Central Rivers AEA provides many programs and services for children, families, schools, and communities, all of which fall under nine state-required standards for service. All of Iowa’s AEAs adhere to these standards for service and are evaluated to ensure quality by the Iowa Department of Education on a regular cycle.
Chief Administrator Joel Pedersen and Regional Administrator Brena Huber will join us to present The Value of Iowa AEAs. This session will give an overview of what Area Education Agencies do and why they are essential. They will highlight partnerships with Waterloo CSD and other rural schools in the Cedar Valley. There will also be time for questions regarding current legislation and how that legislation could impact children, families, and communities.
Joel Pedersen is currently the chief administrator at Central River AEA in Cedar Falls, Iowa. In his new position, Pedersen will oversee over 550 full and part-time staff members who provide special education and school improvement services, technology, and media support for over 63,000 students and 5,000 educators throughout 18 counties of north central and northeastern Iowa.
Over the past decade, Joel Pedersen led with a collaborative leadership style, transforming Cardinal Community School District and its reputation in the community of Eldon, Iowa. As superintendent, Pedersen has led the district's numerous school improvement initiatives, implemented mental health support programs for students and staff, created a state-recognized welding academy in collaboration with Indian Hills Community College, and spearheaded a transition to a four-day school week.
During his 13 years at Cardinal CSD, the total student enrollment increased by 54%, and the district invested over 18 million dollars in school infrastructure projects. Cardinal CSD has grown its early childhood programming from 36 children served in 2010 to 130 preschoolers served in 2022. Cardinal CSD has also been listed as an Iowa Top Workplace for the last five years, starting in 2019.
Brena Huber holds the position of Regional Administrator at Central Rivers AEA in Cedar Falls, Iowa. In this vital role, Brena fosters close collaboration with a wide array of educational institutions, including public, private, and accredited non-public schools throughout Waterloo. Her journey with Central Rivers spans over eight years, during which she has served in various capacities, including as a dedicated School Psychologist, a dynamic Leader of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI), and an accomplished Assistant Regional Administrator. She brings her wealth of experience and expertise to her role as Regional Administrator, where she continues to make a significant impact on educational excellence within the region.