Paraeducator Area of Concentration Course Schedule
Heartland AEA is offering four Paraeducator Area of Concentration courses. A prerequisite for these courses is having completed and received the Paraeducator Generalist (Level I) certification. Each of these courses can be used as the 3 credits needed to renew a paraeducator certificate and can also be used to add an area of concentration to a paraeducator certificate.
The cost to register for each course is $180. The fee to add an area of concentration to your paraeducator certificate through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners is $25 (subject to change) once you complete the course.
English as a Second Language
HL – Paraeducator Area of Concentration: English as a Second Language (ESL), Session #50776
March 4 & 25 & April 29, 2025
Zoom sessions + online work
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Online coursework due by May 11, 2025
For the ESL course only, Title III funds will provide a stipend of $300 for all paraeducators who work with ELLs, fulfill the course requirements and are currently employed by a public or non-public PK-12 school in the Heartland AEA service area. This option is not available for employees of Des Moines Public Schools, Johnston Schools, Waukee Schools, Urbandale Schools, West Des Moines Schools, Johnston Schools, Ankeny Schools and Perry Schools. A reimbursement claim form will be available at the end of class.
Library, Media & Technology
HL – Paraeducator Area of Concentration: Library, Media and Technology, Session #45855
June 10 & 24, 2025
3:00-5:00 p.m.
Zoom sessions + online work
Online coursework due by June 26, 2025
Special Needs
HL – Paraeducator Area of Concentration: Special Needs, Session #45854
July 14, 2025 (8:30-11:30 a.m.), July 15, 16 & 17, 2025 (1:00-3:00 p.m.)
Zoom + online coursework
Online coursework due by July 25, 2025
Early Childhood
HL – Paraeducator Area of Concentration: Early Childhood, Session #45853
July 29, 30 & 31, Aug. 5, 6 & 7, 2025
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Zoom + online coursework
Online coursework due by Aug. 8, 2025
Login
When you arrive at the website, check to see if your name is listed under the Quick Links heading in the left column. If it is, you are already logged in. If not, click on the yellow Sign In button. Your AEA Login is the same email and password you use to log into the AEA Learning System (e.g. Mandatory Reporter, Bloodborne Pathogens). If you don’t have an account in the Learning System, you will need to click on “Need a profile? Sign Up” at the bottom of the login screen.
Registration
Once you have logged in and are on the Home screen, in the text box under Ready to Learn? You may search by topic, subject area, presenter name, etc., type the Session # for the course you want to register for and click Search. Scroll to the bottom and select the credit type. At the top of the page, click the Register button. This will add the course to your Registration Cart.
Once you have the course in your Registration Cart, click Checkout at the bottom. Review the Cancellation and Refund Policy and select your payment method (credit card or purchase order issued by an Iowa school district). Complete the necessary payment information and select Complete Checkout.
You will receive a confirmation email after you register.
Questions?
Contact Professional Learning at (515) 473-6780 or profdev@heartlandaea.org