Learning Community Conference Program 2023

2023

LEARNING COMMUNITY CONFERENCE

Saturday, April 22, 2023 Southwest Minnesota State University

LEADING & LEARNING

EDUCATION LEARNING COMMUNITY CONFERENCE

WELCOME

The Learning Community Conference serves as an opportunity for educators to share their professional development, research, and continuous improvement effort for students, schools, and districts.

Welcome to the Conference!

7:30 - 8:15 am

Registration/Breakfast Conference Center Lower Ballroom

8:15 - 8:35 am

Welcome

8:45 - 9:25 am

Session #1 (8 Concurrent Sessions)

9:30 - 10:10 am

Session #2 (8 Concurrent Sessions)

10:10 -10:25 am

BREAK

10:30 - 11:10 am

Session #3 (8 Concurrent Sessions)

11:15 - 11:55 am

Session #4 (8 Concurrent Sessions)

12:00 - 12:55 pm

Lunch CC Lower Ballroom

1:00 - 1:40 pm

Session #5 (7 Concurrent Sessions)

1:45 - 2:25 pm

Session #6 (7 Concurrent Sessions)

2:30 - 3:10 pm

Session #7 (6 Concurrent Sessions)

Scan this QR Code and link to our LC Facebook Page!

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2023 PRESENTING LEARNING COMMUNITIES

INFORMATION West Central

•

•

Lakes Area

Learning Community

Learning Community

Facilitators: Dr. Tanya Yerigan Scott Jans

Facilitators: Jen Hiltner

Facilitators: Dr. Dennis Lamb Jackie Reinke

Facilitators: Dr. Chad Anderson Dr. Jeannie Mayer Heather Anderson

Conference Information

Breakfast & Lunch Menus

Continuing Education Unit Certificates are available for any educators

BREAKFAST

attending the conference. The CEU Certificates are available at the end

• Mini Bagels w/Cream Cheese

of the conference for signature. Please contact Tanya, Jen, or Denny to

• Mini Scones

get them signed.

• Assorted Muffins

If you would like to receive handouts from a particular session and The Barnes and Noble Bookstore is open from 10:00am-4:00pm on Saturday.

•

EDAL

Learning Community

were unable to do so, please email the presenter/s.

•

Brainerd

Learning Community

Campus maps are located in the program.

• Fresh Fruit • Yogurt Parfait w/Fresh Fruit & Granola • Coffee • Bottled Water

LUNCH • Seasoned Beef or Chicken • Mexican Rice • Black Beans • Shredded Cheese • Shredded Lettuce • Sour Cream • Pico De Gallo • Guacamole • Tortilla Chips • Assorted Dessert Bars • Lemonade

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ACADEMIC BUILDINGS BA CC CH FA FH IL PE RA SC SM SS ST

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Bellows Academic Conference Center Charter Hall Fine Arts Founders Hall Individualized Learning Physical Education Recreational Athletic Student Center Science & Math Social Science Science & Technology

CONFERENCE CENTER (CC) SECOND FLOOR DETAIL

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STUDENT CENTER (SC) SECOND FLOOR DETAIL

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SESSION PLANNER SESSION

CHOICE 1

CHOICE 2

CHOICE 3

SESSION I 8:45 - 9:25 SESSION II 9:30 - 10:10 SESSION III 10:30 - 11:10 SESSION IV 11:15 - 11:55

12:00 - 12:55

Lunch

Conference Center Lower Ballroom

SESSION V 1:00 - 1:40 SESSION VI 1:45 - 2:25 SESSION VII 2:30 - 3:10 7

Presentation Topics

Presentation Topics

Session #

Calming Bucket........................................................... 36 Conscious Discipline.................................................. 16 Cooperative Learning................................................ 52 Cultural Diversity........................................................ 41 Differentiated Literacy.............................................. 10 Extra-curricular Activities........................................ 38 Family Involvement.................................................... 47 Holistic Case Management...................................... 31 IMPACT Hour................................................................ 5 Inquiry-based Learning............................................. 1 Kindness........................................................................ 39 Looping.......................................................................... 29 Math............................................................................... 9, 17, 27, 33, 51 Mindfulness................................................................. 21 Movement.................................................................... 6, 23, 26, 44 Multiple Intelligences................................................ 13

DISCOVER. Let your curiosity lead to discovery.

Find out what you can learn and who you can be.

Multi-sensory.............................................................. 8 Newsletters.................................................................. 12 Positive Self-talk......................................................... 42 Principal Panel Discussion (EDAL)......................... 45 Reading/Phonics........................................................ 8,10,15,24,32,35,8,49 Restorative Program Room..................................... 46

ENGAGE. Connect with a vibrant campus community that pulls you in and lets you know you belong.

Science........................................................................... 50 Self-paced Learning................................................... 14 Self-regulation............................................................. 20 Sensory/Multi-sensory Interventions.................. 8 Social/Emotional........................................................ 4, 11, 19, 25 Soft Starts..................................................................... 34 Staff Connectedness/Morale.................................. 7, 22, 28, 30 Student-led Discussions.......................................... 40 Student Resilience..................................................... 3, 18 Trauma-sensitive Strategies................................... 43 Writing........................................................................... 37

LEAD.

Learn to lead, blending knowledge, passions, and skills that help you make a difference at SMSU — and beyond.

SMSU

Zones of Regulation................................................... 2

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1501 STATE STREET • MARSHALL, MN 56258 507.537.6286 • 800.642.0684 ADMISSION@SMSU.EDU • SMSU.EDU

PRESENTATION SCHEDULE at a glance BRAINERD, LAKES AREA, WEST CENTRAL, EDAL

Morning Sessions

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PRESENTATION SCHEDULE at a glance BRAINERD, LAKES AREA, WEST CENTRAL, EDAL

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Afternoon Sessions

PRESENTATION SCHEDULE in detail BRAINERD, LAKES AREA, WEST CENTRAL, EDAL

SESSION I 8:45 - 9:25 A.M. Presentation # Presenter

SESSION II 9:30 - 10:10 A.M. Presentation #

Presenter

Title

Location

Title

Location

SC

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PRESENTATION SCHEDULE in detail BRAINERD, LAKES AREA, WEST CENTRAL, EDAL

SESSION III 10:30 - 11:10 A.M. Presentation #

Presenter

Title

Location

Title

Location

SESSION IV 11:15 - 11:55 A.M. Presentation #

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Presenter

PRESENTATION SCHEDULE BRAINERD, LAKES AREA, WEST CENTRAL, EDAL

SESSION V 1:00 - 1:40 P.M. Presentation #

Presenter

in detail

Title

Location

Title

Location

SESSION VI 1:45 - 2:25 P.M. Presentation #

Presenter

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PRESENTATION SCHEDULE BRAINERD, LAKES AREA, WEST CENTRAL, EDAL

SESSION VII 2:30 - 3:10 P.M. Presenter

Presentation #

Presenter Index

Location

WEST CENTRAL LEARNING COMMUNITY – 19 MEMBERS

BRAINERD LEARNING COMMUNITY – 21 MEMBERS

Presenter Name Kia Bechtold Alarie Bullerman Jennifer Fernelius Jodi Frazee Amy Freidrichs Ashly Grussing Amanda Hansen Marilin Hanson Sabrina Jamison Emilie Kalvig Stacy Konsor Emily McCarthy Trysten Olson Tracy Rademacher Brandon Sawyer Mariah Schacherer Megan Skogmo Katie Swanson

Presenter Name Session Kori Anderson II Tanika Clements III Dan Davidson IV Tammara DeJesus V Tonya Dill I Sara Ehalt V Todd Frie V Kerry Holubar VII Cory Kapphahn VI Jeanne Kilian IV April Kinney I Kellie Klimek II Cortney Kroska III Missy Koel III Elizabeth Lefebvre IV Sam Olson III Andrea Parrington V Makenzie Raiber II Kayla Reed I Jackie Tautges IV Liz Wallace I

Session IV VI III II IV III IV II VII V V VII II I IV V V II

Topic

Page Move Your Body 22 Trauma Strategies 26 Number Sense 19 Conscious Discipline 18 Teacher Self-care 23 Visual Exercises 20 Looping 23 Sound Walls 18 Science Vocabulary 28 Letter/Number 24 Soft Starts 24 Math Games 29 School Newsletter 17 Zones of Regulation 15 Move Your Body 22 Kindness/Classroom 25 Soft Starts 24 Self-paced Learning 18

EDAL LEARNING COMMUNITY – 12 MEMBERS Presenter Name Anne Greenway Jonni Hertel Brian Kokos Eric Kossoris Lisa Maki-Kuhn Brandon Mellett Amber Rochat Lainey Sandberg Sarah Schumann Mathias Sturtz Susan Wick Gina Williams

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Title

in detail

Session I VI III II III I I III VI III VII I

Topic

Page Staff Connectedness 16 Cultural Diversity 26 SEL 19 5 and 1 Model 17 Staff Comm 20 IMPACT Hour 16 Multi-sensory 16 Staff Comm 20 Restorative Program 27 SEL 19 Coop Learning 29 Multi-sensory 16

Topic

Page Prove It! 17 Mindfulness 20 Student Advising 23 Calming Bucket 24 Resiliency 15 Daily Writing 25 Extra-Curriculars 25 Explicit Phonics 28 Student-led Disc.

26 Social Awareness 22 Social Awareness 14 Prove It! 17 Self-regulation 19 Self-regulation 19 Phonological Aware 23 Student Resilience 19 Guided Math 24 Diff. Literacy 17 Inquiry-based 15 Staff Morale 22 Inquiry-based 15

LAKES AREA LEARNING COMMUNITY – 12 MEMBERS Presenter Name Ann Fleet Jordyn Follis Abigail Janorschke Jessica Larson Kayla Maas Brittany McClellan Kevin Neal Sara Newell Joe Schmid Kassandra Solien Kimberly Zarling Tessa Zimmerman

Session IV I I VII II VI III VI VI VII VI I

Topic

Thinking Classroom Movement Movement Reading Comp Multiple Intelligence Movement Off-task Behavior Movement Positive Self-talk Family Involvement Movement Movement

Page 22 16 16 28 18 27 20 27 26 28 27 16

LEARNING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS Presentation # 1

Session # 1

Room # CC 202

Title: Understanding the Effect of Inquiry-Based Learning Experiences on Students’ Engagement and Academic Success in a K-2 Setting Description: How does the use of inquiry-based activities during math affect students’ engagement and academic growth? Best practice tells us that children are naturally curious and when given the opportunity will gain a greater understanding of new concepts taught through exploration than if taught explicitly.

Presentation # 3

Session # 1

Room # SC 212

Title: Resiliency - How and why to teach it!

Description: Intentionally sharing resiliency strategies with 8th graders: Are you curious to hear how they responded? If I accomplished anything? Do you wonder what you could do with just a few minutes in your classroom? Come discover how to implement sharing resiliency strategies in your classroom!

Learning Community: Brainerd

Learning Community: Brainerd

Presenter/s: Tonya Dill

Presenter/s: Liz Wallace & Kayla Reed

Grade level/Content: Middle School

Grade level/Content: Early Childhood/Lower Elementary

Certification Topic/s: Suicide Prevention

Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction

School District/Organization: Brainerd Public Schools

School District/Organization: Pequot Lakes

Email: tonya.dill@isd181.org

Email: lwallace@isd186.org or kreed@isd186.org

Presentation # 2

Session # 1

Room # CC 211

Title: Zones of Regulation Description: Do your students struggle with identifying and managing their emotions? The focus of this presentation will be the implementation of the Zones of Regulation in a third-grade classroom and the effects it had on the researcher and her students.

Learning Community: West Central Presenter/s: Tracy Rademacher Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies School District/Organization: Albany Area Schools Email:

trademacher@district745.org

Presentation # 4

Session # 1

Room # CC 213

Title: Can Teaching Social Awareness Skills Bring Peace to Free Choice Time?

Description: More and more students are coming to school with a noticeable deficit in social emotional skills. Find out what effect taking the time to teach children the skill of identifying emotions in their peers has on the students’ ability to positively navigate conflict during free choice time.

Learning Community: Brainerd Presenter/s: April Kinney Grade level/Content: Early Childhood Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies School District/Organization: Pequot Lakes ECFE Email: akinney@isd186.org

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LEARNING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS Presentation # 5

Session # 1

Room # CC 214

Title: IMPACT Hour: An Incubator for Self-Discovery / Career Clarity through Idea Exploration and Experiences Description: “What is next for you after high school?” This question led to the creation of a pilot program that was implemented in a high school that gave every student a platform to learn about their personal interests, select an idea of exploration, and participate in an off-campus learning experience.

Learning Community: EDAL Specialist

Presentation # 7

Session # 1

Room # SC 207

Title: Strength of the Phalanx: Increasing Staff Connectedness Description: In August 2022, 8.5% of teachers polled at a rural high school felt connected to other adults in the building. This research studied staff connectedness by integrating community building activities and common professional development at monthly staff meetings. The study found a need for more dedicated time for collaboration.

Learning Community: EDAL Specialist Presenter/s: Anne Greenway

Presenter/s: Brandon Mellett

Grade level/Content: Adult/Higher Education

Grade level/Content: High School Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction School District/Organization: New Life Academy

Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies School District/Organization: Worthington School District Email: anne.greenway@isd518.net

Email: brandonpmellett@gmail.com Presentation # 6

Session # 1

Room # SC 206

Session # 1

Room # SC 249

Title: How Does Movement Affect Off-task Student Behavior?

Title: Multi-Sensory and Phonics Instruction

Description: As an educator, do you struggle with off-task student behaviors? Are your students sitting for long periods at a time? If this sounds like you, implementing more movement in your class is the solution! The more intentional movement students engage in, the less off-task behavior you will observe.

Description: We will be presenting the effects of multi-sensory word play with students’ ability to read high-frequency words.

We implemented multi-sensory stations in our reading group time for students to practice these words. This research data will be shared with our fellow district employees that teach in the same grade level.

Learning Community: Lakes Area Presenter/s: Tessa Zimmerman-Pelzer, Jordyn Follis, & Abigail Janorschke Grade level/Content: Upper Elementary/Middle School Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies School District/Organization: Red Lake Schools Email: tessazimmermanpelzer@gmail.com or jfollis@redlake.k12.mn.us or janorschke16@gmail.com

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Presentation # 8

Learning Community: EDAL Specialist Presenter/s: Gina Williams & Amber Rochat Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction School District/Organization: Austin Public Schools Email: gina.williams@austin.k12.mn.us or amber.rochat@austin.k12.mn.us

LEARNING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS Presentation # 9

Session # 2

Room # CC 202

Title: Prove It! Description: Students often dislike math class due to a variety of reasons. One of the many reasons is the level of difficulty around solving math problems. Students were followed academically and emotionally for twelve weeks while implementing strategies to increase mathematical discourse and problem solving.

Learning Community: Brainerd Presenter/s: Kori Anderson & Kellie Klimek Grade level/Content: Upper Elementary Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction School District/Organization: Pillager Public Schools Email: kanderson@isd116.org kklimek@isd116.org Presentation # 10

Session # 2

Room # CC 211

Presentation # 11

Session # 2

Room # CC 212

Title: 5 and 1 Model: Partnering Academic Intervention with Social Emotional Supports Description: The 5 and 1 Model is a framework that strives to address both academic and social emotional learning by establishing common routines, norms, and language used between the Reading Interventionist and School Social Worker.

Learning Community: EDAL Specialist Presenter/s: Eric Kossoris Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction School District/Organization: Austin Public Schools Email: eric.kossoris@austin.k12.mn.us

Presentation # 12

Session # 2

Room # CC 213

Title: Differentiated Literacy Stations: Impact on Letter Recognition and Student Interest

Title: How Does the Implementation of a School-wide Newsletter Affect School Pride?

Description: Differentiation is a vital learning tool in classrooms.

Kindergarten students were selected to use differentiated literacy stations to view the impacts on letter recognition and student interest in literacy. Does giving students a choice change participation and increase letter recognition knowledge?

Description: Imagine parents cheering at a sporting event, students encouraging their teammates in competition, parents telling friends about their child’s success in class, or teachers bragging about their jobs. What do these scenarios have in common? In this session, learn about the impact of a schoolwide newsletter on school pride.

Learning Community: Brainerd Presenter/s: Makenzie Raiber Grade level/Content: Early Childhood Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction School District/Organization: Onamia Public Schools Email: mraiber13@gmail.com

Learning Community: West Central Presenter/s: Trysten Olson Grade level/Content: K-12 Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies School District/Organization: Round Lake - Brewster Public Schools Email: trysten.olson@gmail.com

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LEARNING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS Presentation # 13

Session # 2

Room # CC 214

Title: The Multiple Intelligence Theory as It Relates to Reading Comprehension Description: In this presentation, the author shares the relationship between Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory and reading comprehension. By selecting reading passages that are connected to students’ multiple intelligence strengths, the author reviews the positive outcome of what individualized reading material can do to increase students’ reading comprehension.

Learning Community: Lakes Area

Grade level/Content: Middle School (5-8) Certification Topic/s: Reading Preparation School District/Organization: Cass Lake-Bena Public Schools Email: kmcclimek@gmail.com Session # 2

Session # 2

Room # SC 207

Title: Implementing Sound Walls in Elementary Classrooms Description: Are you teaching beginning readers or need a boost in your phonics instruction? Implementing a sound wall in your classroom may be your next visual aid to support those readers. Aligned with the science of reading, sound walls provide students with visual cues for articulating sounds.

Learning Community: West Central Presenter/s: Marilin Hanson Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary

Presenter/s: Kayla Maas

Presentation # 14

Presentation # 15

Room # SC 206

Title: How Does Self-paced Learning Affect Academic Achievement?

Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction, Reading Preparation School District/Organization: LItchfield Public Schools Email: mhanson@isd465.org

Presentation # 16

Session # 2

Room # SC 249

Title: STOP! What You Focus On, You Get More Of

Description: Do you have students who complete their work and become bored waiting to move on? Do you have students who need a little more time and one-on-one instruction in order to master the content? In this presentation, we will discuss the effects of self-paced learning on student academic achievement.

Description: Are you looking for ways to improve the quality of student-teacher interactions, improve the social and emotional behavior of your students, and decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity in the classroom? Come find out if implementing Conscious Discipline within your classroom increases positivity within your classroom family!

Learning Community: West Central

Learning Community: West Central

Presenter/s: Katie Swanson

Presenter/s: Jodi Frazee

Grade level/Content: High School

Grade level/Content: Early Childhood

Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction

Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies

School District/Organization: Sauk Centre Public Schools Email: katie.swanson@isd743.org

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School District/Organization: Marshall Public Schools Email: jodi.frazee@smsu.edu

LEARNING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS Presentation # 17

Session # 3

Room # CC 202

Title: The Effects of Number Sense-based Math Instruction Description: Are you tired of drill and kill math routines? Are your students’ memorizing facts but have no meaning behind them?

I implemented number sense-based math instruction to see if my student’s familiarity with numbers and their connections to numbers would increase their overall proficiency in math.

Learning Community: West Central

Presentation # 19

Session # 3

Room # CC 212

Title: Building Teacher Efficacy toward Social-Emotional Learning Description: As Social Emotional Learning (SEL) has become a significant point of focus within education this action research project looked at the effects of systematic changes to Tier 1 SEL instructional plans and formats within a K-7 building and the impact it had on teacher efficacy in regard to SEL instruction.

Learning Community: EDAL Specialist

Presenter: Jennifer Fernelius Grade Level/Content: Upper Elementary Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction

Presenter/s: Brian Kokos & Mathias Sturtz Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies

School District/Organization: St. Cloud Public Schools

School District/Organization: Blue Earth Public Schools

Email: jenrazz1@gmail.com

Email: bkokos@beas.blueearth.k12.mn.us or mathias.sturtz@gmail.com or white@menahga.k12.mn.us

Presentation # 18

Session # 3

Room # CC 211

Title: Building Student Resilience in the Classroom Description: In this study, student resilience levels were gauged at regular intervals within an academic semester. Various resiliency practices and exercises were implemented through an assortment of strategies, such as: relationship building, self-awareness practice, social-emotional learning, and writing exercises to increase student perseverance and mindfulness.

Learning Community: Brainerd Presenter/s: Sam Olson Grade level/Content: High School Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies School District/Organization: Barnesville Public Schools Email: samuel4olson@gmail.com

Presentation # 20

Session # 3

Room # CC 213

Title: Emotions Gone Haywire: Teaching Self-regulation through Social Emotional Learning Description: Students face many challenges and obstacles throughout the day but struggle to respond positively and appropriately. Teaching Social Emotional lessons provide students with the knowledge of how to use different coping strategies. Our goal is to see if teaching SEL lessons will help students self-regulate in the classroom.

Learning Community: Brainerd Presenter/s: Cortney Kroska & Missy Koel Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies School District/Organization: Pillager Public Schools Email: ckroska@isd116.org or mkoel@isd116.org

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LEARNING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS Presentation # 21

Session # 3

Room # CC 214

Title: Implementing Mindfulness Description: Social emotional learning is becoming a priority in the elementary school setting with many benefits to student well-being and academic success. The purpose of this research project is discovering the impact of mindfulness techniques in an elementary classroom setting.

Learning Community: Brainerd

Grade level/Content: Early Childhood/Lower Elementary Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies School District/Organization: Brainerd Public Schools Email: tanika.clements@isd181.org

Session # 3

Room # SC 207

Title: Reducing Off-task Behavior with Classroom Activity Breaks Description: Off-task behavior can greatly reduce teachers’ effectiveness to instruct students and manage a classroom. I studied the value of timely placed physical movement during a 45-minute class period to reduce off-task behavior. A variety of activities were used and the results may surprise.

Presenter/s: Kevin Neal Grade level/Content: Middle School Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies School District/Organization: Cass Lake-Bena Schools Email: kneal@isd115.net

Room # SC 206

Title: Recognizing Staff to Improve Communication and Morale in Schools Description: Post-COVID has increased students’ needs and therefore has increased staff workload. We know communication is vital to staff and recognizing staff in positive ways can increase morale amongst school staff. Through an increase in both communication and recognition of staff, the morale of the school increases.

Presentation # 24

Session # 3

Room # SC 249

Title: Impact of Visual Exercises on Reading Accuracy Description: Have you ever taught a student who struggles to read accurately? Your student may be struggling because his/ her visual movement skills are not fully developed. Come to this presentation to discover ways you can build students’ visual motor skills and how these exercises impact reading accuracy.

Learning Community: West Central

Learning Community: EDAL Specialist

Presenter/s: Ashly Grussing

Presenter/s: Lainey Sandberg & Lisa Maki-Kuhn

Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary (1-3)

Grade level/Content: K-12

Certification Topic/s: Reading Preparation

Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies

School District/Organization: Round Lake-Brewster Schools

School District/Organization: Brainerd Public Schools Cass Lake-Bena Schools

Email: ashly.grussing@isd2907.org

Email: lainey.sandberg@yahoo.com or lmakikuhn@isd115.net

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Session # 3

Learning Community: Lakes Area

Presenter/s: Tanika Clements

Presentation # 22

Presentation # 23

LEARNING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS Presentation # 25

Session # 4

Room # CC 202

Presentation # 27

Session # 4

Room # CC 212

Title: Social Awareness in Middle School Students

Title: Thinking Classroom in Mathematics

Description: This presentation explores the results of attempting to increase social awareness and reducing socially unexpected behaviors for students on the Autism spectrum within the middle school setting. Students received direct skills instruction and practiced skills through partnered activities. Results focused on the transferring of skills within the mainstream setting.

Learning Community: Brainerd

Description: I examined what effect a Thinking Classroom has on student attitudes about their mathematics ability. The first three practices of a Thinking Classroom were implemented and contrasted with students working independently. Student attitudes about their mathematics ability improved and students who excel at traditional math did not prefer this model.

Presenter/s: Jeanne Kilian

Learning Community: Lakes Area Presenter/s: Ann Fleet

Grade level/Content: Middle School Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies

Grade level/Content: High School

School District/Organization: Brainerd Public Schools

Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction

Email: jeanne.kilian@isd181.org

School District/Organization: Cass Lake-Bena Schools Email: ann2357@gmail.com

Presentation # 26

Session # 4

Room # CC 211

Presentation # 28

Session # 4

Room # CC 213

Title: Move Your Body - Not Your Mouth

Title: Boosting Staff Morale

Description: Has your class ever wasted time talking or blurting, leaving themselves with work to finish? It might be because they have energy to burn! Find out how we incorporated physical activity into our mornings to help students improve behavior while becoming a better version of themselves.

Description: An effectively engaged and positively reinforced staff is an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to the overall function of a school. This research focused on teachers and staff in a K-6 building. The researcher implemented team building activities to influence staff morale and engagement.

Learning Community: West Central

Learning Community: Brainerd

Presenter/s: Kia Bechtold & Brandon Sawyer

Presenter/s: Jackie Tautges

Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary

Grade level/Content: Lower/Upper Elementary

Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies

Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies

School District/Organization: Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools

School District/Organization: Pierz Public Schools

Email: kia.bechtold@isd47.org or brandon.sawyer@isd47.org

Email: jtautges@pierzschools.org

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LEARNING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS Presentation # 29

Session # 4

Room # CC 214

Presentation # 31

Session # 4

Room # SC 207

Title: Does Looping have an Effect on Early Elementary Student Behavior?

Title: Implementing a Holistic Case Management Advising (HCMA) Model in a Two-year College

Description: Have you ever thought, I wish I could have more time with these students? For students to have meaningful learning occur, they need to have a positive and supportive relationship with a nurturing and caring adult. Looping classrooms is a place for these relationships to continue to grow.

Description: Central Lakes College adopted a new case management academic advising model. This research measures the academic success and persistence rates for the target audience of new entering students who self-identified as having a high school GPA below 3.0. As a result of this research, there were positive retention outcomes.

Learning Community: West Central

Learning Community: Brainerd

Presenter/s: Amanda Hansen

Presenter/s: Dan Davidson

Grade level/Content: Early Childhood Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies School District/Organization: Marshall Public Schools Email: hansenamanda@live.com

Presentation # 30

Session # 4

Grade level/Content: Adult/Higher Education Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies School District/Organization: Central Lakes College Email: dan.davidson@clcmn.edu

Room # SC 206

Title: Effects of Teacher Self-care on Students Description: How does teacher self-care impact students in their classroom? In this presentation, you will get a glimpse into my journey as I prioritized taking care of myself. You will learn how my choices impacted my students and classroom.

Presentation # 32

Session # 4

Title: Phonological Awareness and Decoding: What Kids Need to Become Readers

Learning Community: West Central

Description: How do we teach kids to really READ? This research study was designed to determine how the implementation of explicit phonological and phonics instruction in small groups affects reading fluency and reading confidence of First Grade students.

Presenter/s: Amy Freidrichs

Learning Community: Brainerd

Grade level/Content: Upper Elementary

Presenter/s: Elizabeth Lefebvre

Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies

Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary

School District/Organization: Willmar Public Schools

Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction

Email: freidrichsa@willmar.k12.mn.us

School District/Organization: Pierz Public Schools Email: elefebvre@pierzschools.org

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Room # SC 249

LEARNING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS Presentation # 33

Session # 5

Room # CC 202

Presentation # 35

Session # 5

Room # CC 212

Title: Implementing Guided Math and Math Stations to Improve Academic Achievement and Interest in Math

Title: Top to Bottom vs. Bottom to Top: Does Letter and Number Formation Affect Students Academic Performance?

Description: Math should be fun and engaging! Implementing guided math allows educators to differentiate lessons and learning opportunities. Simultaneously, implementing math stations promotes independence and will enable educators to provide hands-on, engaging activities for students to practice their math skills.

Description: When writing the number one, do you start at the top of the number and pull your pencil down or start at the bottom and push your pencil up? In this presentation, we will look at how students write their letters and numbers. Can this be an indicator of academic performance?

Learning Community: Brainerd

Presenter/s: Emilie Kalvig

Presenter/s: Andrea Parrington Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction School District/Organization: Brainerd Public Schools Email: andrea.parrington@isd181.org

Presentation # 34

Session # 5

Learning Community: West Central

Room # CC 211

Grade level/Content: High School Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction School District/Organization: Delano Public Schools Email: emilie.kalvig@delanoschools.org

Presentation # 36

Session # 5

Room # CC 213

Title: Impacts of Soft Starts on Behavior

Title: Calming Bucket

Description: Have you wondered how your students begin their day affects their behavior and performance? Learn about the benefits of a soft start versus a traditional morning routine, how to implement a soft start in your classroom, and what materials and ideas you would need to make this routine successful.

Description: The Calming Bucket provides ways students manage dysregulation with a step-by-step process that calms, identifies emotions, maintains attention through choice, and active problem-solving. The approach, language, and order to regulate a student, minimize the flight-or-flight response and activate critical thinking will be shared.

Learning Community: West Central Presenter/s: Stacy Konsor & Megan Skogmo Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction

Learning Community: Brainerd Presenter/s: Tammara DeJesus Grade level/Content: Early Childhood Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies

School District/Organization: Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools

School District/Organization: Alexandria Public Schools

Email: stacy.konsor@isd47.org or megan.skogmo@isd47.org

Email: tammara.dejesus@gmail.com

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LEARNING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS Presentation # 37

Session # 5

Room # SC 214

Presentation # 39

Session # 5

Room # SC 207

Title: Daily Writing

Title: Kindness in the Classroom

Description: In a world of digital media, some teenagers struggle to write, talk, and socialize in class. In this session, you will learn how using quick, daily writing provides the opportunity to connect and build relationships within the classroom while improving mindset and communication skills.

Description: Do you ever feel like giving someone a gift but question how it will be received? Do you question how others perceive you? The solution is simple. In this session, you will learn about how implementing intentional acts of kindness among students in the classroom affects peer relationships.

Learning Community: West Central

Learning Community: Brainerd

Presenter/s: Mariah Schacherer

Presenter/s: Sara Ehalt Grade level/Content: Middle School (5-8) Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction School District/Organization: Brainerd Public Schools Email: sara.ehalt@isd181.org

Presentation # 38

Session # 5

Room # SC 206

Title: The Effects of Extracurricular Activities on GPA, Motivation in School, and Mindset/Mental Health Description: Searching for a link between extracurricular activities and grade point average, motivation in school, and mental health is a deep passion of mine. By surveying 8 school districts in north central Minnesota and having 900 students in grades 7-12 participate, I have discovered some insight into the topic.

Learning Community: Brainerd Presenter/s: Todd Frie Grade level/Content: Middle School/High School Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies School District/Organization: Menahga Public Schools Email: tfrie@menahga.k12.mn.us

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Grade level/Content: Upper Elementary/Middle School Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies School District/Organization: Canby Public Schools Email: msschacherer@gmail.com

LEARNING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS Presentation # 40

Session # 6

Room # CC 202

Title: Student-led Discussion: Impact on Comprehension and Relationships Description: This presentation shares how implementing effective student-led discussions can improve reading comprehension and social-emotional relationships. These discussions improve interactions between students, enhance the sense of community in the classroom, and encourage students to participate using their voice in classroom discussions.

Presentation # 42

Session # 6

Room # CC 212

Title: Positive Self-Talk and Academic Success Description: The power of positive self-talk plays an important role in the academic success of all American students. It has the potential to increase a student’s belief in their own ability to succeed.

This belief can lead to an increase in class participation, content engagement, and assessment outcomes.

Learning Community: Lakes Area

Learning Community: Brainerd

Presenter/s: Joe Schmid

Presenter/s: Cory Kapphahn

Grade level/Content: Middle School

Grade level/Content: Upper Elementary

Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies

Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction

School District/Organization: Onamia Public Schools

School District/Organization: Menahga Public Schools

Email: jschmid@onamia.k12.mn.us

Email: ckapphahn@menahga.k12.mn.us

Presentation # 41

Session # 6

Room # CC 211

Title: Empowering Students through Cultural Diversity and Awareness Description: Come learn with me the benefits of Indigenous students seeing themselves in their school, classroom and curriculum. Why it’s not only important for Indigenous students in order to foster positive identity and teach strength and resiliency but for non- native students to build a greater awareness and compassion.

Learning Community: EDAL Presenter/s: Jonni Hertel Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary Certification Topic/s: Cultural Competency

Presentation # 43

Session # 6

Room # SC 213

Title: What Impact Does Implementation of Trauma Sensitive Strategies Have on Early Elementary Student Social-emotional Learning?

Description: Have you ever thought about how many students in your classroom have experienced trauma? It is more than you think. Trauma changes the way a brain develops and can have a serious impact on children. In this session you will hear about how to create a trauma sensitive classroom using different techniques and its impact on social emotional learning.

Learning Community: West Central Presenter/s: Alarie Bullerman Grade level/Content: Early Childhood

School District/Organization: Rapid City Public Schools

Certification Topic/s: Key Warning Signs of Early-onset Mental Illness in Children and Adolescence

Email: Jonni.Hertel@k12.sd.us

School District/Organization: Marshall Public Schools Email: alariebullerman@gmail.com

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LEARNING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS Presentation # 44

Session # 6

Room # CC 214

Title: Movement and the Mind Description: Movement’s effect on student stamina in a small group setting. The research presented focuses on the key components of student attendance, time on task, and progression of reading stages. The results showed, increased movement has a positive impact on time off-task.

Presentation # 46

Session # 6

Room # SC 207

Title: Impact of Restorative Program Room and Out of School Suspension Rate

Learning Community: Lakes Area

Description: In recent years, the use of restorative practices has increased within schools. Explore the journey of one middle school’s creation of a Restorative Program Room and how it impacted the rate of out of school suspensions when they saw an increase in vaping and other negative behaviors among students.

Presenter/s: Kimberly Zarling, Sara Newell, & Brittany McClellan

Learning Community: EDAL Specialist

Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary

Presenter/s: Sarah Schumann

Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies

Grade level/Content: Middle School

School District/Organization: Red Lake and Northland Public Schools

Certification Topic/s: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies, Cultural Competency

Email: kimberlykzarling@gmail.com or saramnewell@gmail.com or brittany.harrris@gmail.com

School District/Organization: Worthington Public Schools

Presentation # 45

Session # 6

Email: Sarah.Schumann@isd518.net

Room # SC 206

Title: Principal Panel Discussion Description: Thinking about becoming an administrator in Minnesota? Come and learn more about this exciting opportunity by visiting with current/recent SMSU grads who completed our very own EDAL program!

Learning Community: Lakes Area Presenter/s: Jen Hiltner, Melanie Stier, and Others Grade level/Content: K-12 Principal Licensure Program Certification Topic/s: NA School District/Organization: Minnesota Public Schools Email: jen.hiltner@smsu.edu or melanie.stier@smsu.edu

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LEARNING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS Presentation # 47

Session # 7

Room # CC 211

Title: How Does Family Involvement Impact Student Success?

Description: Humans thrive on relationships; this includes our students. This researcher measured how student success is dependent upon how safe and valued they feel in the classroom.

Teachers need to continue to find ways to aid student success by frequent communication with families, and showing interest in students’ personal lives.

Learning Community: Lakes Area

Presentation # 49

Session # 7

Room # CC 213

Title: Implementing Strategies to Improve Independent Reading Comprehension Description: Improving students’ comprehension while independently reading texts is a focus for many teachers. This researcher measured the impact of a specific reading strategy on students’ ability to accurately comprehend a text. The data collected led the researcher to conclude that the strategy had an impact on students’ reading comprehension.

Learning Community: Lakes Area

Presenter/s: Kassandra Solien

Presenter/s: Jessica Larson

Grade level/Content: Early Childhood Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction

Grade level/Content: Middle School Certification Topic/s: Reading Preparation

School District/Organization: NA

School District/Organization: Clearbrook-Gonvick School

Email: kasolien@gmail.com

Email: jessica.p.larson@gmail.com

Presentation # 48

Session # 7

Room # CC 212

Presentation # 50

Session # 7

Room # CC 214

Title: Explicit Phonics Instruction: Is it the Best Way to Teach Struggling Readers?

Title: Impact of Teaching Science Terminology Using Literacy Skills

Description: In this presentation you will see how one teacher used explicit phonics instruction with her struggling readers and what the impact of that was over a 12-week period. You will see the difference in teaching guided reading through the Literacy Footprints format versus the SPIRE phonics instruction.

Learning Community: Brainerd

Description: Do your secondary students struggle to read?

Intentionally teaching literacy skills in other content areas can increase students’ understanding and confidence. In this session, you will learn about practical literacy activities you can easily implement into daily lessons geared towards improving word decoding, reading comprehension, and proper word application.

Presenter/s: Kerry Holubar

Learning Community: West Central

Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary

Presenter/s: Sabrina Jamison

Certification Topic/s: Reading Preparation

Grade level/Content: Middle School

School District/Organization: Pequot Lakes Public Schools

Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction

Email: kholubar@isd186.org

School District/Organization: New London Spicer Schools Email: jamisons@isd345.org

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LEARNING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS Presentation # 51

Session # 7

Room # SC 206

Title: Learning Math through Games Description: Do you struggle to get your students engaged in math? If so, game based learning is a great way to engage students in learning. During this session you will see hands-on and digital games that can be implemented into your lessons to boost engagement in elementary math.

Learning Community: West Central Presenter/s: Emily McCarthy Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction School District/Organization: New London Spicer Schools Email: mccarthye@isd345.org

Presentation # 52

Session # 7

Room # SC 207

Title: Kagan Cooperative Learning and the Effects on Engagement and Achievement Description: Do you have students that withdraw and don’t participate? Do you ever wonder how to get more kids involved during a lesson? In this presentation you will learn about the impacts Kagan strategies had on the students in my first-grade classroom.

Learning Community: EDAL Specialist Presenter/s: Susan Wick Grade level/Content: Lower Elementary (1-3) Certification Topic/s: Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptions of Curriculum, Materials, and Instruction School District/Organization: Sioux Falls Public Schools Email: susan.wick@k12.sd.us

MEET THE FACILITATORS BRAINERD LEARNING COMMUNITY Dr. Dennis Lamb is in his 41st year in education and his 21st year with SMSU. His teaching background is in elementary education, having taught 5th and 6th grade for eight years and served as elementary principal for four years before transitioning his career to higher education. He taught in two private colleges in Iowa before joining SMSU in 2002, where he directed an offcampus elementary education degree program at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. He now facilitates learning communities in the north central part of the state. A career highlight occurred in 2013-14 when he was granted a sabbatical and was a visiting professor at Udon Thani Rajabhat University in Thailand for five months. He currently resides in Baxter, MN with his wife, Joni, and has two daughters and one granddaughter.

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Jackie Reinke attended Southwest Minnesota State for her undergraduate degree in elementary education with a pre-primary specialty. Jackie was part of the Brainerd Learning Community through SMSU and completed her Master’s degree in 2013. She teaches kindergarten in Nisswa, MN and is currently in her 19th year of teaching. Jackie lives in Breezy Point, MN with her family.

MEET THE FACILITATORS WEST CENTRAL LEARNING COMMUNITY Dr. Tanya Yerigan is a career-long educator with a background in education, business, and social work. With 25 years of K-12 and higher education experience, she is a well-rounded professor that has worked with educators from several states.

Tanya’s favorite part of working with practicing educators is watching them become full blown researchers. As an avid researcher and author, Dr. Yerigan’s current areas of interest include toxic stress, childhood trauma, educator misconduct, and critical thinking through reflective practice. Fall 2022 marked her 24th year with SMSU. Tanya also serves as the Education Department’s Graduate Director.

Jenna Bernhagen attended University of Minnesota Morris for her undergraduate degree in elementary education which included an emphasis in pre-primary education. Jenna was a part of the Willmar Learning Community through SMSU and completed her Master’s degree in 2018. She is currently an Instructional Coach in Willmar, MN at Roosevelt Elementary School and is in her 13th year teaching. Jenna lives in Willmar.

LAKES AREA LEARNING COMMUNITY Jennifer Hiltner is an English Language Arts educator at Albany Area High School. Jennifer has been teaching for 16 years, served as a member of the building leadership team, and worked on various other committees within the Albany Area District. After graduating from the SMSU Master’s program, Jennifer continued her education to obtain her administrative licensure through SMSU. She has co-facilitated the Learning Community Programs in Marshall and Bemidji areas. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys reading books, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with her two children and husband.

EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION & LEADERSHIP LEARNING COMMUNITY Dr. Chad Anderson has served schools at many levels during his career. He is currently a Superintendent of Schools and has also been a Principal, Athletic Director, Dean of Students, Teacher, and Coach. He is also currently serving as an adjunct professor at SMSU in the Administrative Licensure program.

Each position has bolstered his overall knowledge and understanding of the K-12 Educational System which is instrumental in fostering the knowledge and growth of prospective school leaders. Dr. Anderson is passionate about his involvement in local organizations because each committee works towards strengthening schools in Minnesota.

Dr. Anderson is also very active in his community. Dr. Anderson is a servant leader who involves all members of his leadership team in the process to make his school a happy, healthy, and safe place where all students can reach their fullest potential.

His philosophy is that together all members of a school and community can make a lasting impact on students during their educational journey.

Heather Anderson is a professor in the educational administration licensure program.

She has been a professor at SMSU for four years, but she is not new to SMSU by any means. She earned her B.S. in Communication, Arts/Literature Secondary Education, K-12 Reading Licensure, M.S. in Educational Leadership, and ED.S in Educational leadership and administration all from SMSU. Heather is currently a high school principal and a former English/Language Arts teacher. She was a Minnesota Teacher of the Year nominee and her unique classroom was featured on WCCO’s Finding Minnesota segment.

Jeannie Mayer is a wife and mother of seven and lives in beautiful lakes country, MN. Her collegial journey started at Mayville State University and has continued through SMSU, MSUM, and Bethel University. Mrs. Mayer has served as classroom teacher, teacher on special assignment, principal, and is currently the Superintendent of Verndale Public School. Mrs. Mayer has felt privileged to have been part of SMSU’s EDAL program, for the last 4 ½ years. “It continues to be an honor and privilege to be part of an amazing group of dedicated educators, who are looking for their next path in education.”

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MEET THE FACILITATORS

MEET THE FACILITATORS FIRST YEAR LEARNING COMMUNITIES Fergus Falls Learning Community

Granite Falls Learning Community

Dr. Jay Meiners

Dr. Tanya Yerigan

Kim Nelson

Sioux Falls Learning Community

Dr. John Engstrom

Scott Jans

Wadena Learning Community

Dr. Dennis Lamb

Laura Roelike

Melanie Stier

3,400

LEARNING COMMUNITIES GRADUATES

Over 3,400 students in our Learning Communities have completed their Masters Degree with SMSU since 1998.

LEARNING COMMUNITIES

We’ve held 129 different Learning Communities in the region since 1998.

FACULTY

Each lead facilitator is a full-time professor with SMSU and has experience ranging from 15-25 years in our Learning Communities.

LOCATIONS

We have held Learning Communities in 36 different communities in Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota.

ACCOLADES

The Southwest Minnesota State University Education Program has been ranked No. 1 nationally, for affordability in the Plains States, and in Minnesota – by TeachingDegreeSearch.com.

W W W. S M S U . E D U / G R A D U AT E S T U D I E S

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•

800.642.0684

FACEBOOK JOIN US ON

Scan the QR codes below and join our Learning Communities on Facebook.

Stay up to date on all the latest news from SMSU Learning Communities!

SMSU Graduate Education

SMSU LC Dr. Tanya Yerigan

SMSU LC Dr. Dennis Lamb

Refer a Friend & Earn Some Swag!

NAME

Help your colleagues enjoy the same great learning experience.

DISTRICT

Your Name: YOU MUST SHARE FOUR NAMES TO QUALIFY FOR THE SWAG!

Remember, they can’t already have their master’s degree.

EMAIL

PHONE

BEST OF ALL… If your colleague

joins an LC because YOU referred them, you receive 10 SMSU graduate credits for FREE. For more information or to submit your form & collect your swag, stop at the Graduate Education table located in the student center.

G R A D U A T E L O YA LT Y

SCHOLARSHIP You invested in us. Now let us invest in you.

Help us invite your colleagues to become part of the SMSU Learning Community Family.

10 GRADUATE CREDITS FREE TO YOU!

*Scholarship Benefits: √ For every student you refer, you earn a 10-semester credit graduate package √ You receive great post-master’s professional development from learning community faculty √ Your colleagues benefit from SMSU’s transformational graduate learning communities

Great News!

There is no cap on the number of 10-credit packages you can earn!

1501 State Street • School of Graduate Studies 507-537-6819 • GraduateStudies@SMSU.edu

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Southwest Minnesota State University, A member of Minnesota State

*This offer has no cash-out value, it is non-transferable, is redeemable for AE grad credits only, is valid one semester after the referred students begins, must be used at SMSU, and expires after two years. The referred student will designate who referred them. For purposes of this scholarship, a “student” is someone who enrolls in our master’s program.

DO YOU HAVE STUDENTS WHO NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SMSU? Have them build a CustomViewbook based on their academic and student life interests. There’s no app to download, it’s mobile-ready!

LEAD BEYOND THE

CLASSROOM Considering a micro-credential?

Teaching Resilience

The ability for a person to “bounce back” when bad things happen. That is the most basic definition of resilience. This is a topic of interest in the fields of psychology, healthcare, and education. Research has shown that individuals who possess resilience are more likely to be successful. The great news is resilience can be measured and it can be taught.

Classroom Culture

The culture of a classroom sounds easy to create and establish, but it can also be a daunting task to maintain.

From safety concerns, academic pressures behavior problems, communication- related issues, SEL stressors, educators are facing a myriad of topics that have an influence on student success.

Culture of Poverty

The Culture of Poverty is everywhere. This package of courses promotes a proactive approach to finding solutions and resources to assist those children/ families needing attention at the local level.

Mental Wellness

This package focuses on the physical, social, and psychological childhood stressors and seeking solutions to assist those in greatest need. Upon completion of this package, participants will receive certification in Adult MHFA and Youth MHFA.

Have questions or just need a little more information?

CONTACT US NOW!

Dr. Tanya Yerigan | Graduate Education Director & Professor | Tanya.Yerigan@smsu.edu

MICRO-CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

CULTURE OF POVERTY

• Is poverty a relevant concern in your school district/community?

• Do you have students/families struggling to make ends meet?

• Do you feel frustrated/helpless in addressing concerns of low-income families/students?

The culture of poverty is everywhere. Educators today are faced with dealing with a cadre of issues that focus on the lack of resources and assistance with students and families struggling in this environment. From safety concerns, academic pressures, behavior problems, communication-related issues, they are all taking their toll. These courses are designed to assist educators with identifying a need or concern in their school/community and empowering them to be proactive in assisting those identified as needing help.

RO-

CRE

DU

CLASSROOM CULTURE

MIC GRA

Register for the following classes to receive your micro-credential: AE 523: The Culture of Poverty-An Introduction , 1 Credit AE 524: The Culture of Poverty-Foundational Explore, 3 Credits AE 525: The Culture of Poverty-Intermediate Application, 3 Credits AE 526: The Culture of Poverty-Action-Based Investigation, 3 Credits

AT E

DEN

E D U C ATI O

TIA

L

N

The culture of a classroom sounds easy to create and establish, but it can also be a daunting task to maintain. From safety concerns, academic pressures, behavior problems, communication-related issues, SEL stressors, educators are facing a myrid of topics that have an influence on student success. Here are some basic questions to ask yourself: • How is your classroom culture impacted by your students’ ability to be successful?

• How do you establish/enhance a productive classroom environment that influences student success?

• What is currently having the greatest effect on your students’ ability to succeed in your classroom?

• What additional strategies can you implement to support and enhance the performance of your students?

These courses are designed to assist educators with identifying a new set of skills that will empower them to be proactive in creating a more positive classroom culture.

Register for the following classes to receive your micro-credential: AE 538: Classroom Culture Strategies: An Introduction to the 4 C Model, 1 Credit AE 539: The Classroom Culture: Foundational Explore: Candor & Choices, 3 Credits AE 540: The Classroom Culture: Foundational Explore: Caring & Constancy, 3 Credits AE 541: The Classroom Culture: Action-based Investigation, 3 Credits

TEACHING RESILIENCE

The ability for a person to”bounce back”when bad things happen. That is the most basic definition of resilience. This is a topic of interest in the fields of psychology, healthcare, and education. Research has shown that individuals who possess resilience are more likely to be successful. The great news is resilience can be measured and it can be taught. This resilience package is designed to assist educators with their own professional development while equipping them with the skills and knowledge to implement resilience education, while critically analyzing their work and environment. These unique graduate courses are intensive and based on a fast-paced, fast-tracked spiraling curriculum. They are integrated into one cohesive and well-planned course of study. The semester will culminate with a presentation that will highlight student findings.

Register for the following classes to receive your micro-credential: AE 544 Teaching Resilience: Foundational Exploration, 4 Credits AE 545 Teaching Resilience: Intermediate Application, 3 Credits AE 546 Teaching Resilience: Action-Based Investigation, 3 Credits

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Earn a LANE CHANGE MENTAL WELLNESS

Mental wellness is likely the largest concern within schools today. Even before Covid, educators were overwhelmed with the issues kids are facing. Since the pandemic, these issues have only been compounded. This mental wellness package is designed to assist educators with their own professional development while empowering them to critically analyze their work and environment. These unique graduate courses are intensive and based on a fast-paced, fast-tracked spiraling curriculum. They are integrated into one cohesive and well-planned course of study. Students will be learning about mental health issues that are faced by students and adults, skills of identifying issues, and resources within their immediate area. Dr. Yerigan is a certified MHFA (Mental Health First Aid Instructor) granting her the ability to certify students for three years. These certifications include Adult Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid. The semester will culminate with a presentation that will highlight your findings.

Register for the following classes to receive your micro-credential: AE 520 Content Development & Integration, 3 Credits AE 528 Evaluating Course & Research Resources, 1 Credit AE 529 Adult Mental Wellness: Issues, Interventions, & Resources, 3 Credits AE 530 Youth Mental Wellness: Issues, Interventions, & Resources, 3 Credits

IN 10 CREDITS YOU CAN:

• Earn a micro-credential • Fulfill your professional development requirements • Apply them for a lane change

How to Register

Current SMSU Students: 1. Go to www.SMSU.edu 2. On the top left, go to the menu and click on the E-Services icon 3. Enter your StarID and Password and click Login 4. Click the Courses & Registration Tab on the left side of the screen 5. Click on search for a course 6. Under Subject select Adult Education 7. Click the + on the side of all the course to add it to your cart

Non-SMSU Student Registration: Scan the QR code and complete the form to start

*$150/credit, take one or take them all. *For continuing education purposes,10 semester credits are equal to 15 quarter credits. *Adult Education (AE) designated courses cannot be applied to a degree.

Have questions or just need a little more information?

CONTACT US NOW!

Dr. Tanya Yerigan | Graduate Education Director & Professor | Tanya.Yerigan@smsu.edu

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NOTES

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NOTES

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EDUCATOR

MICRO-CREDENTIALS Make your professional development count!

Did you know micro-credentials are BUILDING BLOCKS for career advancement?

Did you know micro-credentials REFRESH your professional practice?

Did you know micro-credentials are STEPPING STONES on the leadership pathway?

Did you know micro-credentials are RESEARCH-DRIVEN and geared toward immediate and positive professional impact?

Did you know micro-credentials are a TIME-EFFICIENT way to enhance teaching knowledge and skills?

Did you know micro-credentials are CLASSROOM-FOCUSED to make the biggest difference for students?

Did you know micro-credentials are COMPLEMENTARY & SUPPLEMENTARY to district-led professionals?

Did you know micro-credentials offer MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY in pursuit of professional goals?

Did you know micro-credentials CUSTOMIZE & PERSONALIZE professional development?

Did you know micro-credentials are packages of 10 GRADUATE CREDITS that quickly qualify you for a lane change?

Did you know micro-credentials are immediately APPLICABLE to your classroom?

Did you know micro-credentials are WORKGROUP-DESIGNED where you learn with and from your educator peers?

Summer 2023 Packages

Mental Wellness • Culture of Poverty • Teaching Resilience • Classroom Culture

1501 State Street • Marshall, MN 56258 www.SMSU.edu/GraduateStudies

Have questions, or just need a little more information?

CONTACT US NOW! Dr. Tanya Yerigan Graduate Education Director & Professor Tanya.Yerigan@smsu.edu

Leaders are Everywhere

IN SCHOOLS

EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION & LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE (EDAL) The EDAL Program is a 33-36 credit program, contingent upon whether you choose to pursue the Educational Specialist degree or the certificate. Once these credits are completed, you will have earned your Educational Administration & Leadership Certificate and/or the Education Specialist Degree!

EDAL OUTCOMES • Additional Skills • Increased Knowledge in Leadership • Supports your professional growth • Strengthens your capacity to be a great leader!

To learn more about this amazing program and opportunity, please scan the QR code and complete the information requested.

Contact Dr. Jay Meiners, EDAL Coordinator with any questions at LC@ SMSU.EDU

You are worth the investment and your school needs your leadership!

1501 State Street • Marshall, MN 56258 www.SMSU.edu/GraduateStudies

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Master’s Degree in Education The mission of the Professional Education Program at SMSU is to create a community of practice where each learner is an active participant in the development of learning, teaching, and leadership processes. This is accomplished by engagement in inquiry, critical reflection, and the study of educational theory, research, and practice in pursuit of excellence

1501 State Street • Marshall, MN 56258 WWW.SMSU.EDU/GRADUATESTUDIES