EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Erin A. Toninato 1695 Langley Street Windom, MN 56001 507-822-0877 (mobile) etoninatomase@gmail.com CALENDAR MASA/MASE Joint Calendar MEMBERSHIPS • Join MASE! • Business Partner Membership CONTRACTS Model Contracts Base language for new special education director and continuing special education director. MN CONNECTIONS MASA: MN Assn. of School Administrators Every Child Matters: MN Children's Platform Coalition MAAP: MN Association of Alternative Programs MASSP: MN Assn. of Secondary School Principals MDE: MN Dept. of Education MESPA: MN Elementary School Principals Assn. MNCEC: MN Council for Exceptional Children MREA: MN Rural Education Assn. MSBA: MN School Boards Assn. MN Special Education Compliance and Assistance: Complaints, Hearings, Mediation NATIONAL CONNECTIONS AASA: American Assn. of School Administrators CASE: Council of Administrators of Special Education CEC: Council for Exceptional Children Disabilityinfo.gov: the New Freedom Initiative USDOE: U.S. Dept. of Education |
MASE Mailing Address
PO Box 9400, North St Paul, MN 55109 MASE Week at the Capitol!
All MASE members are encouraged to attend the 2023 MASE Week at the Capitol! Kick-Off Event Details Date: February 27, 2023 Time: Breakfast 8 am | Meeting begins at 8:30 am Location: Radisson Hotel St. Paul Downtown | 161 St. Anthony Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55103 Room: Capitol Hall 2 Submit your RSVP online to attend in person: https://forms.gle/Tsmyvce6ESi7hz34A Virtual participation is available for the morning legislative meeting. Register for the Zoom to attend online: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpdeChqj8pEtD8tu_7sX5vl0DaUCcod3LN The day will begin with a breakfast available at 8 am and a legislative meeting starting at 8:30 am at the Radisson Hotel, St. Paul Downtown. The group will then head to the Capitol to meet with various legislators. The group will reconvene back at the hotel at 2:30 pm. Parking is available on-site at the Radisson. Attendees will be provided with a parking code in the meeting room to use when exiting the Radisson parking lot. Please reach out to your legislators as soon as possible, but no less than two weeks prior to our MASE Day at the Capitol kick-off on February 27, to set up meetings for the week. Meetings can be challenging to schedule, so early and numerous attempts are sometimes necessary. This link will help you identify your legislators and provide helpful tools for scheduling these meetings. Connect with your colleagues to coordinate meetings as partners or in small groups - we’re better together! Information and schedule for the full Week at the Capitol can be found at: https://sites.google.com/view/maseweekatthecapitol. Lodging Information If you need lodging for the Day at the Capitol event, you can reserve a room at: https://www.radissonhotelsamericas.com/en-us/booking/room-display?hotelCode=USASPMN&checkInDate=2023-02-26&checkOutDate=2023-02-27&adults%5B%5D=1&children%5B%5D=0&searchType=pac&promotionCode=CAP15 2023 Stenswick/Benson Scholarship Program Applications Open!
The Stenswick Benson Scholarship Award Program began in February of 1991 through MASE (Minnesota Administrators for Special Education). Its purpose is to recognize the legacy of the many leaders within Special Education represented by Ellsworth Stenswick and Loren Benson through a scholarship award to an individual completing exemplary graduate study in the field of special education. Candidates must be in a private or public Minnesota graduate program leading to special education licensure. This includes psychology, and any related services as well as teacher licensure. It could also include someone entering the program to obtain Special Education Director licensure. (Note: Students attending non-Minnesota schools will also be eligible if the school the individual is attending is located geographically close to Minnesota). Strong consideration will be given to candidates working to obtain licenses in the highest areas of need across Minnesota; regional needs will also be considered when they are different. Application information online at https://www.mnase.org/stenswickbenson-scholarship. 
Register for the 2023 MASA/MASE Spring Conference!
Living Our Purpose March 9-10 | Minneapolis Marriott NW REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! CLICK HERE What is your purpose? Throughout the last several years, amid unforeseen leadership challenges, it hasn’t always been easy to keep our “Why” at the forefront. The leadership challenges were hard; the obstacles were many; the path wasn’t always clear. Yet, in that context, many of us were motivated to revisit our individual and collective sense of purpose and recommit to the core of why we lead our schools. Clarity in our purpose is key to alignment with mission and vision while providing the agility that helps to navigate any challenges that arise. Purposeful leaders communicate, via what they say as well as what they do, their passion for the work that leads to success for each student. This fall, we gathered separately as two organizations. This spring, let’s come together to explore our common vision and effort to support and welcome every student that we serve. What better way to Live our Purpose and head into the end of the school year than recommitted to our Why?! Click here to register now! | Click here to book your lodging! Are you an expert in your area?! We are accepting proposals for concurrent, 60 minute breakout sessions until January 29th. Click here to submit your proposal now! Are you retiring this year?! MASA and MASE members who are retiring at the end of this school year may choose to be honored during the General Session on Friday (8:30 in the Minnesota Ballroom). Retirees will be asked to come forward and receive an engraved desk clock. If you would like your retirement to be recognized at this event, click here to complete the form. We look forward to seeing you at the conference. If you have any questions or issues with registration, please contact Deb Larson (deb.larson@mnasa.org | 651-645-6272). 
Join us! 2023 SPRING EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION
March 9-10, 2023 Exhibit Date: Thursday, March 9 Marriott Northwest • Brooklyn Park, MN Exhibitor registration is open for the 2023 MASA/MASE Spring Conference! This is your chance to network and meet with public school administrators from across the state of Minnesota. Full information can be found at https://www.mnasa.org/2023-spring-exhibitors. 
MASE Winter Newsletter: Check out the new design!
The 2022 MASE Winter Newsletter has been published online. This issue features a new design and layout. You can read the full issue here: https://mailchi.mp/e4a72f778e15/mase-winter-newsletter-online-now Executive Director Connect
You are invited to join MASE Executive Director, Erin Toninato, for virtual round table events. This is a new opportunity for MASE members to engage in an open forum discussion in the company of others in similar leadership roles. Participants may choose to share what is happening in their regions, ask questions, or be an active listener. Discussion items will be based on the interests and questions of participants at each meeting. Attendance is entirely optional. Remaining virtual round tables: February 13th, 1:30-2:30 | Zoom Meeting April 13th, 9:30-10:30 | Zoom Meeting June 12th, 1:30-2:30 | Zoom Meeting Renae Ouillette Receives MASE Legacy Award
MASE has named Renae Ouillette, Retired Executive Director of Student Services of Lakeville Area Public Schools, the recipient of the 2022 Legacy Award. Ouillette will be honored for her commitment to encouraging, developing, and mentoring leaders who reflect the MASE mission at a statewide recognition ceremony during the 2022 MASE Fall Leadership Conference, October 26-28, 2022, at Madden’s on Gull Lake. Ouillette has a long history of service in the field of special education. She began her career as a Special Education Coordinator in the Sherburne and Northern Wright Special Education Cooperative. In 1997, she moved to Lakeville Area Schools, where she served as a Special Education Coordinator, Director of Special Services, and then finally as the Executive Director of Student Services. Ouillette retired from Lakeville Area Schools in August 2022. Congratulations, Renae! You can find a shareable link to Renae's news release here: https://www.mnase.org/legacy-award-ouillette.html. MASE Aspiring Leaders Opportunity
If you or someone you know is looking to become a leader in special education, this is an incredible, free opportunity to network with other leaders and learn from folks who are in the trenches! As a Director, you may know of educators who are considering that next step! This is a great step for them to get information about the variety of different leadership positions in special education, as well as network with other professionals. There are two remaining virtual panel sessions available to you throughout the school year! There will be different panel members each time! You can share the updated informational flyer with embedded registration links and a *new* promotional video! Remaining Session Dates! June 15, 2023 12 noon - 1:30 pm | Register for this virtual session! Time to Renew Your 2022-23 Membership!
We invite you to renew your membership(s) for 2022-23. Whether you are an active or retired member, your active participation keeps your associations dynamic and strong. In turn, your associations provide you with a wide and growing variety of benefits and services. If you would like to review your member benefits, you can find that information for MASE members at www.mnase.org/joinmembership. Renewing members received an email from MASA/MASE (via deb.larson@mnasa.org) with instructions on how to renew their memberships for 2022-23 on Wednesday, June 29. As always, if you have questions or need assistance, contact the association offices at members@mnasa.org, 651-645-6272. If you are joining MASE as a new member go to https://events.resultsathand.com/membership/1676 and select your membership category from the top of the page and complete the registration form. Thank you for being a MASE member in 2022-23! 2022-2023 MASE Business Partner Membership Renewal
You can renew your membership online at: https://events.resultsathand.com/mase_bp/1694. Simply click on the “MASE Business Partner Membership Form” tab on this page and you can arrange and pay for your membership. MASE offers three tiers of membership, and each level of partnership and the related benefits are described on the form. We sincerely hope that you will renew your business partner membership and consider moving up a level for the 2022-23 school year! If you would like a reminder of your current membership level, you can check on our website or go to www.mnase.org/business-partnerships and follow the button that reads "Click here to view our 2021-22 Business Partners." For those of you who are interested in arranging your newsletter advertising, note the advertising link on the online page as well. Business Partners receive discounted advertising! In addition, when you renew your membership you will be eligible for an additional members-only sponsorship opportunity of MASE’s very popular Slice of Collaboration virtual meetings. See registration page for full information! Erin Toninato Selected as MASE Executive Director
The MASE Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Erin Toninato has been selected to succeed John Klaber as the next MASE Executive Director, starting July 1, 2022. Erin brings a wealth of experience to this role, including her work as a special education administrator, teacher, and paraprofessional. Erin currently serves as the Director of Special Education for the South Central Service Cooperative. Erin’s work continually reflects her commitment to students with disabilities and her leadership enables her to create systems that support high standards and positive outcomes for all students. Read the full news release here. STRATEGIC PLAN 2021-2024
View Here Slice of Collaboration: 2022-23 Dates Announced!
Join your MASE colleagues for the "Slice of Collaboration!" In planning for Slice for this coming year, we have the dates for the year available. If you want to register for each of them - you can do so at this time (sorry - you do have to register for each individually). We also have a rough draft of the topics for the first portion of the year, but note that those topics can change if there is an issue finding presenters or a new issue arises. We are looking for presenters on IEP Rubrics and Evaluation Templates. If you are interested, contact Laura Pingry-Kile Pingry-KileL@district112.org If you have any other topics, something you would present on, etc, please contact Erin Toninato etoninatomase@gmail.com Looking forward to seeing you soon at Slice! Your Slice Committee: Angie Kahle, Cheri Johnson, Deanna Gronseth, Erin Hoffman, Kori Ryan, Michelle Bethke-Kaliher, Laura Pingry-Kile, Saido Abdirashid, and Melissa Schaller, and Sarah Mittelstadt Save the Dates!
Held virtually until further notice MDE Special Education Directors' Forums Dates Times are 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM Barbara.Hess@state.mn.us Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) 2022-23 MDE Meeting Dates Directors’ Forum January – None February 17, 2023 March 17, 2023 April 14, 2023 May 12, 2023 June 9, 2023 SEAP April 21, 2023 June 16, 2023 
Opportunity for MASE Business Partner Members!
Thank you so much for supporting the mission of Minnesota Administrators for Special Education as a MASE Business Partner. We have been discussing ways that we can continue and enhance this partnership. We are excited to offer another opportunity for partnership that is exclusive to our business partners. Read More... |
We would like to thank our Platinum Partners for their continued support!
Click Here for Business Partner Directory ___________________ 2022-23 Platinum Business Partners Better Together3 Pam Ryan Mejia Founder and CEO 2929 Chicago Avenue, Suite 1201 Minneapolis, MN 55407 612-834-8980 info@bettertogethercubed.com https://bettertogethercubed.com Creatively Focused Elizabeth Orme Founder & CEO 1155 Centre Pointe Drive, Suite 6 Mendota Heights 651-207-4534 elizabeth@creativelyfocused.net https://creativelyfocused.net DotCom Therapy Ali Farmer Director of Sales 811 East Washington Ave, suite 500 Madison, WI 53703 217-741-0006 afarmer@dotcomtherapy.com https://www.dotcomtherapy.com/ Grand Canyon University Mischa Bergsten University Development Counselor 2600 West Camelback Rd Phoenix, AZ 85071 Mischa.Bergsten@gcu.edu 602-247-3177 https://www.gcu.edu Integrative Therapy Heather Schmidt Director 2107 Independence Ave N Golden Valley, MN 55427 651-336-8911 heather@integrativeot.org https://www.integrativeot.org/ Kennedy & Graven, Chartered Lisa Larson Legal Administrative Assistant 150 South Fifth Street, Suite 700 Minneapolis, MN 55402 612-337-9308 llarson@kennedy-graven.com https://www.kennedy-graven.com/ Kraus-Anderson John Huenink Vice President, Director of K-12 Construction 501 South 8th Street Minneapolis, MN 55404 612-332-7281 john.huenink@krausanderson.com https://www.krausanderson.com/ Move This World John Kocur Regional Sales Manager 16 Court Street Suite 504 Brooklyn, NY 11241 412-478-0607 jkocur@movethisworld.com https://www.movethisworld.com/ SpEd Forms Diane McCarron Director of Services PO Box 1 Jasper, MN 56144 866-796-1848 diane@spedforms.com https://spedforms.com/ Strategic Staffing Solutions Josh Duncan Managing Director PO Box 276 Mount Pleasant, SC 29465 866-590-4652 josh.duncan@strategicss.com https://www.strategicss.com/ Transition Assessments and Curriculum - WorkLifeReady.com Heidi Johnson 21980 Pomroy Ave N Scandia, MN 55073 763-286-0476 heidi@worklifeready.com https://worklifeready.com/ |
