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A message from Erin Toninato,
MASE Executive Director:
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 You Make MASE Strong
This continues to be a heavy and unsettling time across Minnesota. Many of you are supporting students, families, and staff through uncertainty, while also carrying the responsibility of leadership in moments that don’t come with clear answers.
You received a separate email yesterday regarding a joint letter that MASE signed on to alongside other Minnesota education organizations. I want to acknowledge that action here as one way MASE is working to elevate concerns and support school stability during this time. Read the letter here
I also want to pause and say thank you to the MASE members who stepped forward this morning to do a pop-up PD session related to the enforcement activity within the state. Your willingness to share real experiences, provide resources, ask hard questions, and be open about uncertainty is a powerful example of leadership. That openness and vulnerability—paired with deep care for one another—is exactly what makes MASE so strong.
Thank you for showing up for one another and for Minnesota’s students and families.
And as always...thank you for all you do.
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✨ Sharing a Glimmer ✨
“We have a new art teacher and she recently shared with me a success story with a student on an IEP. The student has needs related to fine motor and cognitive functioning. The teacher was able to use air dry clay, along with some other tools, so that the student could successfully participate in an art project that met grade-level standards. A wonderful reminder of inclusion and high expectations for all students!”
– Tracy Ogren, North Lakes Academy
Share your own “MASE Moments of Awe.” These are the stories—the glimmers—that highlight the beauty and importance of what we do.
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American Indian Education Field Hearing: January 26
The Minnesota Department of Education will hold an American Indian Education Field Hearing from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Prairie Island Indian Community, Treasure Island Resort & Casino, 5734 Sturgeon Lake Road, Welch.
Read more
MDE Special Education Updates, January 16 | Read more
MDE Ed-Fi Updates, January 12 | Read more
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Paraprofessional Recognition Week 2026
Gov. Tim Walz has proclaimed the week of January 19-25, 2026 as Paraprofessional Recognition Week.
Paraprofessionals work in a variety of positions and are included in a range of important school roles. We celebrate paraprofessionals with you and have provided suggestions of how their contributions can be recognized. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) invites you to share any additional suggestions you may wish to offer.
Read the full memo from Commissioner Willie Jett, including ideas for how to recognize and celebrate paraprofessionals next week. Schools can use this signed certificate from Commissioner Jett to honor each of the paraprofessionals in your school community.
Speech and Language Pathologist Available!
Southern Plains has an extra speech and language pathologist (SLP) available for the months of April and May. She is an experienced telepractice SLP with good success in telepractice. We will charge only a small amount above cost. Approximately $26,000 for the two months or $530 per day. Contact Sarah Mittelstadt if interested at smittelstadt@specmn.org.
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Help Shape Statewide Resources & Professional Learning
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CAREI and MASE are seeking your input in this 5-minute anonymous survey on the specific priorities and challenges facing Minnesota special educators through 2027. Your feedback will help directly shape the statewide resources, technical assistance, and professional learning opportunities developed for the upcoming school years.
Take the survey
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Submit a Nomination for the MASE Board of Directors
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The Minnesota Administrators for Special Education is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for two positions on the Board of Directors:
President-Elect
Secretary
If you are interested in serving in one of these positions, please fill out this quick form.
Nominations are open until end of day on Friday, February 6, 2026.
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MASE Best Practices Conference Call for Proposals!
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The Minnesota Administrators for Special Education is excited to head to Madden’s this spring for our Best Practices Conference from May 13-15, 2026. 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 a proposal.
MASE is now accepting proposals for breakout sessions of 1 hour each. Please complete your submission by using the online form with all the required information.
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We will consider all submissions sent in by February 1, 2026.
We can’t wait to see you this spring!
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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: Statewide Updates
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Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | 12 p.m.
The topic for this session is Statewide Updates; the presenters will be Sonia Smith, Director of the Special Education Division at MDE, plus MASE members who are participating in state work groups. These sessions are open to members only. You'll receive the link to join in your confirmation email.
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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Innovations in Service Learning Grant Funding Available
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MDE has funding available for grants to schools to initiate or expand and strengthen innovative service learning opportunities for students in kindergarten through grade 12.
Applicants may apply for up to $50,000 for the anticipated grant period of April 2026 through June 2026. Fifty percent of the awarded funding must be conveyed to the community partner. The service learning partnership must provide matching funds or in-kind contributions at an amount equal to or greater than the total amount of the award. The matching fund requirement may be waived for schools serving a population where 50% of more of the students qualify for educational benefits. Applications must be received by February 6, 2026, at 5 p.m. CST to be considered.
Read more in last week’s MIYM
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Webinar: Healthcare in Peril | January 26, 3 p.m. CST
Join this timely webinar hosted by a coalition of health care advocates, civil rights leaders, and community leaders to learn how you can prepare our communities through information and action. The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, NAACP, the National Council of Negro Women, the National Urban League, the Southern Poverty Law Center, UnidosUS, Coalition on Human Needs, Community Catalyst, Families USA, the National Health Law Program, and Protect Our Care have come together to cosponsor the event.
As healthcare premiums price working people out of coverage and new work requirements, slashes in funding, and tightening restrictions threaten those who are most vulnerable among us, now is the time to organize, strategize, and fight back.
Webinar: Healthcare in Peril: Preparing and Protecting our Communities from ACA & Medicaid Cuts
Date: Monday, January 26, 2026
Time: 4-5 p.m. ET / 3-4 p.m. CT (includes live Q&A)
Who it’s for: Healthcare workers, agency leadership and staff (including community health workers), community advocates, organizers, and local leaders
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Aspiring Leaders Session: January 20, 6:30–8 pm | Virtual
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Has someone tapped you on the shoulder and complimented your leadership capabilities? Join us for Professional Development opportunities with other aspiring leaders who are considering going back to school for Special Education Administration. Questions? Contact Amy Waldspurger, awaldspurger@isd721.org.
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CAREIMath
Improving math outcomes is a priority for districts nationwide, but many efforts fall short because they focus on isolated strategies rather than the system as a whole.
At the University of Minnesota’s Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI), we partner with districts and states to turn research into practice in ways that strengthen instructional systems. CAREIMath was created to do exactly that—bringing coherence, consistency, and evidence-based practices to mathematics instruction across an entire district.
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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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Copyright (C) 2026 Minnesota Administrators for Special Education. All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
1601 Utica Ave. S., Suite 213 | Minneapolis, MN 55416
Phone: 651-299-0502
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