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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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 Joy amid Heavy Work
Once again, this week feels like one where two things can be true at the same time. The work is heavy, and many people are carrying a lot. And—at the same time—it matters to notice moments of joy when they appear.
One of those moments for me this week was being notified of the MASE award nominees and winners. You’ll find the award recipients listed in this newsletter. Seeing the names of both the winners and nominees was a meaningful reminder of the thoughtful, steady leadership that lives across MASE.
These moments of recognition don’t take away the hard—but they do help us pause and remember why this work and this community matter.
And as always...thank you for all you do.
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✨ Sharing a Glimmer ✨
“We celebrated Inclusivity Week, and our district truly came alive across all buildings as students and staff honored inclusion in meaningful and creative ways. In addition, our Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC), along with a group of dedicated staff, hosted Inclusivity Awards, inviting families and staff to nominate anyone in our school community (staff members, students, parents, bus drivers, custodians, nutrition services staff, and more) who go above and beyond to promote inclusion and belonging for students receiving special education services.
“We received more than 150 nominations, including nearly 50 recognizing students. Seeing inclusion become something we are, rather than something we simply do, has been a true glimmer.”
– Michelle Cuka, Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools
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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MASE Award Winners Announced
The MASE Nominations Committee met earlier this week to carefully consider a record number of award nominations. Using a scoring rubric, the committee chose the following award winners:
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Legacy Award: Eva Pohl, Park Rapids Area Schools
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Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Deb Henton, Minnesota Association of School Administrators
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New Special Education Leader: Samantha “Sam” Steinman, Mankato Area Public Schools
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Special Education Administrator of the Year: Tanya Tacker, Rum River Special Education Cooperative
We will present Sam and Tanya with their awards at our Best Practices Conference in May at Madden’s on Gull Lake. We will present Eva and Deb with their awards at the Fall Leadership Conference in October 2026, also at Madden’s on Gull Lake.
Many thanks to all who nominated someone for our awards this year! Every candidate was deserving of recognition. We plan to honor all nominees with a certificate showing our appreciation for their contributions to special education in Minnesota.
Advocates Respond to OSERS Listening Session
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) was pleased that the U.S. Department of Education hosted a formal listening session on Jan. 28 to hear personal experiences with special education and vocational rehabilitation from parents, teachers, students with disabilities, and other advocates. The session provided an opportunity for stakeholders across our communities to share specific examples of the importance of IDEA and Section 504 and why the Administration must not shift key functions and roles that these and other federal laws require the Secretary of Education to oversee.
Read the full news release
MDE Ed-Fi Updates, January 26 | Read more
MDE Special Education Updates, January 30 | Read more
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Take-aways from Statewide Update Session
At our most recent SLICE event, Sonia Smith came and shared some updates. Here are a few takeaways she asked us to share:
Thank you to Sonia for the partnership.
The MASE Office also received an email from Michele Kvikstad of the Minnesota Department of Health; read that information in last week’s MASE in Your Mailbox.
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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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Deadline Extended! Submit Your Proposal for the MASE Best Practices Conference
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Just announced: You now 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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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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One More Week! 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 volunteering or submitting a nomination for 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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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 3, 2026 | 12 p.m.
Our next SLICE webinar will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 3! The topic for this session is Virtual Services, with presenters from Area E, including Larry Syverson from Southwest West Central Services Cooperative. 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.
You can register for additional SLICE sessions on the MASE website—check our Calendar.
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MASE Money Minute
By Robert Dehnert
I currently have a 1,000-piece puzzle of a cozy winter cabin spread across a card table in my living room. It’s a beautiful scene, but right now, it’s mostly just a chaotic sea of very similar-looking blues, whites, and wood-grain browns. I spent 20 minutes yesterday trying to force a piece of the snowy roof into a section of the frozen lake. My back ached, my eyes were crossing, and I realized I was missing the one thing every puzzler needs to maintain their sanity: a clear system for sorting the pieces.
Navigating Minnesota school finance often feels exactly like that 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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Copyright (C) 2026 Minnesota Administrators for Special Education. All rights reserved.
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