2026 MREA
Breakout
Sessions
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Monday, Nov 16This session presents a scalable framework using novels as anchors for interdisciplinary, standards-aligned learning, enhanced by AI tools for planning, differentiation, and assessment. Educators learn to pull standards from story, turning a shared text into a learning experience spanning science, math, social studies, agriculture, and ELA through real-world systems thinking. The session also shows how AI can streamline unit design and reduce workload, particularly valuable in rural and alternative settings.
Traci Walkowski is a secondary educator with nine years of experience in agricultural and interdisciplinary, project-based learning. She holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Agricultural Education and Communication from the University of Minnesota and is licensed in grades 5-12 Agricultural Education. She designs standards-aligned, real-world experiences integrating agriculture with science, economics, and social studies, and co-owns Farmacy LLC, a small agricultural business focused on sustainable, community-based food systems.
Colleen Weis is an experienced educator with 19 years in alternative school settings, including 15 years in a Setting IV program for students with significant emotional and behavioral needs. She holds a Master's Degree in special education from the University of St. Thomas and an Ed.D. in K-12 Leadership from Bethel University. Her work centers on structured, supportive environments and improving outcomes for students in alternative education.
Grounded in Hoyle's semantic status framework and Lortie's apprenticeship of observation, this presentation examines how current practitioners' perceptions influence others' interest in becoming teachers. Drawing on survey data from 3,840 Minnesota teachers, findings reveal low to moderate perceptions of professional status and significant workforce instability. Nearly half considered leaving their positions. Urban educators reported the lowest perceptions while rural educators reported the highest, an asset for recruitment.
Dr. Scott Klimek is a faculty member in the Nibbe School of Teaching and Learning at Minnesota State University Moorhead. He brings more than 30 years of experience as a classroom teacher, school administrator, and higher education faculty member across the K-12 and higher education continuum. He currently teaches Social Studies Methods and educational assessment, with research focused on teacher retention, recruitment, and self-efficacy.
You are doing extraordinary work inside your schools every day, but most of your community doesn't fully see, understand, or trust it. That distance is a strategic risk, eroding confidence, enrollment stability, morale, and referendum support. This session shows how Willmar Public Schools closed that gap with intention, consistency, and compelling stories, producing over one million social media views, 24% audience growth, and a communications culture embedded throughout the district.
Jake Sturgis worked for two school districts in the Twin Cities for nearly 12 years before starting Captivate Media + Consulting in 2014. He served on the Minnesota School Public Relations Association Board from 2015 to 2019, including one year as President. Jake is married with two children, Colton, 15, and Graham, 13.
Dr. Bill Adams is the Superintendent of Willmar Public Schools, a role he has held since July 2024 after serving as Assistant Superintendent for two years prior. With nearly two decades of superintendent experience across rural Minnesota, including New London-Spicer and Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, he brings deep understanding of the challenges facing greater Minnesota districts. Dr. Adams holds a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Bethel University.
Discover the essentials of Career and Technical Education, including key funding streams, the value of CTE-approved programs, and impactful professional development opportunities. Gain insight into federal and state policy and how your voice can shape strong, student-centered CTE pathways that prepare students for meaningful careers and equip them to make informed decisions about life beyond high school.
Gwenn Wolters is a Career and Technical Education Coordinator at South Central Service Cooperative, where she connects regional high school students with meaningful career exploration opportunities. Her work bridges the gap between employer expectations and student interests, helping young people make informed decisions about their futures. Through hands-on programming and regional partnerships, Gwenn is passionate about empowering the next generation to discover their potential and plan purposefully for life beyond high school.
Jenny Maras is the Program Director for Teacher Recruitment and Retention with Minnesota Career and Technical Education and Lakes Country Service Cooperative, where she coordinates the statewide Grow Your Own initiative. With more than 25 years in education, she previously taught high school business and communications technology. She is a doctoral candidate at Minnesota State University Moorhead and was named 2023 National Rural Teacher of the Year.
What if fixing today's educational challenges means rediscovering what already worked, not chasing the next new initiative? In this "Back to the Future" inspired session, Dr. Jamie Juhl and Dr. Wendy Schoolmeester take participants on a journey through time to revisit effective instructional and leadership practices from the past. Blending experience, research, and practical application, they challenge the idea that innovation always means something new, showing how to modernize proven practices for immediate impact.
Dr. Wendy Schoolmeester has dedicated nearly four decades to education, serving as an elementary teacher, principal, professor of education, and school board member and chair. Since retiring in May 2023, she continues sharing her expertise as an adjunct professor at Southwest Minnesota State University and as a Service Provider for the MN School Board Association. She is passionate about teaching, writing, presenting, and cherishes time with her four grandchildren and family.
Dr. Jamie Juhl serves as Director of the M.Ed. Programs, CAEP Coordinator, and Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Sioux Falls, teaching courses and leading program development and accreditation efforts. She also serves as VP of the Board of Directors for Educators Rising South Dakota. With over a decade of K-12 experience, she has worked as a special education teacher, classroom teacher, and K-12 Special Education Coordinator, plus leadership in athletics.
Tired of repeating directions, managing constant disruptions, and ending the day exhausted? Led by a current middle school teacher with 10 years of experience, this session shares real, proven systems used daily in Mrs. Sky's 6th grade math classroom. Focused on building strong routines, meaningful relationships, purposeful tech use, and effective parent communication, you will walk away with practical strategies to reduce behaviors, increase engagement, and enjoy teaching again.
Lexi Skajewski is a middle school math teacher with 10 years of classroom experience. She holds a bachelor's degree from College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University and a master's in Educational Technology from Concordia University, Saint Paul. She is the founder of Sky's Behavior Solutions, providing practical professional development that helps teachers build systems that work, and has presented across northern Minnesota, including a two-day seminar at Bemidji State University.
This session highlights a shared leadership model across two rural Minnesota school districts, including a shared superintendent, business manager, and social worker, designed to improve financial sustainability while maintaining strong student supports. Participants will learn how shared services create opportunities to compare operations and drive efficiency. The session also addresses practical challenges of shared roles, including communication, governance, and workload balance, with candid lessons learned.
William Peel currently serves as shared Superintendent for Willow River Area School and Barnum Public Schools in rural Minnesota, where he leads innovative shared service models to improve financial sustainability and operational efficiency. He has worked alongside the business manager for 10 years, building strong alignment in financial management and decision-making. He oversees multi-million-dollar budgets and previously served as Superintendent, Principal, and Dean of Students.
Laura Carlson serves as shared Business Manager for Willow River Area School and Barnum Public Schools, leading financial operations with a focus on accuracy, transparency, and efficiency. She has worked alongside the Superintendent for 10 years, building strong alignment in financial planning and decision-making. Laura oversees complex budgeting for multiple districts and was honored in 2025 as the Minnesota Association of School Business Officials School Business Official of the Year.
Educational institutions face increasing legal and public scrutiny when safety incidents occur, and liability is often determined by gaps in implementation and unclear accountability rather than the mere presence of policies. This session addresses how schools can reduce institutional liability by strengthening safety as a system-wide practice rather than a compliance exercise, exploring where risk exposure exists and what steps improve consistency and defensibility across classrooms, leadership, and governance.
Lindsey Brockberg brings 13 years of experience as an Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources educator to her role as AFNR Specialist at the Minnesota Department of Education. She holds a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and a master's from South Dakota State University. Her work focuses on supporting CTE programs through technical assistance, professional development, and resource development, with an emphasis on safety as a core component of program quality.
Tim Barrett is the Trade and Industry Specialist for the Minnesota Department of Education, where he and his colleagues support teachers across Minnesota who provide Career Technical Education programs for middle and high school students. Prior to joining MDE, Tim gained extensive workforce development experience during six years as Director of STEM Education and Workforce Development with the Minnesota Tech Association. He has organized and delivered professional development statewide.
Rural schools face limited time and resources for professional development. The CW-FIT rural coaching model offers a sustainable solution through self-paced online training that empowers teachers to control their learning while receiving support from school-based coaches. Learn how the intervention helps teachers define expectations, increase praise, and reduce disruptions, with case studies from Minnesota classrooms sharing improvements in school climate and teacher practice. Leave with practical tools and a clear path forward.
Haley Hamilton is excited to join the CW-FIT team. In her previous role, she taught middle school science and later worked for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, where she managed a mobile science lab that brought hands-on STEM experiences to communities across the state.
Alica Thomas works at Juniper Gardens Children's Project as a CW-FIT research project coordinator. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s and master's degrees in curriculum and instruction. Alica worked as an elementary school teacher for more than 20 years and six years in assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School District achieved a starting teacher salary of over $60,000 in its current contract. This session examines philosophical change and strategies to maximize starting teacher pay with minimal budget impact, plus how to approach HSA, VEBA, and 403(b) rules as retirement tools. Bring a laptop and salary schedule to explore free tools for evaluating early investing, with the goal of attracting new teachers and setting them up for financial success.
Kevin Wellen is a 20-year superintendent with 30 years in administration and in his 40th year in education. He officially retired December 31, 2021, but returned to the superintendency at Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Schools, where he is in his fourth year. He shares with staff the advantages of retirement tools like the state pension, 403(b)s, HSAs, and VEBAs.
Keane Johnson is an alumnus of the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Schools class of 2004. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bemidji State with majors in Accounting and Finance. He is in his fourth year on the school board and second year as chair.
11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Monday, Nov 16For some school leaders, advocacy only emerges every four or five years during a referendum, but as critics of superintendents and school boards have elevated their tactics, districts must find, inform, and motivate advocates from within and outside the school community. Todd Rapp will discuss building lasting community support ready to activate during a crisis or referendum, while Dr. Brandon Lunak and Brenda Richman share how Moorhead Area Public Schools achieved a successful 2025 referendum.
Dr. Brandon Lunak is the Superintendent of Schools at Moorhead Area Public Schools, serving since April 2018 after seven years of administrative positions in Moorhead and Waubun-Ogema-White Earth. He received his Doctor of Education from Minnesota State Moorhead after earlier degrees from the University of North Dakota. Alongside Brenda Richman, he has implemented strategies to improve culture and stakeholder engagement, driving success through innovation and problem-solving.
Todd Rapp is CEO and President of Rapp Strategies, Inc. For the past 25 years, he has provided counsel for state, regional, and national clients in strategic communications, issues management, coalition development, and advocacy, supporting more than 80 rural Upper Midwest school districts with communications plans and successful levies. Todd also serves as a political analyst on Minnesota Public Radio and frequently speaks on the current political environment.
Brenda Richman is the Executive Director of Community Engagement and Public Relations for Moorhead Area Public Schools, leading district communications, community education, and public outreach since 2019. She earned her master's of business administration from the University of Mary and Educational Leadership credentials from Minnesota State University Moorhead, bringing a rich background in nonprofit communications, human resources, and change management. Alongside Dr. Lunak, Brenda mobilizes community partnerships and executes strategic engagement efforts that foster stakeholder trust and drive referendum success.
Learn about the new Minnesota Kindergarten Fall Assessment with MDE's Early Education Division. This session explores the purpose of the assessment and its design, shares key lessons from the fall 2026 pilot, and provides time for questions and discussion. Attendees will leave better prepared for statewide implementation in fall 2027.
Jon Vaupel is a proud parent of two middle schoolers whose career has focused on expanding opportunities and improving outcomes for young children and families at the federal, state, and local levels. As Minnesota Kindergarten Fall Assessment Coordinator, his work is shaped by experience as a researcher, advocate, policy advisor, administrator, kindergarten teacher, and parent. He serves on the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Area School Board, coaches youth soccer, and throws pottery.
We all want our staff to succeed in the classroom, but the real question is how we are supporting teachers to build the skills, tools, and confidence to meet growing student needs. Are behavioral and social challenges increasing, small disruptions turning into larger issues, and teachers feeling overwhelmed instead of proactive? It's time to take action before these struggles impact teaching and learning.
Curt Slater's message resonated deeply because it is fundamentally aligned with a human-centered approach. Rather than offer a quick, abstract motivational fix, he provided practical, grounded tools for self-awareness and vulnerability, helping staff see their inherent worth and power as educators. His emphasis on using real examples from real people and situations served as a reminder that effective education is built on authenticity, transparency, and the willingness to reveal that we are enough.
Karla Beck is the Superintendent in Madelia. The heart of her work as a Director of Teaching and Learning has been to affirm the great things happening in Redwood Area School District classrooms and to facilitate change where needed. She counts herself blessed to work with professional educators who work tirelessly on behalf of student learners, and who also desire to be learners themselves.
This superintendent-led panel explores how rural districts are addressing staffing shortages, improving operational efficiency, and planning for facility needs with limited resources. Facilitated by ICS, the session features candid insights, real-world examples, and forward-thinking strategies from experienced district leaders. Attendees will gain practical ideas from Superintendent Melissa Sparks of Henning School District, Superintendent Lance Bagstad of Park Rapids Area Schools, and Superintendent Matt Grose of Grand Rapids Area Schools.
Nathan Norton brings over 16 years of experience in facility planning and construction, along with a solutions-first mindset, to his work with school districts. He partners closely with district leaders to keep projects aligned and on track while making the process smooth. Deeply rooted in the Pequot Lakes community, he brings a personal stake to every project. His recent clients include Grand Rapids Area Schools, Nashwauk-Keewatin, and Fosston.
Lori Christensen has been part of ICS since 2013, bringing over 20 years of experience and a background in mechanical engineering. After starting her career in design, she now guides clients from big-picture vision to finished project with steady leadership and a collaborative approach. Based in Alexandria, Lori is a Professional Engineer and LEED AP whose recent clients include Walker Hackensack Akeley, Brandon-Evansville, and Lake Park Audubon.
More than one third of Greater Minnesota students report a long-term mental health concern, and schools are often the primary setting where youth receive support. This interactive session highlights strengths and bright spots in school mental health through stories from students, families, educators, and communities. Participants explore statewide and local trends, reflect on their own systems, and identify strategies to improve support, leaving with rural-specific resources and opportunities for continued learning.
Dr. Alyssa Parr is a Research Associate at CAREI who has conducted numerous research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects in K-12 and higher education settings serving racially and socioeconomically diverse populations. Through this work, she seeks to create more humanizing and racially equitable educational experiences for students, families, and staff.
Dr. Mengchen Su is a Research Associate at CAREI with experience in applied research and evaluation across K-12 and higher education. Her work focuses on equity-centered whole-child education and social emotional learning, with the goal of advancing equitable learning opportunities for all students, particularly those from historically marginalized communities.
Students need practical strategies for finding, evaluating, and using information responsibly. This session explores eLibrary Minnesota, a state-funded tool for teaching source evaluation, keyword searching, research question development, media literacy, and ethical use of information. Participants connect ELM resources and the ELM Learning Center to common classroom assignments and learn how to build short, repeatable lessons that strengthen student confidence without adding a separate unit to the curriculum.
Ann Kaste, MLIS, M.Ed, is an Outreach and Instruction Librarian at the University of Minnesota Libraries' Minitex Unit. She is a licensed school library media specialist who has worked as an Instructional Technology Coordinator in metro high schools and as an academic librarian at the University of Nebraska's McGoogan Library of Medicine. She loves connecting educators and librarians and finding ways instructional technology can enhance learning.
Sheri Levasseur is a teacher librarian of over 25 years, working in both public library Youth Services and most recently as a licensed Library Media Specialist. She currently teaches middle school information and media literacy classes while managing K-12 library collections for two schools in rural Central Minnesota.
One in five teens have experienced sextortion, an increasingly common form of technology-facilitated sexual abuse targeting young people. This presentation covers the scope of online sexual exploitation, grooming and abuser tactics, safety tips, reporting, and resources and services available for those experiencing this type of abuse.
Rebecca Kotz is the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force educator through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. She has over a decade of experience working with victims of abuse and trafficking and created central Minnesota's first Safe Harbor program for survivors of sexual exploitation. She spent 13 years in advocacy roles including crisis counseling, victim services, curriculum writing, and policy change, and has trained thousands of professionals on violence prevention.
Minnesota public schools have faced increased financial pressure from rising enrollment in online PSEO courses. This session provides an overview of Dual Enrollment, legislative efforts to address the challenges faced by public schools, and solutions implemented by schools to successfully provide lower cost options for students to earn Dual Enrollment college credits. Designed for administrators and board members looking to understand current challenges and effective options for their own districts.
Aaron Nelson has been a high school administrator for 16 years at both Roseau High School and Pequot Lakes High School. He has worked statewide with school districts to identify challenges and costs associated with Dual Enrollment, advocating with state legislators for statutory changes to address ballooning costs. His work with rural schools informs his advocacy and provides numerous solutions that have effectively reduced costs for schools across Minnesota.
When Superintendent Allen Berg started at GFW Public Schools in July 2025, he stepped into a construction project facing delays, changing plans, and constant communication demands. This session looks at leadership, communication, and flexibility through the eyes of a first year superintendent, with lessons on changing priorities, communicating collaboratively, and staying calm under pressure. Learning outcomes include the importance of administration and communications working together and tips for establishing leadership in a new community.
Allen Berg is superintendent at GFW Schools. He previously served as shared superintendent at Alden-Conger and Glenville-Emmons Schools, as elementary school principal in Staples-Motley Schools, and as Director of Community Education and Communications Services at Big Lake Schools. He describes himself as an accidental school administrator, since his background is in public relations and he started his career in the corporate world. He holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from St. Mary's University of Minnesota.
Kyle Noyed is a storyteller and strategist focused on effective, consistent messaging that earns community trust and drives an organization's mission. With more than eight years in public relations and communications consulting, he has helped school districts and organizations tell their stories, including work on operating levy and bond referendum campaigns, communications auditing and planning, website creation, social media campaigns, and email newsletter campaigns.
School districts are entering a period of rapid and sustained change driven by declining or shifting enrollment, evolving funding models, technological disruption, and a transforming workforce. This session will provide educational leaders with practical, actionable strategies to proactively plan for the future rather than react to it.
Participants will leave with tools, frameworks, and real-world approaches to right-size staffing, analyze programs, adapt funding strategies, and rethink workforce structures in a way that aligns with student needs now and beyond.
Lori Volz is a director with Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors specializing in serving public schools. She has more than 40 years of experience in the field of school finance, previously serving as executive director of finance and operations, deputy superintendent for public school districts and municipal advisor. Lori is a member of the MASBO Legislative Committee and is a licensed school superintendent through the Minnesota Department of Education. She was a recipient of a Pinnacle Award through ASBO International as well as a MASBO School Business Official of the Year.
Dr. Jay Staley is a K-12 Director with Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC, operating out of the firm's greater Indianapolis, Indiana practice. Described as a "value architect," Dr. Staley specializes in helping PK-12 public school systems navigate intense fiscal pressures to optimize their budgets and achieve their core educational missions. His consulting practice focuses on strategic financial planning initiatives, long-term capital forecasting, budget monitoring, and delivering localized school finance training. Dr. Staley brings more than 30 years of experience in public education to Baker Tilly, including 26 years serving directly within school district leadership teams. This deep, in-district perspective allows him to ground his advisory services in real-world educational operations.
2 pm - 3:15 pm
Monday, Nov 16This panel session explores how rural school districts partner with educator preparation programs to implement Registered Teacher Apprenticeship pathways that address staffing shortages, strengthen local talent pipelines, and support paraprofessionals and community members in becoming licensed teachers. Panelists from rural districts and the statewide Minnesota Teacher Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee share real-world experiences launching and sustaining apprenticeship partnerships, centering local relationships, job-embedded learning, and community-rooted workforce development.
Gina Boots serves as Director of the Minnesota Teachers Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee at BrightWorks Education Service Cooperative. With this statewide multi-employer sponsor, she is implementing and overseeing the first teacher apprenticeship programs across Minnesota. This fall, apprenticeship programs under the committee have grown to 5 different licensure areas, 3 different university partners, and 15 different school districts. Gina brings 19 years of experience as a special educator and educational leader.
Melissa Wilson bio coming
In this time of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence and extreme political and cultural polarization, it has never been more crucial to equip students with critical thinking skills. By teaching students how to think rather than what to think, we give them tools to navigate a world of bias and deepfakes. The Future Problem Solving program provides applied critical thinking training through a six-step process, with students researching real issues facing our world.
Angela Denstad has worked in online education for 15 years while serving in leadership roles supporting youth programming and providing direct student mentorship in disciplines ranging from writing to theatre to robotics. A writer, educator, and parent of two sons, she believes strongly in the power of innovative education to transform lives. As an alumna, affiliate co-director, and internationally certified evaluator for the Future Problem Solving Program, she is committed to keeping it available for the next generation.
Minnesota's READ Act requires universal screening and evidence-based instruction, intervention, and progress monitoring, but what does this look like in practice? This session focuses on how districts can move from screening data to actionable instructional systems that improve student outcomes, covering how to identify reading skill deficits, align instruction and intervention, and intensify supports within a Minnesota Multi-Tiered System of Supports.
Shelby Hicks is a READ Act Implementation Specialist with the Minnesota Department of Education, where she supports statewide literacy initiatives focused on evidence-based instruction, screening, and intervention. She brings over a decade of experience as an elementary teacher, interventionist, and literacy coach. Since 2020, she has served in MDE's Literacy Unit, helping districts implement the Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant and structured literacy practices aligned to MnMTSS.
Anna Gross has spent over 20 years in education teaching high school ELA in both the metro and most in a small, rural district. As a Regional Literacy Lead with Lakes Country Service Cooperative, she works with districts to best serve America's readers through their work with the MN READ Act as well as utilizing implementation science to improve literacy practices in alignment with MnMTSS.
Rural schools face a defining moment as artificial intelligence, rapid technological change, and evolving workforce demands reshape what students must know. Yet education systems remain among the most change-averse institutions in society, with compliance, tradition, and risk avoidance often pressing the brakes on innovation. This session challenges leaders to intentionally release the brakes, exploring how rural leaders can build trust, empower educators to experiment, and align innovation with community expectations.
Dr. Klint W. Willert has been nationally recognized as an educational leader and school superintendent for his work in leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement in schools. He currently serves as Superintendent of Pipestone Area Schools and has led districts across Minnesota, South Dakota, and Iowa. With more than two decades of experience leading change efforts, he is dedicated to helping school systems strengthen workplace culture and lead meaningful change.
You don't have to bleed to lead. Don't miss this session, especially if your thinking, or your staff's, has turned negative during the past few extremely difficult years. This session focuses on becoming aware of our inner life so we know when it is working and when it is not. It explores the conditions that invite us to go below the line and how to handle these experiences effectively.
Tom Cody, a co-founder of Top 20 Training, shares his unique witticisms, insights, and wisdom gathered from 40 years in the classroom. His professional life has been committed to education, serving as a grade school and high school math teacher and Social Emotional Learning teacher from 1974 until his retirement in 2014. Tom now devotes his time to Top 20 Training and its mission to revolutionize American education.
Trant Langemo bio coming
Kelly Braun bio coming
Educator stress and burnout are systemic challenges affecting retention, student outcomes, and the health of rural communities. In a regional survey of 1,717 school employees across 16 Northeast Minnesota districts, 66% reported moderate or high stress and 47% reported burnout. This session brings together Northeast Service Cooperative and Vital Network, who share practical, community-driven approaches to educator well-being, including listening to educator voice, building local ownership, and connecting schools to outside support.
Nate Eklund is the founder and CEO of Vital Network, a national organization focused on improving educator retention and well-being through workplace improvements. A former classroom teacher and author of How Was Your Day at School? Improving Dialogue about Teacher Job Satisfaction, Nate brings deep experience and research-backed insight to creating sustainable, joyful workplaces for educators.
Aubrie Hoover is the Regional Manager of Behavioral and Mental Health Services for the Northeast Service Cooperative. She oversees regional school crisis response efforts and works with regional, state, and national partners on systemic changes in how we view and prioritize mental health. Aubrie supported the 2024 survey on staff wellbeing across 16 Northeast Minnesota districts and has direct experience implementing supports throughout and since the pandemic.
Dr. Erin Lynn Raab is Chief Strategy and Impact Officer for Vital Network, where she collaborates with states, districts, and school leaders to help schools support educators who are well and teach well. She co-founded REENVISIONED and previously held leadership roles at Committee for Children, Choice-filled Lives Network, and The Future Project, plus five years researching education in South Africa. She holds a Ph.D. from Stanford's Graduate School of Education.
Step into an interactive story session where everyday employee leave requests take unexpected twists and turns. As the make-believe narrative unfolds, attendees learn how to navigate different kinds of leave, explore consequences, and gain insight through hypothetical stories relatable to school districts. Attendees walk away with practical tips on how to navigate leave situations in a way that is consistent, compliant, and helps achieve district goals.
Abbie Thurmes bio coming
This session highlights opportunities within existing policy and procedure to create learning environments that differentiate and intensify instruction and supports to meet the unique needs of students. It provides an overview of learner-centered education and highlights three main avenues through which schools can leverage flexibility. Participants engage in a design sprint to choose one strategy, design a plan of action, and address friction points.
Christy Irrgang is an experienced educator and advocate specializing in alternative education. She serves as an Alternative and Extended Learning Consultant at the Minnesota Department of Education, partnering with schools and communities to expand access to meaningful learning pathways. With over 15 years of experience, including as a school director, instructor, and graduation specialist, she is committed to creating systems grounded in trauma-informed practice, creative pedagogy, and education as a vehicle for justice.
Jeff Plaman is an education specialist in the Career and College Success division at the Minnesota Department of Education. A lifelong learner and career educator, he has taught science, technology, and design subjects in Minnesota, Berlin, Beijing, and Singapore. An experienced instructional coach and designer, Jeff currently supports online and digital instruction, supplemental online course providers, project-based and service learning, and flexible, learner-centered education options.
This session explores how rural districts can design and deliver sustainable support systems for special education staff, including paraprofessionals, teachers, and administrators. Participants examine how to align training with Minnesota requirements while using flexible delivery methods such as virtual training, in-person sessions, asynchronous learning, newsletters, and podcasts. The session focuses on practical strategies to address rural challenges like distance, staffing shortages, and limited time while building staff capacity and strengthening special education practice.
Tish Kalla is a Special Education Director serving 10 small, rural districts in southwestern Minnesota as part of the SWWC Service Cooperative. With 20 years of experience in special education, she has served in roles including special education teacher, itinerant director, and director of Setting IV behavior programs. Her background also includes general education experience as a school counselor, principal, and teacher, and she holds both degrees from South Dakota State University.
Breeana Braegelman is a Due Process Specialist with SWWC Service Cooperative, supporting special education teams across rural west-central Minnesota districts. With 14 years in special education as a teacher, coordinator, and now Due Process Specialist, she focuses on compliance, IEP development, and effective practices. She collaborates with educators and administrators to strengthen due process and provide professional development, and is pursuing her Special Education Director Licensure through MSU Moorhead.
3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
Monday, Nov 16Student and staff well-being cannot rest solely on schools, especially in rural communities with limited resources. This session explores how the Partnership for Rural Impact and RiseUp Partnership build systems of care beyond school walls, creating networks of supportive adults who share responsibility for student success. Participants learn how cross-sector collaboration among schools, nonprofits, families, and community members can reduce burnout, strengthen relationships, and foster well-being as a shared, sustainable community priority.
Jeimmy Yusty-Rojas is the Director of Cradle to Career Initiatives in Goodhue County, working as a liaison between Goodhue County Education District and RiseUp Partnership. She leads cross-sector efforts connecting schools, nonprofits, and local government to improve outcomes for young people from early childhood through career readiness, facilitating multi-sector partnerships across rural Minnesota. Her leadership centers on building shared ownership and practical strategies for long-term community impact.
Brooke Bohnet serves as Vice President at Partners for Rural Impact, advancing cradle-to-career outcomes through cross-sector partnerships nationwide. Her experience spans public, nonprofit, and community systems, including leadership at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she helped launch the Promise Zones. A former Presidential Management Fellow and middle school teacher, she brings a practical, equity-focused approach to helping communities build coordinated, measurable strategies.
Drawing on 25 years of representing public school districts, Attorney Kristi Hastings distills five practical lessons from real cases, difficult decisions, and an evolving legal landscape. With a focus on prevention, leadership, and sound judgment, the session highlights patterns that consistently matter most for schools. Participants gain concrete insights on risk management, documentation, communication, compliance, and culture, with candid reflections and actionable takeaways for navigating today's challenges with greater confidence.
Kristi A. Hastings is a Minnesota attorney with Pemberton Law who has devoted her 25 year legal career to representing public school districts. She advises boards and administrators on employment matters, student discipline, special education, Title IX, investigations, and governance issues, known for practical, prevention-focused counsel. Kristi regularly works with school leaders on risk management, policy development, and effective decision-making, and is a frequent presenter on school law topics across Minnesota.
Join MREA for an in-depth look at Education Equalization Credits (EEC), a proposed solution to Minnesota’s inequitable school property tax system and declining Local Optional Revenue (LOR) purchasing power. Learn how frozen funding formulas have impacted school districts, particularly rural and low-property-value communities, and why current levy equalization efforts fall short. MREA will explain its proposal to introduce a new inflation-adjusted LOR Tier 3 and provide transparent property tax credits for homeowners, businesses and agricultural landowners. Discover how this approach aims to strengthen school funding, improve taxpayer fairness and maintain statewide property tax neutrality during its first two years.
Aaron Fischer, MREA
Fred Nolan, PhD, MREA
Sam Walseth, MREA
Get back to basics with school safety best practices. This session re-engages attendees with safety concepts including emergency protocols, crisis communication, after hours planning, facility assessments, and technology integrations, with a focus on avoiding silos of training and information. Attendees receive implementation considerations, templates for activity plans, and a scenario discussion for an after hours event, plus an event plan to customize for their own district.
Emily Kaehn works for the Minnesota School Safety Center in the Department of Public Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management division, aiding K-12 schools statewide on all hazards planning, prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery. With 14 years of law enforcement experience, including 7 as an SRO, she previously served with Osseo Area Schools on emergency operations and threat assessment. Emily holds CPP, NTER Master Trainer, PREPaRE, and FEMA Emergency Manager certifications.
Megan Olstad serves as a School Safety Coordinator with the Minnesota School Safety Center, providing statewide training for school administrators and resource officers. With over 17 years in law enforcement, including eight as an SRO, she brings deep expertise in school safety and collaboration. Megan is President of the Minnesota Juvenile Officers Association and a certified Master Trainer in Behavioral Threat Assessment through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
There are many ways youth access gambling, often mistaken as harmless entertainment. Due to brain development and other risk factors, youth are especially vulnerable to problematic gambling symptoms and addiction, which can impact mental and physical health, education goals, and relationships. This presentation covers current trends in gambling and gaming, their impacts on youth, the link between substance use and gambling, and ways to prevent or reduce harm.
Sonja Mertz is the Community Educator for the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling. She joined MNAPG in 2021 with skills in prevention research, education, and advocacy, formerly serving as a Prevention Research Specialist with the Minnesota Prevention Resource Center. Sonja expands MNAPG's outreach throughout Minnesota, developing programs for youth, young adults, families, and educators. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science from St. Catherine University and is a Certified Prevention Professional.
What is Minnesota's vision for dual enrollment, and how can it become an essential strategy for student success? This session shares recent work led by the Minnesota P-20 Education Partnership, including highlights from the state's participation in the national Next Phase of Dual Enrollment Policy Cohort, key takeaways from rural students and statewide administrators, and final policy recommendations, exploring how collective work can advance strong outcomes for Minnesota's learners.
Josiah Litant joined the Minnesota P-20 Education Partnership in February 2023 as its inaugural executive director. His experience as a teacher and administrator spans over 20 years, most recently in vice president roles at Minnesota State College Southeast. Prior to that, he spent ten years as an administrator at Hampshire College and co-founded LightHouse Holyoke, an independent high school in Massachusetts. He holds an MA and BA from Goddard College.
Culture is a byproduct of relational discipline. This session explores intentional communication strategies that foster high-trust, high-clarity environments, deconstructing how to build high trust teams and use strategic joy and play to disrupt negativity. Participants learn to hold a mirror of accountability with grace, speak to give voice rather than to be heard, and design systems where every member can shine, refining communication into a disciplined practice of presence.
Daniel Ludvigson is the Superintendent of Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Schools, where he has led since 2017. His work focuses on building strong relationships, maintaining integrity under pressure, and developing disciplined leadership practices that help organizations navigate complexity. With nearly 20 years of leadership in Minnesota and North Dakota, he is a frequent speaker and writer on organizational dynamics, having delivered more than 25 presentations and published more than 20 articles, including in AASA's School Administrator. He is also developing the manuscript "The Kind Code: Leading with Integrity in Complex Systems," a leadership book currently under contract for publication.
Are you looking to start or expand a healthcare program in your rural school? This session offers practical steps for building high impact programs that benefit students and strengthen local workforce pipelines. Learn how students can earn industry-recognized certifications, such as Nursing Assistant at 16 or EMR/EMT with no minimum age limit, and how these opportunities encourage them to return to their communities as healthcare professionals, with strategies and partnership models for building sustainable pathways.
Jenny Neiss joined the Department of Education at the beginning of 2024 as the Career and Technical Education Health Science and Service Occupations Specialist. During high school, she earned EMT and CPR/First Aid instructor certifications, which she still maintains. Jenny brings a strong education background, having spent 10 years as a CTE Health Science teacher and HOSA advisor at Spring Lake Park High School, and is dedicated to expanding these programs across Minnesota.
Dr. Andrea Simon is the superintendent of Mahnomen Public Schools, bringing over 20 years of rural education experience. She is committed to expanding Career and Technical Education, leading development of new pathways such as medical careers and exploring apprenticeship models to address rural workforce needs. Known for steady, relationship centered leadership, she holds a Doctorate in Teacher Education and serves as Minnesota State Chair for the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools.
Alexandria Public Schools, Lakes Country Service Cooperative, and World Savvy have collaborated to grow student leadership skills that can stand the test of time in this ever changing environment. See how adults support the development of these skills through courses, curriculum, and other school based opportunities.
Rick Sansted has served as superintendent of Alexandria Public Schools since July 2020. He worked in the district since July 2015, previously serving as Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. Prior to Alexandria, he served in the Edina school district as an elementary principal, middle school assistant principal, and secondary social studies teacher for a total of 16 years.
Ryane Hardy is a Professional Learning Facilitator with World Savvy, a national nonprofit collaborating with educators to reimagine learning for a fast-changing, interconnected world. With over 15 years of experience as an educator and instructional coach, she has extensive experience building essential skills through content instruction, supporting multilingual learners, and empowering teachers to use data-informed, equitable practices across the state.
Join MREA’s 2026 Educators of Excellence as they share inspiring stories, practical insights and innovative approaches from rural classrooms across Minnesota. Hear firsthand how these outstanding educators navigate challenges, create meaningful learning experiences and build strong connections with students, families and communities. Through personal experiences and real-world examples, panelists will highlight creative teaching strategies, leadership lessons and the unique opportunities that come with educating students in rural schools. Attendees will leave with fresh perspectives, actionable ideas and renewed inspiration for their own work, while celebrating the dedication, resilience and impact of exceptional educators making a difference in rural Minnesota.
Kayla Schoenberg, MREA / Mindful Marketing
Holly Becker, Wadena-Deer Creek Schools