Thursday, August 18, 2011

Education Conversations with the Commissioner

We were ready to tape the thirteen minute segment long before the bugs in the teleprompter were ironed out so I had a nice, long chat with the Commissioner.  Education Conversations is hosted by the Minnesota Department of Education's Commissioner, Dr. Brenda Cassellius.  The thirteen minute segment is a blur but I appreciated the time before the taping to talk with the Commissioner about the new legislation regarding teacher evaluation, the importance of Early Childhood education, and our mutual love of reading. The two of us are passionate about getting books in the hands of parents to read to their children.  In true teacher fashion, I offered to sub for the Commissioner as hostess of the show whenever she needed me.  She took my card!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Big Brothers Big Sisters

My friend, Scott asked me to facilitate the Big Brothers, Big Sisters goal setting meeting with it's advisory council.  What a fantastic group of community volunteers working on behalf of children in Winona County.  I wasn't surprised at all to see my fellow Winona Education Association members at the meeting.  Luke Merchlewitz and Mary Cappel are teachers who have always invested in children in their classrooms and in the community.  Big Brothers, Big Sisters is always looking for people to invest in their organization with time or money.   Check them out at http://www.7riversbbbs.org/

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Enthusiastic, Energizing and Inspiring!

Take them all in! I was so happy to teach a few sessions at the inaugural Student-Athlete Leadership Conference for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) right here at St. Marys University.  I am a certified Real Colors trainer.  My job was to help the students understand the ins and outs of working with and playing with all sorts of people on and off the court/field/track...you get the picture!  I also had the opportunity to close the conference with some of my favorite stories.  I hope they left as happy to meet me as I was to meet them.  The world is in good hands if this crew is any indication of the future of leadership! To my new friends, have a great school year!!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Summer Seminar at St. Bens

I was happy to hang a lanyard and attend Summer Seminar at St. Bens.  Summer Seminar is a mini college put on by Education Minnesota in August.  The variety of classes is almost as impressive as the cinnamon rolls made on campus by the nuns.  I serve District M or Southeast Minnesota on the Political Action Committee and our summer meeting was held at Summer Seminar.  We met with a variety of legislators to discuss the last legislative session and it's impact on schools. I have learned so much over the years by serving on the PAC board about the connection between what happens in classrooms and the policy makers in St. Paul.

There is plenty of fun too.  The dorm accommodations are great and the food is wonderful.  I had the best roommate in Tracy Mena, a fellow PAC board member and teacher from Robbinsdale.  Those Robbinsdale teachers are serious about their BINGO! They play creatively and come ready to win.  I met so many really great teachers and staff members from Education Minnesota.  I drove away feeling very proud to be a teacher.

Back to those cinnamon rolls, did I mention that they were warm, gooey and about the size of my head?