2026 MASE Best Practices Conference 

This session is only for those who are already registered for the 2025-26 New Directors Cohort.

In an era defined by rapid change, evolving challenges, and increasing complexity, our strength lies in unity. This keynote explores how collaborative advocacy empowers educators and leaders to move from uncertainty to impact. Drawing on the theme of “Unity in Complexity,” participants will examine how collective voice, shared purpose, and strategic leadership can influence systems, shape policy, and create meaningful change. This session will inspire renewed commitment to standing together, leading boldly, and harnessing the power we hold as a unified professional community.

A1. Creating a Unified System of MTSS-Math Pillsbury, Nicole McKevett and Mona Perkins
This session will introduce a system-level approach to mathematics MTSS, designed to unify general and special education amid increasing instructional complexity. Participants will explore how shared language, aligned instructional expectations, and intentional leadership practices reduce silos and support coherent math instruction across Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3.

A2. Shifting from Reaction to Prevention: Leadership Strategies to Reduce Special Education Disputes Sibley, Tia Ellis and Kristin Orton
This session explores proactive strategies a special education leadership team is implementing to reduce conflict with families and support collaborative, student-centered outcomes. Participants will learn practical approaches used to strengthen family communication, build staff capacity, and address concerns early - before they escalate into formal disputes.

A3. Unity Through Preparation: A Comprehensive Paraeducator Training Model for Diverse Populations Golf Villa AB, Cheryl-Marie Manson
This session highlights the MAASE Paraeducator Project, a comprehensive five-program training model designed to support paraeducators serving diverse student populations. Participants will learn how a unified, scalable framework promotes equity, collaboration, and consistency in complex education systems and can be adapted for use by other states.

A4. This Is Your Life! Golf Villa C, Amy Mace and Mick Waldspurger
Using interactive scenarios and a “game show” format, Amy and Mick will cover a “hypothetical” day in the life of a special education director. The presentation will focus on the key laws and best practices that a special education director must know to survive. Are you looking for an out-of-the box presentation that is both instructive and filled with laughter? If so, you will truly enjoy this interactive and innovative presentation.

A5. A Work-Based Learning Roundtable: Meaningful Experiences, AI, and the Path to Post-Secondary Success Golf Villa D, Noelle Meyer and Jill Stewart-Kellar
Join our Work-Based Learning roundtable session to explore program structures and strategies for providing meaningful work experiences for students with special needs. Dive into special topics like AI’s impact on interviewing for our students. Share struggles and successes while networking to continue to develop a toolkit for every post-secondary pathway—from supported employment to further education and beyond.

A6. Bridging MN MTSS and SpEd: Aligning for Impact Governor's Ballroom, Sarah Sirna and Vicki Weinberg
Join us for a dynamic session focused on the intersection of Minnesota’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MN MTSS) and team-based work in Special Education. We’ll dive into where and why team participation matters for improving alignment and strengthening collaborative decision-making, and how Special Education practices connect to MN MTSS guidance.

B1. Dignity Centered Programming: Building Sustainable Federal Setting IV Services for Students with Complex Behavioral and Emotional Needs Pillsbury, Rochelle Cox and Brenda Lewis
Fridley Public Schools developed a Federal Setting IV program serving students with significant behavioral and emotional needs with dignity and belonging at its core. This session shares our comprehensive approach to launching specialized programming that serves both district and regional students.

B2. Workforce Stability in Special Education: Retention-Focused Mentoring and Preparation Partnerships Sibley, Michelle Baron-Albers and Martha Moriarty
Recruiting and retaining special education teachers requires more than job postings, hiring bonuses, and employment incentives. This session explores how embedded mentoring, individualized support systems, and practice-based curriculum function as strategic retention tools.

B3. Special Education Coordination with EIDBI Golf Villa AB, Tom Delaney and Rebecca Nesset
Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) community providers offer medically necessary, early and intensive services and supports to people under the age of 21 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or related conditions. This session clarifies due process and compliance requirements when a student is receiving EIDBI in the community.

B4. Difficult People, Places and Things Golf Villa C, Adam Frudden and Elizabeth Meske
Learn from an in-house attorney and outside counsel what strategies they have found successful when working with difficult people—staff, students, community members, advocates—and how to find resolution around challenging requests for locations or placements.

B5. Data or No Data? What Is the Deal? Golf Villa D, Christian Shafer
Come play a fast paced game of “Deal or No Deal”. We will discuss who gets data including requests from police, parents with and without custody, outside providers, child protection, and more.

C1. Your Leadership Voice—Maximizing Team Support Pillsbury, Kayla Awolope, Heidi Hahn and Amy Krueger
This session explores proactive strategies a special education leadership team is implementing to reduce conflict with families and support collaborative, student-centered outcomes.

C2. Supported Decision-Making and Guardianship Sibley, Katie Hestness
This presentation explores the spectrum of decision-making supports for individuals transitioning to adulthood. We’ll examine how each approach can empower individuals while ensuring their rights and needs are respected.

C3. Unlock New Strategies for Teaching Math to All Learners! Golf Villa AB, Patty Popp and Sarah Sirna
Join us for an exciting session introducing free, customized training modules designed to boost teachers’ content knowledge and instructional skills for supporting students with disabilities and those who need extra help in math.

C4. Limited Resources, Unlimited Expectations Golf Villa C, Adam Frudden
In this session, we will discuss how to ensure students’ needs are met in compliance with IDEA and state law during a time of tight resources.

C5. Deep Dive Into Discipline Golf Villa D, Christian Shafer
As the year comes to a close, we will review what worked and what did not. How has the new law impacted how teams support students, what are the rules for out of school discipline, what are the nuances for MDs, expulsion, exclusion, online as a placement.

D1. Virtual Reality Resources That Build Independence Pillsbury, Kristine Gullen, John Hitchcock, and Dr. Lois Vaughan-Hussain
Are you interested in learning more about classroom-ready virtual reality (VR) tools that can transform the way students with disabilities learn essential life skills and increase their independence?

D2. How to Best Collaborate with Administrators Sibley, Fhonda Contreras
Principals and other leaders have named (per the MN principal’s survey) that special education is one of the top three things they feel least prepared to support. This session will give you the top 10 best tips to support administrators in your district on sped laws and procedures.

D3. The Attorney Is In Golf Villa AB, Adam Frudden and Christian Shafer
Come play stump the attorney! We will take questions before the session—look for the drop box to place your question. We’d love your questions at the session as well.

D4. Speech-Language Pathology Assistants: Understanding Their Role, the New SLPA License and How They Can Support Student Success Golf Villa C, Emily Aust and Nancy Thul
As student needs increase and workforce shortages persist, Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs) are a strategic support to service delivery. This session provides an overview of the SLPA role in Minnesota, including educational requirements, supervision expectations, and scope of practice.

D5. Alternative Curriculum: From Adoption Through Implementation Golf Villa D, Lindsay Engberg and Janet Fimmen
Have you ever purchased a curricular resource—only to have it sit unopened, collecting dust on a shelf? This session highlights ISD 196’s process of exploring alternative curriculum options, adopting TeachTown/enCore, and rolling out an implementation plan for students in low incidence federal setting 3 programs.

D6. Turn MTSS Data Into Action: Identifying SLD with Confidence Governor's Ballroom, Patty Popp, Sarah Sirna, and Vicki Weinberg
How can your MTSS framework do more than support students—it can drive smarter decisions for SLD identification and planning? Join us for a practical, research-driven session reviewing proposed SLD criteria and mapping MTSS data directly to SLD criteria for a clear, systematic process.

E1. Enhancing Systems of Prevention & Support in Schools Pillsbury, Kate Hulse and Dr. Melissa Schaller
This presentation outlines ISD 917’s approach to school safety through investments in well-being, staff practices, and student skill-building. Attendees will learn about evidence-based frameworks, trauma-informed strategies, SEL integration, and other supports for students with diverse and unique needs.

E2. Giving the Adults the Tools to Support Students in the Classroom Sibley, Curt Slater
All teachers have a classroom management plan that works for some students, but what is happening day to day during the school year? Walk away with best practice strategies you can use in your school tomorrow.

E3. Finding PEACE While Leading in Complex Times Golf Villa AB, Kayla Awolope, Heidi Hahn, and Amy Krueger
Now more than ever, people need hopeful leaders. Using the GiANT tool, The Peace Index, participants will have the opportunity to explore the 5 “P's” that impact our overall level of peace.

E4. Report Wrangling and Data Magic Golf Villa C, Jennifer Danielson, Andrea Lucas, and Diane McCarron
This session explores key SpEd Forms reports, what data feeds them, and why directors might run them. Participants will review examples, discuss practical uses for program decisions, and see how report data can be transformed into visual charts for easier analysis.

E5. Spreadsheets, Statutes, and Sanity: Practical Fiscal Monitoring Strategies for New(er) Special Education Directors Golf Villa D, McKenzie Helgeson and Tish Kalla
This session provides practical, real-world strategies for supporting districts with special education fiscal monitoring.

E6. From School to Self-Sufficiency: A Unified Approach to Harmonizing Employment, Education and Independent Living in Adult Transition Governor's Ballroom, Kasey Anderson, Erik Chrissis, and Jennifer Middendorf
Success in the transition to adulthood requires integrating vocational, academic, and life skills. This session explores the Burnsville Eagan Savage Transition (BEST) Program.

In today’s dynamic educational environments, leaders at all levels are frequently called upon to engage with a wide range of personalities—each bringing unique strengths, perspectives, and communication styles. “Navigating Challenging Personalities: Leading with Clarity, Confidence, and Calm” is a practical, research-informed keynote designed to empower educators and administrators with the tools to lead effectively without losing their center.

Participants will explore how personality dynamics influence workplace interactions, learn strategies for recognizing and adapting to different styles, and build confidence in responding to difficult conversations with professionalism and poise.

Attendees will walk away with:

1. A framework for identifying and understanding challenging behaviors before reacting
2. Evidence-based techniques to de-escalate conflict and promote mutual respect
3. Practical communication strategies that reinforce clarity, consistency, and calm
4. Tools to sustain healthy workplace dynamics while honoring individual differences