Keystone Area Education Agency

06/22/2026

Thanks to our friends at ASK Resource Center for sharing this helpful information.

Dear ASK Families,

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Education formally announced an interagency agreement to transfer the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office for Civil Rights to the Department of Justice.

We know this news may feel unsettling. When systems change, it is natural to have questions about what it means for your child, your family, and the supports you depend on.
As Iowa’s federally designated Parent Training and Information Center, ASK Resource Center is here to help families navigate moments like this with clear, reliable information.

At this time, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, commonly known as IDEA, remains in effect. The rights and protections available to children with disabilities and their families have not changed.

As families prepare for the upcoming school year, we encourage you to continue participating in IEP meetings, requesting evaluations, asking questions, documenting concerns, and using the special education processes available to you under the law.

Although we do not yet know what these federal changes will look like in practice, our role remains the same. ASK will continue sharing timely information, answering questions, and helping families across the state navigate special education, disability services, and available supports.

If you need help navigating special education or have questions about disability services, ASK remains a steady and trusted resource for you. We are here for Iowa families, and our work continues.

If you are interested in advocating for strong protections for students with disabilities, consider connecting with state and national policy advocacy groups and reaching out to your US Representatives and Senators to share your voice.

To learn more about ASK’s mission and services, visit www.askresource.org or call us at 1-800-450-8667.

For more details about the changes, see the fact sheets below:
bit.ly/4exLA5z
bit.ly/4eyaIJw

06/10/2026

At Keystone AEA, we believe that every child deserves the right support at the right time to reach their full potential. 🙌

Have you heard of Child Find?
Child Find refers to the Area Education Agencies’ (AEAs) responsibility to ensure that students who are eligible for special education services are identified, located, evaluated and provided with needed services. AEA staff members follow statewide procedures for Child Find.

If you ever have concerns about your child's growth or learning, you don't have to navigate it alone. You have the right to request a free special education evaluation at any time to see how we can best support them – reach out to their teacher for support. For child(ren) not school age, reach out to your local AEA or visit our website to learn more.

For more information, visit our website: https://bit.ly/4ekza0J

06/05/2026

Keystone AEA is pausing to honor eight incredible team members on their retirement! 🎉

Jerry Bentley, Tech Support Specialist, 6 years
Tammy Gehling, School Psychologist, 22 years
Kathy Hayward-Gukeisen, School Psychologist, 31 years
Donna Hejhal, Special Education Consultant, 21 years
Sharon Houg, Agency Treasurer / Business Manager, 34 years
Sarah Lehmann, School Improvement Facilitator, 20 years
Pam Mendenhall, School Social Worker, 32 years
Stan Rheingans, Chief Administrator, 4 years

These eight individuals have dedicated years of service to supporting our schools, educators, and students. They have been the steady hands, the go-to experts, and have made a difference in our work every single day.✨

They didn't just do a job; they poured themselves into a mission. Thank you for your service, your mentorship, and your inspiration. You will always be a cherished part of the Keystone AEA story. 👏

Please join us in the comments in wishing them the happiest, most relaxing, and deeply deserved retirement.

06/05/2026

A quarter-century of impact! 🥈👑🎉

Stop scrolling, because this milestone deserves a standing ovation! We are celebrating our incredible staff members marking 25 YEARS of service with Keystone AEA.

Twenty-five years is a silver anniversary, a true legacy, and an absolute gift to the schools and communities we serve. THANK YOU. You have helped shape Keystone AEA into what it is today. 💙

Rachel Bishop, Audiometrist
Annette Hyde, Administrator of Special Education
Julie Mettille, Speech-Language Pathologist
Cole Trimble, School Social Worker

06/05/2026

Two decades of dedication! 🤯🎉

Let's hear it for the 20-year milestone makers! Joining an organization and dedicating two whole decades to its mission is something truly special.

These Keystone AEA team members are the bedrock of what we do. Their expertise, reliability, and passion have shaped our agency for 20 years. Drop a comment below to thank them for 20 years of outstanding service! 🏛️❤️

Mardi Heiar, Physical Therapist
Lori Langreck, Associate Business Manager
Sarah Lehmann, School Improvement Facilitator
Stacy Oberman, Occupational Therapist
Shannon Parrish, School Social Worker
Jennifer Soland, School Psychologist
Angie Squires, School Improvement Facilitator/Early Childhood Special Education Teacher

06/05/2026

15 Years and still shining bright! 💎🙌

We honor two people who have been a vital part of the Keystone AEA family for 15 years! Congratulations Heather and Courtney on this milestone.

Heather Blackmore, School Social Worker
Courtney Bentley, School Improvement Facilitator/Special Education Consultant

Fifteen years of service means they have seen changes, guided growth, and left a lasting, positive footprint on our educators and learners.Thank you for 15 years of heart, hustle, and wisdom! 🌟

06/05/2026

A whole decade of excellence! 🔟✨

Can you believe it’s been 10 years?! Big shout-out to our staff members hitting their 10-year anniversary with Keystone AEA.

A decade of service represents an amazing amount of knowledge, growth, and commitment to education. Thank you for 10 wonderful years—and best wishes at CPU Tesha Moser-Zimmerman! 👏👏

Brea Baxter, School Improvement Facilitator/Special Education Consultant
Alvin Hackman, Tech Support Specialist
Patricia Lehmann, School Improvement Facilitator
Tesha Moser-Zimmerman, Administrator of Educational Services
Jennifer Zitelman, Occupational Therapy Assistant

06/05/2026

Huge congratulations to our incredible Keystone AEA team members celebrating their 5-year service milestone! Five years means hundreds of days dedicated to supporting our schools, educators, and students.

Thank you for your energy, dedication, and passion!

Thomas Brennan, Van Driver
Court Brink, Speech-Language Pathologist
Maggie English, Speech-Language Pathologist
Sheri Glawe, Special Education Consultant
Michael Johnson, Tech Support Specialist
Todd Lenth, Van Driver
Kayla Marbach, Speech-Language Pathologist
Riley Stoltz, Speech-Language Pathologist
LeAnn Uhlenhake, Speech-Language Pathologist
Roger Wright, Tech Support Specialist

💙

06/05/2026

Update: Special Education Teacher Instructional Strategist I applicants welcome!!!*

🛎️ $65,000 to $90,000+ (Elkader, Iowa)

This role offers a unique opportunity to provide both direct instruction and intensive support to help students successfully transition back to their resident school districts.

APPLY NOW www.keystoneaea.org/employment

Seeking Special Education Teachers within a Specialized Therapeutic Behavior Program beginning with the 2026–2027 school year. If you are a dedicated educator passionate about supporting students with significant social-emotional, behavioral, and/or cognitive needs we want to learn more about you!

*Applicants holding an Instructional Strategist I endorsement who are willing to pursue and obtain their Instructional Strategist II endorsement will also be considered!

06/03/2026

McElroy Grant Project Update!

Keystone AEA has partnered with the R.J. McElroy Trust for approximately twenty-three years to provide teachers with grant money to fund innovative classroom projects. Check out this project update from Allamakee CSD's East Elementary!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12LhoDlBeGYMz9oMr5DOkTXZXJU7ZNogn8bVuKhm7DPs/edit?tab=t.0