Virtual Winter Conference

The Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals invites you to join us at our 2021 Virtual Winter Conference on January 25-28. This year's conference has been designed to meet members' needs in four specific areas; Racial Equity, Wellness, Distance Learning Strategies and Pandemic Related Challenges.

The theme of the conference is Moving Forward Together. Please join colleagues in January as we listen to research based strategies and educational innovations that will help us grow personally and professionally as we prepare for the new challenges of the second semester.









Keynotes Speakers

George Couros

Embracing the Core of Innovative Teaching and Learning Now and Moving Forward

Dr. Douglas Reeves

Leadership Lessons from the Pandemic World

Dr. Macarre Traynham

Required: Self-Reflection, Courage and Truth Telling

Dr. Stephen Sroka

Being Fearless in the Face of Adversity with the Courage to Lead

Winter Conference Welcome – Ronn Nozoe, NASSP Executive Director

Schedule

Monday, January 25

2:00 PM

Unconscious Bias Overview
William Blackford IV, Senior Consultant, Franklin Covey
Scott Anderson, Client Partner – Minnesota, Franklin Covey

If you are human, you are biased – it is part of who we are. Unconscious Biases are not good or bad; they are just preferences developed through our experiences. Some biases are good – safety some may cloud our judgement – stigmas/people. We will explore how bias affects us personally and those we interact with every day.

MASSP Leadership And Advocacy
Mark Mischke, Principal, Buffalo High School
Jason Mix, Principal, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted High School
NASSP Advocacy Panel

Advocacy experts, from the National Association Secondary School Principals along with members of the MASSP Executive Committee, will discuss the important of advocacy in Minnesota and at the national level.

3:00 PM

The Innocent Classroom: Dismantling Racial Bias in Our Schools
Jaimee Wolcott, M.Ed., Assistant Vice-President
Matthew Brandt, Ph.D., Vice-President
Innocent Technologies, LLC

Every student should know what it is like to feel innocent, to believe that this world is open to them. Society’s racist stereotypes stand in the way. Learn how you can dismantle racism in your school by helping educators construct relationships connecting each child to their unlimited potential.

Participants will explore strategies that interrupt patterns where implicit racial bias rests. Patterns that interfere with a teacher’s greatest efforts to reach their students.

Minnesota State High School League Update During the Pandemic

Erich Martens, Executive Director
Laura Mackenthun, Director, Technology and. Communications
Bob Madison, Associate Director
Minnesota State High School League

Leadership from the MSHSL will provide a comprehensive update related to the progression of decisions throughout the developing Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, specific school guidance will also be offered in offering activities and athletics and keeping students safe throughout their experiences. Time will be spent discussing some of the accommodations and exceptions that have been provided by League leadership as well as answering of questions and concerns posed by our membership.

“You’re Doing What?” Synchronous Learning for All
Tom Brenner, Principal
Nicole Vegar, Instructional Coach
Cloquet Middle School

In this interactive session, you will experience a "synchronous learning model" that provides instruction to in-person, hybrid, and distance learners simultaneously used by the Cloquet Middle School. You will learn how to implement best practices using interactive technology to promote interaction and engagement between teachers and learners in all settings. You will learn how this model allows the seamless transition between all three learning scenarios and allows quarantined students and staff to engage in and provide daily instruction. Expect to leave with an overview of this model's benefits, new ideas to implement, and solutions for some of the barriers that this model presents.

4:00 PM

Embracing the Core of Innovative Teaching and Learning Now and Moving Forward
George Couros, Speaker and Author

Although teaching face-to-face is different than in a remote learning situation, the core values of what is important should stay the same. George Couros will focus on the “Core of Innovative Teaching and Learning” and provide examples of how we can create a “new and better normal" in education from all that we have learned from our current situation.

Tuesday, January 26

10:00 AM

A Tiered Approach to Student SEL Support that is Transformative and Outcomes
Katie Dorn, CEO. EmpowerU
Presenting with Rothsay Public Schools Driven

Students and educators are struggling with anxiety, depression, motivation and focus at alarming rates, negatively impacting outcomes – like grades and attendance. Learn how a tiered approach top mental health support for students can help students overcome mental health obstacles, build resilience and thrive – improving grades and attendance.

Straight Talk from Student Leaders
Doug Erickson, MASSP Coordinator of Student Activities
Members of MAHS/MASC Executive Committees

A panel made up of the MAHS/MAHS Executive committee will discuss the impact of distant learning on students' academic, social, and extra-curricular lives. Students will discuss the transition they now face as the state moves toward hybrid and full time learning in their schools. Students' mental health will be a component of this discussion.

Fostering Student Agency During Distant Learning: A Roundtable Discussion
Gina Gamnis, Associate Area Director, Midwest Region
Brett Bowers, Associate Senior Director, Central Region
AVID Center

This collaborative conversation will build off of the following prompts, using the AVID College and Career Readiness Framework as a resource:

    • What elements of instruction, culture, leadership and systems need to be in place to foster student agency, defined as: Students believe in and activate their own potential, build relationships, persist through obstacles, and exercise their academic, social, emotional, and professional knowledge and skills.?
    • How will fostering student agency improve student engagement and success this year and beyond?
    • How will we, as leaders, ensure that the conditions are created for every student to develop Agency in both the face to face and virtual settings?

2:00 PM

Strategies to Motivate Disengaged Students (& Get Results) – Even During COVID
John Baylor, Founder, OnToCollege

Students have lost their routines and much of their motivation. Anxiety and isolation have undermined their focus. We need creative, persuasive strategies to motivate students, whether in person or online. Join John Baylor as he shares practical, easy-to-implement ideas to build motivation and engagement this school year.

Critical Legal Updates
Roger Aronson, MASSP Attorney/Lobbyist

Panel Discussion on Virtual Learning
Jon Baietto, Administrator
Angela Specketer, Administrator
Laura Yehlik, Administrator
Minnesota Virtual Academy, Houston
Josef Haas, Hastings Middle School

This panel of experienced virtual learning administrators was put together to be a vital resource for principals around the state to ask questions related to virtual learning. During the unprecedented times we are in, most of us have moved to a virtual (distance) learning space for our students and staff we are unaccustomed to dealing with challenges that type of learning presents, The panel of expert administrators from Minnesota Virtual Academy are here to share their experiences with being an administrators of a virtual learning school and answer questions from their colleagues to help brick and mortar principals be more successful in the virtual learning space.

3:00 PM

“Good Trouble: How Principals Can Move the Work”
Emily Palmer, Mary Pat Cumming, Moderators, Panel of 6 Principals

Join us for a panel discussion on the Minneapolis/St. Paul principals Good Trouble Principals, a coalition of leaders who are committed and dedicated to anti-racist, student-centered educational realities that may not already exist; or in the worlds of Dr. Bettina Love: Abolitionist Education.

Unconscious Bias Overview
William Blackford IV, Senior Consultant, Franklin Covey
Scott Anderson, Client Partner – Minnesota, Franklin Covey

If you are human, you are biased – it is part of who we are. Unconscious Biases are not good or bad; they are just preferences developed through our experiences. Some biases are good – safety some may cloud our judgement – stigmas/people. We will explore how bias affects us personally and those we interact with every day.

Providing Seamless Education In and Out of Learning Models During a Pandemic
Ehren Zimmerman, Principal
Jeff Morris, Instructor
Kasey Wacker, Instructor
Perham High School
Deanna Kovash, Instructor, Prairie Wind Middle School, Perham

Over the past 10 years, Ehren has been able to work with a District Staff and Community that see the value in continuously moving students forward in an ever changing world. During this time, his District Staff has been able to commit to clear learning ideals for all types of learners and then supported those ideals with the use of technology. This has allowed his staff the opportunity to grow as a team and in grade level/departments to best support education in their instructional areas.

The key to success has been to not only commit to the technology to support students and staff, but to provide timely and meaning training at each educators’ pace to meet overarching goals of the District and Community, By committing to this type of teaming and planning, District 549 has built a seamless education plans for the mobility of education the COVID-19 Pandemic.

4:00 PM

Leadership Lessons from the Pandemic World
Dr. Douglas Reeves, National Presenter and Educational Researcher

Principals face the greatest challenges of their careers, with stress and anxiety of administrators and educators at extreme levels. How can principals cope psychologically while still helping schools serve students in their academic, social, and emotional needs? Dr. Douglas Reeves will lead an interactive presentation with the latest evidence on how leaders promote academic excellence while also insuring the physical and emotional care of staff and students.

Wednesday, January 27

10:00 AM

Engaging All Stakeholders During a Pandemic
Jesús Sandoval, Assistant Principal
Cynthia Patten, Assistant Principal
Technical High School, St. Cloud

Over the past six months, the administrative team at Tech High School has been working diligently to guarantee opportunities for student, family and staff engagement. The team will walk you through the various methods they have employed to provide windows for all stakeholders to share valuable feedback and input. You will learn how they have used both quantitative and qualitative data to improve the way a school can learn and teach during a pandemic.

Help Students Create a Future Founded on Facts!
Shaelynn Farnsworth, National Director of Education Outreach and Success
Ebonee Rice, Vice-President, Educator Network
The News Literacy Project

Young people today are dealing with the most challenging information landscape in human history. Digital tools, combined with social media, make it easy for anyone to create and spread misinformation and disinformation. Truth, evidence and facts compete for attention alongside rumors, conspiracy theories and false information. The News Literacy Project believes that education is the most effective method to address these challenges. Join us as we share NLP’s free resources and programs to help create a future founded on facts!

Community Helping Panthers (CHP)
Nick Jacobs, Principal, Cass Lake-Bena Middle School

Nick has started a Community Helping Panthers (CHP) Initiative. The goal of CHP is to inform parents/guardians with school updates and to highlight how the school has progressed in distance learning from last spring to this school year. Additionally, this will be an excellent opportunity where parents/guardians are able to share some positive experiences as well as address some questions.

“Benefit of the Future”
Richard McLeod, Retirement Services Supervisor, Teacher Retirement Association

This presentation is designed for younger or mid-career educators. We will discuss how the TRA defined benefit plan works. We will explain how we calculate service credit and salary and how a member’s age factors into the calculation. Other topics include beneficiary coverage, leaves of absence and disability coverage.

2:00 PM

Mindfulness: Trauma-Responsiveness, SEL & Equity
William Drew, Owner/Consultant, Mindful i Consulting LLC

Far from just silent stillness, mindfulness can be that missing tool for linking SEL to Trauma-Responsiveness and Equity while reducing feelings of guilt, shame and anger that may often arise when dealing with these matters. Participants will be taken through evidence-based practices and reminded of the latest research on why and how mindfulness, when properly introduced and integrated, can help us manage current day changes and help us all stay ready to learn.

Developing an Equity Leadership Identity
Dr. Lanise Block, Founder/CEO and Adjunct Professor, Sankore Consulting

The Equity Leadership Identity centers around the idea that in order to do the hard work of equitable leadership, it must be part of your identity. We believe that when equitable outcomes are achieved due to an Equity Leadership Identity. Cultivating this Identity takes intentional targeted self-development and a willingness to work toward your goals.

This session will provide an overview of the Equity Leadership Identity Progression and the 5 Critical Lenses of Developing An Equity Leadership Identity.

“Planning for Retirement”
Richard McLeod, Retirement Services Supervisor, Teacher Retirement Association

This session is geared toward members who are within 7 to 10 years of retirement. This presentation gives more specific information on TRA’s six Life Plans for beneficiaries, as well as Acceleration, taxes, and working after retirement. We will also cover the application process and the timing involved.

Legal/Legislative Updates
Roger Aronson, MASSP Attorney/Lobbyist

3:00 PM

Running a 100% Flex Schedule
Aaron Nelson, Principal, Pequot Lakes High School

In response to the limitations of COVID, PLHS adopted a 100% flexible schedule for students and teachers as a way to increase face to face instruction and support for students in the areas they needed the most help in. The schedule allows teachers to create a weekly schedule of courses, and students select which classes they need to attend while on campus. The system is managed by a software program called Adaptive Scheduler which monitors attendance and schedules as well as allowing teachers to request students who are in greatest need.

Attendees will learn about the struggles of a short-planned rollout, the successes and failures of the first semester and lessons learned. Pequot Lakes High School is a school of 600 students with 37 full or part time staff.

Leading Virtually and Hybrid – Practical Strategies for Leading Learning While Virtual or in a Hybrid Model of Learning
Bill Ziegler, School Leader, Author, Consultant & Founder

Are you leading in a Virtual or Hybrid Learning environment? If so, this session is for you as it will provide practical, easily implementable, and proven strategies for leading in virtual or hybrid learning models. Dr. Ziegler will share how to lead in a way that empowers your students, staff, parents, and community. You will walk away with practical tips, tools, and ideas to implement in your school. Plus, Dr. Ziegler will share with you how leaders need to change and adapt to thrive in these new learning models.

Dream Big, Live Colorfully, Lead Boldly: Developing Your Best Self at School and Home
Jessica Cabeen, Principal, Ellis Middle School, Austin

Today’s school leaders have pressures that can become barriers to maintaining wellness in all aspects of life. In this session, we will explore ways in work and life to set your own goals and priorities in the different quadrants of balance (positional, personal, professional, and passion). We will learn ways to manage processes more effectively so you can be present at the moment, diffuse difficult situations with families, staff and parents so you can leave at school, and rekindle your own passions so your students and staff can see the real you.

Today’s leaders need to find ways to thrive, not just survive in the busy pace of leading, learning, and living life. As a principal, wife, mom, daughter, student, and teacher, Jessica has a passion to learn and share ideas that will provide educators with strategies to lead at home and at school. Come prepared to make a commitment to change and find ways to make it happen.

4:00 PM

Required: Self-Reflection, Courage & Truth Telling
Dr. Macarre Traynham, Founder and Lead Consultant of Elizabeth Mackenzie Consulting, LLC

2020 ushered us into a year of grappling with a duel pandemic—COVID-19 and racism. We knew inequities were disproportionately ravaging our educational system prior to the pandemic; but now, we’ve seen these inequities exasperated. Along the way, we’ve heard ourselves say, “This is not who we are.” And yet, pause for a moment and consider, what if this is exactly who we are? The murder of George Floyd and the impact of distance learning on our students, families and educators have moved us towards a calling to lead in ways we’ve never led before and centering race as central to addressing the inequities we see. Leading for racial equity requires us to be self-reflective, a truth teller and courageous. It requires us to interrogate and critically analyze the stories we’ve been told. We must be willing to be vulnerable, acknowledge our own mis-education and bias, and actively seek to advance and amplify narratives that have been silenced and purposefully hidden. As Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. says, “Leading for racial equity means you”.

Thursday, January 28

10:00 AM

Leading A Culture of Unity: An Authentic Discussion on Race, Unity, and Leadership
Bill Ziegler, School Leader, Author, Consultant & Founder

In this powerful, practical, and inspiring session, Dr. Ziegler will lead a discussion on race, unity, and leadership with three award winning school leaders. We will address common biases, how to become an anti-racist leader, and ways you can transform your school into a true place of unity for everyone. This session will challenge your thinking, cause you to reflect, and inspire you to make real and sustainable change in your school/district.

Building Resilience and Self-Care for Your Educators – A Key Strategy to Help Support Teachers
Katie Dorn, CEO. EmpowerU
Jill Tessman, Director of Student Support, White Bear Lake Area High School

The mental health crisis in our schools and country are growing at an alarming rate.

    • 1 in 3 students struggle with anxiety or depression, according to the latest report from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
    • Most mental health disorders will be diagnosed before age 24, according to the Academy of Psychiatry.
    • With numbers rising quickly, schools do not have adequate resources to help students, leaving thousands of young people without the skills, strategies and resources they need to navigate emotional well-being.
    • Teaching students, the skills and strategies that build resilience in the face of social and emotional setbacks is critical. In fact, research by McKinsey cites resilience as the most important predictor of post high school success.

This session will review the research that shows how a credit-bearing daily social-emotional course with embedded daily online coaching is helping students improve mental health, build resilience and meet goals.

2:00 PM

Straight Talk from Student Leaders
Doug Erickson, MASSP Coordinator of Student Activities
Panel of Students

A panel of students from urban, suburban, and greater Minnesota will discuss the issue of racial equity. Students will cover what is working in their schools and what needs to be improved. This will be a continuation of the racial equity discussion by students leaders that was held at the MASSP Summer Conference.

Why the ACT Still Matters in a “Test Optional” World
John Baylor, Founder, OnToCollege

John Baylor, founder of OnToCollege, discusses how admissions and scholarships now work in a test-optional world. With some merit scholarships awarded without an ACT or SAT score, many students and families believe doing well on an ACT matters less-a belief that may prove costly. Learn how students’ scores can still significantly help students.

Facilitating Meaningful Feedback
Renae Nesburg Busse, Principal Leadership Support
Kip Lynk, Principal Leadership Support
Minnesota Regional Centers of Excellence

Providing effective feedback to teachers and staff is one of the most impactful aspects of a school leader’s job. In this session, we will look at the conditions necessary for meaningful feedback and begin to explore how to make our interactions culturally responsive and effective within a virtual environment. You will be introduced to a reflective rubric and process that any leader can use to grow in their feedback practice.

3:00 PM

Danger of a Single Story
Mary Pat Cumming, Principal, The FAIR School, Minneapolis
Kandace Logan, Director of Equity & Integration, Minneapolis Public Schools

The session will focus on the single stories that we create and believe when we have limited experience with people who have a different lived experience than us. Participants will take time to reflect on their community and experiences with the people in the community. They will reflect on the single story narratives that may exist about them as well as the narratives they tell about others. When we think of equity as only having to do with race and/or the challenges of the “urban school experience” then we limit the equitable educational opportunities of the students in other communities that appear to be homogenous.

“Flexible Resilient Pedagogy” in Hybrid & Distance Learning Model
Mindy Chevalier, Principal
Margot Hansen, Director of Teaching & Learning
Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High School

With all of the challenges schools are facing with the 3 learning models, we are presenting our Hybrid learning model (AABBC) and our transition to the distance learning format. We will discuss our synchronous learning process based off of Angela Wilson’s research and podcast - “How to Plan For Flexible Resilient Pedagogy”. We will also discuss our student intervention process and SEL implementation of Move This World in these environments.

Supporting Teachers in Learner Centered Distance Learning
Ann Mitchell, Principal Leadership Support, Minnesota Department of Education
Kari Ross, Principal Leadership Support, Regional Center of Excellence-Northern Sky

What does culturally responsive, learner-centered instruction look like in distance learning environments? How can school leaders best support teachers to ensure distance learning success for every student? Participants in this session will be guided through current challenges and ways to support teachers in learner-centered distance learning strategies. Together, we will share learner-centered approaches leaders can model and teachers can develop to support student’s sense of belonging, purpose, engagement, learning, and efficacy.

4:00 PM

Being Fearless in the Face of Adversity with the Courage to Lead. (Including Navigating the Coronavirus Crisis)
Dr. Stephen Sroka, President, Health Education Consultants

The Coronavirus pandemic and panicdemic have made Steve think about how everyone has to make life threatening decisions every day, just like principals who work with the responsibility of keeping students safe and healthy in schools.

His presentation will bring you up-to-date with the Coronavirus including the science and practical strategies to manage the COVID-19 threat in your professional and personal life. He will offer lessons learned about life and death and how to develop your own personal warrior aura to be fearless in the face of adversity with the courage to lead whether it be with the Coronavirus, death, or making sure students are safe and healthy tomorrow morning wherever they may be.

The goal is to encourage principals to help educators keep students stay safe and healthy so they can learn more and live better. Educator fatigue will be addressed and encouraging & inspiring recommendations will be suggested. Researched-driven and reality-based, Steve offers honesty, humor and hope.


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to download the Virtual Conference Schedule

Presenter Biographies

Keynote Speakers

George Couros

George Couros is a worldwide leader in the area of innovation and has a  focus on innovation as a human endeavor. His belief that meaningful change happens when you first connect to people’s hearts, is modeled in his writing and speaking. He has worked with all levels of school, from K-12 as a teacher, technology facilitator, and school and district administrator, and is the author of the book, The Innovator’s Mindset; Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity and his latest book, Innovate Inside the Box. 

Douglas Reeves

Dr. Reeves is the author of more than 40 books and more than 100 articles on leadership and education. He has twice been named to the Harvard University Distinguished Authors Series and was named the Brock International Laureate for his contributions to education. His career of work in professional learning led to the Contribution to the Field Award from the National Staff Development Council, now Learning Forward. Doug has worked in 50 states and more than 40 countries. His volunteer activities include FinishTheDissertation.org, providing free and non-commercial support for doctoral students, and The SNAFU Review, publishing the essays, poetry, stories, and artwork of disabled veterans. Doug lives with his family in downtown Boston.  He Tweets @DouglasReeves, blogs at CreativeLeadership.net, and can be reached at 1.781.710.9633.

Stephen Sroka

“Boy is retarded,” reads the top of Dr. Stephen Sroka’s third-grade report card. In ES, he was mocked for having a crossed eye and a speech impediment. He was crippled in a HS fight. Doctors said, “ Listen to your teachers.” The more he listened, the smarter the teachers became. His HS counselor told him that he didn’t have the IQ to go to college, but he didn’t know that Steve had the I WILL. He learned to live with the gifts of ADHD and dyslexia. His struggles to become a teacher made him a better educator. He went from the “projects” to being inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. He was awarded The Walt Disney American Outstanding Teacher of Health and Physical Education, and has been on Oprah and covered in USA TODAY. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, and President of his company, Health Education Consultants. He has taught in schools, including urban and on Native American reservations, worldwide for over 30 years,

Steve works with infectious diseases and has keynoted the International Swine Flu (H1N1) Conference in Wash DC in 2009, and keynoted the International Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summit in June, 2020. He has been intensely involved in the the Coronavirus crisis and been a frequent medical expert for the media and has written national op-ed commentaries.

Dr. Sroka received the Outstanding School Health Educator Award from the American School Health Association. Recently, he was named the Person of the Year for The International Association for Truancy and Dropout Prevention and received the first-ever School Health Leader Award from the American Public Health Association. But his most meaningful “award” was his then six-year-old daughter telling him that he was smarter than the cartoon character, Inspector Gadget. Obviously, his wife does not agree.           

He travels the world striving to reach, elevate and inspire with The Power of One message. After a cardiac arrest, he realized that The Power of One was not enough. He needed The Power of Many. We all do. He always did, he just didn’t know it. He does now. He now believes that one person can make a lasting difference with the power of many, and that is why he is an educator.

Macarre Traynham

Dr. Macarre Traynham is the founder and lead consultant of Elizabeth Mackenzie Consulting LLC. Her firm is committed to developing racially equitable systems and organizations, and building the skill and will of individuals and systems to effectively address institutional and structural inequities. Dr. Traynham has more than 20 years of experience in education, professional development, and organizational leadership. Dr. Traynham has served as a high school math teacher in Southern California, worked as an administrator in the roles of both Vice Principal and Principal in the Pacific Northwest, and has served as the Executive Director for Teaching and Learning in a large urban school district in the Midwest. She serves as an advisory board member for the Early Childhood and Montessori programs at St. Catherine University and volunteers as the Director of Education for Children's Programs at St. James AME Church in St. Paul, MN. Dr. Traynham has also presented at numerous national and regional conferences about racial equity and education.

Dr. Traynham graduated from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. She has a Master’s of Arts in Educational Administration from California State University San Bernardino and a Professional Administrators license from Portland State University. She also holds a Doctoral degree from Lewis and Clark College in Educational Leadership with a focus in equity and social justice. Dr. Traynham works as the Educational Equity Specialist for the Minnesota Department of Education and has an essay published in Glenn Singleton’s book More Courageous Conversations about Race: A Field Guide to Equity in Schools.

Conference Presenters

Scott Anderson is the Client Partner of Minnesota with Franklin Covey.

Roger Aronson has been counsel and lobbyist for MASSP since 1981. He is a graduate of St. John’s University and the University of Minnesota School of Law. Roger is a frequent speaker and lecturer on school law topics. He is co-chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s School Law Conference and is on the executive committee of the education lobbyist’s group, BELL. In addition, to representing MASSP, Roger is Special Projects Counsel for the Minnesota State High School League, represents the Minneapolis Principals’ Forum, St. Paul Principals’ Association and the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association. He is a member of the Minnesota Council on School Attorneys as well as the National Council on School Attorneys.

Jon Baietto has been an administrator at the Minnesota Virtual Academy for 15 years and throughout his tenure he believes, especially at the middle school level that we need to have a good working relationship with the adults in the home and when this is in place, it is really a joy to see the team (school, students, and parents) all working together.

John Baylor is the founder of OnToCollege. He has prepared tens of thousands of high school students for the ACT and SAT over two decades. John is the author of the award winning book Reaching Higher, which is a blue-print for how high schools can attack student disengagement.

John is a graduate of Stanford, a father, husband, author, and sportscaster. His passion, through OnToCollege, is to help schools improve their cultures, ACT scores and college graduation rates.

William Blackford IV is a certified Cultural Transformation expert, who helps business leaders to create a culture of: Leadership Effectiveness, Psychology of Success, Actionable Equity, Unconscious Bias and High Trust Relationships. Participants describe him as sincere, powerful, energetic and soul stirring. With his expertise, sense of humor and ability to connect, he quickly creates a climate of trust.

Dr. Lanise Block is the CEO of Sankore Consulting. She has varied experience in education. She has worked as a: Teacher, Program Coordinator, Content Lead K-12: Social Studies, Technology Integration Specialist & Strategic Project Administrator. In addition, Dr. Block is an adjunct professor at various Schools of Education around the metro area.

Brett Bowers is the Associate Senior Director for AVID’s Central Region. Prior to joining AVID, Brett was a school administrator for nearly 20 years, 15 of which were spent in the role of principal at two comprehensive high school outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Matthew Brandt is Vice-President at Innocent Technologies. He helped create the Innocent Classroom with Alexs Pate. Previously, Matthew was the Vice-President at the Minnesota Humanities Center where he produced award winning programs, documentaries and exhibits, including the Bdote Memory Map site and the traveling exhibit Why Treaties Matter.

Thomas Brenner has been the principal at the Cloquet Middle School for the past 19 years. Before that, he taught both math and computer science. Tom also teaches at the College of St. Scholastica, is a presenter for the Minnesota Principals Academy, and is the current president-elect for MASSP.

Renae Nesburg Busse is a Principal Leadership Support member for the Minnesota Regional Centers of Excellence. Renae has spent the past 8 years coaching, supporting, and leading school principals in curriculum development, instructional leadership, change leadership, and school improvement.

Jessica Cabeen currently serves as the principal of Ellis Middle School in Austin. Prior to this role, she was the principal of the "Happiest Place in Southeastern Minnesota", the Woodson Kindergarten Center. She has been an assistant middle school principal, a special education supervisor and a special education teacher. Jessica was awarded the NAESP/VINCI Digital Leader of Early Learning Award in 2016 and in 2017 was named the Minnesota National Distinguished Principal. During the spring of 2020, she was a facilitator of the National Elementary School Principal “Principaling in Place” Series and she continues to write for national organizations such as Edutopia and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Jessica has written four books: Hacking Early Learning, Balance Like a Pirate, Lead with Grace, and Unconventional Leadership. She is currently a Future Ready Principal Advisory and a Middle-Level Leader Fellow for NAESP.

Mindy Chevalier has been in education for 22 years. She is in her second year as principal at Belle Plaine High School and has worked in the district in multiple combined Administrative roles the past 11 years. She has served as the Assistant Principal, Activities Director, Director of Community Ed and now Principal. Previously to working in Belle Plaine, Mindy was the Activities Director/Health/PhyEd teacher and coach at NRHEG High School.

George Couros is a worldwide leader in the area of innovation and has a focus on innovation as a human endeavor. His belief that meaningful change happens when you first connect to people’s hearts, is modeled in his writing and speaking. He has worked with all levels of school, from K-12 as a teacher, technology facilitator, and school and district administrator, and is the author of the book, The Innovator’s Mindset; Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity and his latest book, Innovate Inside the Box.

Mary Pat Cumming is the principal of The FAIR School in Minneapolis. She is currently the Secretary of MASSP.

Katie Dorn, MA, LSC, MFT Co-Founder, CEO of EmpowerU. She is a licensed school counselor and therapist that has a reputation as a bold leader, an empathetic and highly-skilled clinician and trustworthy partner that creates student change.

William Drew, since 2012, has leveraged experience in project management within corporate spaces and over 9,000 hours of teaching mindfulness/mediation to benefit those in education and healthcare. Drew’s work has allowed him to present the benefits of Mindfulness/Mindful Movement to a wide variety of schools, businesses and organizations across the country.

Doug Erickson is the MASSP Coordinator of Student Activities.

Shaelynn Farnsworth is the News Literacy Project’s national director of educator outreach and success. Shaelynn has over 20 years of experience in education. She spent the first part of her career as a high school English teacher in Conrad, Iowa, where she reimagined teaching and learning in her classroom and became a leader in the convergence between literacy and technology. Ms. Farnsworth focused on developing student skills in information consumption, creating innovative ways for students to demonstrate understanding, and inspiring healthy skepticism in the digital age. She was recruited by a regional state education agency in Iowa, where she was a school improvement consultant for seven years. Shaelynn supported districts throughout Iowa in the areas of literacy, technology, AIW, and systemic change. She was a member of the state’s literacy, social studies, and technology leadership teams. Shaelynn holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in English from the University of Northern Iowa.

Gina Gamnis supports schools across Minnesota and the Midwest as an Associate Area Director with AVID. She works closely with educators focusing on closing opportunity gaps and success for all students. Previously, Gina was an AVID District Director and AVID Elective Teacher for South Washington County Schools.

Margot Hansen has been in education for 21 years. After receiving her Specialist degree in K-12 Administration, she took a position in Belle Plaine Public Schools as a Curriculum Coordinator. That position has evolved over the past 7 years, and she now serves as the Director of Teaching and Learning and 7-12 Assistant Principal. Previous to working in Belle Plaine, Margot taught 6th grade students in St. Peter for 13 years.

Josef Haas is currently an assistant principal at Hastings Middle School. He has been at Hastings Middle School since 2014 and before that was a middle school assistant principal in the Delano Public Schools. Josef is also serving in a leadership capacity in his 1st of a 2 year term on the board of directors of MASSP.

Nick Jacobs is the assistant principal at Cass Lake-Bena Middle School. Prior to that he worked as a School Counselor, Behavior Interventionist and one year as an assistant principal at a K-12 school.

Deanna Kovash is an 8th grade Social Students Teacher and Tech Integrationist at Prairie Wind Middle School in Perham. She is a highly respected teacher that has been teaching in Perham District for 20+ years and Tech Integrationist for 10 years. Deanna has worked diligently to use technology as a support for all learning levels and teaching styles throughout our K-8 education.

Kandace Logan has been an educator for over twenty years and has worked in Minneapolis Public Schools for 9 years in multiple capacities. Prior to joining MPS, Kandace was a consultant, led professional development with k-8 staff and administration, and supported implementation of the skills and practices to support the transformation of school culture. Before that, she was an elementary teacher in St. Paul. Kandace believes that people and system transformation is necessary to ensure our schools become places where students thrive.

Kip Lynk is a Principal Leadership Support member for the Minnesota Regional Centers of Excellence. Kip is an experienced principal having served large and small districts in both rural and metro districts throughout the last 14 years.

Bob Madison is an Associate Director at the Minnesota State High School League responsible for football, boys’ and girls’ hockey, boys’ basketball, dancer and baseball. He also manages student eligibility and is the liaison to our activity’s administrators across the state. Prior to his position at the League, Bob was the Activities Director at Mounds View High School.

Laura Mackenthun joined the Minnesota State High School League as its Director of Technology and Communication in July of 2019 and provides management of League technology including oversight of the building of the League’s new website and oversight for all aspects of Leagues communications. She has been a teacher and Technology Director at Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools prior to her position with the League.

Erich Martens has served as the Executive Director of the Minnesota State High School League since March of 2018. He was a math teacher and a coach prior to becoming a high school principal in Sauk Centre. He also served as principal at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School for a number of years before coming to the League Office.

Richard McLeod has been at Teachers Retirement Association since 1995 and has counseled thousands of educators and has done hundreds of group presentations. He currently supervise TRA’s retirement counselors. Rich is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus. Prior to coming to TRA, he worked for ten years at First Bank/US Bank in customer service and personal banking.

Mark Mischke is the principal at Buffalo High School and MASSP’s Past President.

Ann Mitchell is a former principal and high school and middle school teacher and district curriculum leader. Being a strong advocate for learner voice and leadership development of learners of all ages and stages, Ann is committed to collaborative leadership and community partnerships. She and Kari are members of Minnesota’s Principal Leadership Support Team, a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Education and the Regional Centers of Excellence.

Jason Mix is the principal at Howard Lake -Waverly-Winsted High School and currently the Coordinator of MASSP.

Jeff Morris is an 9-12 Mathematics Instructor and a Tech Integrationist. He is an incredible instructor, relationship builder and technology problem solver. Jeff’s passion for education and learning has helped advance our 1:1 initiative in all disciplines at Perham Schools.

Aaron Nelson is a CMASSP member with 10 years of principal experience; 3 years in Pequot Lakes as high school principal and 7 years in Roseau as an assistant principal. His success as a leader has come from strong partnerships with other principals, a strong collaborative leadership team of teachers, and endless visits in the hallways and conference rooms of MASSP. Having stolen so many great ideas from other successful principals, he looks forward to sharing a work in progress on the chance it may help someone looking for solutions to a difficult learning model during COVID.

Emily Palmer is the principal at Washburn High School in Minneapolis. She serves on the MASSP Board of Directors.

Cynthia Patten returned to Tech High School for the third year in a row in a new position as assistant principal, after serving as an administrative intern for the past two years. She has been with ISD 742 for five years, beginning as the alternative to suspension teacher at Apollo High School and then spending two years as an academic coach at Apollo. She spent the first fifteen years of her career teaching social studies in Litchfield. Patten has always held a soft spot in her heart for freshmen. Cindi feels fortunate to be able to lead the ninth grade BARR program at Tech High School. She is deeply committed to the mission of ISD 742 and is excited to continue building positive relationships with students, families and staff at Tech High School.

Dr. Doug Reeves is the author of more than 40 books and more than 100 articles on leadership and education. He has twice been named to the Harvard University Distinguished Authors Series and was named the Brock International Laureate for his contributions to education. His career of work in professional learning led to the Contribution to the Field Award from the National Staff Development Council, now Learning Forward. Doug has worked in 50 states and more than 40 countries. His volunteer activities include FinishTheDissertation.org, providing free and non-commercial support for doctoral students, and The SNAFU Review, publishing the essays, poetry, stories, and artwork of disabled veterans. Doug lives with his family in downtown Boston. He Tweets @DouglasReeves, blogs at CreativeLeadership.net, and can be reached at 1.781.710.9633.

Ebonee Rice joined the News Literacy Project in April 2020 as vice president of NLP’s educator network. A strategic coalition builder and community engagement expert, she has spent her career successfully scaling up campaigns and programs in the pursuit of equal access for all. From 2015 to 2017, she led the national partner engagement program at Enroll America, a nonprofit created to ensure that members of often underserved communities were able to enroll for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Her work resulted in millions of people within minority, women and young adult communities gaining health coverage. After Enroll America closed its doors, she joined the District of Columbia’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education as a community outreach specialist, building compelling digital experiences for constituents that led to positive outcomes for children, educators and families.

Ebonee began her career as a marketing/outreach coordinator for the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and has also worked for Golden Girl Media, BET Networks and the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute. A native of Los Angeles, she holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Kari Ross is a Principal Leadership Support team member with the Northern Sky RCE. She works with school leaders in northwestern Minnesota to support their communities of transform systems for learners. Kari has also been a Director of Teaching and Learning and worked at Minnesota Department of Education as a Literacy Coach Specialist and State Reading Specialist. Over the course of her career, she worked with schools and districts to create learning environments where students thrive, implement academic standards, develop intervention programs and address racial disparities .

Jesús Sandoval is entering his third year as one of the assistant principals at Tech High School. He has been with District 742 since 2008 as a mathematics teacher and began his fifth year as an administrator. Sandoval received his Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University. He received his master's in Administration and Leadership along with his Principal and Superintendent Licensures from St. Cloud State University. Sandoval is passionate about the mission of 742 and is pleased to be a part of Tech High School's traditions. He looks forward to working with students, families and staff at Tech. He strives to build positive relationships while leading with integrity. Jesús also has a relentless commitment to student achievement and helping adolescents become lifelong contributing members of society.

Dr. Stephen Sroka “Boy is retarded,” reads the top his third-grade report card. In ES, he was mocked for having a crossed eye and a speech impediment. He was crippled in a HS fight. Doctors said, “ Listen to your teachers.” The more he listened, the smarter the teachers became. His HS counselor told him that he didn’t have the IQ to go to college, but he didn’t know that Steve had the I WILL. He learned to live with the gifts of ADHD and dyslexia. His struggles to become a teacher made him a better educator. He went from the “projects” to being inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. He was awarded The Walt Disney American Outstanding Teacher of Health and Physical Education and has been on Oprah and covered in USA TODAY. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, and President of his company, Health Education Consultants. He has taught in schools, including urban and on Native American reservations, worldwide for over 30 years. Steve works with infectious diseases and has keynoted the International Swine Flu (H1N1) Conference in Wash DC in 2009 and keynoted the International Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summit in June, 2020. He has been intensely involved in the Coronavirus crisis and been a frequent medical expert for the media and has written national op-ed commentaries.

Dr. Sroka received the Outstanding School Health Educator Award from the American School Health Association. Recently, he was named the Person of the Year for The International Association for Truancy and Dropout Prevention and received the first-ever School Health Leader Award from the American Public Health Association. But his most meaningful “award” was his then six-year-old daughter telling him that he was smarter than the cartoon character, Inspector Gadget. Obviously, his wife does not agree.

He travels the world striving to reach, elevate and inspire with The Power of One message. After a cardiac arrest, he realized that The Power of One was not enough. He needed The Power of Many. We all do. He always did, he just didn’t know it. He does now. He now believes that one person can make a lasting difference with the power of many, and that is why he is an educator.

Angela Specketer has been an administrator at Minnesota Virtual Academy for 18 years and she loves that parents have to become a more active participant due to the nature of their model of school, and that she gets to know each student on a broader perspective, inclusive of their family.

Dr. Macarre Traynham is the founder and lead consultant of Elizabeth Mackenzie Consulting LLC. Her firm is committed to developing racially equitable systems and organizations and building the skill and will of individuals and systems to effectively address institutional and structural inequities. Dr. Traynham has more than 20 years of experience in education, professional development, and organizational leadership. Dr. Traynham has served as a high school math teacher in Southern California, worked as an administrator in the roles of both vice principal and principal in the Pacific Northwest, and has served as the Executive Director for Teaching and Learning in a large urban school district in the Midwest. She serves as an advisory board member for the Early Childhood and Montessori programs at St. Catherine University and volunteers as the Director of Education for Children's Programs at St. James AME Church in St. Paul. Dr. Traynham has also presented at numerous national and regional conferences about racial equity and education. Dr. Traynham graduated from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. She has a MA in Educational Administration from California State University San Bernardino and a Professional Administrators license from Portland State University. She also holds a Doctoral degree from Lewis and Clark College in Educational Leadership with a focus in equity and social justice. Dr. Traynham works as the Educational Equity Specialist for the Minnesota Department of Education and has an essay published in Glenn Singleton’s book More Courageous Conversations about Race: A Field Guide to Equity in Schools.

Nicole Vegar is an Instructional Coach from Cloquet Middle School. She have spent the last decade as a special education, general education and instructional coach. Nicole’s ultimate goal is to support teachers in integrating evidence based practices into their instruction, support schools in implementing the continual cycle of improvement, and to achieve equitable outcomes for ALL learners.

Kasey Wacker is an 9-12 Speech/English Instructor as well as Tech Integrationist. She has married her passion for the classroom with technology and has developed several strategies to improve instruction at Perham High School in disciplines.

Jaimee Wolcott is Assistant Vice-President at Innocent Technologies. She has over 15 years in education, focused on racial equity, as a paraprofessional, OST provider, teacher, coach, and non-profit leader. Most recently, Jaimee was the Education Director at Northside Achievement Zone and then the Director of Talent Acquisition at Minneapolis Public Schools.

Laura Yehlik has been an administrator with Minnesota Virtual Academy for 5 years. She loves the team approach that her administrative team utilizes to collaborate and learn with teachers and families all across the state.

Dr. Bill Ziegler is a high school principal in Pennsylvania. He was honored as the 2016 Pennsylvania Principal of the year, the 2015 National Association of Secondary Principals Digital Award Winner and was selected to serve on the United States team of School Leaders to the Great Leaders Summit in China. He has over 24 years of service in public education where he has served as a school leader for 20 years. Bill was recently selected to serve on the team to rewrite the NASSP/NAESP Breaking Ranks publication for school leaders.

Dr. Ziegler has served as a high school social studies teacher, high school assistant principal, middle school principal and he currently serves as a high school principal. He has also earned Apple Teacher certification and was recently selected to participate in an Apple Research Study for School Leaders. In addition to being part of the Corwin consulting team, Bill provides support and consultation across the United States in the area of engaging professional development to strengthen school leaders.

Ehren Zimmerman is the MASSP President and in his 10th year as principal of Perham High School. He also worked as principal, Dean of Students, and Activities Director at Rothsay High School. Life before administration, he worked in Moorhead, Fergus Falls and Rothsay as Physical Education/Health Teacher and Coach. As principal, Ehren enjoys the challenges of making positive change while supporting students and staff.

Virtual Report Card

Participant is able to receive 10 CEUs by filling out the Virtual Report Card. To receive 10 CEUs you need to take part in 10 presentations during the conference.

Please submit Report Card after you have completed at least 10 presentations.

The Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals invites you to join us at our 2021 Virtual Winter Conference on January 25-28. This year's conference has been designed to meet members' needs in four specific areas; Racial Equity, Wellness, Distance Learning Strategies and Pandemic Related Challenges.

The theme of the conference is Moving Forward Together. Please join colleagues in January as we listen to research based strategies and educational innovations that will help us grow personally and professionally as we prepare for the new challenges of the second semester.



Keynotes Speakers

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

2:00 p.m.

Four Essential Roles of Leadership

Gary McGuey
Sr. Lead Consultant, Franklin Covey Education

During these unprecedented times, leadership has never been more critical.  We, as leaders, need to be intentional and deliberate as we navigate through this challenging time of COVID-19.  The 4 Essential Roles of Leadership provides the framework, skills and tools to be a great leader.

Or...

Minnesota State High School League

Erich Martens
MSHSL Executive Director

This session will be an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the current tasks of defining classification and tournament formats for member schools, program updates, recent board actions, the many impacts on the financing of the League and some of the newest issues facing the MSHSL and member schools.

3:00 p.m.

Self-Care, Leadership and Distance Learning: It Starts with You

Jason Paurus, Jill Engquist, Ryan Johnson, Mike Zeman
Rogers High School

Emphasizing self-care while leading a virtual high school in an effort to promote the social/emotional well being of self, students and staff. This important work, if emphasized, will enhance the virtual academic and student life experience.

Or...

What We Have Learned About Teaching and Learning During the Crisis

Dr. Julie Swaggert and Dr. Chris Mills
Minnesota State University Moorhead

In April and May of 2020, MSUM Educational Leadership faculty surveyed over 1000 educators throughout Minnesota about their feelings and concerns related to distance learning during the COVID-19 crisis. The data reveals key points to support teachers and leaders in Minnesota schools as we move forward.

4:00 p.m.

Conversational Agility

Dr. Bill Sommers
Spectrum Education

Conversations with staff range from easy and fun to hard and painful. Having the right strategy for the right conversation can help get the correct outcome. Based on the 9 Professional Conversations to Change Schools: A Dashboard of Options, we will discuss conversational models from open reflection to more data-based to ‘this isn’t working.’ Having a repertoire of models to use depending upon the conversation needed increases competence and confidence. These models are useful for instruction and beyond.

Or..

Planning for Retirement

Rich McLeod
Minnesota Teacher’s Retirement Association

The Minnesota TRA helps educators consider retirement options. This session is geared for principals who have less than 10 years until retirement. It will cover several choices a principal has when retiring including appropriate High 5 options, how pensions are calculated, survivorship coverage options, accelerated annuity options, Rule of 90, post-fund balance concerns, how taxes affect your benefits and VEBA.

George Couros

Embracing the Core of Innovative Teaching and Learning Now and Moving Forward

Although teaching face-to-face is different than in a remote learning situation, the core values of what is important should stay the same.  George Couros will focus on the “Core of Innovative Teaching and Learning” and provide examples of how we can create a “new and better normal" in education from all that we have learned from our current situation.

Couros Bio

George Couros is a worldwide leader in the area of innovation and has a  focus on innovation as a human endeavor. His belief that meaningful change happens when you first connect to people’s hearts, is modeled in his writing and speaking. He has worked with all levels of school, from K-12 as a teacher, technology facilitator, and school and district administrator, and is the author of the book, The Innovator’s Mindset; Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity and his latest book, Innovate Inside the Box.

 

 

Douglas Reeves

Leadership Lessons from the Pandemic World

Description:  Principals face the greatest challenges of their careers, with stress and anxiety of adminsitrators and educators at extreme levels.  How can principals cope psychologically while still helping schools serve students in their academic, social, and emotional needs?  Dr. Douglas Reeves will lead an interactive presentation with the latest evidence on how leaders promote academic excellence while also insuring the pyhysical and emotional care of staff and students.

Reeves Bio

Dr. Reeves is the author of more than 40 books and more than 100 articles on leadership and education. He has twice been named to the Harvard University Distinguished Authors Series and was named the Brock International Laureate for his contributions to education.  His career of work in professional learning led to the Contribution to the Field Award from the National Staff Development Council, now Learning Forward.  Doug has worked in 50 states and more than 40 countries. His volunteer activities include FinishTheDissertation.org, providing free and non-commercial support for doctoral students, and The SNAFU Review, publishing the essays, poetry, stories, and artwork of disabled veterans.  Doug lives with his family in downtown Boston.  He Tweets @DouglasReeves, blogs at CreativeLeadership.net, and can be reached at 1.781.710.9633.

 

Macarre Traynham

Required: Self-Reflection, Courage & Truth Telling

2020 ushered us into a year of grappling with a duel pandemic—COVID-19 and racism. We knew inequities were disproportionately ravaging our educational system prior to the pandemic; but now, we’ve seen these inequities exasperated. Along the way, we’ve heard ourselves say, “This is not who we are.” And yet, pause for a moment and consider, what if this is exactly who we are? The murder of George Floyd and the impact of distance learning on our students, families and educators have moved us towards a calling to lead in ways we’ve never led before and centering race as central to addressing the inequities we see. Leading for racial equity requires us to be self-reflective, a truth teller and courageous. It requires us to interrogate and critically analyze the stories we’ve been told. We must be willing to be vulnerable, acknowledge our own mis-education and bias, and actively seek to advance and amplify narratives that have been silenced and purposefully hidden. As Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. says, “Leading for racial equity means you are leading for people to imagine a world that doesn’t need an enemy, that doesn’t value one group over another.”

Traynham Bio

Dr. Macarre Traynham is the founder and lead consultant of Elizabeth Mackenzie Consulting LLC. Her firm is committed to developing racially equitable systems and organizations, and building the skill and will of individuals and systems to effectively address institutional and structural inequities. Dr. Traynham has more than 20 years of experience in education, professional development, and organizational leadership. Dr. Traynham has served as a high school math teacher in Southern California, worked as an administrator in the roles of both Vice Principal and Principal in the Pacific Northwest, and has served as the Executive Director for Teaching and Learning in a large urban school district in the Midwest. She serves as an advisory board member for the Early Childhood and Montessori programs at St. Catherine University and volunteers as the Director of Education for Children's Programs at St. James AME Church in St. Paul, MN. Dr. Traynham has also presented at numerous national and regional conferences about racial equity and education. Dr. Traynham graduated from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. She has a Master’s of Arts in Educational Administration from California State University San Bernardino and a Professional Administrators license from Portland State University. She also holds a Doctoral degree from Lewis and Clark College in Educational Leadership with a focus in equity and social justice. Dr. Traynham works as the Educational Equity Specialist for the Minnesota Department of Education and has an essay published in Glenn Singleton’s book More Courageous Conversations about Race: A Field Guide to Equity in Schools.

 

 

Stephen Sroka

Being Fearless in the Face of Adversity with the Courage to Lead (Including Navigating the Coronavirus Crisis)

Dr. Steve has been an invited speaker for many national conferences, including NSBA, AASA, ASCD, NASSP, NASN, NASRO, SSWAA, NASP, DEA, NEA, PTA and many others about his life journey from living in poverty, being labeled “retarded" and failing the third grade, to being inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame and receiving the first-ever American Public Health Association’s School Health Leader Award.

As you may know, he died while speaking at a school training about school safety and the opioid epidemic. He was saved by two SROs and a principal. As you may not know, soon afterwards, Steve was diagnosed with a fatal disease, cardiac amyloidosis. He was supposed to die two years ago. Today, he is on experimental drugs and doing well.

You also may not know that Steve works with infectious diseases and has keynoted the International Swine Flu (H1N1) Conference in Wash DC in 2009, and keynoted the International Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summit in June, 2020.

He has been intensely involved in the the Coronavirus crisis and been a frequent medical expert for the media and has written national op-ed commentaries.

The Coronavirus pandemic and panicdemic have made Steve think about how everyone has to make life threatening decisions every day, just like principals who work with the responsibility of keeping students safe and healthy in schools.

His presentation will bring you up-to-date with the Coronavirus including the science and practical strategies to manage the COVID-19 threat in your professional and personal life. He will offer lessons learned about life and death and how to develop your own personal warrior aura to be fearless in the face of adversity with the courage to lead whether it be with the Coronavirus, death, or making sure students are safe and healthy tomorrow morning wherever they may be.

The goal is to encourage principals to help educators keep students stay safe and healthy so they can learn more and live better. Educator fatigue will be addressed and encouraging and inspiring recommendations will be suggested. Researched-driven and reality-based, Steve offers honesty, humor and hope.

Sroka Bio 

“Boy is retarded,” reads the top of Dr. Stephen Sroka’s third-grade report card. In ES, he was mocked for having a crossed eye and a speech impediment. He was crippled in a HS fight. Doctors said, “ Listen to your teachers.” The more he listened, the smarter the teachers became. His HS counselor told him that he didn’t have the IQ to go to college, but he didn’t know that Steve had the I WILL. He learned to live with the gifts of ADHD and dyslexia. His struggles to become a teacher made him a better educator. He went from the “projects” to being inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. He was awarded The Walt Disney American Outstanding Teacher of Health and Physical Education, and has been on Oprah and covered in USA TODAY. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, and President of his company, Health Education Consultants. He has taught in schools, including urban and on Native American reservations, worldwide for over 30 years,

Steve works with infectious diseases and has keynoted the International Swine Flu (H1N1) Conference in Wash DC in 2009, and keynoted the International Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summit in June, 2020. He has been intensely involved in the the Coronavirus crisis and been a frequent medical expert for the media and has written national op-ed commentaries.

Dr. Sroka received the Outstanding School Health Educator Award from the American School Health Association. Recently, he was named the Person of the Year for The International Association for Truancy and Dropout Prevention and received the first-ever School Health Leader Award from the American Public Health Association. But his most meaningful “award” was his then six-year-old daughter telling him that he was smarter than the cartoon character, Inspector Gadget. Obviously, his wife does not agree.

He travels the world striving to reach, elevate and inspire with The Power of One message. After a cardiac arrest, he realized that The Power of One was not enough. He needed The Power of Many. We all do. He always did, he just didn’t know it. He does now. He now believes that one person can make a lasting difference with the power of many, and that is why he is an educator.