MINNESOTA ADMINISTRATORS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION
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    • New! Online Toolbox: MASE Members’ Best Practices Collection of COVID-19 Resources
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mr. John Klaber
2037 Roe Crest Drive
North Mankato, MN 56003
507-469-9096 (mobile)
jpklaber@gmail.com

CALENDAR
MASA/MASE Joint 2020-21 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



CALENDAR
MASE 2020-2021 Calendar

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MASE 20-21 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
​Click Here
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2021 MASA/MASE Spring Conference Virtual Exhibit Fair
Conference dates:  March 11-12 
Exhibit Date:  Thursday, March 11


Our spring conference will be held virtually this year, so we will not be hosting a traditional “in-person” exhibit fair. However, we are inviting our friends in business to participate in the conference and showcase their products and services with a Virtual Exhibit.

Each of our exhibitors will be showcased on their own section of our exhibitor web page. See an example below. The page will be available throughout the day on Thursday, and conference participants will be especially encouraged to visit the virtual booths during breaks: 10 - 10:45 am, 12 noon - 1 pm, and 2 - 2:30 pm. We also invite our exhibitors to provide a link to their own virtual meeting platform so real-time visits can take place during the breaks. View more information and register

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Register for the MASA/MASE Spring Conference!

Minnesota Administrators for Special Education (MASE) and
Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) present


2021 MASA/MASE Spring Conference
Leading the Learning
March 11-12  •  Convened Virtually


The work of leadership for learning is an ambitious pursuit.  Simply providing new information is not enough to affect change; people need context, reason, vision, and the tools to reach goals.  Also this year, we continue to need additional plans for addressing the ongoing pandemic.  Leadership for learning means listening to and providing information for stakeholders, helping the wider community understand the reasons and plans for serving all students and their families.  Whew!  And we need to take care of our own families and hopefully ourselves.  We know leadership matters, so join your colleagues this spring and enhance your own leadership practice.  Yes, we will again be meeting in a virtual format, but we will be meeting, and that is important during these challenging times.  The vehicle might be yet another virtual experience, but we promise we will do our best to make this valuable professional learning that will support you right now.  Don’t miss this chance to learn and reflect on your leadership practice. Click here to view more and to register

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Save the Dates! 
MDE Special Education Directors' Forums Dates

Barbara.Hess@state.mn.us
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Friday, February 12, 2021
Friday, March 5, 2021
Friday, April 9, 2021
Friday, May 7, 2021
Friday, June 11, 2021

Friday, August 20, 2021
Friday, September 10, 2021
Friday, December 10, 2021
Friday, March 18, 2022
Friday, May 20, 2022

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Masks Present a Challenge for Deaf Students. Here’s How Colorado Schools Are Adapting

https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/masks-present-a-challenge-for-deaf-students-heres-how-colorado-schools-are-adapting/2021/02

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​​You are invited: MASA and MASE Mindfulness and Meditation Group
The Minnesota Association of School Administrators and
Minnesota Administrators for Special Education invite you to join ...

You are invited to join the MASA and MASE Mindfulness and Meditation Group.  The group will be led by Rev. Marc Anderson, Founder and Director, The Urban Monk Project, and Buddhist Chaplain, Macalester College.  Marc has worked with our members in the past, most recently as a wellness presenter at the MASE Fall Leadership Conference in October.
 
How this will work:  We will start the group with a core group of interested participants, who will plan the details of this practice.  Later, we will invite members to come to open sessions, but at first, we will convene the core group to discuss and plan the practice.  Marc will lead this session and it will be convened virtually.  There is no cost for the initial session(s).
 
If you are interested in being a part of the initial core group, please let us know using this link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L8HKGZ8

Please respond by 4 pm on Tuesday, February 23, 2021.
We will contact you to determine a good meeting time.

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University of Minnesota presents
Perspectives on Racial Disproportionality in Special Education: A Four-Part Series
Understanding the Dual Nature of Disability:
Interdisciplinary Notes for the Study of Racial Disparities
Dr. Alfredo J. Artiles
Professor
Stanford University
Cost: FREE

Join the special education program for the second in a series of talks on Perspectives on Racial Disproportionality in Special Education.
Thursday, February 18
Schedule of events (all times Central)
3 to 3:45 pm: Presentation
3:45 to 4 pm: Special education faculty led Q&A
 
RSVP for ZOOM Link
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COVID-19 Updates
Click Here
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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...
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Interested in becoming a MASE Business Partner? Click Here


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MASE Professional Development Survey

The MASE Professional Development Committee is hoping you will help inform their strategic planning process by completing a short survey.  This survey data will be used to ideate and plan professional development opportunities that best address our members’ needs and wishes.
 
Access the survey using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/87YG9RG

Please complete the survey by 4 pm on Friday, February 19, 2021.
 
Committee Co-Chairs:
Melanie Kray, Executive Director of Special Services, SW Metro Intermediate District 288-06
Holle Spessard, Director of Special Services, Tri-City United Schools
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​MASE 2021 Week at the Capitol!
 
The 2021 MN legislative session began on January 5th and is largely being conducted remotely due to COVID-19 with both the House and Senate spaces closed to members of the public. As such, our MASE Day at the Capitol will be a 4-day virtual event this year!  Join us at the Slice of Collaboration on January 26th to learn more about the “2021 Week at the Capitol” and to see the new Week at the Capitol website where you can find the information and resources you need to join us March 1-4 for this important advocacy event!

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Minnesota Aspiring Superintendents’ Academy
 
A partnership among
The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA)
The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and
Sourcewell

The Minnesota Aspiring Superintendents’ Academy provides a rich, collegial cohort opportunity for school leaders who wish to become Minnesota School Superintendents.  The Academy focuses on developing a professional practice in the superintendency that is grounded in evidence-based knowledge, skills, and dispositions that contribute to successful capstone leadership.  Sessions are taught by experienced, effective school leaders and each participant will be paired with a coach for guidance during the cohort and beyond.

Participation will be limited, and applications will be screened for the highest quality candidates.  Those selected for participation in the program will be outstanding, high performing leaders whose next logical career step would be the superintendency.  This program will support the transition into the first position as superintendent and each participant will receive a certificate of completion.  View More and Register
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Are you planning to retire in 2021?
Please let us know if you will be retiring by emailing members@mnasa.org

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Save the Dates! 
Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP)
MDE Conference Center A, Room 13

Friday, April 16, 2021
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 – Orientation
Friday, September 24, 2021
Friday, November 19, 2021
Friday, January 21, 2022
Friday, April 15, 2022

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Special Education Programs at the University of Minnesota 

Special Education Programs at the University of Minnesota is hosting a free event for anyone that is interested, Perspectives on Racial Disproportionality in Special Education: A Four-Part Series.  The flyer for the first presentation of the series is below.  For this first presentation, we will not be able to post a recording publicly, but will be able to share a private link to a recording to those who register for the event but are unable to attend.  The registration link includes an opportunity to submit questions or comments that we'll be accumulating to address as time allows with individual presenters and/or include as part of the culminating panel discussion in April. 

LeAnne Johnson, PhD
Associate Professor
Coordinator for Special Education Programs

Department of Educational Psychology / University of Minnesota
email: leannej@umn.edu / phone: (612) 626-3457

View this message on the web.

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2021 Stenswick/Benson Scholarship Program

Applications due April 5, 2021


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. Read More

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MASE Winter Newsletter! 
Click Here

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Minnesota Disability Law Center launching Disability Voting Rights Video Resource
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid and Minnesota Disability Law
Center 
(MDLC) are excited to share a new voting video resource with our community: Disability Rights and How to Vote. The video features self-advocates outlining the Minnesota voting process, discussing available accommodations, and addressing the voting concerns of individuals with disabilities. With the consequential General Election approaching, it is important that we as partner agencies work together to provide resources for people with disabilities to access their right to vote. 

We have shared the Disability Rights and How to Vote video directly with you because we ask that our community partners help to circulate this resource. The video has been posted today on our social media platforms at the following links:
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeqLYGS7uh8
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=357902121996059
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CGVF7mrntEe/?igshid=1wdrsph63ex63
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/legal_aid_MN/status/1316402277511426049?s=20
We would appreciate your organization’s support in the following ways in reposting the video on your social media platforms or sharing it with your partner organizations, clients, and any groups that you think might benefit from this video. 
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A Slice of Collaboration
2nd and 4th Tuesdays beginning 7/28
(dates added to the calendar above.)


​Due to numerous requests, we are hoping to have opportunities for MASE members to plan and learn together. 
​Click Here to View More
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​Membership in CASE .... It’s Rewarding - Join through your MASE Membership!
From 2002 through 2012, the number of MASE members who were also members of CASE remained fairly constant at around 115.  Following this, our membership in the national organization began dropping until numbers hit a low of 71 in 2016.  Since that time, MASE Membership Chairs, Tami Alps and Dianne McCarron and others have employed a number of strategies to increase our national presence. 

These strategies include promoting membership to new district hires, providing MN Colleges and University Special Education Teacher and Administrator Licensure Departments with promotional materials including a welcome letter from the MASE President, a membership form, a MASE Newsletter and the MASE Legislative Platform, attending MASE regional meetings to promote the benefits of both MASE and CASE membership and, with the help of the MASA/MASE staff, aligning the MASE and CASE  renewal system.  

Through the use of these strategies, CASE saw a 22% increase in MASE Members from 2018 to 2019 and a 98% increase since 2016, making Minnesota the 7th largest unit in CASE.  At the Spring CEC Conference in Portland, Cheryl Hall, MASE 2019 President, and Cherie Johnson, CASE Liaison, were presented the CASE Unit Award for Membership.  

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Be a part of MASE! Join Today
MASE spans the state with nine areas. Members are directors of special education and other administrators for special education in public or private schools, cooperative regional, state and other educational administrative units. Members also include other school administrators such as superintendents and central office leaders, college and university professors of special education teacher or administrator preparation programs, and Minnesota Department of Education employees.

MASE and MASA provide powerful professional support and a wide variety of benefits such as quality conferences, skill development workshops, informative publications, and state and national legislative advocacy. MASA membership also provides personal services, including legal consultation, liability insurance and life insurance. Click Here to Join
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Online Toolbox:  MASE Members’ Best Practices Collection of COVID-19 Resources
MASE has established an online resource through which members can share resources to support districts’ and leaders’ needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Members are invited to send materials to the MASE office to be posted online, and colleagues may view the resources and download materials of their choice.  Materials may include communications, tools or forms locally developed, articles, links, or anything you have found helpful.  Resources will be in the "Members Only” section of the MASE web site, so only MASE members may view or download the items.  Please do not share your password. If you have materials you would like included in this resource, please email them to Jeanna Vohnoutka at MASE (jeanna.vohnoutka@mnasa.org) and she will post them.  Please note inclusion of these items does not assume MASE’s endorsement of the material.  

MASE will not review your postings but reserves the right to remove postings that are not supportive of MASE’s mission to serve our members.  As always, thank you for your generosity and willingness to share your best practices.  
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Free resources during the pandemic
Following you will find a link to a list of educational companies offering free resources during the pandemic. Click Here
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Help Build MASE’s Business Partner Membership Roster!
Over the last several years, one significant MASE initiative has been to recruit MASE Business Partner members. This helps our association by developing relationships that can support the products ad services most likely to be of value to our programs, as well as bringing in additional revenue, helping MASE better serve our members. We have a strong and growing cadre of business partners. Discover them at:
https://www.mnase.org/19-20-partnerships.html

Your referrals for partner members are very appreciated! Send your referrals to John Klaber (MASE Executive Director - jpklaber@gmail.com) or Scott Masten (MASE Treasurer - smasten@lagassiz.com).

An easy way for MASE members to help is to reply to sales calls or emails by saying you prefer to work with MASE business partners. Here is an example: "Hello, I appreciate your email. I prefer to do business with companies and individuals who are MASE Business Partners. You can get the information you need here:
https://www.mnase.org/19-20-partnerships.html

You can just cut and paste the same message, or, you can even paste your message in an email shortcut and with a simple keystroke send your message! Directions for creating a handy snippet (including a handy YouTube tutorial) are at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHlDOSSf0vM
Or click here for directions in a pdf format.

Thank you for helping MASE’s Business Partner Program grow!


We would like to thank our Tier 3 Partners for their continued support!

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TIER 3         
​2020 - 2021
PARTNERSHIP MEMBERS


Family Achievement Center, Inc. (Related Service Provider)
Sarah Mason
President, Co-Owner
2101 Wooddale Drive, Suite A
Woodbury, MN 55125
Phone: 651-738-9878
smason@familyachievement.com
https://familyachievement.com/
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Grand Canyon University
Hoang Dao
University Development Counselor
3300 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017
Phone: 612-965-7685

hoang.dao@gcu.edu
https://www.gcu.edu/
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Kennedy & Graven, Chartered
Lisa Larson
Legal Administrative Assistant
200 South 6th Street, Suite 470
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: 612-337-9308
llarson@kennedy-graven.com
https://www.kennedy-graven.com/
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Kraus Anderson 
John Huenink
VP/Director of Education
501 South 8th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Phone: 612-332-7281

john.huenink@krausanderson.com
http://www.krausanderson.com
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ReadySign
Lorien Maxwell
Sales Manager
6500 Hollister Avenue, Suite 110
Goleta, CA 93117
Phone: 805-618-1471
lorien.maxwell@readysign.com
www.readysign.com
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SpEd Forms
Diane McCarron
Director of Minnesota Services
PO Box 1
Jasper, MN 56144
Phone: 866-796-1848
diane@spedforms.com
www.spedforms.com
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Strategic Staffing Solutions
Josh Duncan
Managing Director
PO Box 276
Mount Pleasant, SC 29465
Phone: 866-590-4652

josh.duncan@strategicss.com
www.strategicss.com
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​Trafera
(formerly 
Trinity3 Technology)
Ben Erickson
Executive Business Manager
2550 University Avenue West, Suite 315-S

St. Paul, MN 55114
Phone: 
651-888-7922
ben.erickson@trafera.com
www.trinity3.com
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​1884 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108

members@mnasa.org 651-645-6272