The Channel

The Adobe Creative Cloud suite is now available for request through our internal Tech Request Catalog.

Key tools to support your work

• Adobe Acrobat Pro & eSign: Stop the “print-sign-scan” cycle by sending documents for legally binding signatures in seconds.
• Track progress: See exactly who has opened a document and who still needs to sign.
• Mobile-friendly: Recipients can sign on their phones without needing an Adobe account.
• Advanced password protection: Secure sensitive employee data or confidential plans by restricting who can view, print, or edit your files.
• PDF power tools: Fix typos directly in a PDF, convert files back into editable Word or Excel docs, and merge multiple files into one organized document.

How to get started

1. Navigate to the Tech Request Catalog.
2. Click on “Catalog” and then select “Subscriptions/Memberships”.
3. Wait for an email notification confirming your request has been approved.
4. Log in using your Central Rivers AEA Google credentials, ensuring you select “Company or School Account”.

For step-by-step guidance, please check out the 2026 Adobe Directions. If you run into any trouble, reach out to the Help Desk at 319-273-8231.

Let’s be honest: technology moves fast, and it can be tough to keep up. That’s why Central Rivers AEA and Keystone AEA teamed up to create the Staff Tech Hub – your go-to cheat sheet for all things digital! Think of it as your monthly “tech upgrade.” We update this resource every month with simple, practical ideas to save you time and boost your confidence.

What’s the latest for this month’s tips?

Assistive Tech: This month, we are focusing on how digital tools like calendars and task managers can act as an external brain to help students and staff stay organized, manage time and focus on their most important work.

Artificial Intelligence: This month, we are exploring how AI can act as a helpful assistant to handle time-consuming tasks like drafting emails, summarizing long documents, and organizing notes, giving you more time to focus on supporting students and families.

Practical tech tips: This month, we are sharing how you can use Google’s built-in mail merge to turn a simple spreadsheet into personalized emails, allowing you to connect authentically with parents and partners without the time-consuming task of writing each message individually.

The goal isn’t just to give you more tools, it’s to make your daily work easier and more impactful. Ready for more? Head over to the Staff Tech Hub to see the full list of tips and tricks for this month! Reach out to Tiffanie Zaugg, Assistive Technology/AI Specialist, with questions.

Live documents, helpful resources and guides can be found on our staff website.

• Special Education Updates
• Updates with CRAEA Special Education doc (this will include every update from editions of The Channel and important mid-month information)

Live documents, helpful resources and guides can be found on our staff website.

• Updates with CRAEA Ed Services & Media doc (this will include every update from editions of The Channel and important mid-month information)
• Ed Services/Media Updates

Microcredential incentive deadline: May 8

Central Rivers AEA is offering a $250 incentive to staff members who complete one leadership micro-credential focused on well-being by May 8, 2026. To learn more about microcredentials, review the Micro-credential Explanation document. To learn about and/or register for a microcredential you are interested in, choose and select: 1) Awareness of Internal Energy, 2) 4 Key Mindsets, and 3) Overcoming Internal Energy Blocks[requires both prerequisite microcredentials above]. Evidence submitted will be reviewed by Dr. Moore. If you need to create an account, have questions about microcredentials or aren’t sure how to sign up, contact Kay Schmalen at kschmalen@centralriversaea.org.

Coaching available through May 12

Central Rivers AEA offers free 1:1 coaching sessions with certified well-being coach Dr. Leslie Moore on Zoom. One-hour sessions are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays through May 12, 2026. There is no commitment to more than one session, so check it out if you are curious and want to see how it might benefit you. Schedule your session online today!

We’re always looking for ways to celebrate the impact of our work – and that starts with the students we serve.

Do you know a student who’s made big strides in their learning or reached a milestone thanks to the support you or your team provided? We’d love to share their story as a way to highlight Central Rivers AEA services and the powerful results they lead to.

If you have a story in mind, complete this quick Google Form to get started. Let’s keep shining a light on the difference we’re making together! For questions, please reach out to Contessa Van Buskirk, Communications Specialist.

All Central Rivers AEA offices will be closed on Friday, April 3. Please update your voicemail and set an out-of-office email reply to let others know about the closure. All offices will reopen on Monday, April 6.

Voicemail example:

Hello, this is (your name and title). All Central Rivers AEA offices are closed on Friday, April 3. Please leave your name, number and a brief message and I will get back to you when offices reopen on Monday, April 6. Thank you!

Email “away” message example:

Thank you for your email. All Central Rivers AEA offices are closed on Friday, April 3. I will respond to your email upon my return when offices reopen on Monday, April 6. Thank you.

If you need help with either task, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org or 319-273-8231.

We want to ensure you have these important dates on your calendar as we look forward to celebrating our team and preparing for the year ahead.

Retirement Celebration & All-Staff Meeting

This year’s retirement celebration and all-staff meeting will be on Thursday, May 21. We will gather to celebrate our retirees and hold our final all-staff meeting of the year. More details will be shared soon! Those retiring include:

• Katherine Anderson, Early ACCESS Educator
• Margy Averill, Special Education Secretary
• Bret Battles, Audiologist
• Diana Boeck, Early ACCESS Educator
• Corlene Collum, Prof. Learning Conf. Center Service Facilitator
• Rhonda Eilderts, Detention Center Teacher
• Joe Kremer, Assessment Coordinator
• Lorelei Lake, Special Education Consultant
• Patsy Luker, Receptionist/Secretary
• Michelle McFee, SLP
• Suzann Mulnix, SLP Assistant
• Lori Nurse, Early ACCESS Educator
• Laura Rinnels, Admin Assistant – Integrated Services
• Cheryl Rosenow, Acquisitions & Data Management Technician
• Melissa Sander, Early ACCESS Educator
• Elaine Schult, Early ACCESS Service Coordinator
• Jody Seemann, School Psychologist
• Lanette Sents, SLP Assistant
• Ann Tippett, Early ACCESS Educator
• Tina Westphal, Educational Assistant

River Hills School

• Tammy Knox, Educational Assistant
• Diane Lavenz, Educational Assistant
• Jane Reynolds, Educational Assistant

2026-27 All-Staff Kick Off

We are excited to begin another school year together! Please save the date for our All-Staff Kick Off in August 2026. While we are still finalizing the official date and location, we look forward to this time of connection and preparation. Keep an eye on your inbox for a full schedule and more details coming soon!

We’re excited to announce that the Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors has again approved a retention incentive payment as an early contract signing bonus for all Central Rivers AEA eligible staff members! This incentive is a direct reflection of the Board’s appreciation for your ongoing dedication and commitment to the educators, students and families we serve. It’s also a way to recognize the exceptional work you’ve done, particularly during the challenging times we’ve navigated together.

Here are the key details regarding this incentive:

• Amount: $500 per eligible staff member.
• Payment Date: This incentive will be issued as a separate deposit in September 2026, rather than in June as it was last year. Standard payroll tax withholdings will apply.
• Eligibility: To receive this incentive, you must:
  • Accept and return your employment contract within five business days of receiving it. (Please note: You still have the standard 10 days for Classified, NUSS and Administrative staff and 21 days for Certified staff to sign your contract/NOC, but only five business days to receive the incentive).
  • Have received an employment contract/NOC during the 2025-26 school year and remain employed with CRAEA through the 2026-2027 school year.
• Proration: The $500 incentive will be prorated based on your FTE for the 2026-2027 school year, if you work less than 1.0 FTE.
• Ineligibility: Staff members who have received an early notification incentive are ineligible for this retention incentive.
• Recoupment: If you receive this incentive and do not fulfill your 2026–2027 contract in full, the entire $500 will be subject to repayment. This replaces last year’s prorated repayment structure.

To confirm your understanding of these requirements and to receive the incentive, please sign and accept your contract within the five-day time frame. If you choose not to receive the incentive, please wait until after the five-day time frame to sign your contract, or communicate your decision to the Human Resources Office.

We are truly grateful for your continued commitment to our agency.