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May 2019, Vol. 26, No. 4
edNews is a quarterly publication of the Metropolitan Educational Cooperative Service Unit
Editor: Colleen Feller
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Metropolitan Education Leaders Network: A fantastic year of leadership development
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| Metropolitan Education Leaders Network (MELN) is a membership
organization for all education leaders, including school and district
administrators, principals, assistant principals, teacher leaders, teaching and
learning directors, superintendents, content and learning coaches, and other
interested educators.
Leadership In-Service series of trainings and special
learning opportunities are offered throughout the year. MELN membership is
tier-based, and district members receive free attendance within tier for
workshops, and discounted attendance for participation above tier. MELN also offers monthly collegial groups participation.
MELN’s 2018-19 Leadership In-Service series focused on
Learner-Centered Learning. Four presenters featured four different approaches
including Modernizing Curriculum (Yancy Unger),Social-Emotional Learning
(CASEL/Tyrone Martinez-Black), Equity-Centered Design Approach (Caroline Hill),
and the Honeycomb Model for Personalized Learning (Jim Rickabaugh).
Our 2019-20 Leadership In-Service series promises to be
relevant, valuable, and constructive. Watch for our calendar in your email in September. For more information about MELN, contact Susan Frame, 612-638-1543 or susan.frame@metroecsu.org |
| | | Top metro area spellers compete for their chance in Scripps National Bee
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| On March 19,
Metro ECSU was the proud sponsor of our 3rd Annual Regional Bee. For
this important educational event, 48 spellers from the Metro Area assembled at
Neighborhood House at Wellstone Center in St. Paul to compete in the 2019 Regional
Spelling Bee, a qualifier for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington
D.C.
The participating fourth through eighth grade students were all champions who
had previously won their local bees, moving on to our regional bee after
achieving a top score in an online qualifying exam.
After 12
rounds, Annika Kim, a sixth-grade student from Lake Middle School in Woodbury, was
named regional champion, correctly spelling “tardigrade” as her championship
word.
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| Annika was
awarded a plaque, spelling supplement, mint coin set, a one-year subscription
to Encyclopedia Britannica Online, a one-year subscription to Merriam-Webster
Unabridged Online, and travel expenses and accommodations for the Scripps
National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. (May 26-31, 2019).
Torin
Lesiak, a sixth-grader from Anwatin Middle School in Minneapolis, battled
tenaciously, missing his word “cataphract”, allowing Annika the opportunity for
her final word.
The top
spellers also included Amira Abdirahman an eighth grader from St. Louis Park
Middle School in St. Louis Park. Amira won third place in round 10, after
misspelling the word “andradite”.
Spelling
bee participation not only improves students’ spelling skills and increases
their vocabularies but provides valuable experience in developing poise -- a
necessary skill for success in public speaking, performing arts and athletics.
Metro
ECSU would like to acknowledge our
sponsors: Blue Plate Restaurant Co., Encyclopedia Britannica, Hexico Academic, Hi-Lo
Diner, The Jungle Theater, Mall of America, Merriam-Webster, Minnesota
Landscape Arboretum, St. Paul Saints, and WA Frost and Company. Thank you for helping to make our Regional Bee
a great success!
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| | Metro ECSU welcomes new staff member, Michele Bowler!
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| Michele Bowler joined Metro ECSU's accounting department in April as the new bookkeeper and took a few moments to share a bit about her professional and personal life.
What is your education background? I hold a BSS Business Management with an emphasis in
Human Resources.
Tell us about your career experience. I have spent several years working in education as a
behavioral and administrative paraprofessional with a metro school district. I
have also worked for a charter school as the office manager with duties
including accounts payable, payroll, student enrollment. After several years in
education, I decided to try my luck in private business working in office
management for an engineering firm and a law firm. I've decided that my heart
belongs in education in any form and I am very excited for the opportunity to work at Metro ECSU as its bookkeeper.
What about your life outside of work? My family includes husband,Tom, daughter, Sarah, and son,
Ryan. Sarah has a 3-year-old Shih
Poo (crossbreed between a Poodle and a Shih Tzu) named, Maisy, who I
enjoy taking for walks, and hanging out with when Sarah is busy.
I am a fan of Minnesota sports teams and try to attend games
when I can. I am looking forward to attending a Minnesota United FC Soccer game at
the new Allianz Stadium. Until then, go Twins!
Contact Michele Bowler at 612-638-1507 or |
| | | Introducing THE NEST: New Educator Support & Tools Center
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| The MN Low
Incidence Projects rolled out the New Educator Support & Tools Center (NEST) for new special educators at the
annual Charting the Cs conference that was held in April.
The
NEST was developed to provide support and resources to new special educators including information about mentoring, access to online training
modules, and free tools for their classrooms.
Throughout the Charting the Cs conference, trained staff were available to guide
educators with five or fewer years of experience through the NEST. In addition, educators were eligible for donated prizes
and a free reinforcer penny board.
This
event was a great opportunity for new educators to feel supported and
valued! The tools and resources provided
will help these educators move forward and thrive in the challenging yet
rewarding field of Special Education.
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| | Minnesota Centers of Excellence celebrates achievements and passion at annual retreats
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| | Minnesota Centers of Excellence for Young Children with
Disabilities (MNCoE) celebrated Minnesota Early Childhood Programs at our
annual implementation retreats. In four
days of retreats, over 500 participants came together to share their
stories, network and learn from each other and celebrate success using three
sets of evidence-based practices: Family Guided Routines Based Intervention,
Classroom Engagement Model and Pyramid Model. |
| | Eight teams received a certificate of recognition from Governor Tim Walz
for completing five years of implementation: St. Francis Early Learning
Program, Rochester Public Schools, Minnetonka Early Intervention, Richfield Early
Intervention, Deer River in partnership with Invest Early, Mankato Early Intervention,
Elk River Public Schools and Zumbro Education Early Intervention Team.
We are also proud to share
that Hope Beissel, a Professional Development Facilitator at Metro ECSU, was
honored by the National Pyramid Model Consortium as the Pyramid Model Champion
for 2019. Hope was recognized at the National Training Institute in St.
Petersburg, Florida for her outstanding achievements in coordinating the
Pyramid Model in Minnesota. Congratulations, Hope! |
| | | Mark your calendars for SBC's 2019-2020 program dates!
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| | Attention teachers of students in grades 3-12! There is an SBC program for you! We invite you to explore our website to learn more: www.successbeyond.org
2019-2020 SBC Student Program Dates
Creativity Festival (grades 3-5) January 7-8, 2020 Ted Mann Concert Hall, University of Minnesota
*CreativeCon (grades 5-8) January 9, 2020 Ted Mann Concert Hall, University of Minnesota *new date and location (formerly in November at the Science Museum of MN)
Minnesota Future City Competition (grades 6-8)
January 2020 (date TBD) Dakota County Technical College
STEMLink @ Dunwoody College of Technology (grades 5-6)
March 2020 (date TBD)
March Young Authors Conference (grades 4-8)
March, 20, 2020 Bethel University
STEMLink @ Normandale Community College (grades 5-6)
May 2020 (date TBD)
STEMLink @ Century College (grades 5-6)
May 2020 (date TBD)
May Young Authors Conference (grades 4-8)
May 26-29, 2020 Bethel University
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| | SHKB State Tournament -- Can't be stopped by a blizzard!
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| The 2019 Knowledge Bowl State Meet took place April 10 and
11 at Cragun’s in Brainerd. 48 teams from across Minnesota participated in two
divisions, A and AA. All Metro teams participated in the large school division (AA). Three of the six Metro teams in attendance placed in the top 6
at the meet.
Meet results:
Prior Lake High School - 1st place
Chanhassen High School - 5th place
Tartan High School - 6th place
Anoka High School - 8th place
Totino-Grace High School - 14th place
Chaska High School - 21st place
Congratulations to all metro schools that qualified for the state meet and to the blizzard that forced
half the teams at Cragun’s to stay an extra night!
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| | | SBC is seeking an intern for fall 2019!
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| Success Beyond the Classroom participates in the
University of Minnesota's Community Service Program. If you know a student
attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus this upcoming academic year in need of a work
study assignment, please send them our way! We'd love to introduce them to
nonprofit work through a paid internship at Success Beyond the Classroom.
Part-time hours. Flexible schedule. Challenging and interesting work.
Questions can be directed to Gina Jacobson, Director.
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| | Metro ECSU wishes you a great summer! See you in the fall.
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