Members new to MREA and to advocacy will learn about MREA’s advocacy initiatives and how they impact education funding and policy at the local and state level. From contacting your legislator to talking with a neighbor, simple steps can have the most effect for students in your district. At the state level, see how MREA prioritizes rural education issues such as facilities funding, unfunded mandates, special education, and local levies and keeps them forefront at the legislature.

Sam Walseth, President of Capitol Hill Associates, has logged 24 legislative sessions lobbying at the Minnesota State Capitol, leading successful coalitions for MREA to improve equity in educational opportunities for rural students.

Darrin Strosahl joined MREA as Executive Director in July 2024. Before joining MREA, he spent 19 years as a school administrator in southern and central Minnesota. He also has been an academic dean at St. Cloud Technical and Community College and vice president at Northwest Technical College in Bemidji.

Learn about the changing landscape for rural referenda and how school district leaders can adapt to this change, emphasizing the need to separate the systemic issues facing rural districts from how the political winds blow. We’ll also highlight important principles to guide facility proposals that resonate with your broader goals of community engagement, sustaining support for local education, and fostering trust.

Jason Splett has 17 years in construction, including as Facilities Director at Park Rapids Area Schools, and holds a B.S. in Industrial Technology Construction Management from Bemidji State University. He's skilled in assessing facilities comprehensively and understands buildings inside out. Jason's strength lies in using clear and accurate assessment data to guide effective construction and communication strategies, ensuring successful outcomes. Jason has played an integral role in successfully passing key referendums in Greater Minnesota, including Goodridge Public Schools, Park Rapids Area Schools, Red Lake Falls, Red Lake County Central, Waubun-Ogema White Earth, Fosston, and several others.

Todd Rapp has over thirty years of experience in public service and the private sector and has played a leadership role in efforts to stabilize energy resources, revitalize public infrastructure, adjust to changing population trends and promote community health. In the past two decades, Todd has provided counsel for 109 referenda for local governmental units, most supporting Greater Minnesota school districts in efforts to leverage existing trust and build new support for the district’s educational goals, Prior to his time at his current firm, he served as Director of Government Affairs for Northern States Power and held leadership positions in state government and politics, including Executive Director to the Speaker of the Minnesota House.

Many school districts are struggling to find applicants for their teaching vacancies. Utilizing the J1 & H1 Visa programs to hire international teachers is an alternative option. Learn how several school districts have utilized this program to fill their open positions.

Dan Dalchow, Climax-Shelly Schools has spent 16 years as a teacher, 8 years as a principal, and 9 years as a superintendent.

Tim Lutz is currently superintendent at Red Lake Schools. Tim has served 6 years as a teacher, 4 years as a school counselor, 4 years as a principal, and 16 years as a superintendent. He is a former MREA Board member.

Liz Windingstad has been the Director of Human Resources with Willmar Public Schools for the last 13 years.  She has experienced the role of a substitute teacher and spent over 9 years in human resources in corporate America in the retail industry.  She is currently the President of the Minnesota Association of School Personnel Administrators (MASPA) and loves to seek new and innovative solutions to obstacles facing employees and employers.  

Learn how Lake Park Audubon Schools uncovered hidden potential in their existing building and the need to add new space as they set course on a construction project to remove the barriers of aging spaces and inefficient conditions of their existing building to better support the work of the staff and meet the needs of today’s learners and staff. Hear how their elementary building was transformed to better support the great things the district was doing in their curriculum. Now, the building is right-sized with collaborative classrooms and natural daylighting to support real-world learning, and become top-tier faculty recruitment tool for the community.

Dan Miller, AIA, ALEP, LEED AP, is a Principal Architect and the K12 Studio Leader at JLG Architects in Alexandria. With over 27 years of experience, he shapes progressive learning environments and communities throughout the upper Midwest. An Accredited Learning Environments Planner (ALEP) through A4LE, Dan reinforces his commitment as a leader in future-forward learning environments – advancing the integration of This Century education, secure and sustainable campuses, collaborative/cross-age learning, and CTE design.

Dr. Timothy Godfrey, Superintendent at Lake Park Audubon Schools, brings over three decades of dedicated experience to the field of education, with a 15-year tenure in administration. Before assuming leadership roles, Dr. Godfrey honed his skills as a compassionate special education teacher, demonstrating his commitment to inclusive and equitable learning environments. A catalyst for innovation in education, he’s championed project-based learning methodologies that empower students to actively engage in their education. His unwavering passion lies in equipping students with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive beyond the classroom, ensuring they are prepared for success in their future endeavors.

Welcome aboard our interactive session on managing student behaviors just like skilled flight attendants! Join us for an engaging journey as we explore intervention strategies to handle challenging behaviors with confidence, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone on board. From setting clear expectations to navigating turbulence with grace, participants will learn how to create a supportive environment where students of all ages can soar academically. Fasten your seatbelts and get ready to elevate your classroom management skills to new heights. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the presentation.

Dr. Wendy Schoolmeester has been in the education profession for almost four decades serving as an elementary teacher, elementary principal, professor of education, and school board member/chair. Wendy retired in May 2023; however, she is now ‘recycled’ and teaching as an adjunct for SMSU in Marshall and USF in Sioux Falls. Professionally, she enjoys teaching, writing, presenting, and speaking. Personally, she enjoys hanging out with her four grandchildren, having coffee/lunch dates with family and friends, volunteering for the hospice house, walking, camping, and reading. Please feel free to contact her anytime at wendy.schoolmeester@smsu.edu.

Dr. Jamie Juhl is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Sioux Falls, teaching undergraduate and graduate-level courses. Before USF, Dr. Juhl spent ten years serving in various K-12 roles in Idaho and Minnesota: volleyball coach, kindergarten teacher, 3rd-grade teacher, K-12 special education teacher, and K-12 Special Education Assessment Coordinator. Dr. Juhl graduated with a B.A. in Elementary Education & Special Education from Boise State University. She completed her M.A. in Special Education from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in Special Education through Liberty University.

High school CTE in Minnesota has been effective at boosting job security and wages (Leibert, Males in Career and Technical Education). To maximize the benefits of participation in CTE for individuals and employers, students must transition into employment opportunities relevant to their field of study. This session will present new quantitative evidence of the factors leading to placement in related industries. It will present a new online tool allowing users to select CTE programs by region and compare earnings growth post-high school, educational attainment pathways, and the relationship between supply and wage outcomes (demand) across programs.

Alessia Leibert has been with DEED's Labor Market Information Office since 2007. She is an expert in the analysis of employment outcomes of postsecondary graduates, occupational hiring demand, and skills gaps analysis. She has led the Minnesota Hiring Difficulties Survey and the Workforce Data Quality Initiative grant project. She conducted extensive research on the outcomes of CTE programs using SLEDS data. Before joining DEED, Alessia worked as instructional coordinator for a business school in Italy. She has a master's degree in public affairs from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota.

Deer River Public Schools received a five-year Full-Service Community Schools grant in 2020 from the U.S. Department of Education. Deer River FSCS staff work collaboratively with students’ families and leverage community-based resources to provide wrap-around supports, such as access to physical and mental health services, basic needs, and academic programs to students, families and the community. FSCS staff collaborated with Wilder Research in spring 2024 to gather comprehensive information from students, families, and community organizations to learn about supports and services’ assets and gaps that exist in the community.

Edith Gozali-Lee with Wilder Research has directed research and evaluation studies for more than 25 years in the areas of education, youth development, and human services. She has extensive experience working with school districts, institutions of higher education, government agencies, foundations and community organizations to produce research that is useful for program, organization, and system improvements. Edith has a doctorate in human development and family studies from Iowa State University, a master's degree in child development, and a bachelor's degree in psychology.

Deanna Hron is the Deer River Public School Full-Service Community Schools Manager, the former president of the Deer River Education Association and a former member of Education Minnesota. She received the Educator Leadership Award at the Community Schools National Forum in 2018.

Bunchung Ly is a Research Associate at Wilder Research in Saint Paul. He works on a variety of research and evaluation projects that focus on well-being of children and family, particularly among cultural communities. He has a lot of experience in qualitative and participatory methods. His primary research interests are centered on early childhood education and youth development, childhood resiliency, and roles of parenting and education in child well-being. Bunchung holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and neuroscience studies from Macalester College.

Come learn how the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) is working to partner with districts on innovative solutions to the challenges districts are facing with licensure, the teacher shortage, and more. This is an interactive session, so we welcome questions.

Yelena Bailey is the Executive Director the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, the agency responsible for overseeing teacher licensure and teacher preparation in Minnesota.

Debby Odell is the Licensing and Operations Manager at PELSB, the agency responsible for overseeing teacher licensure and teacher preparation in Minnesota. Kurt is currently in his third year as the Pequot Lakes Public Schools Superintendent. He was appointed to a 4-year term on the PELSB board starting in July 2023 representing Superintendents.

Kurt Stumpf is in his sixth year as a superintendent, four years in Pequot Lakes Public Schools and two years at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Public Schools.  He started teaching at his hometown, Pierz, and spent 7 years as a school administrator at Sartell Middle School.

Building, defining, and maintaining trust is paramount to the success of any organization, but this is especially true for schools. This session will take you through the process for building and maintaining trust.

Bruce Locklear was a High School Principal, Superintendent, and College Professor. He is now a Director for Saint Mary's University.

Marcia Nelson, Cloquet School District

Every leader deals with adults, students, and families struggling with social/emotional/behavioral/mental health in their building. In this session, we will discuss strategies and practices they can implement to support the adults in this process. We can only expect adults to help the students if they are in a positive, nurturing, and predictable environment. We must build a robust Tier 1 platform to support teachers, administrators, and other adults in the educational ecosystem, ultimately benefiting the students they serve.

Tara Soesbe, a 20-year educator with TILL360, specializes in social-emotional learning, building school-wide climate and culture, and ensuring students have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for post-secondary success and lifelong learning. She served the field of education as an elementary & middle school teacher, student success teacher and coach, a secondary special education teacher, instructional leader, and a consultant for special education and school improvement with Iowa's Area Education Agencies. She fights for ALL Kids.

Andy Dokken has worked in education for 20 years. He has been a teacher in general, special, and alternative education. He has been an Assistant Principal, Activities Director and Principal. Andy supports all staff in their learning journeys and uses data to drive change around needed professional development. He currently serves as the Principal at Rippleside Elementary School in Aitkin.

Join this session for an introduction to the high-level components of school district funding, including access, formula components, timelines, and accountability.

Cathy Erickson began her career in K-12 school finance in 1999 as business manager at Lake Superior School District. In 2005, she became a finance, funding, and management specialist for Region 2 (ARCC), specializing in school finance training and support. In 2018 Cathy became the Executive Director of Business Services/CFO for Duluth Public Schools until moving to the Minnesota Department of Education in July 2022 as Director of School Finance.

In an era of increased competition for talented staff and students, Willmar Public Schools is leveraging video as a powerful recruitment tool. Learn how video has become an integral tool in our recruitment efforts, empowering us to reach and engage prospective staff and students effectively. We’ll share our recipe of how we highlight innovative programs, share enthusiastic testimonials and capture the spirit within our schools. You’ll also learn about our distribution plan to reach prospective students and staff through social media, our website and more.

Jake Sturgis worked for two school districts in the Twin Cities for nearly 12 years prior to starting Captivate Media + Consulting in 2014. He served on the Minnesota School Public Relations Association (MinnSPRA) Board from 2015-2019, including one year as President. 

Bill Adams, Willmar Schools Superintendent, is an experienced Superintendent with a demonstrated history of working in education. He is skilled in educational technology, instructional design, building community, and innovation. He has a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership from Bethel University. Before joining Willmar, Bill was a superintendent in Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton and New London-Spicer.

The Itasca Area Schools Cooperative (IASC) seven school districts have amended their cooperative agreement to provide more opportunities for students and teachers. The primary focus of the session will be to describe the districts’ work with their teacher unions to provide with their teachers more synchronous and asynchronous HS course sharing across the cooperative. The session will also highlight other areas of cooperative work including teacher mentoring, shared PD, and specialized building and grounds services.

Dr. Rae Villebrun, Superintendent at Nashwauk-Keewatin Public Schools, has served in education for 31 years. Throughout the years, she has worked in tribal schools and public schools as a classroom teacher, Title I teacher, Elementary Principal, PK-12 Principal, and Superintendent. Rae works to ensure students want to go to school, meeting needs and providing learning opportunities to spark curiosity and launch a continued love of learning.

Allison Butterfield has been teaching at Greenway High School in Coleraine for 26 years. Her primary focus is Biology and healthcare pathway courses (including Human Anatomy, CIS Medical Terminology, and Healthcare Career Explorations) delivered from her home district to several area schools synchronously via telepresence. She also serves as the President of the local teachers union.

Mental health challenges are more common than ever, and early intervention is key to successful treatment and recovering. In addition to our social workers and other specialized professionals, it is critical that all school staff increase their capacity to converse with others about mental health and mental health challenges. Learn about and practice conversation topics such as approaching young people when we have a concern, sharing our concerns with caregivers, responding when a colleague shares a mental health challenge, and discussing suicide and suicide attempts. Come build your capacity to be a mental health advocate!

Lisa Worden is an education consultant at Sourcewell, where much of her work centers around social and emotional learning, trauma-informed care, and mental health and wellness supports. She also facilitates cultural competency workshops and is a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid trainer. Lisa earned her BA at The College of St. Scholastica and her MA at Saint Mary’s University. Her experience includes classroom teacher, gifted education, and post-secondary instruction.

Teachers have been feeling underprepared and overwhelmed by the proliferation of freely available AI tools -- what it is, how to use it, how to prevent students from using it unethically. Learn to navigate this new area of technological innovation to feel more prepared in the classroom and develop strategies for teaching students ethical use of AI. Students will benefit from having teachers who understand both the benefits and pitfalls of AI technology to further prepare them for life beyond the classroom.

Dana Woods is the technology integration specialist for Bemidji Area Schools. When not fishing, hunting, or riding a bike; Dana has worked in various school media and technology roles since 2011.

Anna Hamann has taught English/language arts both at the high school and college levels before becoming an MTSS specialist with the Bemidji School District.

Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa (BBE) Public Schools emphasizes the existence of a “fifth core” discipline — a place where you gain “real world” skills, competency, and application courses. A line we’ve used from the beginning is that a manufacturing course has the same value as mathematics. These powerful learning experiences reward real conceptual understanding over traditional skills such as reading or mathematics proficiency. BBE Schools has developed this "5th Core" subject in the areas of Career and Technical Education, bringing this into the elementary to give it all the trappings of a regular core subject taught from preschool through 12th Grade.

Patrick Walsh has been Superintendent at BBE Schools for seven years. Previously, he was a principal at three Minnesota Schools. At BBE, he has led CTE initiatives that have led to a $21M building project, and developing multiple new connections to CTE. Recently, the development of CTE as the 5th core is the latest attempt to infuse education with engaging hands-on learning opportunities.

Kody Bertram is Technology Director at BBE Schools. While in college, he maintained employment with the District. After college, he took a full-time job with the school and is responsible for the P-5 CTE program  developed at the elementary school in consult with P-12 teachers. All students at BBE Elementary, in conjunction with a team teacher, get weekly time in the Elementary CTE program.

Josie Dingmann is entering her 3rd year as the Elementary Principal at BBE Schools, serving children and families from birth to Grade 5. She has vast experiences in community education, early childhood initiatives, middle school math education, and servicing migrant and EL families. Dingmann has been instrumental in implementing weekly CTE time to ensure all elementary learners get exposure and experiences of future real-world skills!

When belonging is absent, children and educators struggle to reach their full potential. In this session, educators will learn about Anti-Bias Education as a framework to build awareness and create belonging and equity for all. Presenters will share examples of effective tools and strategies that participants can immediately use to further enhance belonging through Anti-Bias Education and Social-Emotional Learning approaches.

Rebecca Slaby leads AmazeWorks in working with schools, communities, and organizations to create equity and belonging for all. With an MEd from DePaul University, she has 15 years of experience teaching middle school humanities/social studies. She is a racial justice facilitator for the YWCA Minneapolis and is a trained cultural competency facilitator for the Professional Educators Licensing and Standards Board for the state of Minnesota. She has presented at multiple conferences. She holds a certificate in Executive Leadership from the University of St. Thomas and teaches courses on equity-based pedagogy at the University of Minnesota. She is also a board member of Upstream Arts and a Qualified Administrator (QA) of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI).

MN principals have expressed their need for meaningful and relevant professional development, especially in the area of culturally responsive school leadership (CRSL) (Pekel et. al., 2022). This session will afford leaders an opportunity to explore, reflect, and imagine Culturally Responsive Leadership through Khalifa, Gooden, and Davis’ four quadrant framework: Critical Self-Reflection; Engaging Students, Parents, and Indigenous Contexts; Promoting Culturally Responsive / Inclusive School Environments; and Developing Culturally Responsive Teachers. Walking the talk of CRSL, the presenters also hope to learn from participants about specific challenges in their leadership practice so they can co-design and customize support with Greater Minnesota school leaders.

Dr. Elizabeth Vaught is a lifelong learner and has served as a principal in Arizona and Minnesota. She now works with the Minnesota Department of Education Principal Development & Evaluation Specialist. She is committed to being a learning partner and change agent with school and district leaders through collaboration and conversation.

Mike LeMier grew up in northwestern Wisconsin and is a product of a strong, rural education. He was a middle school teacher in Inver Grove Heights before returning to his rural roots. After teaching he was an Assistant Principal at Pine City Elementary and then eventually moved to Park Rapids to become Principal at Century Elementary (PK-4th grade) in 2020. Since then, he has become the Principal of Century School (PK-8th grade). He loves living, working, and playing the great North Woods of MN! 

Learn how to create a sense of safety in the mind and body in response to stress, distress, and trauma. With a focus on brain function and how the vagus nerve promotes feelings of safety, discover how to use simple Breathe Move Rest practices for self-regulation, focus, managing energy levels, and fostering connection. Move from having your mind full to be mindful.

Kathy Flaminio is the founder and CEO of movemindfully®, a training and consulting company on the science of mindfulness, movement, and social-emotional learning. Kathy holds a master’s degree in social work with over 20 years of experience in schools and was adjunct faculty for Saint Mary’s University. Kathy has trained over 50,000 professionals in mindfulness, movement, and social-emotional strategies and partners with United Hospital, St. Paul Children’s Hospital, and Center for Families/Prairie Care to provide trauma-responsive practices on child/adolescent and adult mental health units. She is co-author of Moving Mountains: An Integrative Manual to Help Youth with Intensity, Reactivity and Anxiety.

Learn from the successes and challenges experienced by districts that participated in MDE's Statewide Induction and Mentoring pilot in partnership with the New Teacher Center (NTC) and participating Minnesota Service Cooperatives (MSC). Discover effective strategies for supporting new teachers, fostering collaboration, and promoting professional growth. Learn how to create a nurturing environment that empowers educators to thrive in their early years of teaching.

Chris Ramadan is the Coordinator of Induction and Mentoring at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and holds a core belief that diversity in schools leads to successful learners and leaders. Currently, he is working with the New Teacher Center (NTC), Minnesota Service Cooperatives, and Minnesota partners to advance the statewide induction and mentoring program. Before joining MDE, Chris was an elementary teacher, a literacy coach, and an IB coordinator, and has led the Minneapolis Public Schools mentor program. Chris holds a B.A. in English from the University of Oregon, an M.A. in curriculum and instruction from Concordia University, and a Minnesota principal license. 

Lisa Gregoire is the Director of the New Teacher Center at Southwest West Central Service Cooperative (SWWC), and dedicated to enhancing teaching and learning experiences in rural communities. She leads initiatives aimed at supporting new and experienced educators through federal research grants with the U.S. Department of Education and statewide Mentoring and Induction Grants with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and a regional, consortium-model instructional coaching program, providing professional development on best practices in mentoring, coaching, and strategic planning. Lisa’s commitment to education is extended by serving on various state and regional committees, including the Minnesota Department of Education Mentor and Induction Framework steering committee, Rural Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee, MN ASCD Board of Directors, Southwest Minnesota State University Teacher Education Advisory Council, and Minnesota Service Cooperatives Professional Development Committee.

Learn how Northwest Service Cooperative created and piloted a year-long program to support school libraries run by library paraprofessionals to meet the school library legislative language. Walk away with a toolkit for your own district.

Gina Drellack provides professional development and other school support for regional and statewide educators as an Education Coordinator with the Northwest Service Cooperative. Featured in the 2009 Governor’s State of the State Address, Gina is adept at both virtual and in-person learning and teaching. This translates effectively through her online and onsite education offerings. With her education career beginnings as a school library para through a master's degree as a Licensed School Media Specialist, Gina pairs her unique perspective with applicable support for rural districts’ school libraries in this conference idea session.

Join this mini session to learn how your Building Automation System (BAS) can be a powerful tool. Slash energy bills, minimize maintenance costs and extend equipment lifespans, prevent food spoilage, maintain healthy indoor air quality, and prepare for future initiatives like electrical demand limiting. Create a healthier learning environment for all.

Shawn Brannan has decades of experience in technology and construction, entering the field of Building Automation. His experience spans electro-mechanical controls, commercial construction, commercial roofing, HVAC, and building automation, providing him with a distinctive perspective on buildings.

Joel Seela has extensive experience in facilities, construction, renovation, management, energy conservation and innovation. While at Alexandria Technical & Community College, Joel has increased energy efficiency on the 50-year-old building to rival other newer construction buildings.

Learn to forge collaborations with industries through the operating engineers pathway. Legislation helped these partnerships with free course offerings to all Minnesota students, and participants will balance innovation while thinking outside the box. 

Mary Morem defied odds and carved her path through rural education from her humble beginnings as a construction worker to now serving as superintendent at Houston Schools. She has coached and taught and been principal at all levels, all while serving in small rural districts in southern Minnesota. Morem believes in having all people find their path so they can give back to society.

Grete Blum is a seasoned Career & College Readiness Administrator at Houston Schools committed to empowering students for success. With a Business Administration degree from Luther College, Grete leverages 20 years of experience to collaborate closely with educators, community partners, and employers to integrate academic learning with real-world skills. 

With the staffing shortage and an increasingly transient workforce, how do school districts support and retain employees? Now more than ever, our schools need to create systems and programming to engage and sustain our professionals.

Ashley Kaplan is the Director of Student and Staff Support Systems at Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools, coordinating the learning efforts for 2,200 students and 300 staff. She is a Certified Strengths Communicator, has an MEd in Reading and Literacy Education, a K-12 Principal License, a Superintendent License, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. 

Jenny Carrier has devoted more than 10 years to Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools as the Director of Community Education and  supervises a team of 70+ staff members year-round. With a master's in Educational Leadership, a PreK-Adult Community Education Director License, and certifications as a Health and Life Coach and Certified Strengths Communicator, Jenny takes pride in guiding and uplifting her community. 

Rural spaces often face unique challenges in supporting multilingual learners. This mini session will help administrators and teachers rethink how students in EL programs are supported and will delve into realistic ways to innovate so all students can thrive!

Dr. Amanda Tegels currently serves as the Director of Teaching and Learning and Regional COMPASS Supervisor at Sourcewell and is an EL Teacher 'by trade'. Amanda has extensive experience in school improvement, implementation frameworks, and program development. Amanda strives to create positive change and advocates for educational equity and equitable opportunities for all learners, especially for our multilingual learners in rural spaces. 

To achieve success in the early years of teaching, new teachers need practical strategies and insights to thrive. Topics like building strong relationships, staying flexible, and collaborating with colleagues are just a few of the essential tools that help create a positive, impactful learning environment for both you and your students, while maintaining balance and fostering personal growth.

Ashley Wolf is an award-winning high school mathematics teacher and serves as the student council advisor at Plainview-Elgin-Millville HS. She is in her 12th year of teaching and holds a double major in mathematics and math education from Winona State University. Ashley proudly teaches in the same district where she grew up. 

Learn how AmeriCorps Promise Fellows are addressing the youth mental health crisis and the mental health workforce shortage.  

Jim Davnie brings 22 years of experience serving his community in the Minnesota House of Representatives and 17 years teaching middle school social studies. In the legislature he chaired the K-12 Education Finance committee. Previously Jim served as the Executive Director of SciMathMN, a nonprofit Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math advocacy group that is a collaboration of K-12, higher education, and business communities.

Brandon Brooks is the AmeriCorps Partnerships Manager and is also a big-picture thinker, ideator, and initiative-taker. He loves working with young people and is always looking to preserve the integrity of youth voice. Brandon is an AmeriCorps Public Allies alumni.

Join this mini session to learn practical strategies to transform school environments and school culture to inspire positive change where staff and students feel valued and supported.

Klint Willert is currently Superintendent of Pipestone Schools as well as an experienced consultant and speaker for leaders who want to improve workplace culture, leadership, continuous improvement, innovation, and teamwork. He has also served as  superintendent of Brookings (SD) Public Schools, Brainerd School District, and Marshall Public Schools. He earned his Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas with a study on leadership practices in Baldrige Award recipient organizations.

Learn to listen in a way that people love speaking to you and learn to speak in a way that people love listening to you. Find the balance between caring personally and challenging directly as you communicate with radical candor, and discover the “Sweet Spot” when communicating in teams by improving your team’s conversational capacity.

Jenna Fromm has been a bus driver, coach, and teacher and is a lifelong learner. Jenna stepped into a leadership role with Palmer Bus Service, the family business, in 2015. She sees herself as a servant/leader and believes that surrounding herself with great people is of utmost importance.

What does school culture and educator retention and recruitment look like through the lens of an administrator, school board member, classroom teacher? Building a positive narrative for school districts is a continued challenge but increasingly important to maintain community, staff, and student support. 

Lee Carlson teaches HS English and SPED at Martin County West, coaches track, and drives bus.  A career that began in 1988 near the Canadian border in Oslo, MN now occupies a classroom near the Iowa border. In between, Carlson has taught in several rural districts while also serving as a board member and President for MREA, as well as boards for Education MN and MEEP.