MESPA Institute 2020

Many children, who may be doing well early on, can suddenly demonstrate negative and out-of-control behaviors once they start their academic careers. School environments present a tremendous challenge to many of our children due to the increase in social interactions and the demands placed on their focus, concentration, and performance. This workshop will examine the impact of life experiences on a child’s development and will offer a new understanding of challenging behaviors for children in the classroom. A fresh perspective, with effective classroom tools, will be discussed and demonstrated successfully create environments to return our children to the love of learning.

Discover how to quiet the noise and focus on research-based high leverage collective commitments that will help you build a culture of learning for all. Learn how to LIVE your posters, and deliver on the promise education should offer every student, high levels of learning for ALL. This session is not for the faint of heart...or for defenders of the status quo. For all others, prepare for a transformational experience…

Link to slides: click here

Please arrive in the Ballroom as soon as possible to be seated for lunch so we can get started right at Noon with Larry's keynote!

When they first walk into the building, most educators can “feel” the climate of a school fairly quickly. Leaders sometimes hope that team building events, open-door policies, additional technology and frequent communication will create a positive school culture. But school culture is based on relationships. When relationships are in conflict, the climate and culture are impacted. Many of the conflicts in school life are caused by behavior and discipline issues. If a teacher does not feel supported, that creates conflict. If a student does not feel “listened to,” that creates conflict. Behavior issues – and academic issues – can often be traced back to a student’s lack of self-control (perhaps related to trauma or a diagnosis).

Imagine a student with a weak self-control muscle. It may look like she can’t get herself to do things that she doesn’t enjoy or can’t control her anger. To help such students reach their potential, educators must help them grow the self-control muscle. In this session, author and supportive discipline innovator Larry Thompson will discuss how teaching students self-responsibility and self-control has transformed the culture of schools throughout North America – from private schools to juvenile prisons – resulting in improved academic performance. You will learn how giving students the gift of self-control can improve academic performance and transform your school culture.

Lunch menu:
Flank Steak Grilled with Mushroom Cabernet Demi Glaze, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli Spears & Blistered Tomatoes. Includes a fresh garden salad, dinner rolls, coffee and tea.

Get the scoop on what's going on at the MN Capitol with MESPA's Legal Counsel, Roger Aronson.

What is more powerful than the voices of your peers? Join us for our 5th annual MESPA Speaks! These short, impactful talks from MESPA principals will leave you feeling EMPOWERED, MOTIVATED, and COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY!

This year's lineup:

• "You've Got the Power" - Shawn Stibbins, Principal at Crest View Elementary, Osseo Area Schools
• "Looking Our Beliefs in the Mirror" - Ariana Wright, Principal at Kasson-Mantorville Elementary, Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools
• "The Danger of a Double Story" - Fatima Lawson, Principal at Highwood Hills Elementary, St. Paul Public Schools
• "Serve Like 'Themus'" - Brian Franklin, Principal at Cokato Elementary, Dassel-Cokato Schools
• "Who Are You? No, Who Am I?" - Sam Fredrickson, Birchview Elementary, Wayzata Public Schools

Learn dynamic strategies to dramatically transform culture and build schools where students and staff run to get in, not out.  This motivational session demonstrates how to take revolutionary ideas from Teach Like a PIRATE and supercharge them for leaders so you can become the leader you’ve always wanted to be.
Through a highly interactive and fun session, participants will learn to:

Harness PASSION and encourage risk-taking in their schools
IMMERSE themselves in the work that makes the biggest impact on student learning
Build RAPPORT and relationships grounded in trust
ANALYZE lessons and ASK great questions to help move learning forward
Dramatically TRANSFORM school culture
Lead with ENTHUSIASM that is contagious

Leaders will walk away from this session with strategies and a coaching model they can implement tomorrow! Additionally, through Shelley’s intense commitment to staying connected via Twitter, participants can expect ongoing collaboration and support and are encouraged to participate in weekly leadership challenges uniquely designed to support them in taking steps to becoming PIRATE leaders.

Take-aways include:

• Ideas to help leaders ignite passion and tap into the inner genius of their team in order to encourage risk-taking, learning and growth
• Strategies to help leaders maximize their time and spend most of their time doing the work that has the greatest impact on teacher growth and student learning.
• Actions to help leaders earn trust... not lose it
• A coaching model designed to support leaders in giving feedback that teachers value and helps move practice forward
• Models for how to transform professional learning in their schools

Link to slides: ​​​​bit.ly/MESPALeadLAP