 | MESPA Home |  | Institute 2010 built bridges to the future -- recognizing valued traditions in the principalship and leading toward necessary change.
- Starting with our hilarious welcome from Institute co-chairs Lillie Pang and John Garcia ("Go Gerbil!");
- through
the call to action-based empathy from Jamie Alamanzan -- to understand
cultural differences and how they impact education and true
communication;
- to the crystal clear discussion of Early
Childhood Education, our bridge to the future, with Fred Storti, Rep.
Nora Slawik, Federal Reserve Economist Rob Grunewald, and Principals
Amy Galatz and Christine Osorio;
- to the unflinching reality
stated by Scott McLeod that technology is changing education whether or
not we choose to be active and informed participants in the change;
- to insights on the federalizing of K12 from our MESPA Legislative Counsel Roger Aronson;
- plus the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, guidance from the author of our MESPA bookread selection "Building Strong School Cultures," focus sessions, exhibits, and networking with colleagues!
To download handouts and presentations, visit the Virtual Trade Show with Web links to Institute exhibitors, or view photos from the convention, click here.
NAESP Standards Webinars. Too busy to get away from your school for an in-person seminar, but still want to continue your professional development? Join NAESP's Webinars
devoted to the association’s six Leading Learning Communities
standards, the gold standard in public education for identifying what
principals should know and be able to do. The Webinars will be hosted
by experts and practitioners who offer insight and answers to questions
in real time. Each seminar is one-hour long and will conducted on
Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. (Central time). Attend only the sessions you
want. Participate in up to
three, and you will receive CEUs: October 1, November 5, December 3, January 7, February 4, March 4
MESPA Colleague to Colleague: Join our statewide principal blog and check out the new conversations on electronic report cards and parent access, and at what grade to start band and/or choir. You
can read and track your colleagues' ideas, or add to the conversations.
Click on the link above to join the flow -- quick and on-line!
Mission Possible: Enrich Your World and Beyond Join
over 5,000 of your colleagues at the National Association of Elementary
School Principals' 89th annual convention: Houston, TX, April 8-11,
2010. This is the largest professional development experience created
exclusively for elementary and middle level educators. Keynote speakers
include author Christopher Gardner (The Pursuit of Happyness), actress Marlee Matlin, and international education activist/author Greg Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea).
MESPA member Andrew J. Collins (principal, Dayton's Bluff Achievement Plus Elementary, St. Paul) has been honored as a National Turnaround Principal and selected to take part in a panel on Transformational Leadership Across America. Click above for details on convention registration and the MESPA travel package.
Growing Our Own: Emerging Leaders Conference, March 25
- Are you considering a career change to a different practice in educational administration?
- Do you know someone who would be an excellent leader who might just make the commitment given a bit of encouragement?
- Are you looking for an opportunity to explore leadership practice and recommit your career to excellent leadership?
Attend this conference and reflect on leadership practice, learn what it takes to lead
well, and consider the implications of shifting gears to a different
type of practice, whether you are thinking about licensure as a
principal, superintendent, special education director, or other central
office administrator. This practical one-day conference is for motivated and talented emerging education leaders, and current leaders seeking new directions: education students, teachers, principals, curriculum leaders, and special education leaders (supervisors, coordinators).
INVESTMN:
Let's invest in Minnesota together. Download articles and
presentations with talking points for use by school leaders. The Winter 2010 Bits 'n Pieces includes current facts and resources for you to use when talking about the status and needs of education: Just the Facts
on Values and Variables, Public Investment, Early Childhood, Charter
Schools -- Cause for Pause, Red Flags, Public Engagement, and Quick
Tips.
Plus Quotes and Quotables on Leadership, Citizenship, Future, Progress, and Accountability. An example on Leadership: “We need gutsy
leaders willing to raise adequate taxes, do it fairly, and invest in
Minnesota.” – Marcia Avner, public policy director, Minnesota Council of
Nonprofits
BONUS! Be the first to submit your answers to three bonus questions and win a copy of "Sparks: How Parents Can Ignite the Hidden Strengths of Teenagers," by Peter L. Benson.
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 | MN Bullying Prevention Initiative & Bookstore | Bullying affects students’ health, the school climate, academic achievement, and school liability. The evidence-based Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is brought to Minnesota through a partnership of MESPA, Hazelden, and the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Catch a free Webinar at your convenience: "Bullying: What Can MN Schools Do About It?" is permanently archived.
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 | MESPA Elections |
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 | Blog your way to CEUs! | MN Education Administrator Book Blog: Jan. 4 - April 30.
The discussion of "Building Strong School Cultures" -- led by Mary Hanson (MESPA
Ed Ad Committee chair) has begun! Join in whenever you can. Post six blog responses and you will receive 3 administrator CEUs. To learn more, visit the Book Read section.
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 | 2010 Legislative Priorities | MESPA supports MN Education through the following six Legislative priorities:
- High quality early childhood education programs and all-day every day kindergarten available for all.
- Principal as instructional leader.
- Evidence-based bullying prevention programs.
- Blended assessments, integrating diagnostic and summative data.
- Adequate sustainable funding.
- Minnesota Principals’ Academy.
To download a brochure with detail on each priority, visit Minnesota Legislative Advocacy,
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 | MESPA Race to the Top |
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 | MESPA Honors Excellence! | 2009-2010 MESPA Minnesota Schools of Excellence: Clover Ridge Elementary Gideon Pond Elementary Lino Lakes Elementary Little Canada Elementary Middle River Elementary & Greenbush-Middle River Middle School Click on the MN SOE logo!
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 | Check out the v3 Enhancements! | New MESPA customers receive six months free!
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 | Education Blogs | Leader Talk: group blog by school leaders for school leaders: PreK-12 administrators. Inservice: ASCD community blog—a place for educators to gather
and share ideas. Principals' Office: NAESP blog connecting elementary principals with
their colleagues. Dangerously Irrelevant: Ruminations on technology, leadership, and the future of our schools.
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 | MESPA Newsclips |
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 | MESPA Business Partners |
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 | Can't find something on the MESPA Web? | Use Search (left column).We also have a Search engine on our Members Only Web -- search there for information available only to MESPA members.
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