MESPA Home > Professional Development > MESPA Institute > Institute 2008: Changes, Challenges, Connections > Photos, a montage of Institute 2008
MESPA Home > Professional Development > MESPA Institute > Institute 2008: Changes, Challenges, Connections > Photos, a montage of Institute 2008
Institute 2008 in Review
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Institute 2008 Co-Chairs Rolf Carlsen and Hilde (aka, Karen Coblentz)
The 53rd MESPA Institute -- Changes, Challenges, Connections, offered three days for Minnesota elementary and middle level principals to:
Nourish your mind.
Refresh your spirit.
Network with your colleagues.

As always, Institute provided invaluable professional development
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Eastview Elementary students (Lakeville) Madeline Miller and Joshua Lofthus introduce Dr. Ron Ferguson
for  principals.

Keynote presentations included:
Principal Leadership for Raising Achievement and Narrowing Gaps with Dr. Ron Ferguson;
The Times They Are A Changin' -- transitioning schools into the 21st Century with Dr. Scott McLeod;
Current
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Jolene Landwer, 2008 National Distinguished Principal, was among the 50 principals honored at the Thursday evening annual awards banquet: l-r, P. Fred Storti, Jolene Landwer, Comm. Alice Seagren.
Legislative Issues in Minnesota Public Education with Roger Aronson, Sen. Kathy Saltzman and Rep. Mindy Greiling; and
It's NOT Just Joking Around -- a survivor's guide to bullying and peer abuse with Jodee Blanco.

Feature presentations included:
Top Five
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Participants come for professional development...and fun: Diane Trisko and Pam Becker.
Legal/Legislative Concerns of Principals with Roger Aronson;
“Bye Bye Bullies!" with Dr. Katia Petersen of Safe and Caring Schools, a special production of the National Children's Theatre Inc. play -- hilarious, and built on effective and proven curriculum; and
The Principals
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Annual Meeting, Membership Committee Report by Bonnie Johnson (at podium)
Role in RtI Implementation with Drs. Ann Casey and Susan Risius.

Nineteen focus sessions encapulated the role of the principal in increasing student achievement through School Culture (safety, diversity, crisis management, health), and Adult Learning (professional learning
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Institute 2009 Co-Chairs: Ranae Case Evenson (Springfield) and Jerry Hanson (Detroit Lakes).
communities, data, technology).

Plus we threw in selection of the three finalists for Minnesota National Distinguished Principal, a board meeting, an annual meeting, an awards banquet, and over 100 exhibit booths by cutting-edge education vendors.


Image Gallery: Wednesday, February 6

MESPA Board Meeting: l-r, Jean Clark, NAESP State Representative; P. Fred Storti, Executive Director; Richard Oscarson, President. MESPA Board Meeting: l-r, Kim Grengs, Western Division President-elect; Joan Maland, West Suburban Division President-elect; Todd Holthaus, Southwest Division President-elect; Russ Lofthus, Southwest Division President. MESPA Board Meeting: l-r, Joe Wacker, EPAC Chair; Olivia Gault, Director of Communications and Professional Development; and Joey Page, Federal Relations Coordinator/Legislative Resolutions Committee Chair. See all 11 images.


Image Gallery: Thursday, February 7
Day two of MESPA Institute 2008, February 7
Second Institute keynote with Roger Aronson and Minnesota legislators, "Current Issues in Minnesota Public Education": l-r, MESPA Legislative Counsel Roger Aronson, Sen. Kathy Saltzman, and Rep. Mindy Greiling. Following second Institute keynote with Roger Aronson and Minnesota legislators, "Current Issues in Minnesota Public Education": l-r, MESPA Legislative Counsel Roger Aronson, MESPA President Dick Oscarson, Sen. Kathy Saltzman, Rep. Mindy Greiling, NAESP President Mary Kay Sommers, and MESPA Executive Director P. Fred Storti. Jon Millerhagen, MESPA President-Elect, and Rep. Mindy Greiling See all 9 images.


Image Gallery: Exhibits
Vendor Exhibit Booths and Prize Drawings!
The Earl F. Andersen, Inc. vendor booth -- playground equipment (a MESPA business partner) A turtle wanders from one of the exhibit booths?! The door prize drawing team comes to Schullo's aid: l-r, Karen Coblentz, Paul Schullo, Pat Murray, Rolf Carlsen. See all 4 images.


Image Gallery: Friday, February 8
Third day of MESPA Institute 2008, February 8
MESPA President Dick Oscarson opens the MESPA Annual Business Meeting. MESPA officers conduct the annual meeting: l-r, Dick Oscarson (MESPA president), Pat Pribyl (MESPA secretary/treasurer), P. Fred Storti (MESPA executive director), Mary Kay Sommers (NAESP president), Jean Clark (MESPA State NAESP reprentative), Jon Millerhagen (MESPA president-elect), and Pat Murray (MESPA past-president). NAESP President Mary Kay Sommers accepting gift from MESPA members -- presented by MESPA NAESP State Representative Jean Clark. See all 8 images.


Image Gallery: Who's Who Assortment
Moments and personalities from MESPA Institute 2008
MESPA staff prepares for the Awards Banquet: l-r, Joan Kapaun, Olivia Gault, Judy Bolduc, and Rosie Mitchell. Enjoying themselves at Institute: Diane Trisko (Rochester) and Pam Becker (Prior Lake-Savage) MESPA EPAC Chair Joe Wacker and Rosie Mitchell (MESPA staff liaison to the EPAC committee) See all 11 images.






Mission: The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.

Leading schools toward excellence through the MESPA vision to be the premiere resource for preparing today's principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education.

Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association
1667 North Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
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