| MESPA Home > Professional Development |  | | MESPA Home > Professional Development | | Learning Leaders of Minnesota
The pressure is on principals to improve learning more than ever. The good news is that we know effective professional learning can make a difference. Professional learning done well has a significant impact on teacher practices and student learning.
MESPA is partnering with the Minnesota Staff Development Council (MSDC) and the University of Minnesota to provide an extensive and profound year-long, cohort-based learning experience for Minnesota elementary principals. This opportunity models the National Staff Development Council’s vision for professional learning and teamwork in schools, with a focus on improving and enhancing the learning experiences of all adults and students.
This opportunity models the National Staff Development Council's vision for professional learning and teamwork in schools with a focus on improving and enhancing the learning experiences of all adults and students.
Participants will gain an understanding of high-quality professional development practices and the National Staff Development Council's Standards, as they learn to:
• develop and sustain school-wide learning communities;
• involve teachers in meaningful collaboration;
• effectively work with and manage resistance;
• facilitate and lead school and professional development initiatives; and
• evaluate the effectiveness of their professional development efforts.
Site-based teacher leaders will be invited to attend the June sessions at no additional cost.
Work in this academy will be specifically aligned with many of the National Association of Elementary School Principals standards, especially:
- Standard One: Lead schools in a way that places student and adult learning at the center;
- Standard Four: Create a culture of continuous learning for adults tied to student learning and other school goals; and
- Standard Five: Use multiple sources of data as diagnostic tools to assess, identify, and apply instructional improvement.
Dates and Locations
The first academy of Learning Leaders of Minnesota will begin in conjunction with the MESPA Institute -- Shaping Great Minds
in February 2009. The academy will hold eight sessions in the course
of a year, February - February: for the list of session dates, scroll
to the application flyer (PDF) at the bottom of this page.
Sessions will be held at the Spring Lake Park District Services Center,
1415 81st Avenue NE, Spring Lake Park, MN 55432, and other locations in
connection with the annual MESPA Institute and MSDC Spring Forum.
Application details:
- Applicants must be currently practicing Minnesota elementary principals.
- Download and complete the application at the bottom of this page and send it to Minnesota Staff Development Council’s Learning Activities Coordinator, Chad Schmidt via
- email: chaschmidt@edina.k12.mn.us
- fax: 952-848-4056
- US Mail: 620 Wentworth Ave, South St. Paul, MN, 55075
- Applications must be received by December 15, 2008.
- Applications will be reviewed and participants will be notified by December 22, 2008.
Cost – $1500 per participant
- Includes supplies and materials that will be provided to all participants
- Option to register for graduate credits through the University of Minnesota
- Minnesota Board of School Administrators Clock Hours (80 hours)
For more information, contact:
Dr. Chad Schmidt, MSDC Learning Activities Coordinator and K-12 Data Coach, Edina Public Schools, chaschmidt@edina.k12.mn.us
Dr. Jeff Ronneberg, MSDC President and Assistant Superintendent, Spring Lake Park Schools, jronne@district16.org
Dr. Jennifer York-Barr, Professor, University of Minnesota, yorkx001@umn.edu
Learning_Leaders_of_Minnesota.pdf
Application and information flyer for the Learning Leaders of MN
Learning_Leaders_of_MN_App_ONLY.doc
application page (only) of Learning Leaders information flyer, in Word format.
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| Frequently Asked Questions | Q: How is this initiative similar to and/or different from the Minnesota Principals’ Academy?
A: Both academies focus on leadership, change, and professional development. The Minnesota Principal’s Academy is based on the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) program and consists of 14 modules delivered in 2- and 3-day segments over the course of a single academic year. The modules examine the wide-ranging duties of effective principals whereas the primary focus of Learning Leaders of Minnesota falls squarely on learning about and leading high-quality professional development practices in schools. The depth of study relative to professional development by participants in the Learning Leaders of Minnesota cohort will provide them with the tools and knowledge to enhance their role as building principals and learning leaders.
Q: Can district staff development funds be used for this initiative?
A: Yes. Elementary principals can use funds their district sets aside for staff development in accordance with MN Statute §122A.61 Reserved Revenue for Staff Development.
Q: Must I attend the MESPA Institute in order to participate?
A: No. While we’d encourage your participation and will have one of the 2009 MESPA Institute keynote speakers, Rob Bocchino, join us for part of our first session, it is not a requirement.
Q: What topics will be addressed during the year?
A: The emphasis for the first three sessions will be foundational knowledge of high-quality professional development, while the focus of the summer sessions will be design work, and the final three sessions will address issues of implementation.
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