10:30 AM – 11:25 AM & 11:30 AM – 12:25 PM

* = Middle Level Track

Communication Strategies in High Stakes Situations – Excelsior Bay – 8th floor

Adelle Wellens – Communications Officer, Duluth Public Schools

Danette Seboe – Principal on Special Assignment, District Crisis Response Coordinator, Duluth Public Schools

Navigate the challenges of managing multiple crises as a solo school district communicator. Drawing from a whirlwind experience of 13 incidents in 9 days—ranging from minor accidents to serious safety threats—learn essential strategies for effective crisis response. Discover the power of post-incident debriefings and smart delegation to enhance your crisis management skills. This session equips you with practical tools to handle the unexpected, improve your crisis plan, and maintain composure under pressure, ensuring you’re prepared for whatever comes your way in the dynamic world of school communications.

Igniting Student Voice: Small Actions for Big Culture Change – Birch/Maple Lake – 4th floor

11:30 Session Only

Trisha Bemboom – MASSP Director of Student Activities

This interactive workshop equips principals with practical strategies to elevate student voice and empower student leaders to intentionally build a school culture rooted in positivity, belonging, and community.

Leading High-Quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Minnesota Schools – Lafayette Bay – 8th Floor

Jill Stewart-Kellar – Director of Career and College Readiness, Minnesota Intermediate School 

Districts

Shelli Sowles – Career and Technical Education Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Education

Brian Cashman – Director of Federal and State Programs/Human Resources, Goodhue County Education District

Michael Mangan – Director of Educational Success and Innovation, Houston Public Schools/Minnesota Virtual Academy

Discover how school leaders can strengthen high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) aligned to Minnesota’s rigorous standards and their school districts’ Career and College Readiness (CACR) plan. This session explores effective leadership practices, program approval requirements, industry and post-secondary partnerships, equitable access strategies, and data-driven program improvement. Participants will leave with actionable tools to elevate CTE pathways that prepare every learner for high-skill, high-wage, in-demand careers. 

Positive Alternatives within School – Alternative to Suspension – Wayzata Bay – 8th Floor

Brian Kazmierczak – Principal, Lincoln Park Middle School, Duluth School District

Kaitlyn Jamar – PAWS Coordinator, Lincoln Park Middle School, Duluth School District

Schools as an alternative to suspension that keeps students learning while addressing behavior through restorative reflection and repair. We will share how structured processing, relationship-centered conversations, and skills-based lessons help students understand the impact of their actions, rebuild belonging, and return ready to learn. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for creating supportive, restorative alternatives to exclusionary discipline. 

Principal Perspectives: Designing Flexible Learning Pathways – Deer Lake – 4th Floor

Full 2 Hour Session

Angie Charboneau-Folch – Principal, Integrated Arts Academy

Ashley Ruka – Principal, South Washington Alternative High School

Laura Freer – Principal, Fairview Alternative High School

Brandon Wait – Principal & Executive Director, Paladin Career & Technical High School

Daryl Kehler – Director, Northfield ALC

This interactive panel unites experienced principals from MASSP and MAAP to share actionable strategies for implementing flexible learning models. We will dissect how to effectively scale blended learning infrastructures and design adaptable pathways that promote high levels of student agency and personalization. Attendees will be able to listen and share means of student success in these transformative alternative learning environments.

Social Media: How to Build Connections through Creativity – Birch/Maple Lake – 4th Floor

10:30 Session Only

Hailey Bischoff – MASC President, Sauk Rapids-Rice High School

Sienna Sether – MAHS President, Orono High School

Student leaders guide you through hands-on strategies for using Canva and social media to enhance school communication. This interactive breakout session focuses on creating engaging graphics, posting effectively, and connecting with students and families in meaningful ways.

Speak Up! Tools for Recognizing and Responding to Hurt and Hate Language – Moose Lake – 4th Floor

Seema Pothini – Author and Consultant, Equity Elephant Consulting LLC

Kenneth Essay – Principal, Burnsville/Eagan/Savage Schools

This workshop provides concrete tools & strategies for immediately and effectively responding to derogatory language in the school setting. Research, historical context, and audience discussion will be used to engage participants in learning how to sustain inclusive spaces for students who feel marginalized because of some aspect of their identity. The presenters will honor the perspectives of underserved demographics from their decades of experience, while also working with the audience to problem solve, educate, and empower. 

Supporting Diverse Learners: Strategies for Inclusive Education – Elk Lake – 4th Floor

Robert Ware – Principal, Robbinsdale Academy Highview

We will explore practical approaches to creating learning environments that meet the needs of all students, regardless of background, ability, or learning style. It will highlight the importance of inclusivity in education and provide evidence-based strategies teachers can use to foster equity, engagement, and academic success. Topics will include differentiated instruction, culturally responsive teaching, Universal Design for Learning, and effective classroom supports that promote participation and belonging for every student.

*The Middle School Jumpstart: Building Skills for a Successful Transition – Gray’s Bay – 8th Floor

Stacy Fox – Principal, Faribault Middle School

Jesse Armbruster – Assistant Principal, Faribault Middle School

Tara Luettel – Teacher, Faribault Middle School

I would like to present our Falcon Foundations, a course designed to help 6th-grade students successfully transition to middle school. Students learn essential skills like organization, time management, and study habits. The curriculum also focuses on developing interpersonal skills, self-advocacy, and positive communication. This course helps students acclimate to multiple teachers and classes of secondary school while fostering their role as responsible citizens of the school and community.

The Pre-Meeting Advantage: How to Revolutionize the Principal Role in IEP Meetings – Pine/Cedar Lake – 4th Floor

Mary Pat Cumming – Principal, The FAIR School for Arts

Travis Hayes – School Social Worker, The FAIR School for Arts

Dan Naidicz – Director of Special Education, Indigo Education

Ever felt caught off guard as a Building Leader during a student IEP meeting? Or Struggled with understanding how IEP goals with fragmented data or collaboration roadblocks could be adjusted to support students?

Revolutionize your special education process and the Principal/Admin role in IEP meetings!  Our new IEP Pre-Meeting structure immediately streamlines the complex process of data gathering and progress monitoring for student goals. This practical model not only accentuates accurate data collection but also significantly boosts collaboration between general and special education teachers. Learn how this shift leads to stronger, evidence-based behavior supports and increased student achievement!

*We Gave the Read Basix Screener, Now What – Spring Park Bay – 8th Floor

Tom Brenner – Principal, Cloquet Middle School

Nicole Vegar – MTSS Coordinator, Cloquet Middle School

This session shares Cloquet Middle School’s work to align literacy practices with the Minnesota READ Act by focusing on students’ foundational reading skills. After recognizing that past interventions overlooked decoding gaps, the team adopted Capti ReadBasix to better identify needs, monitor growth, and guide instruction. Presenters will combine data, student outcomes, and personal experiences to show how intentional screening and progress monitoring can ensure every student reads at grade level and has doors opened for future success.