MREA’s 2024 Greater Education Summit lineup of nearly 50 learning sessions will provide insight and application to engage teachers, administrators, school board members and other advocates for rural education. Summit registration closes October 31, so don’t delay in making attendance plans. Register here.
Keynote Sessions
Opening Keynote
Thriving Together: A New Vision for Public Education & Student Belonging | Brittany Mauney | Aspen Institute
Legislative Update
What’s Next for Rural Schools? | Sam Walseth | Capitol Hill Associates
Closing Session
How to Nurture Holistic Well-Being | Dr. Jenny Severson
Idea Jam Mini Breakouts
Idea Jam is new this year, offering 3 insights in 30 minutes at 15 Idea tables. Expert practitioners will share 3 main ideas in a table talk, and then groups will discuss the ideas before attendees move to a second session. MDE and BOSA are also providing Q&A resource tables during this time:
- IDEA 1 | Strengthen Your Existing School Library
- IDEA 2 | Unlock Savings with Building Automation
- IDEA 3 | Unique Partnerships with Industry and Legislation
- IDEA 4 | Innovate for Employee Retention
- IDEA 5 | Rethinking EL Programs in Rural Schools
- IDEA 6 | Key Foundations for New Teachers
- IDEA 7 | Interventions to Support Youth Mental Health
- IDEA 8 | Win at School Culture
- IDEA 9 | Converse Courageously
- IDEA 10 | Embrace Rural Education’s Evolution
- IDEA 11 | How AI Can Revolutionize Classroom Learning
- IDEA 12 | Student Achievement Recognition
- IDEA 13 | Q&A: MDE School Finance
- IDEA 14 | Q&A: MDE School Ombuds
- IDEA 15 | Q&A: BOSA
Breakout Sessions
Four rounds of breakout sessions offer more than 35 learning opportunities. View the sessions below and learn more about each of them.
| SUMMIT BREAKOUT SESSIONS
NOV. 17-19, 2024 |
SESSION 1: MONDAY
10 – 11 AM |
SESSION 2: MONDAY
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM |
SESSION 3: MONDAY
1:30 – 2:45 PM |
SESSION 4: TUESDAY
8:15 – 9:15 AM |
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| DISTRICT PLANNING & OPERATIONS | (101) Bouncing Back: A Roadmap for Referendum Recovery
Steve Pumper and Michael Hart, PMA Financial | Kurt Stumpf, Pequot Lakes, ISD |
(201) Amplifying Impact: MREA’s Advocacy Strategy for Change
Darrin Strosahl, MREA | Sam Walseth, Capitol Hill Associates |
(301) Mastering the ABCs of School Finance: Allocation, Budgeting, and Compliance
Cathy Erickson, MDE |
(401) Safety Beyond the Bell
Jenny Larrive and Jon Jorgenson, Minnesota School Safety Center |
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| (102) Four-Day Weeks Under Minnesota’s Flexible Learning Year Program
Cynthia Jackson, Minnesota Department of Education| Donita Stepan, Carlton ISD | Dr. Elton Mykerezi, University of Minnesota |
(202) Overcoming New Challenges: Rural Referenda
Jason Splett, ICS | Todd Rapp, Rapp Strategies |
(302) Lights, Camera, Recruitment: Students & Staff
Jake Sturgis, Captivate Media + Consulting | Dr. Bill Adams, Willmar Schools |
(402) Building Sustainability into Rural Budgets
Matthew Hammer and Aaron Bushberger, Ehlers |
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| (103) Investing in Excellence: Rethinking Teacher Salaries for a Brighter Future
Kevin Wellen and Lori Stein, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley ISD |
(203) Beyond Borders: Attracting Educators Worldwide
Dan Dalchow, Climax-Shelly ISD | Tim Lutz, Red Lake ISD | Liz Windingstad, Willmar ISD |
(303) Empowering Futures: Amending Cooperative Agreements for Student and Teacher Opportunities
Rae Villebrun, Nashwauk-Keewatin ISD | Allison Butterfield, Greenway ISD |
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| (104) Understanding Retirement Options for TRA/PERA
Shawn McIntrye, EFS Advisors |
(204) Transformation Beyond the Classroom
Dan Miller, JLG Architects | Dr. Tim Godfrey, Lake Park-Audubon ISD |
(304) Caring Conversations: Navigating Mental Health Concerns with Empathy
Lisa Worden, Sourcewell |
(403) Innovative Classroom Management: CW-FIT Success
Jacky Williams and Michaela Parisi, University of Kansas |
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| STUDENT LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT | (105) Resources for Transforming Teaching About American Indians
Sonia Wadena, Bemidji ISD |
(205) Managing Behaviors Like Flight Attendants
Dr. Wendy Schoolmeester, Southwest Minnesota State University |Dr. Jamie Juhl, University of Sioux Falls |
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| (106) Health Horizons: A Rural School Medical Academy Collaboration
Wade McKittrick and Kati Birhanzl, Montevideo ISD |
(206) Classrooms to Careers: CTE’s Impact on Job Placement and Career Earnings
Alessia Leibert, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development |
(305) AI: From Chalkboards to Algorithms
Dana Woods and Anna Hamann, Bemidji ISD |
(404) Youth Perspectives: Community, College, Careers
Jen Alger and Ellen Squires, Blandin Foundation |
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| (107) SEBMH: Less Is More!
Megan Gruis, IgnitED! Consulting | Erin Engness, Resource Training & Solutions |
(207) Community Schools’ Impact in Rural Minnesota
Edith Gozali-Lee and Bunchung Ly, Wilder Research | Deanna Hron, Deer River ISD |
(306) 5th Core Subject –A P-12 CTE Program
Patrick Walsh, Kody Bertram, and Josie Dingman, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa ISD |
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| (307) Creating Belonging with Anti-Bias Education
Rebecca Slaby, Amazeworks |
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| PEOPLE, CULTURE, & RELATIONSHIPS | (108) Why Rural Matters Report: Minnesota
Dr. Devon Brenner, Mississippi State University | Dr. Karen Eppley, Penn State University
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(208) From Credentials to Classrooms: Decoding PELSB Updates
Yelena Bailey and Debbie Odell, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board | Kurt Stumpf, Pequot Lakes ISD |
(308) CRSL: Growing Principals’ Confidence and Practice
Ann Mitchell and Dr. Elizabeth Vaught, Minnesota Department of Education | Mike LeMier, Park Rapids ISD |
(405) PANEL: 2024 Educators of Excellence on Rural Teacher Leadership
Panelists: Moderators: Melissa Oberg, Cook County ISD | Kayla Schoenberg, Mindful Marketing |
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| (109) Don’t Press Your Luck: Labor & Employment Law
Kristi Hastings and Joshua M Heggem, Pemberton Law |
(209) Trust Me Really: Building Authentic Connections
Bruce Locklear, Saint Mary’s University | Marcia Nelson, Cloquet ISD |
(309) Mind Full, or Mindful?
Kathy Flaminio, movemindfully |
(406) What Does Your Rural Postcard Say?
Jenny Maras, Morris ISD and 2023 National Rural Teacher of the Year |
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| (110) Re-Thinking the Role of the Principal
Brittany Mauney, Aspen Institute |
(210) Nurturing a Positive Environment for Educator Success
Tara Soesbe, TILL360 | Andy Dokken, Aitkin ISD
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(310) Navigating New Teacher Mentorship: Insights from Minnesota’s Induction Pilot
Chris Ramadan, Minnesota Department of Education | Lisa Gregoire, Southwest -West Central Service Cooperative |
(407) Equipping Educators: Mental Health Support Strategies
Dr. Lucy Payne, University of St. Thomas | Amy Jones, ABJ Consulting | Aubrie Hoover, Northeast Service Cooperative |
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| (111) Aligning with New Culturally Responsive Requirements for TDE and QComp
Tamara Valmé and Kristie Anderson, MDE |
