The Channel

Iowa’s AEAs and AEA Learning Online have been collaborating to move our individual professional development and licensure registration systems to a statewide professional learning registration system. Having one registration system will provide participants with a much larger offering of professional learning activities through a statewide catalog. It also creates greater equity and consistency in programming and resources to help support quality professional development and licensure programming.

System benefits

View all offerings that are available statewide

Individuals who use the system will be able to see all courses and activities that are available across the state. Users may search by specific courses, topics, location and more.

Instructors will find a user-friendly system

There are system enhancements for instructors! Once an instructor enters a course in the system, they don’t have to repeat that process again. They simply enter a new section for that activity. That includes the syllabus. Once a syllabus is approved, it’s valid across all AEAs!

All completed courses will be in one transcript

In the new system, there will be one common transcript that shows all courses taken by an individual, including courses from AEA Learning Online. Anything that the individual has taken from an Iowa AEA will show up in one document. Users will be able to print their own transcripts and receipts for tax purposes.

Split the payments!

Split payment options for credit cards and/or purchase orders will be available in the new system.

Login is easy and familiar

Users of the new system will log in using their existing email and password that they use to login to take AEA Learning Online courses as well as Mandatory Reporter and Bloodborne Pathogens trainings.

In the coming weeks, expect to see more information and updates through various AEA communication channels. If you have any immediate questions, contact Amy Moine.

Mark your calendars now for the all-staff meeting and retirement celebration on May 23 in Cedar Falls. While the next school year seems far off, it will be here before we know it. In addition, the 2018-19 kick-off meeting is set for August 13.  Along with these two important dates, a handy document has been created with many other dates relative to a variety of different groups. This document can be found on the staff website under Resources, along with the 2018-19 office calendar, which was approved at January’s Board Meeting.

Blue365 offers access to many health and wellness deals and is available at no cost to members of Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Members can find discounts on fitness clubs, weight-loss programs, workout accessories, vision products, Lasik surgery, and so much more!  Registration is simple and every month anyone that registers will receive an entry into a drawing for a $25 retail gift card from Blue365. Don’t miss out on the many great offers!

• On Friday, February 2, the three offices each held a “Souper Bowl” party. Staff donated soup in honor of their pick for the Super Bowl and to be able to wear their favorite sports apparel. The Eagles were the clear winners with 117 cans donated while the Patriots had 59 cans. All 176 cans of soup were donated to the local food pantries.
• Friday, Feb 16th – Daytona 500 – Support your favorite team by wearing your Nascar/other team apparel.
• Monday, Feb 19
  • Taco Bar for all staff in Cedar Falls hosted by Regions 5 & 6 – Sign Up
  • Potluck for all staff in Marshalltown hosted by Region 9 – Sign Up
  • Luncheon for all staff in Clear Lake hosted by Region 2

Stay tuned for more exciting team building, wellness, and charitable opportunities coming this spring from the Climate/Culture Committee!

Remember way back in October when you were challenged to walk 20-minutes each day? Well, that offer is still on the table and staff are encouraged to walk each day. Aside from the obvious health benefits, it will also help clear your head, stir creativity, and build relationships with others. Try using the walking workstations, wander the halls, or get outside as the weather permits.

Do you still have some Central Rivers AEA thank you cards left?  Make someone’s day and send a thank you to that coworker who made you smile or made your work a little easier.  A little appreciation and positive energy always go a long way!

With recent school delays, administrative staff members are receiving more requests to work remotely. For those with Temporary Work Site (TWS) or Remote Work Site (RWS) approval, please take some time to review the FAQs generated by Human Resources and The Business Office (also found in the Infinite Visions portal).

Julie Miller

Julie Miller, Consultant for School Improvement/Special Education Consultant has been selected to fill the role of halftime Regional Administrator for Region 7. In her new position, Julie will help oversee team members including assisting with evaluation and region activities.  Julie will assume her new duties in January 2018.

Julie’s experience in the Waterloo School District and her knowledge of Special Education will make her a great addition to the Administrative team that supports Waterloo.

Julie began working for the agency in August of 2015. She previously held positions at Grant Wood AEA as a special education consultant and with the Cedar Rapids Community School District as a special services program coach. Julie is a graduate of UNI holding a BA in elementary education and a music teaching minor as well as special education certification through Morningside College. Julie earned her Master of Arts in Education and her Administration/Special Education Supervisor certification through Viterbo University.

She and her husband, Sam, live in Cedar Falls. They have two children: Ally 23, a dental assistant in North Liberty and Sam 21, a student at UNI. Julie enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, family, friends, and the family dog Bella.

Welcome, Julie!

The Federal Government Rate for in-state lodging has increased to $109. The regulations to board policy 603.4 have been updated to reflect the new amount. Board policy does allow for exceptions to the $109 limit, but it has to be for extenuating circumstances and you need to get preapproval from either Sam Miller or David Nicholson. Request approval in an email in order to attach a copy of the email to the requisition request for payment.  

Regarding out-of-state travel, while there is no limit, the policy states that employees must be prudent in selecting hotels when traveling.

Do you know someone who has made outstanding contributions to education and Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs)? Please take a few minutes to nominate this person for recognition by Iowa’s AEAs.

Iowa’s AEAs bestow three awards annually to outstanding candidates for their contributions to education and the work of the AEA system. To submit a nomination, please complete this application by Feb. 2, 2018. Anyone is welcome to submit a nomination.  The nominations will be reviewed by a selected group of AEA personnel in February. Both the nominating individual and those who are selected to be recognized will be notified the first week in March Awards will be presented during the Boards of Directors’ Conference for Iowa’s AEAs and will begin at 6:30 p.m. on April 5, 2018 at HIlton Garden Inn in Johnston.

The three awards and criteria can be found below. Each nomination should include examples of why your nominee should receive the award.

• Friend of the AEA Award
  Acknowledges contributions by policymakers, citizens, board members, school district partners, businesses, and organizations who have been great partners and demonstrate strong support for furthering the mission of Iowa’s AEAs.  Open to all policymakers, citizens, board members, school district partners, businesses and organizations.
• E. Robert Stephens Award
  Dr. E. Robert Stephens, better known as “Dr. Bob” and the father of the AEA system, acknowledges contributions in the area of innovation and support to local districts, AEAs, the Department of Education and other partners/organizations. There should be evidence of outstanding contributions to the wellbeing of the educational community including:
  • Benefits of this individual’s leadership;
  • Creative leadership in inspiring and motivating others to achieve and contribute;
  • Strong commitment to the profession by active participation in professional activities; and
  • Evidence that the individual is respected by his/her colleagues and the community.

Open to AEA staff who serve in an administrative role and AEA board members.

• Innovative Creator
  Celebrates amazingly innovative and creative thinking and actions to get results for students, educators, the AEA system, school districts, and other partners.  Open to all AEA staff, board members, educators, policymakers, students…all of us are creators!

For more information, please contact Connie Johnson, Communications Director for Iowa’s Area Education Agencies, at 712-335-6044 or cjohnson@plaea.org.