Licensure via Portfolio
The Minnesota Department of Education has started accepting applications from individuals interested in seeking a teaching license through a portfolio process. Licensure via Portfolio provides an alternative process to assess the knowledge, skills and competencies of individuals seeking a license who have not completed an approved teacher preparation program in Minnesota in the licensure field being sought.
Visit the Application for Licensure via Portfolio Web page or contact mde.portfolio@state.mn.us.
Opportunities for Career Success!
February is Career and Technical Education Month. This year's theme for Career and technical education (CTE) month celebrates the crucial role that CTE plays in readying our students for careers and our nation for economic success. At a time when opportunity for employment is so critical, CTE programs in every community are ensuring students are equipped with the high-level skills needed to successfully enter the workforce. Read proclamation on the Governor's website.
Visit the MnSCU website for more information and tips on celebrating CTE in your school or district.
Sponsors Needed for 2016 Summer Food Service Program
During the school year, many Minnesota families depend on free or reduced-price meals their children get at school to provide nourishment. When school is out, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) bridges the “nutrition gap.” The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is looking for organizations to sponsor the 2016 SFSP and provide free meals to Minnesota children 18 and under during the summer when school is out. There are many underserved areas in need of a sponsor to operate a summer feeding site.
Read news release.
Serving Underserved Youth
As a way to help at-risk students build digital literacy skills and explore college opportunities, the Leech Lake Tribal College Library will offer a series of Traveling iPad Workshops for Middle School Students, on the Leech Lake Reservation. At half-day workshops held at community centers on the reservation during summer 2016, students will explore and create digital art using 2-D and 3-D art concepts, music composition, as well as cartoon and stop-motion animation. At the end of the summer, the tribal college will host a project exhibition open to participants, friends, family and community members. Please contact Jen Nelson (651-582-8791) for more information.
Kudos Help Me Grow!
Recently Lt. Governor Tina Smith honored state employees working on eight different reform projects that have greatly improved the services their agencies provide for Minnesota residents and businesses. One of the eight, Minnesota’s Help Me Grow initiative, helps the families of at-risk young children understand developmental milestones, identify concerns, and find help additional assistance – all at no cost.
Read news release.
Three Important Financial Aid Deadlines
Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)early or you might be forfeiting big money that can help you pay for college. There are three deadlines:
1.The College Deadline, 2. The State Deadline and 3. The Federal Deadline. Why THREE deadlines you ask? Each of these entities award their financial aid money differently and at different times. What they all have in common, though, is that they use the FAFSA to assess eligibility for their aid programs. So when a college wants to get its aid squared away before the academic year starts, it needs your FAFSA to make that happen.
Visit the US DOE Homeroom blog for more.
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MDE Commissioner Brenda Cassellius Visits Becker
The visit allowed the education commissioner to observe how the school district uses technology to prepare self-directed learners to thrive in a changing global community. Read rest of story in the Becker Citizen Tribune.
Special Education Teachers in Demand
Patrick Anderson's decision to be a special education teacher wasn't an obvious one. After a friend of his had success with the Special Education Resident Teacher program in Grand Forks, he considered it and applied. Read full Grand Forks Herald story.
Minneapolis Leaders Recruit Paid Summer Internships for STEP-UP Achieve
With a goal of securing 750 paid summer internships for 2016 youth participants, program organizers announced that 100 Twin Cities employers have pledged 626 positions. Read full story in MinnPost.
Computer Science for All
The President’s bold new initiative to empower all American students from kindergarten through high school to learn computer science and be equipped with the computational thinking skills they need to be creators in the digital economy, not just consumers... Read more in the WhiteHouse Blog.
Resources and Support for College Students in Poverty
At age 30, with a family of five to support but unable to continue working construction after an injury, Jacob Bernier enrolled at Century College in 2012. Read more at TwinCities.com / Pioneer Press.
Mankato’s Quest to Integrate Career Prep into the Classroom
For students in Mankato, planning for the future has gotten a lot more hands-on. The district’s work to provide robust career and technical education (CTE) opportunities mean students are learning a wide variety of workplace skills: construction, health science, and robotics, to name a few. In honor of CTE month, we at bloggED thought it would be cool to highlight a district that is really stepping up for their students, ensuring they graduate with the training necessary for whatever career path they choose. Read full Feb. 9 post.
Annual Social Studies Conference
Minnesota's social studies teachers are invited to register for the annual Minnesota Council for the Social Studies (MCSS) conference, March 6-7 in St. Cloud. Conference theme is Educating Future Decision-Makers. Attendees can choose from 30 breakout sessions, focusing on various disciplines and grade levels. The registration fee includes breakfast, lunch and CEU certificate. For more information, contact Jessica Ellison.
Visit MCSS website to register.
2016 Gifted and Talented Symposium: Save the Dates!
The 2016 Gifted and Talented Symposium will be held June 13-16. Sessions will address best practices on the assessment of students for services, program models, social and emotional needs, instructional strategies, under-represented populations, under-achievement, integration of STEM and technology, and specific content in the areas of science, mathematics, language arts and social studies. Visit the Symposium page on the MDE website.
Minnesota's Next Teacher of the Year
Minnesota's 2016 Teacher of the Year will be chosen from a field of 114 candidates! This year’s program will mark 52 years of celebrating excellence in teaching in Minnesota. Candidates include pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade and Adult Basic Education teachers, from public or private schools. The final 2016 honoree will be announced Sunday, May 15. Visit EdMN site for more.
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