Here are the presentations and materials we have received from presenters to date. We have requested materials from all presenters at the 2013 MREA Conference and will be updating this as they become available. View the full Conference Program

Early Bird Sessions

BRING YOUR OWN TECHNOLOGY
Steve Knutson, Chief Information Officer, Marco Inc.
Matt Aker, Principal, Discovery Middle School, Alexandria Public Schools
Kevin Brezina, Director of Technology, Alexandria Public Schools
It’s being coined the “mobile takeover.” So how do you manage the increase in people bringing their technology to school? Steve outlines the trends and steps districts can take that promote learning, networking and security. Alexandria Public Schools shares the ins and outs of implementing a BYOT strategy in its schools. 
View or download the presentation by Steve Knutson

View or download the presentation by Alexandria Public Schools

Keynote

FAST FORWARD: WHAT WE’RE PREPARING KINDERGARTNERS FOR
Dr. Michael Ward, President of the Council of Chief State School Officers and Former State Superintendent
The reality of our kindergartners is that when they graduate in 2027, they will be competing in a global economy and workforce. Keynote Speaker Michael Ward will help us connect our rural classrooms with the realities of competing in a global economy. He will provide examples of what we are doing well and how we do even better to prepare our students for challenges they will face in the emerging hyper-connected and competitive world. View or download the presentation.

General Sessions

FINDING THE VOICE OF RURAL MINNESOTA
Brad Finstad and Marnie Werner, Center for Rural Policy and Development
What do rural Minnesotans think about Greater Minnesota’s relevancy? How do we get people thinking and talking about how to work together to strengthen our economy and region? Explore the findings in the Center’s recent report, what they mean for us, and what we should be doing next. View or download the presentation.

Breakout Sessions

WORLD’S BEST WORKFORCE
Steve Dibb, Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Education
Hailed as the capstone of a historic session for education in Minnesota, the K-12 Omnibus budget bill signed in May by Governor Dayton made many investments to quality education for our Minnesota students. Come learn exactly what districts need to do to comply with the new law and about the guidelines and resources prepared by our state’s Department of Education. View or download the presentation.  View the Checklist.

RAISE THE BAR: SCHOOL REFORM Q&A
Dr. Michael Ward, President of the Council of Chief State School Officers and Former State Superintendent
Following up to his keynote presentation, Dr. Ward will discuss the challenges and the success factors of the schools cited in the keynote and share some of the useful lessons learned.  View or download the presentation.

IMPROVE COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS
Matthew Montemurno, Account Executive, Hobsons Inc.
How do you help your students tie their academic achievement to their post-secondary goals? Are you in need of comprehensive college and career planning solutions to optimize student success, enhance counselor productivity, and track school and district results? See how you can set goals and priorities for individual students, track their progress, and measure outcomes across their peer population to improve their college and career readiness.  View or download the presentation.

TWITTER 101: 6 SECRETS TO GETTING STARTED
Dr. Wendy Clausen-Schoolmeester, Professor of Education, Southwest MN State University
Dr. Sonya Vierstraete, Professor of Education, Southwest MN State University
Twitter is a number one professional development tool for educators. This session will share 6 key elements needed so principals can hire Twitter to begin working for them (and their teachers) tomorrow. Learn the basics of Twitter including setting up an account, who to follow, all about hashtags, and school applications. View or download the presentation.

USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO ENGAGE PARENTS AND YOUR COMMUNITY
Dawn Zimmerman, CEO, The Write Advantage
Wishing your parents were more connected or your community saw the good that happens inside your schools? Social media is providing unprecedented opportunities to engage and connect with parents and the broader community. This information-packed session provided administrators, teachers and school board members a primer on the top social media tools as well as effective strategies for using them to meet their goals.  View or download the presentation.

APPS FOR MOBILE COMPUTING
Dr. Rhonda Bonnstetter, Education Chair, Southwest Minnesota State University
Dr. Debbie VanOverbeke, Education Graduate Director, Southwest Minnesota State University
Many schools are moving toward using mobile computing such as iPads and cell phones in their classrooms. This interactive hands-on session looked at a variety of applications for teaching from the preschool level through high school in various content areas. Please feel free to bring your iPad and share your favorite resources as well! Handouts with suggested applications will be provided. View or download the presentation.

MEASURE THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON STUDENT LEARNING
Stacy Olson, Technology Integration Coordinator, Lakes Area Service Cooperative
Are the dollars you’re spending on technology and professional development making a difference? Learn about multiple effective technology integration models at work in today’s classrooms and how Minnesota school districts are using an innovative  and efficient new tool to measure the impact of technology on student learning. View or download the presentation.

DESIGN HIGH-QUALITY LITERACY INSTRUCTION
Lori Helman, Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Minnesota, Co-Director, Center for Reading Research
The heart of Helman’s research is a quest to understand the literacy development of students from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and apply this understanding to effective classroom practices. As literacy teachers and specialists take on greater leadership roles at their school sites, what can they do to enhance instruction with students who have been traditionally under-served by schools. Learn about the hallmarks of a high-quality literacy program and explore how you can connect research with effective instruction in the classroom. View or download the presentation.

MAXIMIZING RESOURCES FOR YOUR COMMUNITY’S LITTLE LEARNERS  
Melvin Carter III, Director of the Office of Early Learning, MN Department of Education
Nancy Jost, Early Childhood Coordinator, West Central Initiative
Many of us from across the state share a common commitment to prioritizing Minnesota’s youngest in-need children as the most important investment for our state. Come and learn about resources and supports for little learners in your rural schools and early learning scholarships. What’s available in your community, and what eligibility criteria apply? View or download the presentation.

TOOLS FOR BETTER BOARD-SUPERINTENDENT RELATIONS
Dr. Bruce Miles, Owner, Big River Group
The relationship between a board of education and the superintendent of schools has a significant effect on the quality of education provided by a school district. Their ability to work together successfully affects principals, teachers, and students and their families. Learn how to forge better superintendent and board relationships to improve evaluations that can be customized & delivered in any school district.

Effective Schools Research
Teacher Interpersonal Skills Sumary
Connectedness & Schools
Co-Curriculars
7 Practices Highly Effectiveness
Qualities of Effective School Board Members
School Board Roles
Why Micromanage
Board & Admin Conflict
Periodic Board Reviews
Why Teams Fail
Planning Funnel
Success & Issues Worksheet
Examples – School V & M
Priorities Worksheet
Priorities to Goals Worksheet
Chainsaw Goal Worksheet
My Job, Your Job Spreadsheet
Superintendent Evaluation Model
Feedback Form
Successful Team Leadership
Evaluation Model