What would you like to see offered for renewal courses?

Heartland is seeking your help. What courses would you like to see offered during the Spring or Summer, please leave your suggestions or feedback in the Post a Comment section below.

Exceptional Learner

Previously titled "I-Learn: The Exceptional Learner" License Renewal and EDEX graduate credit are being offered for this course. This course is designed to address characteristics and needs of students with exceptional needs, skills, and abilities. Some of the major areas that will be addressed are: special education procedures, learning stages, learning strategies, instructional and material adaptations, testing, grading, and behavior management. Matching instruction to learner needs will be emphasized. This course meets the Department of Education?s requirement for the "Exceptional Learner." NOTE: This course will be offered for graduate credit but will not be allowed to be used towards a Master's degree or an endorsement.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Digital Teacher

Teachers will learn how to use digital tools including devices and resources for their classrooms. Devices could include digital cameras, projectors, document cameras, and computers. Resources will include but won't be limited to Student Management Systems, AEA resources, computer lab programs such as Stationary Studio, you tube, google email and docs. Teachers will evaluate devices and resources for their specific grade level and curriculum. They will plan how to use technology in new ways for the upcoming school year.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Hooking Male Readers

Getting boys to read is tough, and getting them to ENJOY reading is even tougher. But you can do it if you introduce boys to authors who speak their language, make available books that tweak their interest (including "gross" topics and graphic novels), and allow them to "play" on guy-appealing websites that require reading and demand critical thinking. In this course, we'll examine and read excerpts from 50+ guy-favorites, take a virtual tour of 10 quality websites that appeal to boys, and discuss the strategies that are motivating males to read.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Introduction to Video Modeling and Video Self-Modeling

This professional development is designed to introduce video modeling and video self-modeling techniques to improve student behavior and social skills. A review of the current research and application to students from preschool to adolescent will be shared. Specific links to research on use of the techniques for students with autism will be highlighted. Validated instructional routines targeting specific behaviors and social skills will be demonstrated. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to make videos, upload videos and edit videos for instructional lessons.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Online Resources for the Elementary Teacher

Explore the internet, collect resources to use with students, evaluate sites for student use, explore social bookmarking sites, collaborative websites, lesson enhancing software and learn how to integrate these things into your classroom.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Student Saving Schools

Frustration for many teachers comes when they know a child is bright, but their grades don't reflect that.  As all teachers know, students don't all learn at the same speed or in the same way.  In this workshop, you will learn about learning styles and how to design lessons that teach the essential skills to all of them. You will also learn the Mastery learning method, which gives extra time to learn for those students who need it and to have special enrichment projects for those students who master the essential skills faster.  During this workshop, time will be given for individuals to prepare a lesson, write test questions, create a mastery learning activity, and brainstorm ways to review.   Bring with you:  (1) your district standards and benchmarks,  (2) a unit or lesson to work with, and (3) the current assessment used with your selected unit or lesson.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Teacher Saving Skills

The teachers who should take this class find themselves exhausted at the end of the day feeling they have been in a wrestling match with their students.  Do you find yourself saying, "sit down," "be quiet", or "please listen" too many times during the day?  If you didn't have to say those things, do you feel you would get more accomplished?  Teachers who take this class will identify the reasons students misbehave, examine their own discipline style, and walk away from the class with their own new discipline and motivational system.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Student Center Classroom: Student Engagement vs. Teacher Lecture

License Renewal and EDMA graduate credit are being offered for this course.  Please check with your partnering institution of higher education to be certain it will be accepted towards a master's degree or endorsement.

This class is designed to focus on a clearer understanding of what is meant by student centered learning. We will examine many, many ways to have students directly involved and invested in the discovery of their own knowledge.  We will discuss how to create organized and interconnected experiences to support students to make connections to key concepts.  We will also discuss how to use student interest, reflecting on their own learning, and sharing their findings with peers.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Bioethics Workshop for Educators

This course is designed for educators who are interested in discussing bioethics with their students or extension audiences.  The focus will be on ethical issues in science education, with special attention to developments in biotechnology.  But other topics relevant to both agriculture, human health, and scientific research will also be covered.  Students will work through activities and case studies that they can take home and use with their classes.  Pedagogical issues in teaching bioethics also will be covered, including appropriate objectives for bioethics units; various approaches to bioethics pedagogy; how to relate bioethics issues to personal ethical issues familiar to students; how to help students identify ethical issues; how to address bioethics while respecting diversity of views in the classroom; and assessment for bioethics units.

Participants in this workshop will learn to use a case study approach to teaching controversial ethical issues in the classroom.  In the course of the workshop, participants will work in groups to develop a case study to use in their own classrooms. Graduate Credit will be available through Iowa State University.

For registration information, interested educators should contact Lori Miller, Office of Biotechnology, Iowa State University, 1210 Molecular Biology Building, Ames, IA  50011-3260; telephone 515-294-9818 or 1-800-643-9504.

Information will be available at class in regards to registering for license renewal credit through Heartland AEA ($25.00) or for Iowa State University graduate credit.

Please click here for more information regarding registration for this course.

Biotechnology Education Workshop I

This workshop will focus on basic technologies and principles of biotechnology. The skills learned in this workshop will help science, agriculture educators and family and consumer sciences educators better understand how to incorporate biotechnology into their school's curriculum. Teachers will learn how to prepare and instruct the laboratories in DNA extraction and quantification from various sources, DNA transformation, DNA fingerprinting, transgenic technologies, bioinformatics, and more. Educators will prepare and perform the lab protocols as the students would do in class.

Please click here for more information regarding registration for this course.

Biotechnology for Education Workshop II

This workshop is open to any science, agriculture, and family and consumer sciences instructor who have previously attended one of the biotechnology workshops.  Learn how to prepare and instruct advanced laboratories in biotechnology.  Activities include showing marker gene expression, DNA isolation, recombinant DNA techniques, DNA amplification, restriction analysis of DNA, bioinformatics, sequencing, genomics and more.  Participants will perform the lab protocols that their students would do in class.  Graduate Credit will be available through Iowa State University.

For registration information, interested educators should contact Lori Miller, Office of Biotechnology, Iowa State University, 1210 Molecular Biology Building, Ames, IA  50011-3260; telephone 515-294-9818 or 1-800-643-9504.

Information will be available at class in regards to registering for license renewal credit through Heartland AEA ($25.00) or for Iowa State University graduate credit.

Please click here for more information for this course.

Fundamentals of Culinary & Hospitality Management: Level 1

This course is offered in partnership with the Des Moines Area Community College. It will be offered for License Renewal or EDEX Graduate Credit.

The Fundamentals of Culinary & Hospitality Management Level 1 workshop will give participants an overview of the restaurant and foodservice industry, including food lab and management essentials.  This workshop provides the "foundational skills" for culinary techniques and is required in order for participants to take any advanced culinary workshops through DMACC, and in partnership with the Iowa Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.  Participants will gain an in-depth knowledge of culinary basics from mise en place through cooking methods, including assessment of product and technical skills, and food lab experimentation. Participants will be provided with the ProStart Level 1 textbook and teacher edition as resources throughout the workshop.  

NOTE:  Due to the hands-on nature of this workshop (e.g., use of knives and other kitchen equipment), participants must assume personal liability for any injuries that you may incur as a result of your voluntary involvement in this workshop.  All workshop participants must provide evidence of health insurance coverage the first day by bringing a copy of your insurance card.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Fundamentals of Culinary & Hospitality Management: Level 2

This course is offered in partnership with the Des Moines Area Community College.  It will be offered for License Renewal or EDEX Graduate Credit.

Prerequisite:  Completion of Fundamentals of Culinary & Hospitality Management: Level 1 workshop.

The Fundamentals of Culinary & Hospitality Management Level 2 workshop will begin with the basics of soups, stocks and sauces and continue to explore the foodservice industry, teamwork and diversity in the workplace at DMACC and in partnership with the Iowa Restaurant Association!  Advanced culinary & hospitality management skills will be demonstrated and lab time will provide participants with hands-on experience to practice and assess technical skills.  Management topics will include customer service, nutrition and cost control.  Participants will be provided with the ProStart Level 2 textbook and teacher edition as resources throughout the workshop.  

NOTE:  Due to the hands-on nature of this workshop (e.g., use of knives and other kitchen equipment), participants must assume personal liability for any injuries that you may incur as a result of your voluntary involvement in this workshop.  All workshop participants must provide evidence of health insurance coverage the first day by bringing a copy of your insurance card.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Advanced Culinary & Hospitality Management: Level 3

This course is offered in partnership with the Des Moines Area Community College.  It will be offered for License Renewal or EDEX Graduate Credit.

Prerequisite:  Completion of Fundamentals of Culinary & Hospitality Management: Level 1 workshop.

This final workshop in the ProStart series taught by DMACC Chefs, in partnership with the Iowa Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, will include advanced culinary instruction and demonstration of skills with a focus on meat, poultry and seafood.  In addition, sandwiches, desserts and several global cuisines will be explored!   Participants will enjoy knowledge sessions, detailed demonstration of culinary skills, and hands-on lab opportunities!  The management topics will include sustainability in the restaurant industry and costing.  Participants will be provided with the ProStart Level 2 textbook and teacher edition as resources throughout the workshop.

NOTE:  Due to the hands-on nature of this workshop (e.g., use of knives and other kitchen equipment), participants must assume personal liability for any injuries that you may incur as a result of your voluntary involvement in this workshop.  All workshop participants must provide evidence of health insurance coverage the first day by bringing a copy of your insurance card.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Facilitating Adult Learning

License Renewal and EDMA graduate credit are being offered for this course.  Please check with your partnering institution of higher education to be certain it will be accepted towards a master's degree or endorsement.

As educators, we have moved our teaching to new heights to meet the needs of our 21st century learners. As professional developers, moving our professional development to new heights is more important than ever. In this two-day course, a framework for professional learning will be explored while embedding tools and strategies for use by facilitators.


Please click here for more information or to register for the June 6-7 course.

Growing Your School Garden

This course is primarily intended for teachers that have an existing garden at their school who want to learn how to incorporate the garden into the curriculum and increase their gardening skill set.  The course will cover basic skills in garden planning and harvesting along with answering the question: Why do school gardens matter?  

This class is intended for groups of schoolteachers, staff (cooks & nurses), and volunteers who will tie garden learning to the classroom while growing fresh food.  

This is a great course for gardeners at all levels, all grade-levels, and existing or new school gardens.  Come and connect to other school gardeners and build your skill set for a fantastic garden.

You are required to attend at least five of the six sessions.  There will be a $25 fee payable to the instructor at class to cover materials, resources, lesson activities and guest speakers.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Art in the Heartland

Looking at Iowa Regionalist Artist, Grant Wood, the students will create art that reflects themselves within our region. This is NOT intended to be just for Art Teachers. While the focus of the class will be making art, certainly anyone interested in an art experience is welcome and encouraged to participate.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Secondary Transitions: Building a Future

The content of this course will provide participants an opportunity to strengthen and improve what is required to improve student outcomes around post-secondary outcomes. Class participants will have a better understanding of how the six critical elements guide the development a well-written transition plan. The main objective of this course is to improve student outcomes around post-secondary expectations of living, learning, and working.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Visual Phonics I

This course will teach the Visual Phonics System and its application to reading, language, literacy, ESL, speech and special education. Teachers of preschool through grade 8 would benefit, as well as all special education teachers. Visual Phonics builds phonemic awareness and phonics skills in reading and spelling. Visual Phonics flash cards will be available at class for $24. A Visual Phonics CD/Font will also be available for $13. These purchases are optional.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Techniques & Practices that Make Kids WANT to Write

If you like to laugh as you learn and want to examine 50+ "high-kid-appeal" writing activities submitted by teachers from across the country, this course is for you. Bonuses: Student Blogging; Peer Editing; Read Alouds that Support Writing; and Strategies to Help Boys Become Stronger Writers.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Folk Dance from Around the World

Folk Dances From Around the World will be taught through participation. Connections for use in the music education classroom, P.E. class, and social studies units will be exemplified as well as instruction on how to teach the dances in an efficient manner. Resources will be shared as well. Wear comfy clothes and shoes and come ready to have some fun!

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Using Weebly to Communicate and Collaborate

Participants will explore Weebly for educators, a website building application that enhances collaborative learning experiences and lessons, in the classroom and out. Participants will create a classroom website to use with their students and families for communication, collaboration, and reflection on Iowa Core Curriculum essential concepts and skills. If a Weebly website has already been created, instructor will teach advanced tools that are available through weebly to continue to update website.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Whole Brain Teaching

Whole Brain Teaching [WBT] is a set of classroom management and instruction tools that focus on engagement in fun ways - through games and with gestures. The goal is to create peaceful classrooms full of orderly fun. Whole Brain Teaching classrooms are full of task-focused laughter. Humor and games are used to increase the number of times students repeat core information and practice basic skills. WBT classes are highly disciplined and tightly organized because students actually have fun following the rules.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

American Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS)

American Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS) is an opportunity for classroom teachers to experience the Iowa outdoors through hands-on experience. Through a variety of techniques each participant will acquire the knowledge to take these experiences back to their students. The participants will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of outdoor skills, including the shooting sports, handling a canoe, wildlife conservation, basic spin fishing, fly tying/fishing, GPS usage, team building, and orienteering.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will send out a letter 1-2 weeks before the class begins in order to inform the participants of what they should bring for clothing and personal items.

The registration costs below include an enrollment fee required by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources of $250, plus a $2.00 administrative fee payable to Heartland.

Questions in regards to this course:  
Before April 1st you may contact A. Jay Winter at 641/747-8383 ext.11 or ajay.winter@dnr.iowa.gov
After April 1st or at any time you may contact Kathy Hodges at 712-792-9082 or kathy.hodges@dnr.iowa.gov

Please click here for more information or to register for this course. 

Musical Games to Teach Musical Concepts

Participants will learn age-appropriate singing games for K-6 and how to use them to teach melodic and rhythmic concepts in the music classroom. Handouts with songs and game information will be available on line as well as a list of resources for additional materials. Come in comfy shoes and clothes ready to play!

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Materials, Strategies & Techniquest that Make Kids WANT to Read

We can tell kids they need to learn to read until we are blue in the face, but if they do not want to read, they won't. In this course, we examine more than 150 books that students LIKE to read, and we take a virtual tour of the fifty best online sites for kids and twenty best teacher resource sites. We'll examine books for two readers and discuss strategies that enhance the paired reading activity, we'll learn how to make student chair bags and independent reading logs, and we'll explore different aspects of the graphic novel issue.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Six Plus One Traits of Writing Instruction/Assessment: Level I

Formerly titled: "Six Traits of Writing Assessment and Instruction." Best practice supports the integration of reading and writing skills. The Six Traits of Writing model can be used as a classroom or district performance assessment to evaluate Language Arts standards and benchmarks. The connection of writing instruction and writing assessment are elements of the school improvement process. Use of Six Traits as an assessment provides specific forms for use of Six Trait instructional strategies in drafting, assessing and revising writing. As a result of linking instruction and assessment, teachers will be better able to communicate to students what the qualities of good writing are and how specifically to achieve them. The registration fee includes $5 for printing costs.

Please click here for more information or to register for the June 18-19 course.
Please click here for more information or to register for the June 25-26 course.

Integrating Storytelling Into Your Curriculum

This course will trace storytelling from the dawn of mankind to present day. Teachers will learn how to find, perform and use stories to extend academic content. The class will also learn different performance techniques as well as how stories are used in varied cultures. Writing techniques and how to get students to tell stories will be covered. Participants will be required to present in front of a small and very friendly group of their peers.

Please click here for more information or to register for the June 5-6 course.
Please click here for more information or to register for the August 7-8 course.

IGHSAU Coaching Program

This is a combination of all four required coaching authorization/endorsement classes:  Theory and Ethics of Coaching, Human Growth and Development, Physiology, and Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries.  This is a hybrid class with the equivalent of 20.5 hours to be completed on-line prior to attendance of four days of face-to-face classes on the Drake University Campus from June 10-13.  The face-to-face sessions will run from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. daily June 10-12 and from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on June 13. This is a total of 60 hours of coursework.

On-line coursework will be available beginning March 11 and will conclude April 28.  You must complete the on-line requirements by April 28 and attend all face-to-face sessions in their entirety in order to meet the requirements for the authorization.  Participants cannot miss or be late for any sessions.

Lunch and supper will be provided each day, June 10-12, and lunch on June 13.  Lunch and supper breaks will be 30 minutes.  Coffee will be provided each morning.  Housing is available on the Drake University campus (specific dorm yet to be determined) for the nights of June 9-12.  The rooms are air conditioned and are $29 per night (single occupancy room).  You must bring your own linens.  If you are interested in housing, please contact Lisa Brinkmeyer at the IGHSAU at 515-288-9741 or via e-mail at lisa@ighsau.org after your registration with Heartland AEA has been confirmed.

After successful completion of this course, participants may apply for a coaching authorization by submitting all the required forms (application for coaching authorization, course transcript, waiver form and fingerprint card) and the required fees to the Board of Educational Examiners.  A background check is required.  The application and background check forms will be provided at class.  The application fee is $85 and the background check fee is $52 if you get your fingerprints done electronically at the Board of Educational Examiners' office in Des Moines.  Otherwise, the background check fee is $65 if you get your fingerprinting done at your local police department. The coaching authorization expires five years after the date of issuance. It may be renewed upon application and verification of successful completion of five planned renewal activities related to athletic coaching (i.e. rules meetings, coaching clinics, coaching workshops). The renewal fee is currently $85.

NOTE:  Participants seeking the coaching endorsement (available only to licensed teachers and administrators) will have additional course work to be completed by mid-July in order to meet state requirements. Details will be addressed at the training session.  Participants seeking the endorsement will need to pay an additional $500 (5 credits at $100 per credit) for Drake University graduate credit.  Registration instructions will be provided at the class.  To apply for the endorsement, after completion of the course requirements, you must write a short letter to the Board of Educational Examiners asking that the endorsement be added to your teaching license.  Please include your name, social security number, address, phone number, the official college transcripts, and a $50 application fee.

Click here for more information or to register for this course.

Human Relations

Research tells us that to meet the needs of a diverse group of students, we need to understand the culture of our students, understand ourselves and our culture, then work on strategies that meet students' needs. This course takes a look at all three areas. The course is divided into three components: Historical Perspectives of Diversity, Identifying Your Cultural Identity, and Practical Applications for Celebrating Diversity in the Classroom. Whether you are an experienced teacher or brand new to the field, this class will open your eyes!

This course is fully approved by the Iowa Department of Education to meet the Human Relations requirement for teacher education certification.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Historical Perspectives of Diversity

To understand who we are or where we are going, we must first understand where we have been. In this course, the historical perspectives of all manner of diversity will be explored to gain a clearer vision of social justice in Iowa.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Identifying Your Cultural Identity

In order to understand others, we must first understand ourselves. This course will help participants to identify their own individual cultural identity, why it is important and what impact that identity has on a classroom.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

Practical Applications for Celebrating Diversity in the Classroom

You have students from a number of diverse backgrounds in your class. What do you do with them and for them that will enable each of them to learn and be successful? Strategies, models, tools and resources will be identified to assist teachers in a variety of settings to celebrate the diversity in their classrooms.

Please click here for more information or to register for this course.

The Practical and Fun Side of Science

This course is offered in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

This class was designed to show elementary teachers that science can be fun and practical.  We will introduce you to some simple to use, hands on science lessons that will make learning more enjoyable for your students.  These lessons will not only be practical and fun to use, but will also help you and your students with the understanding of basic science concepts.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will send out a letter 1-2 weeks before the class begins in order to inform the participants of what they should bring for clothing and personal items.

The registration costs below include an enrollment fee required by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources of $35, plus a $2.00 administrative fee payable to Heartland.

Questions in regards to this course: Before April 1st you may contact A. Jay Winter at 641/747-8383 ext.11 or ajay.winter@dnr.iowa.gov After April 1st or at any time you may contact Kathy Hodges at 712-792-9082 or kathy.hodges@dnr.iowa.go

Click here for more information or to register for this course.

Web Applications using Google

The participants will create a web site using Google Sites web application. They will learn the benefits of using a web application such as Google for teachers and students. Participants will learn how to use the Google Docs programs and how they can integrate or embed them into their web site. They will create word processing, spreadsheets, spreadsheet forms, presentations, calendars, and photo albums. They will learn how to integrate these programs into their web site. Participants will learn to use Google sites to create interactive multimedia presentations in a universal format that can be created on any computer at any site. They will learn how to share documents and web sites with staff or students. Participants do not need prior web page experience. It will save class time if students create their Google account before the class starts.

Click here for more information or to register for this course.

Teaching Beginning Spelling and Writing

LETRS Module 9 will address the content and format of effective writing instruction for novices in grades K-3. This course provides an exploration of cognitive processes involved in writing and will include an integrated lesson framework grounded in research that combines skill development with process-oriented composition. In addition, the writing of sentences will be examined in detail, and instructional techniques will be presented that support the three phases of the writing processes.  The registration fee includes LETRS Module 9: Teaching Beginning Spelling and Writing, second edition.

Click here for more information or to register for this course.