Imagine Iowa Training

Be the first to experience the future of school-based mental health training and earn one state of Iowa licensure renewal credit 

Are you a K-12 educator ready to take your mental health awareness training to the next level?  

We are now recruiting 100 2022 Iowa BEST Summit attendees to participate in the first-ever Imagine Iowa training, a new evidence-based, culturally responsive, equity-infused mental health awareness designed to support educators in improving their knowledge, skills, and attitudes about mental health.   

Imagine Iowa is an essential tool for educators who want to support mental health in their classrooms, schools, and communities. Any licensed K-12 Iowa teacher (elementary and secondary) or paraeducator is encouraged to register. 

This curriculum will provide the opportunity to engage with topics such as mental health literacy, immediate crisis response, advocacy, and restorative practices; all of which will create an atmosphere of inclusion and wellness in the classroom. In addition, educators will develop tools to have insight into their own mental health needs, as well as how to set up a personal wellness plan.

Participants will begin to explore these topics in-person and be provided with the opportunity to engage in continual learning via digital platforms post-conference to become partners in school mental health. 

The in-person training will take place over the course of two days, October 10 from 1 -3:45 p.m. and October 11 from 10:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa as part of the 2022 Iowa BEST Summit. In addition to the Imagine Iowa training, participants will have the opportunity to attend Summit sessions.  

Registration for both the Imagine Iowa training and the 2022 Iowa BEST Summit are provided at no cost to participants. Any travel/lodging must be covered by attendees. 

What You Will Learn  

• How to recognize signs and symptoms of serious mental illness and emotional disturbance 
• Crisis destabilization and crisis de-escalation techniques  
• Self-care strategies for providing mental health supports  
• Tips for extending outreach and training to other school staff and community members who have a role in student mental health  

What You Will Leave With 

• 1 state of Iowa teacher licensure renewal credit (You must attend both days of the Imagine Iowa training and engage with the learning materials via the online course platform.)  

• Access to next-level school-based mental health curriculum 

• A knowledge-sharing community of other educators to support implementation at your school/district 
• The latest research, resources, and best practices to help activate and build mental wellness supports and capacity for your school, district, or region as a 2022 Iowa BEST Summit participant  

How To Register   

Complete all 3 registration steps no later than Friday, October 7:  

1. Make sure you are registered for the 2022 Iowa BEST Summit.
2. Complete the Imagine Iowa Registration Form.
3. Once 1 & 2 are completed, keep an eye out for an email to enroll in the Iowa Licensure Renewal Units (ILRU) course to get your credits and completion certificates.