Another annual #ConnectingtheDots conference is complete! Last week, around 200 educators, administrators, consultants and staff focused on "Thinking Again" through various activities and learning sessions. 🧠 💡

They explored accessibility/inclusivity, assessment, building ...strong relationships, classroom management, curriculum design, effective teaching, grading and feedback! 🙌

Thank you to our special guest speakers, Pete Hall and Jared Sliger, for sharing valuable insights with our educators, administrators and staff! 👏

#EveryDayAtAEA #CRAEA #iaedchat #ThinkAgain

That’s a wrap on the 2024 Contextual Learning Training!

Over the past four days, teachers dove into building projects and practical exercises, experiencing the same courses their students will in the classroom! 🙌

This hands-on, immersive approach aims to equip teachers with ...the skills and confidence to deliver these innovative courses. Our goal is to ignite a passion for math in students, inspiring them whether they head straight into the workforce, a trade, or college. 👏

A couple teachers shared their excitement about taking their new knowledge from the training back to their schools.

“Many of our students, especially in rural areas, enter the skilled trades after high school. It's crucial to introduce them early to different career paths. Integrating practical skills, like shop class, into geometry helps students see how math applies to real-life situations. Even small efforts can greatly enhance a student's ability to understand and apply abstract concepts in everyday life.” -Jennifer, math teacher at Wapsie Valley CSD

“Focusing on projects rather than quizzes makes learning interactive and engaging. It helps students demonstrate their knowledge and apply it outside the classroom. Having accessible Career and Technical Education (CTE) and wood-shop classes broadens skills and removes barriers. Even if you've never built anything before, it becomes approachable and exciting.” -Niki, math teacher at Scio CSD in Oregon

#EveryDayAtAEA #CRAEA #iaedchat #teacherdevelopment #STEM

Around 30 teachers from various Iowa school districts, including Central DeWitt, Union, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Wapsie Valley, Western Dubuque, Newman Catholic, and Martensdale-St. Marys, are spending the week exploring new methods to teach math!

This four-day "Contextual Learning ...Training" offers an innovative approach designed to make math more engaging and exciting for students. 👏🙌

#EveryDayAtAEA #CRAEA #iaedchat #teacherdevelopment #STEM

A few of our school districts were excited to share some data with us... Talk about the impact of collaboration! 🙌

In one school district, some students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) showed outstanding performance on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress ...(ISAP). One student increased their score by 63 points, while another improved by 22 points. The student with the 63-point increase made progress equivalent to over two, almost three years! 👏

For the past two years, another school’s elementary teacher has been using SOAR with her intervention groups. Her results mirrored last year’s successes – nearly three-quarters are already prepared for the next grade with those considered “at-risk” continuing to gain ground. This data, gathered from the spring 2024 aMath assessments from FastBridge, underscores the long-term benefits of consistent and targeted intervention. 👏

In a third school district, around 20 students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) got extra help in math using SOAR and Specially-Designed Instruction (SDI). Nearly 80% of these students showed growth or proficiency on their 2024 ISASP math tests, with students making more than a year's worth of progress, and some advancing by two or three years. The school has been using SOAR math materials for three years, and several students have completed all the SOAR math levels.

A big thank you to our math consultants for supporting our schools in implementing SOAR into the mathematics curriculum. What's SOAR? This research-based math intervention program guides students through essential math content with clear and systematic instruction, both for school and beyond with great teacher usability.

For more detailed information, check out the full story on our website. The link can be found in our bio.

#EveryDayAtAEA #CRAEA #iaedchat #SOAR

A big thank you to Dustin Zeschke, Dr. Nicole Skaar, Dr. Susan Etscheidt, Katherine Beenken, Carrie Weber, Nina Lorimor-Easley, Sara Hento and Tyler Coverdale for sharing the latest information on special education at our #SpecialEducationLegalSummit! 👏

This free event brought together ...over 200 teachers, directors, administrators, school psychologists, school social workers, special education/school improvement consultants and more from several #CRAEA regions to learn from local and state experts on special education laws and best practices. 🙌

From how to handle chronic absences to creating effective behavior plans, attendees were brought up-to-speed on important issues impacting Iowa schools right now.

#EveryDayAtAEA #iaedchat #specialeducation

Last night after the regular board meeting, the Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors bid farewell to Chief Administrator Joel Pedersen, Executive Director of Special Education Amy Knupp, and Executive Director of Educational Services Jen Sigrist. All three will depart from the agency on June ...30.

Best wishes to each of these incredible leaders! Your presence will be greatly missed. Thank you for your service and dedication to the children, families and educators of our area! 👏

#CRAEA #leadership #service