What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm Thursday 8am - 4:30pm Friday 8am - 4pm

Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency

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Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency

Prairie Lakes AEA is a partner with 36 public schools, & 11 accredited, nonpublic schools.

In 1974, the Iowa Legislature created Area Education Agencies to provide programs and services for local school districts to ensure all Iowa children have equal educational opportunities. Iowa's Area Education Agencies (AEAs) provide a variety of services in the areas of special education, media & technology, professional development & leadership to help improve student learning. Prairie Lakes AEA

retains the right to remove any content that management feels are offensive or that do not positively reflect the highest standards in education and of the system. Understand that Prairie Lakes AEA reserves the right to remove postings that are:

(a) abusive, defamatory, or obscene;
(b) fraudulent, deceptive or misleading;
(c) in violation of any intellectual property right of another;
(d) in violation of any law or regulation, or
(e) otherwise offensive, graphically or in tone or
(f) are political in nature. Anyone repeatedly posting material that falls into the above categories will be banned from participating.

06/02/2026

💜 Be the anchor for a student in their greatest time of need. 🧡

Prairie Lakes AEA is looking for a dedicated special education teacher for our Shelter Care classroom at Youth Shelter Care of North Central Iowa in Fort Dodge. We need someone who sees beyond the challenges and recognizes a profound opportunity to make a difference.

We are looking for someone like fellow teacher, Derek Guddall.

"The experience is quite different from what I was used to in my previous 17 years of teaching, but in good ways," Derek says of working in a Shelter Care classroom. "I really appreciate the positive rapport I have built with the students and coworkers. I also enjoy seeing the progress our students make academically, behaviorally, and emotionally. Care, communication, and structure have been key ingredients in making things work well with the students and the facility staff who we share a building with. If you are good with those three things, you would also enjoy working in this type of classroom environment."

👉 Learn more and change a life today!
https://bit.ly/shelter-care-fd

05/27/2026

As we begin to prepare for the 2026-27 school year, we want to introduce (and reintroduce) you to our Educational Services consultants. We are excited to have Abbey Green, Sara Ahlers, Valery Fuhrman and Tabitha DeMey on board! Our last feature is of Tabitha DeMey, Educational & Media Services Facilitator.

𝗧𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝗠𝗲𝘆
𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 & 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿

Tabitha has been with Prairie Lakes AEA since 2013. Her experience includes roles as an elementary teacher and mentor, C4K Coach, Literacy Coach, School Improvement Consultant/Facilitator, and district Curriculum Director. She has also served on multiple state-level teams, including the Statewide School Improvement Team. She is especially passionate about working alongside leadership teams to identify strengths, address needs, and ensure plans are implemented in ways that lead to lasting impact.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education with concentrations in social work and Spanish, along with a reading endorsement, from Buena Vista University. She also holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Southwest Minnesota State University and an administrative license from the Iowa Principal Leadership Academy.

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘀/𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀: 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀!

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day. 🇺🇸✨

05/22/2026

As we begin to prepare for the 2026-27 school year, we want to introduce (and reintroduce) you to our Educational Services consultants. We are excited to have Abbey Green, Sara Ahlers, Valery Fuhrman and Tabitha DeMey on board! Next up is Valery Fuhrman, School Improvement Facilitator.

𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝘂𝗵𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻
𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿

Valery partners with school and district teams to strengthen instruction and systems through professional learning, MTSS implementation, and strategic coaching. She specializes in working alongside district teams to apply the Continuous Improvement Process and principles of Implementation Science to drive sustainable, systemic change and improve student outcomes. She is known for building strong partnerships with schools and tailoring support to meet each school’s unique context.

With 26 years of experience in education, Valery brings a deep understanding of both classroom instruction and system-level leadership. She has served as a classroom teacher, curriculum director, building principal, and educational consultant. Her teaching experience spans talented and gifted programming, Title reading and math and content areas including math, science, and social studies. This breadth allows her to translate research, policy, and evidence-based practices into practical, high-impact actions.

Valery holds a specialist degree in education in educational administration, with endorsements as a PK–12 principal and special education supervisor, as well as a master of arts degree in teaching and a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education and psychology.

05/15/2026

As we begin to prepare for the 2026-27 school year, we want to introduce (and reintroduce) you to our Educational Services consultants. We are excited to have Abbey Green, Sara Ahlers, Valery Fuhrman and Tabitha DeMey on board! Next up is Sara Ahlers, School Improvement Facilitator.

𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗔𝗵𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀
𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿

Sara’s teaching experience includes K-12 ESL, secondary modern language, and secondary life science. In addition to a variety of classroom roles, she has also served as a preschool-8th grade principal, an instructional coach, and a district curriculum director. Sara has worked in both public and non-public schools and is passionate about rural education and educational equity for underserved populations.

She looks forward to working with individuals, teams, buildings, and districts to support school improvement efforts, especially coaching implementation of initiatives.

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘀/𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀: 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀!

05/14/2026

𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘔𝘢𝘺 22!

𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗨𝗽 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺! 🧩✨

Calling all educators and support staff! Are you looking for practical, "use-it-on-Monday" strategies to better support your students with autism?

Join us for an interactive, hands-on training specifically designed to help you bridge the gap between theory and the real-world classroom. 🏫

- Learn to effectively implement visual schedules, reinforcement systems and communication tools.

- Work with student volunteers to practice your new skills in real-time. 🧑👩🏾

- Connect with peers to solve common classroom challenges.

Transform your classroom into a space where every student can communicate, engage and thrive. 🔄✨🌱

🔗 https://bit.ly/structured-teaching-asd

05/13/2026

📣 It's School Board Recognition Month and Prairie Lakes AEA is overflowing with pride for our board members! 💜🧡

Our board members are caring partners, making a crucial 🗝️ impact with every decision. They work to shape the future of education in our area, and we are immensely proud of their leadership.

- Sue Brown
- Marti Bomgaars
- Lori Baade
- Deb Shelton
- Todd Lundgren
- Robert Boley
- Cheryl Harris
- Marshall Lewis
- Creighton Jenness

Thank you for your dedication, strategic vision, and collaborative spirit. We are a stronger agency and a better community because of your commitment to education.

Help us say thank you to our board!

05/12/2026

Have you registered yet?

I𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀’ 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹, 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗜𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀’ 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹, 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵?

This course provides practical data-driven strategies to build and implement Tier 2 SEBH systems that work!

Learn how to identify students in need, track their progress and ensure interventions like Check-in/Check-out (CICO), SAIG and Check & Connect are effective. You’ll walk away with a toolkit of evidence-based practices, data decision rules and a clear action plan for continuous improvement. Join us and take the next step in supporting at-risk students!

Register today!
🔗 https://bit.ly/3OMCwRp

05/08/2026

🍎 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂! 🌟

Have you ever thought about becoming a substitute teacher? Local school districts are looking for dedicated individuals to join their teams, and they need you!

✏️ Ensure that students don’t miss a beat when their regular teacher is away. Your presence keeps the momentum of education moving forward!

👩‍🏫 Whether you’re retired, a stay-at-home parent or a college student, subbing offers the ultimate flexibility. You choose when and where you work.

🍎 When quality substitutes are available, teachers can take the time they need for illness or professional learning, knowing their students are in good hands.

🏫 You have the unique opportunity to inspire students across different grade levels and subjects, becoming a familiar, trusted face in your community.

How do you get started? Take our substitute authorization course!

June 8, 2026
4:00-6:00 p.m. via Zoom
The rest of the course is completed online at your own pace until July 6.

🔗 https://bit.ly/488vSeQ

05/07/2026

As we begin to prepare for the 2026-27 school year, we want to introduce (and reintroduce) you to our Educational Services consultants. We are excited to have Abbey Green, Sara Ahlers, Valery Fuhrman and Tabitha DeMey on board! We'll start be introducing Abbey, our new English Learner Consultant.

𝗔𝗯𝗯𝗲𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻
𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁

Abbey is deeply committed to centering the talents and needs of multilingual learners across the PK-12 spectrum. She works to create multilingual, inclusive environments where all students can thrive through equitable access to grade-level skills and content, grounded in asset-based pedagogy that engages all stakeholders as learners and co-creators of the future.

Abbey holds degrees from the University of Northern Iowa and Northwestern College in Spanish, English, TESOL and educational administration. She is currently completing her Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction from UNI.

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘀/𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀: 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀!

Address

500 NE 6th Street
Pocahontas, IA
50574

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4pm

Telephone

+18665403858

Website

http://www.plaea.org/

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