•  
     
    mde chosen

    The Minnesota Department of Education
    in partnership with 
    the Minnesota Association of School Administrators


    2020 MDE Back to School Professional Learning Conference

    Back to Better

    August 11-12. 2020  •  This is a virtual event.

    Back to school has always been an exciting time, full of newness and hope for a great year of learning ahead.  But of course this year is different.  This year we are tasked with designing a system that not only ensures that every student in the state of Minnesota receives an equitable education and has equal access to learning and instruction, but also that our students and staff will be safe among the challenges of a pandemic.  We know that many of our students and staff are additionally challenged by economic hardship and social isolation.  Reopening school is critical during the pandemic.  Schools are an essential part of community life and the wellbeing of students and families, and education supports health by building life skills, social-emotional awareness, and community engagement.  For months we have talked about getting “back to normal.”  Join your colleagues for the MDE Back to School Conference and learn, share, and envision how, together, we will get Back to Better!

     

     

     
     2020 Available Handouts
     

    Tuesday, August 11

    8:30 – 10 am General Session

    Welcome
    Deb Henton, Executive Director, Minnesota Association of School Administrators

    Opening Remarks
    Mary Cathryn Ricker, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Education
    Heather Mueller, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Education

    Anchoring our Work during COVID-19
    Susan Klammer, Epidemiologist at the Minnesota Department of Health, School Liaison for the COVID-19 Response
    HANDOUT

    10:15 am – 11:15 am Concurrent Sessions

    School Year 20-21 Planning for Students with Disabilities: Overview on Health and Education Programming, Due Process, Funding Issues and Guidance for Delivering Direct Student Support Services

    Presenters: Robyn Widley, MDE, Director, Special Education; Denise Herrmann, MDH, Child Health Consultant, Child, and Teen Checkups; Marikay Canaga Litzau, MDE, Director, Compliance, and Assistance; Sara Winter, MDE, Supervisor, Compliance, and Assistance; Paul Ferrin, MDE, Supervisor, Special Education Funding; Tom Delaney, MDE, Supervisor, Special Education
    HANDOUT

    Restorative Practices in Schools: Building and maintaining relationships

    Presenters: Nancy Riestenberg, Restorative Practices Specialist, School Climate Center; Rebecca McCammon, Restorative Practices Program Coordinator, St. Paul Public Schools, Office of School Support 
    HANDOUT

    PreK-3 in Current Times—New Tools to Support Your Work

    Presenters: Mike Brown, Early Learning Services Education Specialist; June Reineke, Early Learning Services Education Specialist; Elizabeth Vaught, School Support Educator Development and Evaluation

    Presenter(s): Andre Prahl, Director of Agency Finance; Michael Diedrich, ESEA Policy Specialist
    HANDOUT

    CARES Act Funds in Education

    Presenter(s): Andre Prahl, Director of Agency Finance; Michael Diedrich, ESEA Policy Specialist 
    HANDOUT

    11:30 am – 12:30 pm Concurrent Sessions

    Partnership During Pandemic

    Presenters: Leah Larson, State Libraries LSTA Grant Coordinator; Edina Public Schools Media Staff - Steve Buettner, Sean Beaverson, Sara Swenson, and Mike Walker 
    HANDOUT

    Examples From the Field: Comprehensive School Mental Health Quality Improvement Initiatives in All Three Scenarios

    Presenter: Lisa Hoogheem, Student Support Specialist
    HANDOUT

    State-District Partnerships: Developing Implementation Capacity to Improve Equitable Outcomes

    Presenters: MDE - Carolyn Cherry, Supervisor, Results and Improvement-Special Education; Eric Kloos, Assistant Director, Special Education; and Osseo Area Schools Jan Bitzer, Student Services Coordinator; Kate Emmons, Director of Student Services; Cory McIntyre, Superintendent
    HANDOUT

    Responding to COVID and Serving Families and Communities through the Full-Service Community Schools Model

    Presenters: Dennis Duffy, School Improvement Supervisor; Jackie Blagsvedt, School Improvement Program Specialist; June Reineke, Early Learning Services Education Specialist; Julie Ruzek, Coordinator of Family and Community Partnerships, Rochester Public Schools
    HANDOUT

    1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Concurrent Sessions

    State of State Assessment System

    Presenter: Jennifer Dugan, Director, Statewide Student Assessment and Data Analytics
    HANDOUT

    Serving School Meals in a COVID-19 World

    Presenter: Debra Lukkonen, MDE School Nutrition Program Supervisor
    HANDOUT

    COVID-19 Testing Process

    Presenters: Meredith Vadis, Regional Administrator, Metropolitan Council, and State Testing Workgroup Lead; Grace Arnold, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Commerce
    HANDOUT

    HANDOUT - REGIONAL STAFF

    HANDOUT - BILLING

    Leading with a Learner Lens

    Presenters: Ann Mitchell, Principal Leadership, School Support Panelists: Dr. Shawn Harris-Berry, Associate Superintendent, Minneapolis Public Schools; Yusuf Abdullah, Principal, Patrick Henry High School; Rachel Udstuen, Superintendent, Spring Grove Public Schools
    HANDOUT

    2:15 pm — 3:15 pm Concurrent Sessions

    Reflecting on Distance Learning to Inform Planning for the Effective Use Technology with Title, IV, Part A

    Presenters: Sarah Carter, STEM/Computer Science Specialist/Title IV, Part A Co-Program Specialist Lead; Kate Beesch Title IV, Part A Program Specialist Lead
    HANDOUT

    Equity and Civil Rights in Education

    Presenters: Irina Vaynerman, Minnesota Department of Human Rights Deputy Commissioner; Dr. Lanise Block, Minnesota Department of Human Rights Education Equity Consultant and Founder/CEO of Sankore Consulting
    HANDOUT

    We Are a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) – A focus on Truancy, Attendance, and Grades

    Presenter: John Gimpl, State Implementation Specialist
    HANDOUT

    Ed-Fi and Staff Support

    Presenters: Sharon Peck, School Finance Supervisor; Tara Chapa, School Finance Technical Support Specialist; Susan Anderson, Brainerd Public Schools; Sonja Rowland, Bemidji Area Schools; Mark Bjornrud, Schoolcraft Learning Community; Miriam Janechek, PhD, Public Engagement & Outreach | Statewide Student Assessment and Data Analytics
    HANDOUT

    Wednesday, August 12

    9 am — 10 am Concurrent Sessions

    What is Ed-Fi?: Now and the Future

    Presenters: Gayra Ostgaard, Data Management Coordinator, Data Analytics; David Reeg, IT Development Supervisor; Sharon Peck, School Finance Supervisor; Tara Chapa, School Finance Ed-Fi Technical Support; Avisia Whiteman, Early Education Research Analyst; Karen Millette Data Analytics Project Manager; Susan Anderson, Brainerd Public Schools; Sonja Rowland; Bemidji Area Schools; Mark Bjornrud; Schoolcraft Learning Community
    HANDOUT

    Reimagining Assessment and Data Practices to Guide Learning for All Students During the Pandemic

    Presenters: Kendra Olsen, Outreach Specialist Statewide Student Assessment and Data; Ann Mitchell, Principal Leadership School Support; Ben Barton, Superintendent of Princeton Public Schools; Donna Roper, Director of Research and Evaluation Edina Public Schools; Michael Walker, Director of Black Student Achievement Minneapolis Public Schools; Jessica Town-Gunderson, Director of Teaching and Learning – Princeton Public Schools
    HANDOUT

    How to build relational trust and dismantle systems and expectations that divide schools and families

    Presenters: Jackie Blagsvedt, School Improvement Program Specialist, Jeanne Dickhausen, Head Start Collaboration Director
    HANDOUT

    Increasing Achievement for Multilingual Learners in Greater Minnesota

    Presenter: Dr. Amy Young, EL Specialist, School Support
    HANDOUT

    10:15 am — 11:15 am Concurrent Sessions

    CDC and MDE assistance in fall school reopening activities after the spring distance learning period due to COVID-19

    Presenters: Bobbie Burnham, Assistant Commissioner; Sheila Oehrlein, Supervisor, Youth Development and Health Promotion Team; Margo Chresand, RN, LSN, MPH, MS, Education Specialist; Gail Anderson, MPH, Project Coordinator; Terri Swartout, School Health Coordinator; Mary Thissen-Milder, Ph.D., Physical Education Consultant; Jeremy Vann, School Health Services Coordinator
    HANDOUT

    Promising Practices in Distance Learning for Students with Disabilities

    Presenters: MDE - Carolyn Cherry, Supervisor, Results and Improvement-Special Education; Eric Kloos, Assistant Director, Special Education; Dan Torrez, Alternative and Preventative Services Specialist, Special Education; UofM - Jana Ferguson, Check & Connect Project Coordinator
    HANDOUT

    Academic Standards and Assessment Updates and Timelines

    Presenters: Doug Paulson, Director of Academic Standards and Instruction; Dawn Cameron, Supervisor, Specialty and Technical Innovations, Statewide Assessment; Michael Bowlus, English Learner, and Refugee Education Specialist
    HANDOUT NOT AVAILABLE

    11:30 am — 12:00 pm General Session Wrap-up

    Deb Henton, Executive Director, Minnesota Association of School Administrators

     

     
     
    2019 Available Handouts
     

    General Sessions:

    School Finance Update
    presented by Tom Melcher, School Finance Director
    PPT: School Finance

    EDIAM Security Introduction
    presented by David Reeg, Software Development Supervisor, MNIT
    PPT: Education Identity & Access Management (EDIAM)Security Introduction


    Breakout Sessions Round I

    Leveraging Federal Title Funds to Support Equity and Student Achievement
    presented by Barbara Al Nouri, ESEA Program Specialist; Renee Ringold, ESEA Program Specialist
    PPT: Leveraging Federal Title Funds to Support Equity and Student Achievement


    Leadership and Sustainability
    presented by Bobbie Burnham, Early Learning Director; Mike Brown, Early Childhood Specialist
    PPT: Leadership and Sustainability


    Improving Climate on School Buses
    presented by Patty Mattern, Communications Specialist; Tim Lutz, Bemidji Area Schools Superintendent
    PPT: Improving Climate on School Buses


    Overview of the Minnesota Career and College Readiness Resource Guide
    presented by Paula Palmer, Career and College Success Director; Dean Breuer, Business, Marketing and Information Technology Specialist; Jeff Plaman, Digital and Online Learning Specialist; Sally Reynolds, Alternative and Extended Learning Specialist

    PPT: Overview of the MN Career and College Readiness Resource Guide

    PPT: Program Resource Guide Career and College Readiness Resource Introductory

    One Page Handout: Program Resource Guide Career and College Readiness Resource Guide

    Handout: Domains and Competencies

    Introduction to the New K-12 Academic Standards in Science and Art
    presented by Doug Paulson, Academic Standards and Instructional Effectiveness Director; John Olson, Science Specialist; Alina Campana, Arts Specialist
    PPT: Intro to the New K-12 Academic Standards in Science and Art

    Getting Better, Looking Good!
    presented by Anita Larson, Data Analytics Supervisor
    Handout not available

    Breakout Sessions Round II

    Tribal Consultation 2019-2020
    presented by Jane Harstad, Indian Education Director
    Guide: Minnesota Tribal Consultation


    Care and Education Programs
    presented by June Reineke, Early Childhood Collaboration Specialist; Karen Satre, Early Childhood Special Education Specialist
    PPT: Essential Elements of HighQuality Early Care and Education Programs


    Aligning PBIS Efforts with School-Linked Mental Grant Support
    presented by Eric Kloos, Special Education Assistant Director; Kris Lofgren, Mental Health Consultant, Department of Human Services (DHS) Behavioral Health Division
    PPT: Aligning PBIS Efforts with School-Linked Mental Grants


    Career and College Ready Domains and Competencies Alignment and Programming
    presented by Paula Palmer, Career and College Success Director; Dean Breuer, Business, Marketing and Information Technology Specialist

    PPT: Overview of the MN Career and College Readiness Resource Guide

    PPT: Program Resource Guide Career and College Readiness Resource Introductory

    One Page Handout: Program Resource Guide Career and College Readiness Resource Guide

    Handout: Domains and Competencies


    Navigating Literacy Leadership
    presented by Doug Paulson, Academic Standards and Instructional Effectiveness Director; Jenny Wazlawik, Literacy Specialist
    PPT: Navigating Literacy Leadership


    Data, Data, Data, Can I Help You, Help You, Help You?
    presented by Kirsten Rewey, Quantitative Analyst
    Handout not available

    Breakout Sessions Round III

    Indian Education Updates
    presented by Jane Harstad, Indian Education Director; Guthrie Capossela, Education Program Specialist
    Guide: Minnesota Tribal Consultation

    Ensuring Your WBWF Goal for School Readiness is SMART and Produces Results!
    presented by Lisa Backer, Early Learning Supervisor; Jon Vaupel, Early Childhood Assessment Specialist
    PPT: Ensuring your WBWF Goal for School Readiness is SMART and Produces Results

    Using Evidence to Drive School Improvement
    presented by Greg Keith, School Support Director; Dennis Duffy, School Improvement Program Manager; David English, Senior Technical Assistance Consultant, American Institutes for Research
    PPT: Integrating Evidence

    Environmental Scan of Minnesota Credit Recovery Practices
    presented by Jeff Plaman, Digital and Online Learning Specialist; Sally Reynolds, Alternative and Extended Learning Specialist
    PPT: Credit Recovery Practices

    Developing Academic Acceleration Policies for Worlds Best Workforce (WBWF) Plans
    presented by Doug Paulson, Academic Standards and Instructional Effectiveness Director; Wendy Behrens, Gifted and Talented Specialist
    PPT: Developing Academic Acceleration_Policies for WBWF

    Data Disaggregation and Ed-Fi Implementation
    presented by Gayra Ostgaard, Project Manager; Tara Chapa, Ed-FI Technical Specialist
    PPT:Data Disaggregation and Ed-Fi Implementation

    Breakout Sessions Round IV

    Five Things Superintendents Can Do to Support Multilingual Learners
    presented by Leigh Schleicher, Equity and Opportunity Supervisor; Michael Bowlus, Multilingual Learner Education Specialist; Amy Young, Multilingual Learner Support Specialist
    PPT: Five Things Superintendents Need to Know About Multilingual Learners

    Testing 1, 2, 3
    presented by Kendra Olsen, Outreach Specialist
    PPT: Testing 1 2 3

    Schoolwide Restorative Practices
    presented by Nancy Riestenberg, Restorative Practices Specialist; Becky McCammon, St. Paul Public Schools Program Coordinator
    Handout not available

    Supporting Principals: How might restructuring district leadership strengthen leadership practice?
    presented by Ann Mitchell, Principal Leadership Specialist; Peter Olson-Skog, Superintendent, West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Area Schools; Renee Corneille, Superintendent, St. Anthony-New Brighton School District
    PPT: Supporting Principals

    Serving Families through the Community Schools Model
    presented by Dennis Duffy, School Improvement Program Manager; Jackie Blagsvedt, School Improvement Program Specialist
    PPT: Serving Families through the Community Schools Model

    Breakout Sessions Round V

    Diversifying the Teacher Workforce: Local strategies and impacts on kids and community
    presented by Tyler Livingston, School Support Supervisor; Angela Mansfield, School Support Specialist; Anne Parks, Equity and Opportunity Supervisor
    PPT: Diversifying the Teacher Workforce

    Magnify Your Commitment to Equity
    presented by Pamela Booker, Achievement and Integration Specialist; Macarre Traynham, Educational Equity Specialist
    PPT: Magnify Your Commitment to Equity

    Implementing Schoolwide Social Emotional Learning
    presented by Heather Hirsch, School Climate Specialist
    PPT: Implementing Schoolwide Social Emotional Learning

    Breaking Away: Leading cultural change
    presented by Ann Mitchell, Principal Leadership Specialist; Liz Vaught, Principal Development and Evaluation Specialist
    PPT: Breaking Away Leading Cultural Change

    District Communications Show and Tell: What’s working and how you can do it too
    presented by Luchelle Stevens, Chief of Staff; Emily Bisek, Communications Assistant Director
    PPT: District Communications Show and Tell