BrightWorks News - February 2025

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Subject: BrightWorks News - February 2025

View and register for Winter/Spring 2025 events.

Staff Directory

Explore Careers at BrightWorks

Spring PD Catalog coming soon!

Join us for a World Savvy ChangeMaker Hub in April

Students working together in a circle at desks.

BrightWorks and World Savvy are partnering this spring to offer a ChangeMaker Hub, which is an immersive, day-long learning experience that brings students, educators, school leaders, and community members together to rethink education and design solutions for a more inclusive, relevant, engaging school system.

As schools work to address chronic absenteeism, student engagement, and classroom relevance, it’s essential to incorporate the voices and experiences of students.

Through collaborative inquiry and meaningful dialogue across generations and roles, participants will reflect on the current system, share perspectives, and co-create ideas to take back to their schools and districts. Students will leave with actionable solutions to spark change in their communities, while adults gain a deeper understanding of the student experience and tools to support youth-led innovation.

With ongoing support from World Savvy and BrightWorks, these ideas will be nurtured into lasting impact. You are invited to join us on April 23rd to build a future where education works for everyone. This event is for BrightWorks member districts and schools.

Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Location: The Machine Shop, 300 2nd St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55414

Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Attendees: High School students (9th-12th grade), along with adults from the school/district (school leaders, educators, and community members). For every 3 students, 1 adult is required to attend.

Cost: $100/student (no fee for adults)

To learn more and register, email Brittany Stepan at brittany.stepan@brightworksmn.org

Minnesota DeafBlind Project Family Highlights

The Minnesota DeafBlind Project (MNDBP) is a small, but mighty team of three. Deanna Rothbauer is the Project Co-Director; Ann Mayes is the Education Specialist; and Brandy Sebera is the Family Engagement Coordinator. As a team, the MNDBP provides support, resource-sharing, workshops, webinars, and mentoring to families and education teams of infants, children, and youth who have both hearing and vision loss, from birth to age 22 while on an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP). Any family member, educator, or service provider in Minnesota can request services.

We are excited to highlight the work that the MNDBP does with families in Minnesota. We believe in the importance of families learning all they can about combined hearing and vision loss (deafblindness) and how that impacts their child’s ability to learn and communicate. We provide targeted support for individual families through video/phone calls and texts, resource-sharing, learning opportunities, and fostering connections within the DeafBlind network and community. We partner with family, state, and national organizations, and other agencies to provide coordinated resources for families all across Minnesota.

The BrightWorks Minnesota DeafBlind Project team (left to right): Brandy Sebera, Ann Mayes, and Deanna Rothbauer.

Additionally, the MNDBP hosts fun family events that provide opportunities for parents and guardians to connect with other families. In January, there is an annual winter party and on the first Saturday in June, we host an annual picnic for families and interveners. We’ve also hosted a very well-received Moms’ Retreat weekend and look forward to our next one in May 2025. Most recently, through the MNDBP Family Learning Community, families can participate in a virtual learning series called: Empowering Families Through DeafBlind Training. This is an opportunity to learn about strategies, new resources, and most importantly, connect with other families. All services are free for families.

If you know or work with a family whose child has qualifying combined hearing and vision loss, they can reach out for support by completing this brief Register Your Child form, which is available in five languages.

Learn more about the Minnesota DeafBlind Project.

BrightWorks COMPASS Updates

MDE, COMPASS, and MN Service Cooperatives logos

The BrightWorks COMPASS team is actively serving districts in the seven-county metro area. From July through December 2024, our staff supported educators and administrators in 164 schools.

We continue to provide system-level supports within the Minnesota Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MnMTSS Framework) in the areas of Literacy (READ Act), Math, Culture and Climate, Equitable Access, and Culturally Responsive School Leadership. This support is funded by MDE and is available to all public districts, schools, and charters in the seven-county metro.

Please complete the BrightWorks COMPASS Services Request Form to request support.

Below are examples (by area) of how our COMPASS staff is engaging schools.

Literacy (READ Act)

Monthly District Literacy Lead Communities of Practices
Monthly Local Certified Facilitator Communities of Practice
Coaching of Local Certified Facilitators
Individual district support as needed generated from Communities of Practice to support the implementation of the READ Act
Upcoming Events:
- Regional Literacy Networking - An in-person networking event for district literacy leads. Learn more and join the COMPASS Literacy Team for this in-person event at BrightWorks - Bethel Anderson Center.
- Register for an in-person literacy networking event:
- Community of Practice: Local Certified Facilitators
- Register for a virtual Community of Practice (morning or afternoon):
  - March 5, April 2, May 7, and June 6
  - 8:00-10:00 am or
  - 1:00-3:00 pm

Mathematics

Facilitated sessions on supporting implementation of the 2022 Math Standards with district and charter leaders, curriculum coordinators, and instructional coaches
Collaboration with MDE to develop Learning Pathways for district and school leadership teams and teacher Professional Learning Communities
Upcoming Math Virtual Events:
- Building Strong Math Classrooms: The 8 Effective Teaching Practices, February 26, 2025, 12:00-1:30 pm - Register
- Supporting 2022 Math Standards Implementation, March 5, 2025, 10:00 am -12:00 pm - Register

MnMTSS

Delivered professional learning for COMPASS team members on components one and two of the MnMTSS Framework
Designed (BrightWorks COMPASS team) service model
Participated in MnMTSS Grant Recipient Community of Practice meetings
Supported MDE with six- and nine-session MnMTSS professional learning cohorts
Provided support to MnMTSS grant recipients
Provided follow-up support to current and previous MnMTSS cohort participants

School Improvement

School Advocates continue to support 138 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) identified schools and districts
This is the third year of offering support for these schools/districts in this identification cycle
The Advocates' work is focused on building sustainability with evidence-based practices

Culture & Climate

Weekly meetings with the statewide team to develop COMPASS Pathways for districts.
Focus areas: Restorative Practices, Non-Exclusionary Discipline, and Social Emotional Learning
Supporting individual schools/districts as requested
Upcoming Culture & Climate in-person (at BrightWorks) events:
- COMPASS Culture & Climate Regional Networking events are an opportunity for building and district leaders to connect with one another. We will have a quick 20 minute "PD Pop" and spend time sharing about what school culture and climate successes and challenges leaders are experiencing in the Metro Area.
- Register for an in-person Climate & Culture networking event:

Culturally Responsive Instructional Leadership (CRIL)

Monthly Metro Area Equity Leaders (MAEL) meetings, where a group of passionate leaders come together to network, collaborate, and uplift one another with a bold, collective voice! Together, they ignite powerful conversations and champion innovative strategies to advance Equity work and create lasting change!
Statewide CRIL Team professional development and community of practice
Culturally responsive professional development sessions and coaching for school leaders

Thousands of Students Tap into Curiosity, Creativity, and Confidence at SparkPath's Programs

SparkPath has had a great start to 2025 with over 1,000 students joining us at the University of Minnesota for our Creativity Festival and CreativeCon, January 7-9. Students learned how to make seed art, design their own board game, and breakdance (see photo below!), and much more. Check out our Creativity Festival and CreativeCon Impact Reports.

Save the date: The 2026 Creativity Festival will take place on January 13-14, and CreativeCon will take place on January 15 at the U of M.

Students learn to breakdance on the Ted Mann Concert Hall stage.

On January 18, we hosted the Minnesota Future City Competition at Metro State University in St. Paul. Thirty teams of 6th-8th graders from across Minnesota have been working on a city model and presentation all school year. These teams gave their presentations to groups of local engineers from companies including Eaton, CenterPoint Energy, the American Society of Civil Engineers-MN, Emerson, and HDR. Justice Page Middle School from Minneapolis won the day and competed at the National Future City Competition in Washington D.C. this month.

Save the date: The 2026 Minnesota Future City Competition will take place on January 24, 2026 at Metro State University.

Seven students stand behind their future city model.

Knowledge Bowl (KB) Seasons

Culminate in Regional and State Meets

Twenty-one teams advanced to the Metro Senior High Knowledge Bowl Norlander Regional Meet, which will take place on February 25. The teams will vie for a spot at the State Meet in Brainerd in April. Congratulations and good luck to the following high schools competing at Regionals: Andover, Benilde-St. Margaret's, Blaine, Champlin Park, Chaska, Cretin-Durham Hall, Edina, Hastings, Holy Family Catholic, North, Rosemount, Saint Thomas Academy, Shakopee, South St. Paul, Southwest Christian, and St. Anthony Village.

Knowledge Bowl students sit at a table together.

On Saturday, February 22, Middle Grades Knowledge Bowl will host an invitational State Meet at DaVinci Academy in Ham Lake. Thirty-five teams are scheduled to compete at the 80's themed meet! Bodacious!

MN Braille Challenge Rescheduled to March 22

Due to a snowstorm earlier this month, the first MN Braille Challenge is rescheduled to March 22. We are excited to welcome 12 students, who will compete in the following literacy contests:

Spelling
Reading Comprehension
Proofreading
Charts and Graphs
Speed and Accuracy

Learn more about the first Minnesota Braille Challenge!

Sushine in the middle with “Let's Go! Let's Braille“ and “MN Braille Challenge“ around it.

May 2025 Young Authors Conference Theme:

Adventure in Every Draft!

The Young Authors Conference is an inspiring one-day field trip for students in grades 4-8 who love to read and write. Participants spend a day learning from and writing with professional Minnesota writers. Students gain new strategies and skills to express themselves more effectively, write with confidence, and bring their ideas and dreams to life on the page.

May 27-29, 2025

May 27 Keynote: Jacqueline West

May 28-29 Keynote: Shannon Gibney

Early Bird registration deadline: March 4, 2025

A hiker with a pencil as a walking stick climbing a mountain made of books.

BrightWorks Leads

Minnesota Teacher Apprenticeship Programs

BrightWorks is excited to announce the formation of a Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC), which is dedicated to addressing the teacher shortage in our state by providing a pathway for school employees to earn a Tier 4 teaching license through job-embedded training overseen by an experienced teacher. Our JATC, comprised of 50% union leaders and 50% school district management, sponsors licensure pathways in highly needed areas, such as special education.

We are working diligently with our university and district partners, the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry, the Minnesota Department of Education, and Education Minnesota to expand this innovative pathway to Tier 4 teacher licensure and increase the number of much-needed teachers for Minnesota students.

Currently, twenty-one apprentices (paraprofessionals working in the four metro area intermediate districts) are in the first year of the BrightWorks-sponsored dual licensure program. This program, developed among the four Intermediate School Districts, is the first Registered Teacher Apprenticeship program in Minnesota. In May 2026, these apprentices will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree and dual licenses in Emotional Behavioral Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Additionally, BrightWorks is sponsoring programs awaiting approval for licensure areas in Academic Behavioral Strategies, Early Childhood Special Education, and dual licensure in Special Education and Elementary Education–all with the goal to launch in Fall 2025.

Are you interested in collaborating with BrightWorks to join an apprenticeship program or to build your own? Contact Gina Boots at gina.boots@brightworksmn.org.

What is a Teacher Apprenticeship Program? What is a JATC?

A registered apprenticeship program is recognized by the state and federal Department of Labor and meets the Core Competencies of the profession. You may be familiar with the apprenticeship model in other occupations such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. Key features of a Teacher Apprenticeship Program include on-the-job learning, being paid while completing the program, a unique partnership with higher education, and mentorship by a licensed teacher. This model addresses systemic barriers (time and cost) that often prevent individuals from entering and staying in the education field.

Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs) provide apprenticeship training and continuing education to registered apprenticeship programs in the United States. Other industries, such as electricians and construction, have utilized this structure for decades. The purpose of the JATC is to establish structures and systems across teacher apprenticeship programs, including complaint processes, managing apprentices moving in and out of programs, data collection, and ensuring the programs meet industry needs. It provides systemization and structure to ensure the fidelity of programs.

BrightWorks Offers Two Assessment Options for Paraprofessionals

Paraprofessionals who assist with classroom instruction must meet state requirements beyond a High School diploma, or its equivalent. BrightWorks offers two options to satisfy this demand:

ParaEducator Courses and Assessment
Praxis ParaPro Assessment

Both programs are designed to fulfill requirements of the federally legislated No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, which measures the math, reading, and English skills of practicing or aspiring Paraprofessionals, as well as their ability to apply these skills and knowledge when assisting in a classroom setting.

Advantages to using these value-added services through BrightWorks:

• Flexible exam scheduling (morning and afternoon availability, Tuesday-Friday)

• Appointments offered on an individual basis

• Access to a computer with pre-loaded exam

• Conveniently located metro exam site

• Test-takers receive their score immediately after taking the exam

• Option for district proctoring (ParaEducator program only)

Learn more about ParaEducator Courses and Testing

Learn more about the Praxis ParaPro Assessment

To schedule an exam appointment,

contact Angela Skrade at 612-638-1528 or angela.skrade@brightworksmn.org

How Can Cooperative Purchasing Connection Help?

Five CPC Conference Questions!

Cooperative Purchasing Connection (CPC) attends over 20 conferences, trade shows, and association meetings every year. We always enjoy great conversations with our members, but we also understand that it can be tough for some people to converse with people that they've never met in real life.

As always, CPC is here to help! Here are five great questions that have led to really productive conversations between CPC members and the CPC Team:

• How can CPC help with Referendum planning?

CPC vendors will work with your architects and project planners to provide contractually negotiated costs for your upcoming projects. Ask us how!

• How does CPC help bring efficiencies into the purchasing process?

Every organization has a unique procurement process. We can help you spot areas where cooperative purchasing can help your organization save time and money. Two commons areas of efficiency are: using our contracts instead of going out to bid and using Express to centralize your eProcurement.

• How can CPC help us save money on maintaining facilities?

CPC's portfolio of facilities and maintenance contracts is both deep and wide. Some CPC vendors will develop maintenance plans for free and others can help you reduce costs by organizing your operations. Let us talk you through our vendors' offerings and point out opportunities to save!

• How does CPC help us to get money back on electronics?

That's right! CPC awarded a contract to a tech buyback vendor that will actually pay you for your electronics! This one is always a popular topic.

• How exactly does using CPC support your local service cooperative?

Our favorite question! CPC is a program of eight Minnesota Service Cooperatives, and we're always happy to talk about how the partnership between members, vendors, and the CPC Team supports our service cooperatives!

Visit our website or drop us a line at info@purchasingconnection.org.

edNews Editor: Colleen Feller, colleen.feller@brightworksmn.org

BrightWorks is a Minnesota Service Cooperative. Our mission is to support districts and schools in the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven-county metro area.

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Subject: BrightWorks News - February 2025