The Channel

Just a reminder that you are invited to join your Central Rivers AEA colleagues in our INspired Well-being Zooms every Monday in October, from 8:00-8:30 am, except October 24 – office flu shot clinic.

• 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.
• Consider a next step to enhance your well-being.

Zoom links can be found on the “CRAEA Master Google Calendar.” Please reach out to Dr. Leslie Moore, Leadership Coach, with any questions.

Welcome to Cybersecurity Awareness Month! This year’s campaign theme – “See Yourself in Cyber” – reminds all Central Rivers AEA staff to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace, stressing personal accountability and the importance of taking proactive steps to strengthen cybersecurity.

One of the best ways to protect your account is to have an extra form of verification in place, because weak or stolen passwords account for the majority of security breaches. Google has a feature called 2-Step Verification that helps keep out anyone that shouldn’t have access to your account by requiring a second step after entering your password.

What is 2-Step Verification?
2-Step Verification is an authentication method that requires the user to perform an additional step to verify access to their account. Rather than just asking for a username and password, 2-Step Verification requires one additional verification factor (typically something you have), which decreases the likelihood of unauthorized access.

Why are we requiring 2-Step Verification?
The primary benefit of implementing 2-Step Verification is to enhance Central Rivers AEA security by requiring staff to identify themselves by more than a username and password. While important, usernames and passwords are vulnerable to phishing attacks and can be stolen by cyber criminals. Enforcing the use of 2-Step Verification means increased assurance that Central Rivers AEA accounts will stay protected.

How does 2-Step Verification work?
2-Step Verification works by requiring additional verification factors, and one of the most common forms that users encounter are One-Time Passwords (OTP). OTPs are those 4-8 digit codes that you often receive via email, text or mobile app. A new code is generated each time an authentication request is submitted adding another layer of security. 

Recently, Google sent out email notifications to Central Rivers AEA staff informing them to enroll in 2-Step Verification by October 31, 2022 (see screenshot below). Please select “Enroll” from the email notification to get started with setting up your account for enhanced protection, or choose “Get Started” to complete your 2-Step Verification enrollment.

When you receive any suspicious communications: Stop and think before you click! Please contact the Help Desk at (319)-273-8231 or helpdesk@centralriversaea.org for questions or assistance with completing your 2-Step Verification enrollment.

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 2022-23 work year.

The proposed incentive would be administered as follows:

1. Commitments of separation by resignation or retirement at the end of the 2022-23 work year.
2. Notification of resignation or retirement received in the Human Resources Office before January 3, 2023 and 
3. Accepted by the Board no later than the regular meeting on January 4, 2023.
4. Will receive an early notification incentive payment of $2,000, payable June 20, 2023.
5. Subject to the employee fulfilling their individual employment contract obligations for the 2022-23 work year. Staff resigning or retiring who separate prior to the end of the 2022-23 work year are not eligible for the early notification incentive.
6. Staff must have worked for Central Rivers AEA for three full years to receive this incentive.

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.

The Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors has officially begun a search for a new Chief Administrator. The recruitment effort is led by the executive search firm GR Recruiting.

The search will begin immediately and continue through December with the successful candidate named ideally before winter break. Staff have been invited to provide input regarding which key leadership traits and qualities are most important for the position to ensure the new hire is a good fit for the AEA. A survey was sent to all staff on August 29 for input. *Please note that feedback is due by 10:00 am on Friday, September 9. The GR Recruiting search team will produce a report based on the information gathered in the survey which the board will utilize in developing a position profile that will be utilized in recruitment.

In addition, the process of identifying staff members to fill out interview teams has been completed. A team of 10-12 staff members in each of the categories of Administration, Certified, Classified/NUSS staff and Superintendents will be chosen.  

The Central Rivers AEA board appreciates your input! Other important dates to note in the search process.

• Board Meeting to Finalize Candidate Profile September 15
• Application Period September 16 – November 7
• Board Meeting to Review Candidates November 21 (closed session)
• First Round Candidate Interviews November 28 – 29 (closed session)
• Interview Finalist Candidates December 12 – 14 (closed session)

For more information about the Chief Administrator search process, please reach out to Lori Thomas.

Contact Manager is a tool created to allow staff to send email messages for targeted groups of educators. This is a great tool for promoting your professional learning opportunities or meetings that are targeted toward specific audiences.

How do I use Contact Manager?

1. Go to: http://contactmanager.centralriversaea.org
2. If you are not signed in, click the “Sign in with Google” Button and follow the prompts to sign in through Google.
3. Click “Search Contacts” to begin.
4. Select the criteria from the options on the page to narrow your search from all the educators our agency serves to only those in your desired group.
5. Click the “search” button at the bottom of the page.
6. Select individuals or all the members of this group to email (create labels for and/or export into a spreadsheet) by using the check boxes next to each name.
7. Then, click your desired action at the bottom of the page (Email Selected Contacts, Export Selected Contacts, Generate Labels).
8. Follow the steps on the screen to finish.

Who do I contact for help?

• Beth Strike, Director of Creative Services/Communications
• Kristine Kienzle, Technical Support Manager for Media

*Note: These directions are archived on the Staff Website>Communications>Contact Manager for future reference.

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.