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PURPOSE
MASE strives to:
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Offer information that is concise, consistent and predictable to support the work you do in your communities
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Streamline our communications and reduce the number of messages in your mailbox
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A message from Erin Toninato,
MASE Executive Director:
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 You Are a Difference Maker
This week the term difference maker has been on my mind.
The quote I chose this week reminds me that difference makers don’t all lead the same way. Some lead loudly. Others lead quietly. Some step forward first, while others lead by listening, supporting colleagues, or simply showing up when it matters most. All of it makes a difference in MASE and in the lives of the students and families we serve.
I also want to gently name something I hear from time to time — the MASE Board or committee work can feel intimidating or like there is a secret to stepping into those roles. There truly isn’t. MASE leadership is simply members who care about supporting one another and strengthening special education leadership across Minnesota.
If you have ever wondered about serving on a committee, chairing a committee, or considered running for an officer role, please know that wondering might be your first sign that you belong in those spaces. Maybe it is a personal nudge!
Thank you for the ways you show up for students, families, and one another. Your leadership — in whatever way it shows up — matters more than you may realize.
And as always...thanks for all you do.
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✨ Share a Glimmer ✨
Share your “MASE Moments of Awe.” These are the stories—the glimmers—that highlight the beauty and importance of what we do.
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CASE Membership
This week we learned that CASE membership in Minnesota is down 34% from last year. CASE is an important resource for leaders in special education and we encourage you to consider membership in the upcoming school year. It is simple to sign up and can be done at the same time as MASE membership.
With that said, if you are unsure if you have an active CASE membership, please reach out to CASE Representative Melissa Schaller (melissa.schaller@isd917.org) and she can double-check against our roster for Minnesota. We did have a few issues with CASE memberships as we transitioned our management.
Minnesota Recognizes 8 Schools for Excellence
The Minnesota Department of Education is recognizing eight schools for excelling in academic performance or making significant strides in closing achievement gaps. Commissioner Willie Jett recognized the schools at the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association Institute.
Read the Full News Release
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MDE Ed-Fi Updates, January 26 | Read more
MDE Special Education Updates, January 30 | Read more
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Download the 2026 MASE Legislative Platform
 The MASE Legislative Committee, working with lobbyist Valerie Dosland, has created our Legislative Platform for this session of the Minnesota Legislature. With Day at the Capitol less than a month away, read the platform so you’re aware of the issues our team will focus on. Key focus areas are fair and sustainable funding (including repeal of the $250 million cut to special education cross-subsidy aid), and flexible and supportive policy—especially pertaining to special educator recruitment and retention as well as safe and secure school environments.
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Deadline Today! Submit a Nomination for the MASE Board of Directors
The Minnesota Administrators for Special Education is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for two positions on the Board of Directors:
If you are interested in volunteering or submitting a nomination for one of these positions, please fill out this quick form.
Nominations are open until end of day today, February 6.
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Deadline Is Sunday! Submit Your Proposal for the MASE Best Practices Conference
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You have until Sunday, February 8, to submit your proposal for the MASE Best Practices Conference! We can’t wait to celebrate our colleagues with our theme, Unity in Complexity. If you or someone you know has a proposal related to this theme, please submit your proposal during the week ahead. Breakout sessions are 1 hour each. Use our online submission form and complete all the required information.
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We will consider all submissions sent in by February 8, 2026.
We can’t wait to see you this spring!
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Register Now! MASE Day at the Capitol
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Advocacy is a core part of our work as special education leaders and MASE Day at the Capitol on March 4 gives us an opportunity to ensure our voices are heard. Decisions made at the state legislature directly impact students with disabilities, the professionals who serve them, and the systems we lead every day. By meeting with legislators and sharing real-world experiences from our schools and districts, we reinforce the importance of special education in statewide decision-making.
More details will be shared as we get closer, but the current plan is to meet at the State Capitol at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4. Once registered, you’ll receive instructions on how to use our advocacy software to schedule meetings with legislators who represent your school district.
To help members feel prepared, MASE will host a virtual session on February 27 at 10:30 a.m. This session will cover key issues, provide tips for effective legislative conversations, and walk through what to expect during the day, so you feel confident engaging in meaningful discussions and making the most of your time on March 4.
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Members, Tell Us about Yourself
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We are bringing back the MASE Member Spotlights! We have some new questions and we’re hoping to hear from some of our members. We will feature Member Spotlights in this newsletter and in our social media posts so that members get to know more about one another.
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Join Us for Our Next SLICE of Collaboration Session: Virtual Services
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Tuesday, February 17 | 12 p.m.
The topic for our next SLICE webinar is CEEDER & the High Leverage Practices, with presenters Kellie Krick Oborn and Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan (faculty from University of St. Thomas) and perhaps others. Join us at Noon for informal conversations with your colleagues from across the state. These sessions are open to members only. You'll receive the link to join in your confirmation e-mail. Reminder: You must login to our website to see the registration button for this event.
Reminder: You must login to our website to see the registration button for this event.
You can register for additional SLICE sessions on the MASE website—check our Calendar.
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MASA Annual Spring Conference
March 19–20 | Minneapolis Marriott Northwest, Brooklyn Park
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The MASA Spring Conference brings educational leaders from across the state together to share ideas, strengthen connections and inspire action. Centered on the theme Lead. Learn. Connect., the event celebrates our collective effort to guide, support, and create opportunities for every student to thrive.
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MASE Money Minute
By Robert Dehnert
Navigating Minnesota school finance often feels exactly like putting together a difficult puzzle. We are constantly trying to fit complex legislative changes, UFARS coding requirements, and student-specific needs into one coherent picture. Sometimes, you just need a tool that can help you find all the "corner pieces" at once.
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Recruitment Event: Your Path to Special Education Starts Here
If you know non-licensed special education teachers, paraprofessionals, or others interested in becoming licensed special education teachers, please share this opportunity with them. This recruitment event is designed to connect future teacher candidates with special education preparation programs and provide clear pathways toward licensure.
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Current non-licensed special education teachers working in schools who want to pursue licensure.
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Paraprofessionals or support staff interested in becoming licensed special education teachers.
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Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another field who want to transition into special education teaching.
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Teacher candidates seeking licensure through special education preparation programs.
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Online (Join from anywhere!)
Learn more here
Job Posting: Director of Special Education | SWWC, Worthington School District
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From DC to Your District: Federal Legislative Update
Thursday, February 19, Noon
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Join your Midwest special education colleagues for a federal legislative update from Myrna R. Mandlawitz, Policy and Legislative Consultant to the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) and Kuna Tavalin, Senior Advisor, Policy and Advocacy to the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). This event is free but registration is required.
This virtual event is presented in collaboration with the Midwest Executive Directors from Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
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Click the button above to submit your news and/or job openings! Also, please whitelist info@mnase.org and laurie.pumper@mnase.org to ensure that you receive your newsletter without interruption.
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