Introducing our 2023 Board Candidates
President-Elect Candidate (2023-25)
Amy Ernst, Director of Special Services, Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools
Treasurer Candidate (2023-25)
Erin Hoffman, Director of Special Education, SWWC Service Cooperative
Amy Ernst, Director of Special Services, Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools
Treasurer Candidate (2023-25)
Erin Hoffman, Director of Special Education, SWWC Service Cooperative
Unsure if you are an eligible MASE voting member? Find your name on the list here:
I’m incredibly honored to be nominated for such a meaningful role with an organization that has offered me so many opportunities for growth as a leader. I’ve been a member of MN Administrators for Special Education (MASE) since the beginning of my leadership journey and have experienced firsthand the incredible support, professional development, and networking opportunities that MASE provides to leaders. I began my career as a special education teacher and have been in special education for 23 years. After teaching, I spent five years as a special education coordinator and one year as the Assistant Director for Sherburne Northern Wright Special Education Cooperative. I am currently serving in my 8th year as the Director of Special Services for Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools.
I have a long-standing passion for the field of special education. One of my favorite things about the field is the possibility of exciting opportunities for innovation. We can stand on current research and practices as a platform for developing the next best practices that will positively impact students with disabilities. MASE’s mission of building strong leaders who work on behalf of students with disabilities is central to supporting this work. Opportunities to expand on the hope of that which is yet undiscovered will continue through the work of passionate, committed, and courageous leaders who inspire others to see beyond circumstances that appear limiting.
I have been fortunate to have been mentored by leaders whose service has inspired me. Because of their impact on me, I have intentionally chosen to engage in opportunities with great potential for paying this forward to other new leaders. In addition to my work as the Director of Special Services for Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose schools, I am currently serving on Minnesota’s Special Education Advisory Panel, the MNSELF Board, and the MASE Board as an Area representative. I co-facilitate the MASE New Leader’s Cohort and have collaborated on the MASE Principal Workgroup. I have served on the MASE legislative committee since 2016. Finally, I am continuing my commitment to fostering the growth of new leaders by serving as an Adjunct Professor at St. Cloud State University in Educational Administration and Leadership while also deepening my learning as I pursue my doctorate in the same program. These experiences have provided me with opportunities to encourage positive change, collaborate with other leaders, or offer service to new leaders in the field. In addition to these professional experiences, I have had the unexpected opportunity to experience the benefits of special education as a parent of a child with significant disabilities, allowing me to see multiple perspectives and stay very close to the purpose of our work. I am deeply committed to remembering whom we serve.
Throughout my time in special education leadership, I have been fortunate to learn from many incredible leaders who passionately support others by dedicating their time, talents, and service through MASE. Serving as a special education leader is incredibly meaningful and rewarding. Yet, it can come with challenges that would be more difficult to navigate without the support of colleagues and mentors. In my 14 years of special education leadership, I have valued the opportunities for growth, professional development, and collegiality that MASE has provided me. I continue to grow as a leader through the rich experiences offered by the organization. It would be a great honor to give back to MASE by serving as President-Elect. I appreciate your consideration, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve MASE and its members in support of the mission of building strong leaders who work on behalf of students with disabilities.
I have a long-standing passion for the field of special education. One of my favorite things about the field is the possibility of exciting opportunities for innovation. We can stand on current research and practices as a platform for developing the next best practices that will positively impact students with disabilities. MASE’s mission of building strong leaders who work on behalf of students with disabilities is central to supporting this work. Opportunities to expand on the hope of that which is yet undiscovered will continue through the work of passionate, committed, and courageous leaders who inspire others to see beyond circumstances that appear limiting.
I have been fortunate to have been mentored by leaders whose service has inspired me. Because of their impact on me, I have intentionally chosen to engage in opportunities with great potential for paying this forward to other new leaders. In addition to my work as the Director of Special Services for Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose schools, I am currently serving on Minnesota’s Special Education Advisory Panel, the MNSELF Board, and the MASE Board as an Area representative. I co-facilitate the MASE New Leader’s Cohort and have collaborated on the MASE Principal Workgroup. I have served on the MASE legislative committee since 2016. Finally, I am continuing my commitment to fostering the growth of new leaders by serving as an Adjunct Professor at St. Cloud State University in Educational Administration and Leadership while also deepening my learning as I pursue my doctorate in the same program. These experiences have provided me with opportunities to encourage positive change, collaborate with other leaders, or offer service to new leaders in the field. In addition to these professional experiences, I have had the unexpected opportunity to experience the benefits of special education as a parent of a child with significant disabilities, allowing me to see multiple perspectives and stay very close to the purpose of our work. I am deeply committed to remembering whom we serve.
Throughout my time in special education leadership, I have been fortunate to learn from many incredible leaders who passionately support others by dedicating their time, talents, and service through MASE. Serving as a special education leader is incredibly meaningful and rewarding. Yet, it can come with challenges that would be more difficult to navigate without the support of colleagues and mentors. In my 14 years of special education leadership, I have valued the opportunities for growth, professional development, and collegiality that MASE has provided me. I continue to grow as a leader through the rich experiences offered by the organization. It would be a great honor to give back to MASE by serving as President-Elect. I appreciate your consideration, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve MASE and its members in support of the mission of building strong leaders who work on behalf of students with disabilities.
Erin Hoffman has been a leader in special education with the Southwest West Central (SWWC) Service Cooperative for the past 6 years; 4 years as an assistant director and 2 as a director. Prior to her work at SWWC, she was a special education teacher and SEAT coordinator in the Sartell and Princeton School Districts. Erin has an undergraduate degree in Child and Family Studies with a license to teach parent education from Concordia College-Moorhead, a graduate degree in Special Education with a license to teach learning disabilities from St. Cloud State University, and a post-graduate degree as a Director of Special Education from the University of Minnesota. She has been involved at the state level with the MDE Special Education Advisory Panel and in MASE as the Area E representative for the past 2 years and is looking forward to possibly serving as the treasurer of the MASE board.