Blog: Spotlight on Special Education

Happy November!  It’s hard to believe we are almost to Thanksgiving.  Since I won’t be writing again before then, I want to take a minute to say thank you to each of you - I am so grateful for the opportunity to support 21 amazing school districts and their staff each and every day!

Throughout this school year, our blog posts will include information about the wide variety of professionals that work within our agency.  We hope this information is helpful as you work to meet the needs of your students. This week I want to share about some of our specialty teams who support our schools in a variety of ways.  Each team is unique in it’s purpose and structure and all of them can be contacted through your core team member.

Brain Injury Resource Team (BIRT) - this team is available to support schools when a student is involved in an accident that leads to a traumatic brain injury.  Supports include case consultation, staff training, resources, attending planning meetings and follow-ups as needed. Check out their website for more information.

Autism Resource Team (ART) - our autism folks are ready to help your team troubleshoot environmental arrangements, curriculum needs, physical structure (visual supports, schedules, routines, etc.) and communication systems for students on the autism spectrum.  They can collaborate via zoom or make classroom observations if needed. Contact your core team member if you have a student of concern.

Dyslexia Team - this group has spent the past several years developing quality professional learning resources and opportunities for teachers!  While this team does not have a referral process like some of our other teams, their website can provide you with a great starting point!   Check out the professional learning opportunities scheduled later this year.

Significant Disabilities Team - for our teachers of students with significant disabilities, this team is in your corner!  They provide support for the Iowa Alternate Assessments and also have on-going support for instruction through monthly zoom sessions.  Check out their website for more information.

Coming Soon! 

Do you have questions about how to adjust your instructional practices to make your Physical Education class accessible for ALL students??  Please join us on Tuesday, January 21st for Keystone's “All Things PE” workshop from 9:00-3:00 in Elkader. The day will begin with a Zoom Session discussion with Lyn Jenkins, DE Physical Education & Health Consultant who will provide an overview of the recently adopted recommended physical education standards. The afternoon will focus on making PE accessible to all learners as Ann Griffin, Adapted PE Consultant from Grantwood AEA, will guide the discussion around accessibility. We hope you are able to join us!  Register for course #273904, All Things PE, by clicking here.  The deadline for registration is January 7, 2020.

Are you in need of licensure renewal credit? If so, a course has been established around Michael Linsin’s book, Classroom Management for Art, Music, and PE Teachers. Click here for the course outline. Please let us know if you have any questions!

Keystone AEA Contacts: 

Kelli Olson, PE Consultant

Chami DeLong, Region I Administrator