pay stubs/W-2’s. Many other Business Office/Human Resources forms have now been relocated to the  new and revised Staff Website. Both applications can be found on the Employee Dashboard. Some key things to note with this new software:

• If your 2022-23 contract starts in July, your July pay stub will be on Web Link in the new fiscal year. If your contract starts in August, your July pay stub will show in MyPortal as part of last fiscal year. All employee pay stubs will be on Web Link beginning in August.
• Web Link has a slightly different process for requesting mileage/travel reimbursement, requesting leave and viewing things like pay stubs and W-2’s. Web Link has a variety of helpful videos to assist, but we also created instructions for how to enter leave requests and employee reimbursement. We have also attached the new expense reimbursement spreadsheet. *Note the Board approved an increase to the mileage rate ($.42/mile) and meal rates.
• Historical pay stubs, W2’s and personnel documents prior to 22-23 will continue to be available in the “old” My Portal site. *Note that this is likely the only reason for going there.
• The Time Clock system, TimeClock Plus and procedures will not change.

Please contact Pam Morrissey if you have specific questions about Web Link access.

The employee cell phone reimbursement is for the necessary use of a personal cell phone in order to perform the responsibilities of the employee’s position, per Central Rivers AEA Board Policies 401.27R1 and 401.27R2. Staff approved for reimbursement will receive up to $120 annually and have their personal cell phone number listed in the Central Rivers AEA cell phone directory, which is published only on the internal staff website.

Apply for reimbursement by submitting the 2022-2023 Cell Phone Reimbursement Form before September 6, with all requests subject to the approval of the AEA Regional Administrator and Executive Director. Payment will be made on September 20. Changes to a staff member’s phone number must be promptly reported to Laura Rinnels at 641-329-4244.

New employees hired after the start of the year have 30 days from the date of hire to submit a request for reimbursement for a prorated amount.  Mid-year separation from the Agency will result in a payroll deduction from the employee’s final pay for the unearned portion of the reimbursement ($10/month).

As we enter the month of August, we wanted to send out a reminder that all staff must complete the mandatory AEA-required trainings.

Certified staff are allowed to use one of your 2022-2023 contract days to complete the trainings. Simply indicate on your calendar “AEA Mandatory Training Day.” 

Questions? Contact Karl Kurt

Welcome back to a new school year! Did you move over the summer? Admin assistants/HR would like to remind everyone to update your information. Please go into Class Link/My Assignments and update the following information:

• Telephone Number
• Van Mail Delivery Location (this is very important; you can receive van mail in a location of your choice – meaning a school you serve or one of the AEA offices)

Contact your administrative assistant to help with any of these changes.

The Board of Directors of Central Rivers Area Education Agency (AEA) announced today that Sam Miller, Chief Administrator, will be retiring on August 31, 2023.  The Board will begin the search process for a new leader over the summer months.  

“Sam has been a progressive, visionary leader over the past seven years,” said Dr. Deb Rich, CRAEA board president. “He’s leaving us a stronger, more nimble organization in our service to children, families and educators. We wish him all the best as he looks forward to retirement.”  

“I am humbled to have led this incredible agency and the passionate people who work here,” said Miller. “Iowa’s Area Education Agencies do so much for the children, families and educators in the state. It’s been an honor to be a part of that work in service to others.”

Prior to taking the top position at Central Rivers AEA, Miller previously held superintendent positions at both Solon and Davis County Community School Districts. He joined the agency in 2015.

Central Rivers AEA, with service delivery centers in Cedar Falls, Clear Lake, and Marshalltown, is the largest AEA in the state in terms of geography and the number of school districts served. The mission of the agency is to provide educational leadership, services and support to positively impact children, families and educators within the local school districts served.

The May celebration can be viewed online using the passcode: 9#6wO*kv

Congratulations are in order to our full Central Rivers AEA team! Based entirely on the employee feedback captured with the Workplace Survey administered in February, Central Rivers AEA received the coveted “gold” designation.

According to the Des Moines Register Top Workplaces officials, “your Top Workplaces win is proof positive Central Rivers AEA puts its people first.”

The board of directors have approved an increase to the agency’s mileage rate in order to be more in line with the other AEAs. The new rate of $0.42 per mile will take effect on July 1, 2022.

Mental health is just as important as your physical health and deserves the same quality of support. We recognize this is true throughout the year, including the summer months.

We want to remind all Central Rivers AEA staff of our, “Reach Out Program.” This program is in-house support, featuring a small group of confidential, trained and empathetic staff who can serve as a first resource for you when struggling with a personal or professional challenge. Our staff support allies are available throughout the summer so please reach out!

• Kandi Bienfang-Lee
• Sarah Downey
• Angie Koop
• Christin Squier
• Monte Phillips

The 2022 all-staff kickoff meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 17 in the Cedar Falls conference center, beginning at 9:00 am with social time at 8:30. The morning will feature an inspiring message by Dr. Tina H. Boogren, a fierce advocate for educators, particularly for their well-being.  Lunch will be provided with regional meetings held in the afternoon. 

Attendance is mandatory for all staff, excluding River Hills and Detention Center staff.  If you are not able to be in attendance for the meeting, please notify your supervisor/HR. 

We look forward to having the opportunity to reconnect, network, and prepare for another incredible new year of service!