Parent & Educator Connection

Who Are We?

The Parent & Educator Connection (PEC) provides parents and educators with opportunities to work together in positive ways to improve educational programs for all Northeastern Iowa children and youth.

The PEC operates through each of the Area Education Agencies and is part of a statewide network. We consist of Parent & Educator Coordinators (parents of children with special needs), an Educator Representative (special education division staff member), and an area-wide steering committee (parents and educators.)

The Parent & Educator Connection works to develop and sustain effective partnerships between families, educators, and community providers to promote success for all children and youth. 

What Can We Do For Parents and Educators?

• Provide support for families and educators through personal or phone contact.
• Link families and educators with needed services and resources.
• Develop parent & educator support groups.
• Conduct workshops on various subjects for families and educators.
• Provide books, pamphlets and video audiotapes on issues regarding special education, parenting and disabilities.
• Provide a newsletter, which provides helpful articles and information on current issues.
• Network with other agencies and programs that work with families and educators.
• Connect families and educators with similar needs and interests.
• Arrange for panels of parents with children who have special needs to present to organizations or groups.
• Participate in the Parent & Educator Connection State Conference in Ames, Iowa.
• Provide financial support to families to attend workshops and conferences.

For more information contact: Brooke Gassman, Parent & Educator Coordinator Keystone AEA 2310 Chaney Rd. Dubuque, IA 52001-3090 563-556-3310 E-mail: bgassman@aea1.k12.ia.us Tiffany Kuhens, Office Assistant Keystone AEA 1400 2nd St. NW Elkader, IA 52043-9564 563-245-1480 E-mail: tkuhens@aea1.k12.ia.us Parent & Educator Connection Information (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view) PEC Brochure Parent & Educator Connection Library Parental Rights Summary Procedural Safeguards Manual for Parents Special Education Acronyms Communication Tips Newsletters Spring 2010 Winter 2009-2010 Fall 2009 New issues of the “Parent & Educator Connection” newsletters will be available five times per year. To sign-up for the PEC newsletter, please contact Tiffany Kuehns at tkuhens@aea1.k12.ia.us or 563-245-1480.

Upcoming Trainings Workshop for Students with Disabilities and their Parents: Transitioning from High School to College Parent Transition Brochure Supporting Links Iowa Disability Information Special Education Policies and Laws Iowa Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs Parent Resource Assistance Respite and Wrap-Around Care Services for Children Ages 0-5 Transition Services for Secondary Special Education Information on Learning Disabilities Information on Autism Spectrum Disorders Information About Family and School Partnerships Click to download