Central Rivers AEA Mini-Summit-CANCELLED: Full Schedule

10:10am PST

Balanced or Comprehensive Literacy - What Are The Experts In The Field Saying?

Limited Capacity seats available

Is the Balanced Literacy approach the same as Comprehensive Literacy? This session will explore the varied shades of meaning within these frameworks and will address common misconceptions. Participants will develop an understanding of how best practices in literacy instruction begins with a strong framework to ensure that all students K-12 have access to, and the vast majority of our students have success with, universal core literacy instruction.

Speakers

Kelsey Bowers

Literacy Consultant, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

10:10am PST

Cutting Edge Strategies for Engaging Your Community

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will feature a panel of representatives from area school districts highlighting innovative, promising practices in school communications.

Speakers

Beth Strike

Director of Communications/Creative Services, Central Rivers AEA

Professional communicator and leader with nearly 30 years of experience in K-12 education. Past president of the Iowa School Public Relations Association (ISPRA) from 2019-2021. 2015 ISPRA Communicator of the Year. Champion for K-12 schools in Iowa. #schoolPR

Wednesday November 6, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

10:10am PST

Increasing Student Engagement with Virtual Reality

Limited Capacity seats available

Virtual Reality gives students access to the world in ways that would’ve been impossible before. We can take students to the ruins of Egypt to the inner workings of the heart. In this session, we will share the tools that CRAEA has available to all districts and how easy it is to use with students!

Speakers

Sarah Nelson

Director of IT and Special Programs

Sarah Nelson is the Director of IT and Special Programs at Central Rivers Area Education Agency. Sarah brings 20 years of experience in K-12 education and technology to her work. As part of her role, Sarah provides leadership and oversight of the CRAEA youth shelter and detention... Read More →

Kay Schmalen

Director of Professional Learning, CRAEA

Michelle Cowell

Consultant, Central Rivers Area Education Agency

Michelle is an Instructional Technology and AIW consultant at Central Rivers AEA where she has focused on increasing the levels of student thinking and engagement using technology in the classroom

Cari Teske

Director of Media, Central Rivers AEA

Christian. Wife. Mother of 3 busy boys! Central Rivers Tech Integration Specialist and Teacher Library. Love to integrate technology in the classroom and motivate teachers to do the same!

Wednesday November 6, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

10:10am PST

Mathematical Practices to Support Critical Thinking

Limited Capacity seats available

Engage in problem-solving and real-world mathematics that bring the mathematical practices to life. Through task exploration and guided routines, learn to structure the math lesson in a way that mystifies minds, creates curiosity, and promotes critical thinking.

Speakers

Kelly Gallagher

School Improvement Consultant, CRAEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

10:10am PST

MTSS for Well-Being: From Theory to Practice

Limited Capacity seats available

One in five children and adolescents have a mental health disorder (NIMH, 2015). Mental Health concerns are linked to poor academic outcomes, dropout and suicide. These are just a couple of the statistics that highlight the needs of our students and emphasize an urgency to act. This action needs to be systematic, proactive and responsive to needs. MTSS for Well-Being is a comprehensive approach to address the complex needs of our students.
This session will outline the partnership between Marshalltown Community School District (MCSD) and Central Rivers AEA (CRAEA) to implement MTSS for Well-Being in the Marshalltown School District. Participants will develop an understanding of the MTSS for Well-Being framework developed by CRAEA, a description of how MCSD is implementing MTSS for Well-Being, initial outcomes, and next steps.

Speakers

Dana Miller, PhD

School Psychologist/Well-Being Lead, Central Rivers AEA

Dr. Dana Miller is a Psychologist with experience practicing in school, clinical and counseling settings. With over 15 years at Central Rivers AEA (serving as a School Psychologist and Well-Being Lead) she is a strong advocate for mental health, well-being and equity. Dr. Miller is... Read More →

Matt Cretsinger

Wednesday November 6, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

10:10am PST

Portrait of a Graduate and Prep Dashboard

Limited Capacity seats available

When you think about students leaving your building, what knowledge, skills and dispositions do you want them to have to be successful in the paths they may choose? This session will help you to understand a process to paint a portrait of a graduate within your school system utilizing data that is available to you.

Speakers

Ashley Flatebo

Consultant for School Improvement, Central Rivers AEA

Jo Prusha, Ph.D.

Consultant for Educational Services, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

10:10am PST

Specialty Schools: When Is It Appropriate

Limited Capacity seats available

As we work with students who require intense special education services there may be students who are requiring IEP services beyond the current continuum with the school district. This session will discuss what special programs are accessible at Central Rivers AEA and the criteria that must be met for a school district IEP team to make a Special Program recommendation. This session will also discuss the responsibility of school districts when students are placed in Special Programs without the involvement of the School IEP Team. (Detention Centers, Out of State Placements, Shelters, Instate residential placements.)

Speakers

Rod Ball

Director of Special Programs, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 10:10am - 11:00am PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

11:10am PST

Best Practices in K-12 Social Studies Classrooms: Getting Ready for Full Implementation 2020-21

Limited Capacity seats available

Are you ready to implement the new Iowa Core Social Studies Standards? What will it take to get there? Leave with tools and resources to support implementation in your building and become familiar with the 10 Best Practices in Social Studies.
Emerging - Integrating - Innovating

Speakers

Sherri Walker

Consultant for School Improvement, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 11:10am - 12:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

11:10am PST

Bullying

Limited Capacity seats available

If it’s mean … intervene! With a focus on research-based best practices in bullying prevention and intervention, this session will burst common myths about bullying prevention and encourage participants to think creatively as they model positive bystander behaviors in the weeks and months following the mini-summit.

Speakers

Dawn Jaeger

School Social Worker, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 11:10am - 12:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

11:10am PST

Components to Build Community Connections You Can Steal to Develop Your Own Authentic Experiences for Students

Limited Capacity seats available

Providing authentic experiences for students can be challenging in a traditional school system. This session will help you to begin to make steps to engage community partners in authentic experiences to provide opportunities for students to be Future Ready.

Speakers

Josh Johnson

Regional Administrator, Central Rivers AEA

Ashley Flatebo

Consultant for School Improvement, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 11:10am - 12:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

11:10am PST

Hub of Learning: The Library

Limited Capacity seats available

The school library should be the hub where school collaboration and student-centered learning happens. Come to this session to think about all of the teaching and learning possibilities for your school library. In 2019, the Dept. of Education adopted new Iowa Library Program Guidelines. We will spend time with these guidelines and give examples of exciting learning opportunities such as inquiry-based projects, global learning, digital citizenship, makerspaces, coding and, of course, helping students develop a love of reading

Speakers

Cari Teske

Director of Media, Central Rivers AEA

Christian. Wife. Mother of 3 busy boys! Central Rivers Tech Integration Specialist and Teacher Library. Love to integrate technology in the classroom and motivate teachers to do the same!

Cheryl Roberson

Supervisor of Media Services, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 11:10am - 12:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

11:10am PST

Implementing Learning with Kick-Up in an MTSS Structure (applies to Literacy, Math, SEL)

Limited Capacity seats available

Moving the needle on student achievement in academics or well being can be as simple as placing closer attention to implementation. This session will share some of the early successes through partnering with schools to evaluate the depth of implementation of a variety of research-based initiatives. In addition, tools used to collect implementation data in order to determine the next steps leadership may take will be shared.

Speakers

Kim Swartz

Director of Instruction/Site Superintendent, Central Rivers AEA

Lora Kester

Consultant for Reading/Language Arts, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 11:10am - 12:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

11:10am PST

Standards Based Evaluations

Limited Capacity seats available

Central Rivers AEA has been implementing an evaluation and IEP process that leans heavily on using the Iowa Core Standards and progressions as indicators of individual student strengths, needs, and progress. As an understanding of students’ individual learning needs are made clear through standards-based evaluation, specially designed and needs-based instruction are provided with precision. Embedded assessment evidence is collected through a variety of instructional experiences (as opposed to traditional bi-weekly probes) in an effort to describe student performance across time. The result allows for ongoing instructional decisions that impact students immediately within the classroom.
This session will share examples, tools, and materials of how standards-based evaluation, goal writing, progress monitoring and instruction can support the implementation of student IEPs.

Speakers

Judy Moser

Regional Administrator, Central Rivers AEA

Kortney Owen

Special Education Consultant, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 11:10am - 12:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

11:10am PST

Student-Centered Coaching to Get Results for All Learning

Limited Capacity seats available

Teacher leaders & school systems want to know the effects of their efforts. To be intentional with continuous improvement, school systems and teacher leaders must set clear student-centered goals that shape the focus of their actions and describe desired successes. This session will share important tips and strategies to help you reflect upon the impact of your work on your system and students.

Speakers

Jo Prusha, Ph.D.

Consultant for Educational Services, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 11:10am - 12:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

11:10am PST

The Connection Between SEL & Deeper Learning

Limited Capacity seats available

All students benefit from the integration of evidenced based SEL activities in our school community. This session will explore social and emotional learning goals for students in grades K-8 and share ideas on how to connect these SEL outcomes through daily lessons, school activities, and the teacher-student relationship. This is not an “add on” curriculum but rather the expectation for how we do school!

Speakers

Janet Stutz

Superintendent, Grinnell-Newburg CSD

Wednesday November 6, 2019 11:10am - 12:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

1:10pm PST

Assessment Framework for Teaching and Learning

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will provide educators with an overview of a Comprehensive, Balanced and Aligned academic assessment system. Participants will gain clarity around the different types of assessment practices and their use for informing both teaching and learning. Additionally, participants will be provided tools that can be used to identify areas of opportunity and growth with respect to their assessment practices

Speakers

Dr. Jon McKenzie

Director of Assessment and Comp. Improvement, Central Rivers AEA

Joe Kremer

School Improvement Consultant, CRAEA

Joe has over 33 years of educational experience, supporting educators, families, and students in pre-k through 12th grade. He has spent about 17 years as a school psychologist and the remaining 15 years working as an assessment and school improvement consultant within the AEA system... Read More →

Laura Ramaekers

School Psychologist/Assessment Coordinator, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

1:10pm PST

Competency Based Education: The Student Is The Agent of Their Own Learning

Limited Capacity seats available

Who owns the learning? Central to the work of learner-centered environments is the notion that students are agents of their own learning. The environment supports their active engagement; they are reflective and set goals; learners plan their actions and create evidence of their learning journey. This session will model learner agency while helping participants uncover strategies to embed student agency into the classroom.

Speakers

Ashley Flatebo

Consultant for School Improvement, Central Rivers AEA

Jen Sigrist

Executive Director of Educational Services, Central Rivers AEA

Executive Director of Educational Services for Central Rivers AEA (Iowa), mother of two boys, wife of a math teacher & Buckeye fan, constant learner. Support media, instructional technology, and future ready work within the agency.

Wednesday November 6, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

1:10pm PST

Culture, Climate and Mindfulness

Limited Capacity seats available

Building a better culture and climate does not happen overnight. It is a journey. Learn purposeful strategies that you can implement to build a better culture and climate over time. Walk away with ideas that you can implement tomorrow!

Speakers

Janet Stutz

Superintendent, Grinnell-Newburg CSD

Wednesday November 6, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

1:10pm PST

ELPA21 Data and Implications for Programming and Instruction

Limited Capacity seats available

How does your district use ELPA21 data to inform instructional and program decisions? Join us for a discussion on understanding and using results to support language development and academic achievement.

Speakers

Lisa Wymore

Consultant for ELL, Central Rivers AEA

Annalisa Miner

Consultant for ELL

Wednesday November 6, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

1:10pm PST

Exploring the IQPPS Desk Audit Standards (for preschool program administrators)

Limited Capacity seats available

Districts implementing the Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards as part of the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program will annually submit evidence as part of the Universal Desk Audit. The desk audit can be submitted through the Consolidated Accountability and Support Application (CASA). This session will provide resources administrators can use to complete this process.

Speakers

Jessie Blohm

Early Childhood Consultant, Central Rivers AEA

Michelle Haberman

Early Childhood Consultant, Central Rivers AEA

Allyssa Beierschmitt

Consultant for Early Childhood, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

1:10pm PST

Hands on Coding K-12

Limited Capacity seats available

Sample the coding resources the AEA has available for checkout and see how your students can improve their coding skills through hands on learning, programming robots and circuits.

Speakers

Sarah Nelson

Director of IT and Special Programs

Michelle Cowell

Consultant, Central Rivers Area Education Agency

Michelle is an Instructional Technology and AIW consultant at Central Rivers AEA where she has focused on increasing the levels of student thinking and engagement using technology in the classroom

Wednesday November 6, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

1:10pm PST

Progressive Discipline HR Issues

Limited Capacity seats available

Employee Discipline -- One of the most challenging areas in human resource management is employee discipline. Mismanaging it may force the organization to deal with more difficult problems like costly lawsuits or demoralization.

Employers have a great deal of responsibility in maintaining a productive and satisfied workforce. There will be challenges; however, you can minimize the impact of employee disciplinary issues. Learn steps to assist you and your team.

Speakers

Karl Kurt

Superintendent, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

1:10pm PST

Specially Designed Instruction

Limited Capacity seats available

'Aim for perfection, achieve greatness' This Specially Designed Instruction REALLY works! The focus of this session is on delivering more effective, personalized teaching – known as Specially Designed Instruction, or SDI – and ensuring it is at the core of the Individual Education Programs (IEP) for students with disabilities. Participants will gain an awareness of the Guiding Principles, an understanding of what SDI is and is not, and an introduction to the SDI Framework.

Speakers

Brena Huber

Assistant Regional Administrator

Brena Huber is an Assistant Regional Administrator in Central Rivers AEA. Prior to becoming an Assistant Regional Administrator, Brena worked as a special education teacher as well as a school psychologist. She provides leadership on the agency’s Specially Designed Instruction leadership... Read More →

Wednesday November 6, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

1:10pm PST

Tech Tools for Collaboration

Limited Capacity seats available

Helping students build their collaboration skills is important from PK to Seniors. Collaboration involves the skill of negotiating, making personal contributions and create a feeling of shared ownership. Using a wide range of tools available to us, we can build collaboration skills so students will be ready for the future.

Speakers

Kay Schmalen

Director of Professional Learning, CRAEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 1:10pm - 2:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

2:10pm PST

AEA Supports for Future Ready (Laura Williams) WBL Clearninghouse

Limited Capacity seats available

The AEA system is supporting the statewide work of preparing Future Ready learners. Authentic learning experiences where students have responsibility for designing the outcomes and solving real problems is critical. Besides sharing practical strategies, this session will introduce authentic learning projects that tie school and business partnerships through the Future Ready Iowa Project Clearinghouse.

Speakers

Laura Williams

Wednesday November 6, 2019 2:10pm - 3:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

2:10pm PST

Ensuring Section 504 Accommodations are Meeting the Needs of Learners

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will provide an overview of Section 504 and how accommodations due to a 504 plan should be written to meet the needs of learners throughout all applicable MTSS tiers.

Speakers

Bill Soesbe

School Improvement Consultant, CRAEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 2:10pm - 3:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

2:10pm PST

Legal Implementation in Special Education

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will review special education due process experiences here at Central Rivers AEA along with
other parts of the State giving the audience guidance in implementing Special Education services that
meet legal requirements as specified in the Iowa Special Education Procedures manual.

Speakers

Rod Ball

Director of Special Programs, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 2:10pm - 3:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

2:10pm PST

Reading & Writing Interventions Within a Classroom Setting

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will provide information on how to support struggling readers and writers in the general education setting. Participants will learn how to incorporate evidence-based practices into effective interventions.

Speakers

Tina Graven

Consultant for Reading/Language Arts, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 2:10pm - 3:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

2:10pm PST

Special Education Policy and Procedural Changes

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will provide new information and updates in statewide legally compliant special education policies and procedures. Participants will have the opportunity to access and download the newest version of the Statewide Procedures Manual for use as a resource.

Speakers

Julie Miller

Regional Administrator, Central Rivers AEA

Ashley Sires

Assistant Regional Administrator, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 2:10pm - 3:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

2:10pm PST

Thinking Differently About Time and Master Schedule

Limited Capacity seats available

Changing your school schedule can be a tricky thing when the reason for your change isn’t clear. There are many different ways to use time, but the goal of your school is the important factor in changing how you design your schedule. In this session, you will:

Consider schedule options that could be right for your school after learning about a continuum of scheduling options
Collectively identify strengths and challenges to each option

Speakers

Jen Sigrist

Executive Director of Educational Services, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 2:10pm - 3:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

2:10pm PST

Twice Exceptional

Limited Capacity seats available

What if a student walks through the doors of your school and has an identified disability and is also gifted? How can we provide collaboration and learning for staff to meet those unique needs and strengths? What does a strengths-based lens do for both students and teachers?

Speakers

Amber Dietz

Regional Administrator, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 2:10pm - 3:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls

2:10pm PST

Using Innovation Configuration Map to Measure Implementation of the Iowa Science Standards

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will provide a brief description of the conceptual shifts of the new Iowa Science Standards as well as an overview of the IC map that can be used by districts to measure the level of implementation of these new standards. The IC map can show areas of celebration as well as provide guidance to buildings and teachers to determine areas for growth.

Speakers

Mandie Sanderman

Consultant for Science and Gifted/Talented, Central Rivers AEA

Wednesday November 6, 2019 2:10pm - 3:00pm PST
Central Rivers AEA, Cedar Falls