Speaker Bios
REGISTER Conference Central Schedule Sponsor/Exhibit
Speakers Speaker Resources
2026 Fall Leadership Conference Speaker Bios
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Kate Adams
Kate Adams, MSW, LICSW, Ed.S., is an Instructional Coach for Special Services with Eden Prairie Schools. With 13 years in education, she has served as a School Social Worker, McKinney-Vento Liaison, and school safety leader, providing mental health services and strengthening districtwide systems of support for students and staff.
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Michelle Bethke-Kaliher
Dr. Bethke-Kaliher currently serves as the Director of Student Supports at Alexandria Public Schools and Executive Director at Runestone Area Education District (RAED). She has worked as an Assistant Director of Special Education, Child Study Coordinator/Supervisor, a special education teacher and Adjunct Professor with Crown College in St. Bonifacius, MN.
AJ Boehmer
AJ (they/them; he/him) is an Assistant Director and Principal for Intermediate School District 917's Therapeutic Education Alternative (TEA) programs. AJ is passionate about equity, trauma-informed practices, and implementing student support systems with embedded mental health services. They believe schools are most successful when academic, behavioral, and mental health supports work together within a comprehensive, student-centered model that meets students where they are and fosters growth in both academic achievement and social-emotional development.
Sonni Buerskin
Sonni Buerskin serves as Director of Student Services for Osseo Area Schools, Minnesota's fifth-largest school district that is rapidly expanding its special education population. Previously, Sonni held leadership roles with the Sherburne Northern Wright Special Education Cooperative and St. Francis Area Schools and earned undergraduate, graduate, and administrative credentials through St. Cloud State University.
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Vicki Courts
Vicki Courts has 21 years of experience in special education, including teaching in Settings 1–4, special services supervision, and leadership within rural and large district programs. She is currently a Setting 4 administrator focused on trauma-informed systems, staff support, and relationship-centered leadership.
Rochelle Cox
Rochelle Cox is a dynamic and strategic educational leader with extensive experience across instruction, operations, human resources, finance, and special education, currently serving as Assistant Superintendent. Known for her collaborative leadership style and analytical approach to problem-solving, Rochelle has built a reputation for navigating complex challenges, building high-performing teams, and delivering results for students and staff alike.
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Kate Dole
Bio coming soon.
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Megan Endresen
Megan Endresen is a Special Services Coordinator for Columbia Heights Public Schools and is skilled at fostering collaborative environments where active listening and collective problem-solving drive meaningful support during times of crisis. Through this work, she ensures equitable opportunities for special education students and gives every educator the tools to succeed.
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Adam Frudden
Adam J. Frudden is a shareholder at Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, P.A. and a former teacher. He focuses his law practice on education issues. Adam has represented Minnesota schools in administrative proceedings, State court, and federal court. Adam regularly advises school leaders on legal obligations and best practices.
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Sarah Godfrey
Sarah Godfrey is the Director of Special Services for Columbia Heights Public Schools and is recognized for her calm, collaborative approach to crisis leadership. She works alongside educators, families, and community partners to navigate complex challenges, prioritize student and staff well-being and strengthen systems that promote safety, resilience and equitable support for all learners.
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Qorsho Hassan
Qorsho Hassan is an educator, a Fulbright Scholar, a two-time published author, and an advocate dedicated to championing equity and diversity in education. Named the 2020-2021 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, she centers her work on culturally responsive teaching and on advocating for marginalized students, particularly those from immigrant and refugee backgrounds. She is a strong voice for inclusive education and strives to empower students and fellow educators to create more equitable learning environments.
Qorsho currently serves as a program manager for Future Ready Five and consults for school districts. She is also a co-leader of Amanah Camp, a local nonprofit that fosters access and belonging for Black and Brown Muslim children.
Erin Hoffman
Erin Hoffman is the Executive Director of the West Central Education District and serves as Treasurer on the MASE executive team. With a background as a Director of Special Education and teacher, she is dedicated to supporting member districts and promoting authentic, individualized learning opportunities for all students.
Tanya Holub
Bio coming soon.
Jason A. Hunt, CSP
Jason A. Hunt is a speaker, author, and thought leader who helps leaders slow down, see clearly, and choose better under pressure so they create bigger impact and more influence when it matters most. He has worked with more than 40,000 leaders across organizations large and small, equipping them to move beyond authority into influence that actually sticks. Jason’s journey began at 19, leading a church group of 100 people in outer Siberia. Since then, he has served in a wide range of leadership roles, including as a school principal, where he failed miserably. Those experiences shaped his belief that titles and good intentions aren’t enough.
Jason holds a master’s degree in leadership, is the author of five books, is a past president of the National Speakers Association of Minnesota and holds the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation—earned by fewer than 17% of speakers worldwide. He is also the creator of The Discernment Path™, a leadership framework that helps leaders slow down, see clearly, and respond intentionally.
Kate Hurd
Kate Hurd is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and ASD Coordinator with PBEC. She works directly with center-based teams to establish and maintain high-quality programming for students with complex needs and supports staff across school settings in developing individualized programming when students require more intensive behavioral, instructional, or environmental supports.
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Cherie Johnson
Cherie Johnson is the Executive Director in the Goodhue County Education District #6051 where she has served for over a decade. In her role in District #6051 she works closely with teachers, staff and building administrators in the cooperative's six member school districts to ensure that each of the districts is providing high quality programs and services to all of the students within the cooperative. She works to align and improve programs for students at risk including services, curriculum, course offerings, professional development and budgets.
Prior to leading the cooperative, Ms. Johnson was the Director of Special Education in the Red Wing School District #256, the largest district in the Goodhue County Education District #6051. Ms. Johnson started her career as a teacher serving students with specific learning and behavior and emotional disabilities, in the states of New York and Wisconsin before moving to Minnesota. Ms. Johnson holds degrees from Carleton College, the University of Minnesota and Marywood University. She is an active member of CASE and Minnesota’s CASE Division, the Minnesota Administrators of Special Education (MASE), has served as MASE President, and was selected as the MASE Special Education Administrator of the Year in 2021 and the national CASE Outstanding Administrator of Special Education in 2021. In 2025, she received the MASE Legacy Award and the Harrie M. Selznick CASE Distinguished Service Award.
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Sean Klamm
Sean is a special education leader who is passionate about using technology to improve student outcomes. Sean is the founder of Playground IEP, AI tools to improve IEP quality, caseload management efficiency, and progress monitoring processes. Playground IEP supports schools and educators in all 50 states as well as countries worldwide. Sean has led AI and technology workshops at the national level, including for the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE). Prior to founding Playground IEP, Sean was the Director of Special Education at Butler College Prep (Noble Schools) and is a Teach For America alum.
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Jeffrey Lee
Jeffrey Lee is a Special Education Coordinator with the Paul Bunyan Education Cooperative. He supports districts through practical problem-solving, professional learning, due process guidance, and systems development. His work focuses on creating clear, sustainable tools and supports that strengthen staff practice and student outcomes.
Brenda Lewis
Brenda Lewis, Ph.D. is a passionate and innovative Superintendent with over 25 years of experience in the field of education. She is an equity warrior who is an advocate for students with learning differences, multilingual learners and historically underserved students with a keen eye for building systems and leading her schools to attain academic excellence for all students.
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Alexandra McCannel, LMFT
Alexandra McCannel, MA, LMFT, founder of Genoa Health and Educational Services, has 10+ years supporting Minnesota school districts on mental health and school avoidance. She currently partners with multiple districts on early identification and tiered intervention, and is collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Education MTSS team on program alignment.
Diane McCarron
Diane is currently serving a dual role as the Director of Services for SpEd Forms and aspiring retiree. Her amazing career spans 47 years as a special ed. teacher, Coordinator, and Director of Special Education. She has experience in Minnesota districts, the SWWC Service Coop, and an international school in Poland. She served as the MASE President and has earned the MASE New Leader's award and MASE Distinguished Service award.
Cara McGlynn
Cara McGlynn, MSW, LICSW, is Lead School Social Worker for Northeast Metro 916 and a district liaison for McKinney-Vento, foster care, and migrant students. An award-winning supervisor and statewide board member, she specializes in trauma-informed practice, restorative approaches, youth mental health, crisis intervention, and educational equity.
Nicole McKevett, PhD, NCSP
Nicole McKevett, PhD, NCSP, is the Assistant Director of Product and Service Innovation at CAREI, University of Minnesota, the lead developer of CAREIMath. She partners with state agencies, districts, and educational organizations to improve student outcomes through evidence-based MTSS-Mathematics implementation and systems improvement. Her work focuses on translating research into practical solutions that strengthen educational systems and improve outcomes for all learners.
Ellyn Miller
Ellyn Miller is the Manager of Partnerships and Customer Success at Playground IEP, where she works with schools and districts to support special education teams through technology and AI. She began her career with Teach For America in Milwaukee and went on to serve as both a special education teacher and administrator. Her experience in schools gives her firsthand insight into the needs of special educators and the students they support.
Jeannine Miller
Jeannine Miller brings 30 years of experience in special education leadership, including extensive work within Setting 4 programming at Rum River Special Education Cooperative. She currently serves as Director of Education Programs, leading the cooperative’s three Setting 4 programs through aligned systems, procedures, academic programming, SEL instruction, and trauma-informed practices.
Stacy Morgan
Stacy Morgan has spent 20 years in education and has a master’s degree in educational psychology. She has served as a Special Education Teacher, Behavioral Specialist, and Special Education Coordinator. In her current role, she supports schools with implementation of MTSS-Behavior, emphasizing alignment of data process to inform decision-making.
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Gaby Nelson
Bio coming soon.
Rebecca Nesset
Rebecca Nesset is the supervisor of the Program Monitoring Unit in the Special Education Division of the Minnesota Department of Education. This unit is part of the state’s system of general supervision, ensuring district and state compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as well as state statute and rule. This unit also provides training and technical assistance to district staff to foster compliance with and understanding of state and federal requirements.
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Kristin Papin
A dedicated Special Education Supervisor in SoWashCo Schools, Kristin is deeply passionate about creating equitable educational access for all students and committed to driving high-level outcomes, fostering inclusive learning environments, and setting every student up for lifelong success.
Jen Petersen
Jen (she/her) is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) who provides clinical leadership and supervision for mental health staff at Intermediate District 917. She has led implementation of CTSS and MH-SpEd services and specializes in trauma-informed care, helping students and families overcome mental health barriers to achieve greater school success.
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Sarah Robinson
Bio coming soon.
Katie Roby
Bio coming soon.
Rachel Roesslein
Bio coming soon.
Kori Ryan
Kori Ryan is the new Director of Services for SpEd Forms. She has been working in the special ed. world for 24 years, working as a special ed. teacher, Coordinator, and Director. Most recently, she was a Director of Special Ed. for INDIGO Education. She has experience working with charter schools, traditional public schools, and in the cooperative system, and has been a proud SpEd Forms user the entire time. She lives in West Fargo with her husband, son, sweet British Labrador and spicy orange tabby.
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Christian Shafer
Christian R. Shafer is a shareholder at Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, P.A. He advises schools in all areas of school law, including special education law. He has successfully represented schools in courts and administrative proceedings. He is a frequent presenter for schools and other groups that support schools.
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Liz Vieira
Liz Vieira is a shareholder at Squires, Waldspurger & Mace, P.A., where she represents school districts and charter schools in all areas of law, including special education. She prides herself on providing practical, solution-oriented legal advice that recognizes the day-to-day challenges facing schools.
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Savannah Walsh
Savannah is currently the Executive Director of Runestone Area Education District, serving mainly four districts in the Alexandria area (Brandon-Evansville, Minnewaska, Osakis, and Parkers Prairie). Her first role in special education was a teacher with licensure in SLD, EBD and ASD, but her primary position was in Autism programming, primarily in settings 1 and 2. Savannah is in her second year at RAED, but seventh year in leadership after serving as a Special Education Supervisor in Dassel-Cokato for MAWSECO prior to that.